Porsche or Mercedes

[mikeymay]

I'm looking for some opinions on the Porsche Boxter S or Caymen v the Mercedes SL300/350 convertible.

Looking to spend 30k absolute maximum so probably looking at up to 4 years old.

Just started looking but at the moment no real swing to either car yet.

[sshenton1975]

Have owned both a 911 and an SL - totally different cars. The SL is a cruiser - not something you can fling around unless you get an 55 AMG or better

Boxter and Cayman - similar drive- great balance and definitely a driver car!!

[anonymous-user]

Champagne vs Single Malt - both are good in their own individual way, both expensive and get you to the same place in the end, but essentially totally different.

So...what are you looking for OP, a daily driver, an involving sports car, a long distance cruiser? Do you need luggage space or would you sacrifice that for a more nimble steed.

Give us some more clues

[RobM77]

Both are great cars, but very different; you'll find the SL is the more comfortable, refined machine and the Boxster is a more precise driving tool. There's almost half a tonne between them in weight!

The SLK is the equivalent of the Boxster to be quite honest; it's closer on weight, size, wheelbase and in engineering focus (i.e. sports not GT). However, the same differences exist between SLK and Boxster as they do with the SL, but it's closer.

[MartyPubes]

I'm a Mercedes fan, but in that instance it'd have to be the Boxster - my personal opinion is that whilst the 350 might be fine in many of the other models, the SL really does need a V8 to be 'proper'.

As others have said though, you're not really comparing too similar cars there. The focus is quite different.

[lordlee]

It's Boxster and Cayman by the way. The Boxster is a very capable and fun car but the SL is the more practical choice. Personally I'd take the Cayman if I didn't love driving with the roof down but I do so it's the Boxster for me out of your choices.