Used 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

"From curvy, narrow roads to the highway, it rocks"

"I bought this car a few years ago and, aside from top issues which I will address later, it is a pure joy. Mine is the manual transmission with Sport options with the fat sticky tires. The four cylinder engine with supercharger performs up to nearly anything you ask of it and it's nearly impossible to break the tires free from their stranglehold on the road. Better grip than the nearest Porshe in class. It emits a pleasant growl when prodded and slips quietly through the wind when cruising. The cabin is luxurious in it's materials and it's cozy, but, it's not cushy. It holds everyone in place when you are tossing it around winding hilly roads, and provides a warm connection to the outside with the top down. The top...I have no leaks in any of the hoses or connections and the top performs perfectly as long as I don't leave the car parked in the summer sun. I've been told that the fluid thins and even though mine is at a perfect level, it compromises it's ability to make the initial thrust that starts the top up or down. It only means that when I park I better decide if I want it up or down because I may not have a choice. In short, I can't imagine better bang for the buck than the manual and Sport version of this car. I've driven it back and forth across the country as well as between towns through Connecticut's winding hills. Maintain it and it'll run for a long time. Mine, currently is just under a hundred thousand and drives and feels new."

"Great little sports car, great value."

"I've owned a lot of sports cars and this is a fun little car with great gas mileage. It doesn't have the acceleration,handling, and fun factor as a Porsche Boxster but makes up for that with reliability over the boxster. The retractable hardtop can have issues with operation. Possible issues can be cables and connections. I do all my own maintenance and repair."

"Absolute bargain if found at KBB price"

"First, this is a two seat roadster and definitely not made for 6-footers and taller. You will feel like a sardine going into a can. Also, it is standard with a manual transmission, so if shifting is not for you then neither is this car. Other than that this car gets the highest possible ratings from me. I am old enough (80) to have drive many manual transmission cars and this is by far the best shifting car I have ever driven. More than enough power for any driving we do here in the states. Who needs to go 140 mph? It handles and corners like it is on a rail. The hard top is great, but you pay the price in trunk space when it is down. Bottom line: How else can you have a sporty luxury car this cheaply. No one will know by looking at it that you paid so little!"