Porsche 944 vs Mercedes SLK
Discussion
After spending the past two years narrowing down my search for a sports car to a Porsche 944 s2 - this recent weather has made me question the idea of having a convertible.
My original requirements where the following
- 2 door coupe
- non convertible
- £5000 budget
- reliable every day car
- not to costly with maintenance
- A mans sports car (this unfortunately rules out the mazda's)
- ideally 4 seats ( I know it is a tight squeeze with a Porsche 944 - but happy to crowbar the kids in for short trips.
However, the thought of a convertible has made me look and I have found that the Mercedes SLK 2006 model is only slightly above my original budget.
Can any one maintain my desire for the Porsche 944 or manage to persuade me to the Mercedes.
The convertible needs to have the following requirements
- would push the budget to £6000 for the right one
- needs to be hard top convertible
- every day car - even in winter, hence hard top.
- mechanically operated - I'm lazy!
- 4 seats preferable but not as important.
Any help /advice appreciated
My original requirements where the following
- 2 door coupe
- non convertible
- £5000 budget
- reliable every day car
- not to costly with maintenance
- A mans sports car (this unfortunately rules out the mazda's)
- ideally 4 seats ( I know it is a tight squeeze with a Porsche 944 - but happy to crowbar the kids in for short trips.
However, the thought of a convertible has made me look and I have found that the Mercedes SLK 2006 model is only slightly above my original budget.
Can any one maintain my desire for the Porsche 944 or manage to persuade me to the Mercedes.
The convertible needs to have the following requirements
- would push the budget to £6000 for the right one
- needs to be hard top convertible
- every day car - even in winter, hence hard top.
- mechanically operated - I'm lazy!
- 4 seats preferable but not as important.
Any help /advice appreciated
Had a 944S2 convertible for 5 very enjoyable years, sold it 6 years ago. You should remember that these cars are getting on now so I would question their suitability for use every day. Also not sure if hardtops are available, never seen one.Also for £6K you would get an SLK which could have parking sensors, hardtop(which automatically stores away as opposed to the 944- you have to manually put a cover over the hood) and many other modern every day options.
Just saw a lovely Porsche 944 for £8k, so I think I have just pushed my upper limit to 8k.
Regarding the SLK vs 944, I may have confused things. The 944 will only be a coupe NOT a convertible.
However, having fallen in love with a 944, I have one major problem - I haven't yet even sat in a 944 yet never mind driven in one! Therefore I have the concern that the 944 may feel a bit dated, whereas the SLK is obviously more modern.
I suppose the questions between the two relate to
- costs of maintenance
- reliability of the each car
- handling
Also is there another automatic hard top convertible for no higher (and this time I mean no higher)than 8K!!!)
Any thoughts would be appreciated
Regarding the SLK vs 944, I may have confused things. The 944 will only be a coupe NOT a convertible.
However, having fallen in love with a 944, I have one major problem - I haven't yet even sat in a 944 yet never mind driven in one! Therefore I have the concern that the 944 may feel a bit dated, whereas the SLK is obviously more modern.
I suppose the questions between the two relate to
- costs of maintenance
- reliability of the each car
- handling
Also is there another automatic hard top convertible for no higher (and this time I mean no higher)than 8K!!!)
Any thoughts would be appreciated
rubystone said:
You seem to be confused...do you want 4 sears? Do you want a convertible? Do you want a 'man's' car?
Not confused, just looking to see if anyone has anyone had preference. If you were offered a Porsche 944 S2 for £6-8K, compared to a Mercedes SLK 200/280 for 8K, which one would you take? Wondering if people would suggest not touching a SLK due to high costs and maintenace, etc or the opposite.My start to thread highlighted my needs, which haven't changed. However I am open to alternative/compromises to which a hard top convertible was one. Also 4 seat was a preference but not high on the list.
At the moment leaning towards the Porsche, and see how I feel over a couple years.
£8k is very strong money for a 944, it must be a mint turbo or S2?
If it is going to be a daily, why spend that much? I would spend less, get a well used one that won't lose money through use.
I had a 968 may years ago and loved it - a good late 944 and/or 968 will be back in my fleet sometime in the future. I wouldn't say the SLK offers very much desirability now - IMO they haven't aged very well whereas the 944 S2 holds its age far better.
For £8k can you not squeeze into an SL350? Not very sporty, but they feel significantly more 'special' than the SLK.
If it is going to be a daily, why spend that much? I would spend less, get a well used one that won't lose money through use.
I had a 968 may years ago and loved it - a good late 944 and/or 968 will be back in my fleet sometime in the future. I wouldn't say the SLK offers very much desirability now - IMO they haven't aged very well whereas the 944 S2 holds its age far better.
For £8k can you not squeeze into an SL350? Not very sporty, but they feel significantly more 'special' than the SLK.
vinnie83 said:
£8k is very strong money for a 944, it must be a mint turbo or S2?
If it is going to be a daily, why spend that much? I would spend less, get a well used one that won't lose money through use.
I had a 968 may years ago and loved it - a good late 944 and/or 968 will be back in my fleet sometime in the future. I wouldn't say the SLK offers very much desirability now - IMO they haven't aged very well whereas the 944 S2 holds its age far better.
For £8k can you not squeeze into an SL350? Not very sporty, but they feel significantly more 'special' than the SLK.
Thanks for that, hadn't considered spending less - kinda makes sense. In regards to the SLK I was thinking for the later version (04-11) is a bit more modern.If it is going to be a daily, why spend that much? I would spend less, get a well used one that won't lose money through use.
I had a 968 may years ago and loved it - a good late 944 and/or 968 will be back in my fleet sometime in the future. I wouldn't say the SLK offers very much desirability now - IMO they haven't aged very well whereas the 944 S2 holds its age far better.
For £8k can you not squeeze into an SL350? Not very sporty, but they feel significantly more 'special' than the SLK.
MyMidLifeCrisis said:
vinnie83 said:
£8k is very strong money for a 944, it must be a mint turbo or S2?
If it is going to be a daily, why spend that much? I would spend less, get a well used one that won't lose money through use.
I had a 968 may years ago and loved it - a good late 944 and/or 968 will be back in my fleet sometime in the future. I wouldn't say the SLK offers very much desirability now - IMO they haven't aged very well whereas the 944 S2 holds its age far better.
For £8k can you not squeeze into an SL350? Not very sporty, but they feel significantly more 'special' than the SLK.
Thanks for that, hadn't considered spending less - kinda makes sense. In regards to the SLK I was thinking for the later version (04-11) is a bit more modern.If it is going to be a daily, why spend that much? I would spend less, get a well used one that won't lose money through use.
I had a 968 may years ago and loved it - a good late 944 and/or 968 will be back in my fleet sometime in the future. I wouldn't say the SLK offers very much desirability now - IMO they haven't aged very well whereas the 944 S2 holds its age far better.
For £8k can you not squeeze into an SL350? Not very sporty, but they feel significantly more 'special' than the SLK.
The SLK will portray you as wealthier as it's a newer car, but some will label it as a 'hairdressers' car.
The 944 will attract comments of the 'poor mans Porsche' just like my 968 did 10+ years ago, but it is certainly not femenine.
You will enjoy a proper drive in the 944 a lot more, but a cruise in the SLK.
But serious suggestion - why not consider an SL350 instead of the SLK - it does IMO everything the SLK does but better.
Good luck
martindesu said:
I'd also consider the SL350 (sorry to add more to the confusion), as it's a nice place to be.
Mine too... Paul at Eurocharged called me earlier saying my exhaust is done... and it's in the top 3 loudest SL55s he has heard. This will be fun!vinnie83 said:
No worries, it just seems a waste to spend that much on a car that will lose a lot of value through daily use and shortly end up in similar condition on a car that would have been cheaper to buy in the first place.
I think I must be nuts - my SL55 is my daily driver.... eakGet a 968 over a 944 perhaps
You won't get poor mans Porsche comments with a 968 now surely? Even if you do, the car along with the DC2 Integra type R some time ago, was voted one of the best drivers cars of all time in some review or other, and that is what matters. I've had both, and aside from a Cooper S I have which has been altered, those cars can be hustled along for hours (968 Sport better) and are as involving as a superbike, or as docile as an SLK.
The 968 is going to be a dearer car to maintain in regard to any genuine parts required, as it's a Porsche, and bits aren't cheap, some hard to find, this may affect your decision.
The SLK is full of driver electronics the Porsche has abs only, The SLK lost some of the hairdressers image with the 171, but it still is one, the 172 is better because of the front end, but out of price range. There is little that's special about one, and driving one may feel comfy, especially if it has air scarf, but if you don't want a convertible, and aren't going to use the SLK as one, then why have that car as an option?
I have a 968, had it 8 or 9 years, and previously, worked at Mercedes for 8 years. I would drive the 968 around the world (had I not stopped using it several years ago ha) before any SLK, despite the fact I don't dislike the SLK. The 968 Sport is a truly unique driving experience, you'd have to try one for a good couple of hours to get it. Effortless and exhilarating. I don't know about opinions of a mans car, but a proper car, yes.
You won't get poor mans Porsche comments with a 968 now surely? Even if you do, the car along with the DC2 Integra type R some time ago, was voted one of the best drivers cars of all time in some review or other, and that is what matters. I've had both, and aside from a Cooper S I have which has been altered, those cars can be hustled along for hours (968 Sport better) and are as involving as a superbike, or as docile as an SLK.
The 968 is going to be a dearer car to maintain in regard to any genuine parts required, as it's a Porsche, and bits aren't cheap, some hard to find, this may affect your decision.
The SLK is full of driver electronics the Porsche has abs only, The SLK lost some of the hairdressers image with the 171, but it still is one, the 172 is better because of the front end, but out of price range. There is little that's special about one, and driving one may feel comfy, especially if it has air scarf, but if you don't want a convertible, and aren't going to use the SLK as one, then why have that car as an option?
I have a 968, had it 8 or 9 years, and previously, worked at Mercedes for 8 years. I would drive the 968 around the world (had I not stopped using it several years ago ha) before any SLK, despite the fact I don't dislike the SLK. The 968 Sport is a truly unique driving experience, you'd have to try one for a good couple of hours to get it. Effortless and exhilarating. I don't know about opinions of a mans car, but a proper car, yes.
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