I regularly lurk on the ITR side of Honda-Tech since I own one however a friend is in the market for a 2 seater (Roadster) and was thinking about the SLK 280. I mentioned that he should look at the s2000, since this is the area with the s2000 gurus. Is it possible to have some input regarding the two, I understand it may be biased, however, since I have only driven a s2000 once for about 10 minutes I am not qualified to make a proper recommendation. (That was a 2002 model s2000 with the 2.0L not the 2.2L)

THANKS!

 

what are his car/driving related interest...

cruising for chicks or performance? comfort or spirited driving?

s2000 is more an actively driven car, and is wonderful for that...

the SLK is less performance oriented, but has great "bling" factor and comfort.

short of it is... SLK is heavier car with less HP so if its pure performance I would say my biased opinion is the s2000

 

well not sure what he's after really, I am not even sure he knows... currently he drives a Audi Quattro 1.8T with Sports package....

 

The new SLK has been MUCH improved over the last gen...especially cosmetically and in the suspension area (they stiffened up the thing and sat it a little lower than the previous generation)...but since you're talking the 280, thats about all you're looking at in that car, the engine itself isnt all that great, you're not getting alot of power and the car isnt really light. You have to go to a bigger engine to really start talking performance with the SLK honestly...

Thing about it is though is that in the luxury and comfort area, the SLK is leaps and bounds the better car...performance wise, the S2000 mops the floor with the benz. Bottom line (as said before)...if he's looking for something comfortable and fun to drive...he's probobly better off with the SLK, if he's looking for a performance car that is fairly raw but rewards you with awesome performance in nearly all catagories...AND something much cheaper than the new SLK...the S2000 is the car for him.

 

i hope you weren't expecting anything less then biased opinions from this forum.

s2k>slk

 

Thanks a bunch... I had a idea what the differences with the cars but I thought I would ask....

I told him to test drive both and compare... funning thing is, here in Toronto, Canada... the 280 is only 20.00 more per month to lease over the s2000 (s200, 48 month 0 down - 922.32 / month - 280, 48 month 0 down - 945.45 / month)

I wonder which of the two has a better warranty program while under lease. For example his Audi was free everything for the first 3 years even brakes!!!

 

I think the S2000 just has the standard 3year/36,000 mile bumper to bumper through lease or finance...no coverage of routine maintenance...Mercedes probobly has a better deal going there, because i think their offering free oil changes and tires or something for 100k. Not totally sure about that but they're always offering stuff like that...Honda doesnt, and they dont really need to, the money you'll save between the base price of the S2000 and base price of the SLK will pay for all of that stuff anyways...

Leasing though...cant help you there, never been a fan of leasing, too many horror stories from family and friends.

 

Consumer Reports magazine has some pretty good information about the two vehicles. They also have some pretty cool stuff on their site.

I agree with what has been said so far. The S2K is a pure sports car; if he wants a "true" sports car then it is a great choice. The SLK is still a fun car but it can't do what the S2K can. It is also a bit more forgiving if you start pushing the car very hard. (The S2k can out handle the SLK but once you go beyond its limit, it is easier to spin.)

 

S2K

SLK

 

If you're looking for true performance out of a MB, you have to go with their AMG line. Between the two, I would take the S2K. Can't be sporting around in a base model MB!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Can't be sporting around in a base model MB!!</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is just a silly statement...what does it being a "base model" have anything to do with its ability to compete in the market the S2000 is in? A base model benz is higher than some top of the line Honda offerings...im sorry, but this is just simply a closed minded way to look at things. I have a BMW 325Ci...a car that in 2002 was the bottom of the line BMW you could buy in the E46 3series here in the states...now granted it had alot of higher line options, it was still the "base model" BMW...but i guarantee you, this car has the same luxury features that top of the line cars offered by Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Ford, GM, etc etc etc have...

"Base Model" luxury or exotic means nothing...it just means there was a faster model in their lineup that cost a fortune too.

 

well it depends what he wants man if he wants luxury over speed go w/the slk there tite as hell i was even looking at one or if hes lookin something to dip around in and have soem fun in id take the SSSSS have him take the top down when he drived to just get some feeling and then imagine how it would be at 90 degrese w/an s over an slk lol

 

Lets face it. Base model MB's are a tease. Do you really think you are getting something by getting a C230 or even the E350 or the SLK280? My wife and I both have MB cars (2000 ML 55 AMG & 2005 E55 AMG) so this is not MB bashing. The cars were astronomically expensive. But they have performance that no Honda has. Her nephew got a c320. It has 225hp. He spent close to 40k. After riding in it (Slow as hell) I much prefer my used 96 Prelude that is much faster and cost $6000. No base model MB will outperform a S2000. If you want a MB that will perform, you have to get the AMG line.

 

If you want luxury and performance, look at the S4 or even the C55 AMG. The S2000 will outperform the SLK280 any day of the week that ends in y. If you want a SLK that will perform, get a SLK 55 AMG.

 

Holy **** brother...you are comparing apples to oranges worse than anyone i have ever seen! You're talking cars WAY out of the price range in comparison...that is just silly! You could have a TON of different cars better in every way, shape and form for the price of an E55 AMG...lmao. We're talking cars that are similarly priced for comparisons sake...and what is a tease about a base line MB? The fact that it doesnt compare to another car in their lineup that cost more than twice what this "tease" cost? hahahahahahaa...you have no argument here man, you're just trying to talk downwards upon cheaper cars because you own higher line models.

To some...the C320 might be a DREAM car...to you its boring, and to some, your car may be a lack luster attempt at luxury and performance, different strokes for different folks. Dont come on here with the spoiled brat attitude that the ONLY real MB's are the high line AMG models...that is silly, like saying the only REAL hondas are the NSX and S2000. Comedic almost that standpoint...why not just say "Screw these cars, they are nothing, go out and by a Ferrari F430!" Because thats about as much sense as your argument makes honestly.