I'm currently in the market for a new sports car and the Xfire is my current 2nd choice behind the SLK320. I know there is a huge difference in price, but I'm thinking it's worth it with the hardtop convertible. Not to mention that I'm looking at a used SLK32AMG for around $38K.

I just drove the Automatic Xfire this week, and I loved it. Should I give the standard a spin?

Thanks guy! This is a great forum, keep up the good work.

 

I have the 6-speed... had it to do over again I'd go with the auto stick... the manual is too clunky... difficult to make smooth shifts 1st to 2nd with the long throw clutch. The folks here with auto's seem very happy with them.

 

:lol: Love my Auto Stick :lol:

 

Test drive both and discover which version you enjoy more. Sure the manual may be a little more work in traffic, but manuals are a lot more fun in almost every other situation. You have to make the choice yourself. Are you wanting this car to be a fun, exciting drive, or are you going to ride around in it feeling drab and not wanting to be connected to the road. Are you a driver or a rider?

 

Give the 6spd a try! There is a learning-curve with the 6spd, and comments are correct that shifting from 1st to 2nd can be tricky. Have found myself in 3rd a few times. In may not be as user-friendly as some manual trannies but I too would rather drive than be driven!

 

James, I really don't know where you come from at times... where do you come up with some of your stuff? Because you're driving an auto your going to drive around feeling drab and not connected to the road??? :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

Love my Autostick. And you can shift manually if you want also which of course is still different from a full manual transmission. I guess try them both and you will know which is you.

 

My buddy purchased the SLK320 a few weeks prior to me getting the Crossfire. No doubt the Mb will be a nice vehicle, but if you are looking at used, you might as well get the Crossfire. You will get same features (minus retractable hard top) for much less money. Oh and a warranty that would outlast anything Mercedes would put out.

I've had many miles of seat time behind the stick and auto transmissions. I like both, a lot! The auto has smart shift points and it isn't sluggish. Look at retail value for the MB's with auto vs with manual. The manuals are easy to come by and are generally thousands less. The autostick on the other hand are hard to come by and only slip a few thousand off the original price.

My opinion, the only SLK320 to beat out the crossfire would be a new one coming out for 05. Anything earlier you might as well get a Crossfire coupe or a new roadster for 05. You will save money and be very happy with the purchase. Not to mention the 1000000000 looks you'll get daily when driving the crossfire, over the standard MB. 8)

 

your choice should be to the Crossfire, Crossfire convertilbe or the new SLK 250 which replaces the 230 with a bigger engine, new adapative steering and great new facelift which the 230 really needed (was very plain looking)...

-marc

 

I'd like to throw in my quarter''s worth here since I owned two SLK's before the Crossfire. Had a 1999 SLK230 supercharged manual and a 2003 SLK320 SPORT edition auto. Everyone will give you their opinion on the gearboxes and I will, too. There is nothing like the 6 speed. 1-2 does take practice, but it is worth it if you have a few decent roads to drive in your situation. If you are in heavy traffic everyday, autostick is probably a lot easier to deal with. One thing that got me out of the SLK tho, is the headroom with the top up. With the top up in the SLK, a package shelf is right at your neck/ear level in back. The rear window is rightover your shoulder. I'm an average size and build, but the SLK is claustraphobic (please don't spell check),when the top is up. IF you are in Four Season weather or drive any great distance with the top up, you should consider the Crossfire. There is more head room with the scalloped inside top, and being open to the back gives it a generally roomier feel, with the added plus of useable space. I do miss the convertible, from time to time, but not much. One other thing to consider is service and parts. Mercedes service is spotty at times,. Chrysler service is spotty at times. How's your dealer? SLK oil filter was $22.00 over the counter at MB dealer. Crossfire filter...same part, is $9.00 at Chrysler. And its in the original Mercedes packaging. Drive what you want to drive everyday. If you are worried about resale value...in the words of some of my Italian friends, "fugged about it".

 

Yeah...but he's talking about getting an SLK32AMG vs. a Crossfire. Performance wise, there's no comparison until the SRT-6 comes along.

lilMAC... are you looking at this at a dealership offering you a "certified" pre-owned SLK? Mercedes offers pretty good warranties, even on used cars, when you buy from a M/B dealer.

 

actually, it's a private owner, but I'm thinkin that MB will still offer an extended warranty. Could be wrong though. I'm thinking that the difference is gonna come down to whether or not I am willing to pay for a used car. I'm wondering exactly when the srt6 is coming out, because it wouldn't be much of a discussion, except the convertible hardtop...

Thanks for your opinions, I really appreciate it, I've still got more test drives (Xfire and SLK) to go. Keep 'em coming guys.

 

The SRT-6 is currently on sale on Chrysler's website. They should be in dealerships quite soon if they're not already there.