2004 Mercedes SLK pics

[NFS4]

Saw over at GCF:

http://www.auto.t-online.de/AU/DE/de/static_html/Specials/autos/mercedes/SLK/images/b_02.jpg
http://www.auto.t-online.de/AU/DE/de/static_html/Specials/autos/mercedes/SLK/images/b_01.jpg

 

The rear end reminds me of the last-gen Acura CL...not what I'd want in a Mercedes.

The front looks sexy, though!

 

[UNCjigga]

WOW that thing makes the Z4 look ugly!!!

No wait...the Z4 was ALWAYS ugly...

 

[UNCjigga]

Originally posted by: jumpr
The rear end reminds me of the last-gen Acura CL...not what I'd want in a Mercedes.

The front looks sexy, though!

We've seen that frontend before...it was on one of their SL concepts a few years back...

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

I *HATE* the freaking huge star in the front. It would look so much better with one that's maybe 1" in diamenter instead of 6"

 

[KokomoGST]

When I saw some concept drawings with that new front end (MB seems to like it) EWWWW...

That rear deck does look very boatail-ish... it does remind me of the CL, but the front is much much worse. I wonder if Mercedes will ever recapture it's old sporting heritage and produce a bonafide roadster again.

 

[conjur]

<drool>

 

[KokomoGST]

Wait... replace that MB tristar with the Peugeot Lion emblem in your head... Looks strangely correct doesn't it?!

 

[kermalou]

i have a current slk and hate this one even more, it is a little bit bigger though.

also, dont forget its a convertible hard top.

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: kermalou
i have a current slk and hate this one even more

Why do you hate your SLK? Just curious.

Anyhoo, the styling looks OK. The rear looks good if a little bland, although the taillights look strange in that pic (photoshopped?) Profile view is sexy.
The front looks OK but it reminds me a little too much of Nissan's ugly tooth.

 

[Liviathan]

I think it looks pretty good. The lines are very aggressive and its looking more like a high end SL series.

 

[MainFramed]

OOO, i love it! Can't wait to steel one of those!

edit, i noticed i just said steel. i mean buy one when i get rich

 

[bozack]

I like it alot, anyone know the estimated price on one of these or what the current ones are going for?? thanks

 

[loosliptcomptrola]

the a$$ looks like the new crossfire...

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: bozack
I like it alot, anyone know the estimated price on one of these or what the current ones are going for?? thanks

Current SLKs start at $40K and go up quite a bit from there.

When the new version comes out, it will almost certainly be going for full MSRP or more for a while.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: bigsmooth

Originally posted by: bozack
I like it alot, anyone know the estimated price on one of these or what the current ones are going for?? thanks

Current SLKs start at $40K and go up quite a bit from there.

When the new version comes out, it will almost certainly be going for full MSRP or more for a while.

It's a Corvette priced Miata with a fancy top.

 

[amnesiac]

Originally posted by: bigsmooth

Originally posted by: bozack
I like it alot, anyone know the estimated price on one of these or what the current ones are going for?? thanks

Current SLKs start at $40K and go up quite a bit from there.

When the new version comes out, it will almost certainly be going for full MSRP or more for a while.

Yup. My mom was looking at a new SL last year. Demand drove prices through the roof. Dealer wanted some $1600 a month for a lease, or $120,000 for purchase.

BTW, what is it with people here that every time NFS posts pics of a car with updated design, 90% of the comments are "ewww, <insert feature> sucks."
It just reinforces my point that a lot of people here live in a cave and the thought of anything around them changing is unspeakable.

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis It's a Corvette priced Miata with a fancy top.

Little harsh don't you think Wink, honestly do you really think your potential MB buyer will be seriously considering either a Vette or a Miata as viable alternatives?? heck if I had the money for the MB I wouldn't even think of buying a Miata...maybe the Vette but only because I like American muscle/sports cars....

I agree also, unless it is Japanese and pretty cheap the general reaction here is "eww, awful, overpriced, could get this for less and be better...blah blah blah."

Here is a great quote from someone on another board....

"over-priced is a concept that has some utility, but more often than not, in the world of luxury goods, ends up being a red herring that gives no appreciable benefit except to taint the sweet taste of appreciation of a fine product. If the enjoyment and appreciation of the product allows one to overcome the obstacle of paying the price, pull the trigger and enjoy."
-ThomasM@ThePuristS.com

 

[Swanny]

Very nice, but they could tone down the hood ornament a bit.

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: bozack
do you really think your potential MB buyer will be seriously considering either a Vette or a Miata as viable alternatives?? heck if I had the money for the MB I wouldn't even think of buying a Miata...maybe the Vette but only because I like American muscle/sports cars....

Miata, probably not, because if you're even thinking about a new SLK you're not going to go that far downmarket.

However, I think the Corvette is definitely a competitor to the SLK. Yes, they are different in many ways, and not all people that consider one would consider both, but I bet the typical buyer of both are middle-aged to older people who have a lot of money and decide to get a small "toy" sportscar.
The MB is more prestigious and luxurious, but the 'Vette is generally faster and has way more tradition behind it, which would appeal to those older buyers.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: bigsmooth

Originally posted by: bozack
do you really think your potential MB buyer will be seriously considering either a Vette or a Miata as viable alternatives?? heck if I had the money for the MB I wouldn't even think of buying a Miata...maybe the Vette but only because I like American muscle/sports cars....

Miata, probably not, because if you're even thinking about a new SLK you're not going to go that far downmarket.

However, I think the Corvette is definitely a competitor to the SLK. Yes, they are different in many ways, and not all people that consider one would consider both, but I bet the typical buyer of both are middle-aged to older people who have a lot of money and decide to get a small "toy" sportscar.
The MB is more prestigious and luxurious, but the 'Vette is generally faster and has way more tradition behind it, which would appeal to those older buyers.

Even a Corvette is not in the same buying range as an SLK. Mercedes owners don't associate with GM's...unless they need a pickup truck

The Corvette is a rather cheaply built car for the money...not even comparable to the Mercedes...especially in area of interior quality and features. The SLK's competitors are the Z4, Boxster and Audi TT. That's about it.

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: NFS4Even a Corvette is not in the same buying range as an SLK. Mercedes owners don't associate with GM's...unless they need a pickup truck

The Corvette is a rather cheaply built car for the money...not even comparable to the Mercedes...especially in area of interior quality and features. The SLK's competitors are the Z4, Boxster and Audi TT. That's about it.

I agree with this 100%, Corvettes are nice but from what I have seen and experienced their overall build quality is not nearly as good as a BMW, MB, Audi...heck even a Jetta. People considering a Euro roadster would not even think of a Vette as an option, they are two totally different market segments.

 

[kermalou]

i dont hate it, it is sometimes very impractical as an everyday car. luckily i have no kids, but if i did, i could never drive it.

i have the 4 cylinder super charged slk230 and its pretty quick,but not fast in any standard.

if you want fast, test drive a SLK32 (Super Charged V-6), at one point it was the fastest MB until the SL55 came out this year.

 

[SuperTool]

mercedes got the tooth

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: bozack

Originally posted by: NFS4Even a Corvette is not in the same buying range as an SLK. Mercedes owners don't associate with GM's...unless they need a pickup truck

The Corvette is a rather cheaply built car for the money...not even comparable to the Mercedes...especially in area of interior quality and features. The SLK's competitors are the Z4, Boxster and Audi TT. That's about it.

I agree with this 100%, Corvettes are nice but from what I have seen and experienced their overall build quality is not nearly as good as a BMW, MB, Audi...heck even a Jetta. People considering a Euro roadster would not even think of a Vette as an option, they are two totally different market segments.

Gotta say I disagree. I am not saying the cars are similar, I am saying they appeal to overlapping demographics. I have read many posts on other message boards such as Edmunds where the 'Vette is cross-shopped with the european cars.

Exhibit A: C&D "Topless Toys" comparison test from August 2001. Boxster S vs. M Roadster vs. SLK32 vs. Corvette.
These cars are all pretty different, and it's kind of a weird comparison test. However, I think C&D included them all in this comparo because there are people out there who would consider all of these choices given the price range. So C&D agrees that the 'Vette is at least part of the discussion.

Again, I don't think the 'Vette is the SLKs main competition, but I do think each car takes at least a few buyers from the other.