a buddy of mine is considering the SLK 55 but does not fancy a convertible. He drove mine extensively and also test drove the Porsche Cayman S but he is looking for more feedback. I told him that it drives like a Boxster with less noise and that I will ask on this forum to see if anyone has driving / ownership experince with the Porsche Cayman Coupe.

 

He drove them both already, he's a big boy, he should be able to make up his mind.

Tell him to do the math regarding total cost of ownership, it might sway his choices more (as the Cayman may end up considerably more expensive to own over the years).

 

Do you mean he wants a car with more feedback than the Cayman? There are very few mass produced cars on the road today that have better feedback than the Cayman S (yes I've driven a few)...... perhaps something like a Caterham or Westfield would be more to his liking?

 

More road feel? Maybe a Lotus Elise. I hear they come with free coupons for a chiropractor.

 

I had a cayman S and also had a slk350...but i don't really know what you're trying to ask for here? does your friend want to have a more aggressive drive or what?

 

I think he is looking for the best handling sports car under 75k , I think it is SLk55 and he is also considering Cayman S due to 6 speed

He didn't like Z4 M

 

If its pure handling he wants the Lotus Elise or Exige are almost unbeatable and he'll still have plenty of change left from his $75k

 

I agree. Get a Lotus or the Cayman. Handling is not SLK's greatest strength. However, I do think it's a great all-around car.

 

What did he not like in the Z4M? The Z4M supposedly does slightly better then the SLK55 AMG in a cone challenge (SLK's a lot heavier, not easy to keep it sure footed).

The Cayman however is a more boring ride because it doesn't ask for much from the driver. You can take corners all day and not break a sweat.

Meanwhile, the Exige/Elise will be more extreme, giving you a ride for your money. It is also a lot harder on your body, it's not an easy ride, but it is VERY satisfying.

I agree with dsb, the SLK does many things very well.

 

There is no appreciable difference in handling between the Z4M & SLK55. They have the same published slalom speeds & lateral G numbers in multiple tests. The other cars mentioned (Exige, Caymen) do indeed hold a tighter line than the SLK or M cars (but they are also not convertibles & the tested SLKs thus far have all been non Nurburgring suspsensioned cars which have a firmer ride...... which would likely close the gap a bit - but still far off the Caymen & Exige).

-Matt

 

Yeah, that's why I said "supposedly". Because I've seen some better numbers for the SLK in some tests

But I do know my SLK doesn't quite have the stance of an Exige/Elise in corners... It begins to lose grip in corners that the Lotus is able to take with a lot more security.