I checked out the SLK55 AMG at my local dealer today and found it to be a good alternate to the Cayman.
I've never owned a MB but this one is pretty cool, and pound for pound, option for option, it might be a better deal than the Cayman - but of course it's no Porsche. The AMG version is a killer with great added styling and of course the AMG performance mods.

QUESTION - did any of you Cayman owners check it out? If so, what made you pick the Cayman?

I know the Cayman looks better and feels better - have I answered my own question : )

The SLK is another SLK. They come and they go. The Cayman is a Stunner. It screams as it goes, and everyone notices.

The car has a nice exhaust note and very fast straight line performance. That was the end of the 'fun' for me. It is too heavy and too loose (with too much power-everything) in between you and the road.


Frankly, the Boxster S beat it in a recent comparison test (for whatever that might be worth). I agree, I'd take the Boxster over the SLK and I'd take the Cayman over the Boxster...so, hmmm... Probably showing some bias there.


http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...ars/index.html


Paul

By the way, as an additional alternative there is the new BMW Z roadster coming out, M powered at around 330 HP. This should stir up the roadster class quite a bit.


Paul

as an owner of a MB, who is going to porsche, i dont think that MB would be a good substitue for a porsche.

IMO, their quality and reliability had gone down so much that it will take sometimes for them gain the customers trust.

__________________

Techart Formula 20", H&R springs, Capristo Exhaust System, Techart Cayman GT kit, Brembo GT brakes

Thanks for the input guys - I think I'll file the SLK brochure into the trash compactor.

I just needed to reason it out of the running. I wish Porsche were as reasonable with option costs are MB is though.

Yes. Hopefully this will force Porsche to bump up power soon...

I really like the MB SLK in all forms.......they did a good job on it.......but its still not a Porsche. There's no way I could own an SLK55 with an auto tranny.......

The SLK is nice but tokz has it right. MB quality is not what it used to be. I have 2 friends with 05 SL 500's. Both have been in the shop repeatedly. Beautiful cars but for $100 and $104K respectively as their cars are equipped they are not happy campers. Disgusted is the phrase used by one. The SLK is a good performer but it doesn't have the sporting edge that the Cayman does. As far as the BMW I just can't warm up to the looks.

1 reason to not even go and look at it/test drive it: Only available with a 7-speed auto box. And it isn't even a DSG-style box.

1 reason to go and take it for a spin: I was at Siverstone for the British GP last year and the safety car was an SLK55...........My God that thing was louder, and could be heard OVER the F1 cars. That is one seriously lice Spitfire-sounding engine!

Jack

__________________
Cayman S - Since December '05

thank you for bringing that up. i forget about that. [img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/tounge_smile.gif[/img]

I would like to add that, having a MB means there will be a lot of recall and it seems never ending.

I own a w211 and i've reached a point where i dont care about anymore recall.

__________________

Techart Formula 20", H&R springs, Capristo Exhaust System, Techart Cayman GT kit, Brembo GT brakes

If you have never owned a porsche before I can understand the question. MB is smooth and refined but not a sports car. Also, I have owned 3 MB and since the merger their quality is very very bad. My last one spent at least 1 month a year in the shop. No other sports car can replace a Porsche's driving qualities in their respective price range

__________________
Jeff
06 Basalt/Terr CS
07 BMW 530xi
07 BMW X3
08 Nissan altima 2.5s

I bought an 06 SLK 350. I was planning on buying a Boxter (not the S) and decided to test drive the SLK 350 as they were in the same price range. I was very surprised to see that the SLK was better than the Boxter. I read the same reviews and I know now that the reviews are not objective. Most seem to state what is expected. I like magazines like EVO, which are not afraid to make bold statements. They also prefered the SLK to the Boxter. I drove the Boxter S, which I feel is better than the 350, but in Canada they are 10K more. Anyways, after a year of driving I feel that I want a car more powerful (and exciting) and am considering both the Cayman and 911. My only gripe is that the Cayman is much more expensive here in Canada than anywhere else in the world, and with anything resale is a consideration.

Evo placed the SLK above the Boxster? When? That is certainly not my understanding. I have been reading Evo since Iss. 2 and cannot think when they would have placed an SLK over a Boxster.





Jack