SLK/R171: 350Z. Boxter, Audi TT, Lexus.. etc.. Why SLK 350?
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The Boxter is very small on the interior and only has a cloth top and the look is becoming very dated. My buddy has one and its ok but it does not do anything for me visually. The Audi also only has a rag top and and has been around for awhile know also. I live in the pacific northwest and had to have a retractable hard top period. The Lexus is just plain ugly in my opinion and not very sporty looking and again it has been around for sometime now. As far as the 350, I liked everything about it. Plus it is a fresh new design and just plain turns heads everywhere you go. With a few simple dress up items many people think is an SLR. Beside thats what the wife wanted and I liked it also. The more I drive it the more I love it. Beside if I get the wife what she wants she does not say a word when I add to my toy collection.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Seattle, WA
2005 SLK350, Mars Red - Tan Interiors
OK. I'll put my opinions in (and they are just that, opinions):
I have had two ragtops. The 350SLK folding hardtop was a difficult advantage for any of the other cars to overcome. (I also live in the rainy Northwest.)
350Z: I used to have a 280ZX, and it was the best car I ever owned (kept it for 14 years). But while I kind of like the look of the 350Z coupe, the roadster looks like an afterthought design. ("Oh look. I suppose we could also cut the top off and make a roadster.") I did not drive one, but sat in one at a car show. It felt a little cheap on the inside.
Boxster: Checked with my insurance agent. The 350SLK will be about $430/6 months. Boxster would be $1120/6 months. I sat it one (but never drove one). It was very uncomfortable. My wife rides in one frequently with her friend. She says it is windy with the top down, and you cannot carry on a non-shouting conversation.
Audi: Hard interiors. Unusual "campy" look that I think will get dated quickly (as opposed to the classic sports car look of the 350SLK or Honda 2000S.)
Honda: Not nearly as much car, but if I were much younger, and could not afford the 350SLK, that would have been my choice.
BMW Z4: Drove one. It was lots of fun, but again I think the looks will get dated fast.
Lexus: Ughhh! Looks like a squashed VW Bug with its top cut off. I drove one: It feels like a very solid sedan, even when the folding hard top is down. (So at least it has a folding hard top.) Just does not feel like a sports car. And all that for just $80,000.
And did I mention the folding hard top of the 350SLK?
I have had two ragtops. The 350SLK folding hardtop was a difficult advantage for any of the other cars to overcome. (I also live in the rainy Northwest.)
350Z: I used to have a 280ZX, and it was the best car I ever owned (kept it for 14 years). But while I kind of like the look of the 350Z coupe, the roadster looks like an afterthought design. ("Oh look. I suppose we could also cut the top off and make a roadster.") I did not drive one, but sat in one at a car show. It felt a little cheap on the inside.
Boxster: Checked with my insurance agent. The 350SLK will be about $430/6 months. Boxster would be $1120/6 months. I sat it one (but never drove one). It was very uncomfortable. My wife rides in one frequently with her friend. She says it is windy with the top down, and you cannot carry on a non-shouting conversation.
Audi: Hard interiors. Unusual "campy" look that I think will get dated quickly (as opposed to the classic sports car look of the 350SLK or Honda 2000S.)
Honda: Not nearly as much car, but if I were much younger, and could not afford the 350SLK, that would have been my choice.
BMW Z4: Drove one. It was lots of fun, but again I think the looks will get dated fast.
Lexus: Ughhh! Looks like a squashed VW Bug with its top cut off. I drove one: It feels like a very solid sedan, even when the folding hard top is down. (So at least it has a folding hard top.) Just does not feel like a sports car. And all that for just $80,000.
And did I mention the folding hard top of the 350SLK?
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Hey Mavrick, Fill out your sig so we know what your driving. Gig Harbor here.
Who is your dealer? Phil Smart? I also had a 280zx for years and also loved that car. Mine was a black 2+2 with tan leather. Bought it right out of collage and drove to cali. put 120K on it till my GF overheated it one day and warped the heads. Put low mileage used Jap replacement motor but it was never the same. Traded it for an MR2 had the wedge and then the newer MR2 Turbo. I looked at the 350Z also but it was load and had no room and the ride was very rough. We bought G35 Infinti Coupe which looked good but was also kinda of loud inside , interior was plasticy and the ride was way harsher then the 350. Only kept it a year. Wife wrecked it. Hit the back of a Dodge Durrango. It had $400 dollars damage the G35 22K ouch. Fixed it but it was not right so we traded it for the SLK. We are very happy with the SLK except for the possible oil consumption problem of a quart per 1300 miles.
Who is your dealer? Phil Smart? I also had a 280zx for years and also loved that car. Mine was a black 2+2 with tan leather. Bought it right out of collage and drove to cali. put 120K on it till my GF overheated it one day and warped the heads. Put low mileage used Jap replacement motor but it was never the same. Traded it for an MR2 had the wedge and then the newer MR2 Turbo. I looked at the 350Z also but it was load and had no room and the ride was very rough. We bought G35 Infinti Coupe which looked good but was also kinda of loud inside , interior was plasticy and the ride was way harsher then the 350. Only kept it a year. Wife wrecked it. Hit the back of a Dodge Durrango. It had $400 dollars damage the G35 22K ouch. Fixed it but it was not right so we traded it for the SLK. We are very happy with the SLK except for the possible oil consumption problem of a quart per 1300 miles.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Palm Springs, California
SLK 350 AMG
350Z: The front half of it looks cool; the back half looks like they weren't sure how to finish it off.
BOXTER: You either like or hate the look of Porsches. Personally, I have always hated their shape, and wouldn't want one even if it was free - and they also sound like sowing machines.
AUDI: Not quite sporty enough; too much like a sedan with the top cut off
HONDA: The S2000 is my favorite sports car; just a little underpowered, and lacking in final finish; you have to buy a lot of aftermarket add-ons to make it special.
BMW Z4: Dated from the day it came out.
LEXUS: Too much like an old man's snob car. To me, people who drive them actually look ridiculous (Although I'm not sure why).
SLK350/AMG: Just a classy looking SPORTS car. The design is awesome - as you can tell by the admiring looks it gets. Powerful and well finished. Pity it's $10-15,000 overpriced.
BOXTER: You either like or hate the look of Porsches. Personally, I have always hated their shape, and wouldn't want one even if it was free - and they also sound like sowing machines.
AUDI: Not quite sporty enough; too much like a sedan with the top cut off
HONDA: The S2000 is my favorite sports car; just a little underpowered, and lacking in final finish; you have to buy a lot of aftermarket add-ons to make it special.
BMW Z4: Dated from the day it came out.
LEXUS: Too much like an old man's snob car. To me, people who drive them actually look ridiculous (Although I'm not sure why).
SLK350/AMG: Just a classy looking SPORTS car. The design is awesome - as you can tell by the admiring looks it gets. Powerful and well finished. Pity it's $10-15,000 overpriced.
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 163
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From: Seattle, WA
2005 SLK350, Mars Red - Tan Interiors
Originally Posted by redvettx2
Hey Maverick, Fill out your sig so we know what your driving. Gig Harbor here.
Who is your dealer? Phil Smart?
Who is your dealer? Phil Smart?
As to dealers, I invite you to see my post about Phil Smart and Barrier under the European Delivery 7% Discount thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/slk-class-r171/97605-slk350-european-delivery-now-7-off.html . I ended up buying from MB of Tacoma, which as you know is as far south of Seattle as we are North. Yet I refuse to go the Phil Smart or Barrier, even thought they are both less than half as far. I plan on taking it to Tacoma for service as well. Hopefully it will not be a frequent occurence.
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From: Orlando
E550 Coupe
In addition, check out this thing - http://autos.msn.com/advice/article....18&src=finance
Out of the sports cars, SLK holds its value the best. Seriously, its crazy...one dealer around here is selling a USED one with 3,200 miles for only $2,000 less than a brand new one that would be delivered at the end of june.
Out of the sports cars, SLK holds its value the best. Seriously, its crazy...one dealer around here is selling a USED one with 3,200 miles for only $2,000 less than a brand new one that would be delivered at the end of june.
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2005 C320wz
Originally Posted by ricky.agrawal
Cuz none of the others have a tri-star?
"her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got a Lexus" doesn't sound right at all
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Thanks Mavrick. I read your post regarding the dealers. I went to Barrier first and test drove a car. i could have made a better deal on my trade-in there but they did not have the car we wanted. No heated seats or air scarf. I called Tacoma because they are closest to me. would love to have purchased there but that had no 350's and were very vague as to what was coming in. Then they told me I could order one and have it in 2 weeks!!!!
And Santa Clause is coming next week too. I hung up and was called back saying it would be 6 weeks, another lie. From what I hear from everyone else
it is more like 12 weeks if you are lucky. I did not want to wait until Aug. to hopefully get the car. Phil Smart had the car we wanted so I moved on it fast. It was still in plastic and there was some concern it was pre sold. I made the offer and got what we wanted. Problem now is I think I got an oil burner
.
And Santa Clause is coming next week too. I hung up and was called back saying it would be 6 weeks, another lie. From what I hear from everyone else
it is more like 12 weeks if you are lucky. I did not want to wait until Aug. to hopefully get the car. Phil Smart had the car we wanted so I moved on it fast. It was still in plastic and there was some concern it was pre sold. I made the offer and got what we wanted. Problem now is I think I got an oil burner
.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 25
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From: Naples Florida
Dodge Hemi Magnum , SLK 350 soon
To date and after numerous test drives from Crossfire (not even close,) 350 Z, Boxter, the Z4 3Liter was the closest as for fun and performance and appearance however It is so close in price to the SLK that it can't be justified. Yes being an MB, with hardtop and all the bells that come with it I say that puts it a unique position. and I think resale is higher than most, perhaps the Porsche would also maintain good resale over the others.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 132
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From: Hawaii
05 SLK 350, 97 S420, 92 Jeep, 04 Kia, 28 Ford Tudor, 51 Ford F3, 01 Harley, 03 Harley
Originally Posted by redvettx2
Thanks Mavrick. I read your post regarding the dealers. I went to Barrier first and test drove a car. i could have made a better deal on my trade-in there but they did not have the car we wanted. No heated seats or air scarf. I called Tacoma because they are closest to me. would love to have purchased there but that had no 350's and were very vague as to what was coming in. Then they told me I could order one and have it in 2 weeks!!!!
And Santa Clause is coming next week too. I hung up and was called back saying it would be 6 weeks, another lie. From what I hear from everyone else
it is more like 12 weeks if you are lucky. I did not want to wait until Aug. to hopefully get the car. Phil Smart had the car we wanted so I moved on it fast. It was still in plastic and there was some concern it was pre sold. I made the offer and got what we wanted. Problem now is I think I got an oil burner.
And Santa Clause is coming next week too. I hung up and was called back saying it would be 6 weeks, another lie. From what I hear from everyone else
it is more like 12 weeks if you are lucky. I did not want to wait until Aug. to hopefully get the car. Phil Smart had the car we wanted so I moved on it fast. It was still in plastic and there was some concern it was pre sold. I made the offer and got what we wanted. Problem now is I think I got an oil burner
.Interesting I had a long conversation concerning the new SLK and got more from them than any other dealer I spoke to.
Ended up deciding to buy the SLK and am VERY happy (not from them but at least the guys were honest and helpful... word travels, good to hear)
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 173
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From: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
2005 SLK350
Originally Posted by Maverick
350Z: I used to have a 280ZX, and it was the best car I ever owned (kept it for 14 years). But while I kind of like the look of the 350Z coupe, the roadster looks like an afterthought design. ("Oh look. I suppose we could also cut the top off and make a roadster.") I did not drive one, but sat in one at a car show. It felt a little cheap on the inside.
And yeah, Z4 just didn't feel right for me, TT is old and doesn't handle like a sports car, S2000 is a teenager's car (and I eat one for breakfast every morning on the way to work), SC430 handles like a sedan and it's expensive.
The boxster isn't a bad choice if you can deal with a soft top, but every time I see one I think "CHEAP Porsche", even if it does run into the $60s for an S... I guess I just can't get over the stigma of it being the cheapest car in the lineup (unless you count VWs
).
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Lausanne, Switzerland
SLK 55 AMG
The Vario roof says it all, most of those other cars only have a soft top.
The Lexus is not very pretty IMO, and I don't want the extra rear seats, I prefer my car a roadster with only 2 seats. Also the reason why a Peugeot 206 CC is way out of the league (not to mention that it's one of the crappiest cars I've driven in the past few years).
And finally, I LOVE the MB brand, and the look of the new SLK
The Lexus is not very pretty IMO, and I don't want the extra rear seats, I prefer my car a roadster with only 2 seats. Also the reason why a Peugeot 206 CC is way out of the league (not to mention that it's one of the crappiest cars I've driven in the past few years).
And finally, I LOVE the MB brand, and the look of the new SLK
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Skokie, Illinois
Yesterday, I was stopped at a stop sign and a very attractive woman and her daughter were crossing in front of me. They stopped momentarily and the woman said "that sure is a beautiful car". I said "thank you". It took me about an hour to wipe the stupid grin off of my face. That's why I bought the car.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 310
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From: Texas
2005 SLK55 AMG
Originally Posted by Dema
Right, plus Benz is high quality and very reliable car. For example 90% of Lexus SC have torque converter problems.
Sharing opinions is good, making up facts doesn't help anyone, on any subject, on any board.
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 192
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From: Hawaii/Conneticut
2005 SLK350
i was gonna say that too... im sure lexus has a lot less quality issues than mb as pointed out by just about every, if not all, consumer reports out there
i would still get a mb over lexus tho
just personal preference
i would still get a mb over lexus tho
just personal preference
