Porsche 944 vs Mercedes SLK

[MyMidLifeCrisis]

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

[MyMidLifeCrisis]

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

[MyMidLifeCrisis]

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.

[MyMidLifeCrisis]

rubystone said:

I guess I was a little concerned you thought the SLK was a 4 seater....

The 944 cabriolet ticks a lot of boxes for you of course....

It would, however, don't want a soft top.

[MyMidLifeCrisis]

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.