Boxster V. SLK
T
Well everywhere I turn I seem to hear how the Porsche Boxster is the
"ultimate roadster" and the SLK plays second fiddle to it. Well as a new SLK
owner I personally disagree with these statements, but I'd like to hear any
opinions you all might have on this subject. Try not to let your bias for
the Mercedes make cloud your judgment on this particular comparison.
Look forward to your responses,
T
thom...@concentric.net
Boxster is quite a fine automobile as well. It is fast, handles well, looks
great and has a beautiful exhaust note. It is priced reasonably, and carries
a marque of prestige. The SLK is not quite as fast, and the exhaust note
does not sound as good, but looks every bit as good as the Boxster, and
handles like a dream also, though the suspension/steering system feels more
'sporty' on the Boxster. Both cars offer a high-quality interior, though the
retro styling & two-tone leather on the SLK is far more attractive than the
standard equipment on the Boxster. Porsche offers a longer list of options
for the Boxster, but adding options can easily send its price into the
stratosphere. The retractable hardtop on the SLK is fantastic, and it was
without a doubt a major selling point for me. Nothing compares to it, though
the Boxster has close to triple the storage space of the SLK, due to its
tiny roof, mid engine & two trunks. Another selling point for me was the
reliability issues that came along with the Boxster. Car & Driver's
long-term test of the Boxster was far more troublesome than that of the SLK
(I don't know the exact numbers, but if anyone wants, I'll look it up). The
Boxster is more complex mechanically than the SLK, and it racked up some
hefty non-warranty maintenance bills over the course of the test, while the
SLK's bills remained comfortably low, though not trouble-free. My experience
with the car has more or less mirrored that; my car has performed very well,
but not flawlessly. Any problems I've encountered have been minor, and have
been fixed promptly, almost always under warranty. The final thing that sold
me on the SLK is that there doesn't seem to be as many of them driving
around my area as the boxster. Last summer in the Hamptons, you couldn't go
five miles without seeing a couple of them, while the SLK was (happily)
rare. There were a few around, but I'd say that boxsters outnumbered them 2
to 1.
The Boxster is a more expensive car overall, though most who can afford an
SLK can also swing a Boxster; in the end it really is just a matter of taste
and preference. I don't think that the SLK should play "second fiddle" to
the Boxster, they are just two different cars. The boxster is more of an
overall sports car, the SLK is more of a touring car. They both do their
jobs well. I chose the SLK, and would probably do it again. I'm very very
happy with it, then again most Boxster owners I know are happy with them as
well. It really is a personal preference.
Hope this helped!
-Thomas J. Paladino
New York City
99 SLK230
88 Lotus Esprit Turbo
85 500 SEL
T <unk...@where.com> wrote in message
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T
It was a pleasure to read your opinion.
T
<thom...@concentric.net> wrote in message
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