I know how you feel; however, they are now 18k dollar cars. Only the unknowing think they are as expensive as they should be.

Actually, don't feel too bad. Infiniti G35 Coupes (my previous car) of the same year and number of miles are only worth about 2500 more. The gap used to be much higher.

 

i was feeling bummed as well, but then i think, i could have paid a LOT more if i had bought the 'actual' mercedes SLK32amg!!!! and our cars are WAYYY more solid, powerful and fun to drive than ANY 350Z or G35coupe! and my car gets TONS of attention(granted i have lots of exterior upgrades) i get asked at least 1-out-of-3 times i park somewhere "what kind of car is that? it's beautiful!" honestly, i own a jaguar XK that does not get this much attention!

plus, the dealership where i purchased my SRT had NO CLUE what they had.... i got it at a ridiculously low price! so i never feel bad modding it or running it hard. it is truly my FAVORITE car i have ever owned!

 

i also think the crossfire body is much more 'masculine' than the SLK....

hope i don't offend anyone saying that...... i do love the SLK, but at the same dealership my girlfriend and i drove a 2006 SLK350, AND the SRT, and she even said "honey i think the SLK looks more like something i would drive..."

 

Regardless what you paid for it, there is no other car that you can buy other than the six that is as fast fun and reliable for even close money. How do you think the E55AMG guys feel after paying $125k for it new, and going for $30k now. I can tell you how they feel, it's only money and spent on cars is to have fun or just something to drive. They are never investments, granted the rare ones your chances of losing money is less.