mrtgman

I love the tl and have been seriously considering one for a long time. On friday I test drove a 350z just for kicks and wow what a car! No where near the amenities that the TL has but it really handled well and had no shortage of power. Then last night I was at dinner and some guys drives up in a new MB SLK350. I was awestruck. The car just looks amazing and shortly drew a small crowd of onlookers. Did some research on the Mercedes web site and found that the leasing numbers are really not all the differant.

What do you guys think?

GunnmeTaLCURA04

hmmm are you sure? one thing. remember that MB will ADD ALOT for extras. and also.. IMo i dont think that with a difference of maybe about 11,000.00 from TL to MB.. that the numbers will be around the same. but if u can get it its a damn nice car.. how much does it weight? it has about 268 hp with 250 tourqe. i think.. and if its half the weight the TL is it will FLY!!!

03CoupeV6

I think all three of those cars cater to completely different buyers. The 350Z is a sports car (watch out Nissan depreciation unless you plan to keep it a long time), the TL a sport/luxury sedan, and the SLK a roadster.

Go with whatever suits you. Since you're considering two different two-seaters, we'll assume you don't need a rear-seat. My opinion is that the TL simply offers the most value for the money and, correct me if I'm wrong, it's the safest in terms of crash protection in that trio.

My personal choice would be the TL, and it's not a biased opinion (I don't own a TL yet, and may not get one -- I'm shopping an extensive list of vehicles).

johnstl

Take another hard look at the TL. My friend had a 350Z and sold it because the ride was rough and he went thru brakes and rotors. Obviously he drove it hard. As for the MB, quality is not what it used to be.
Good luck in your decision!

Dr.Murdock

I got a TL and i love it. But i must be realistic and admit that i would love to have a SLK350. Better yet, an SLK55AMG, or even more extreme, the monster in disguise - the E55 AMG. If i was older and had a good job, that would be a car i would def. buy (E55). With 469hp @6100 516Torque @2650, its a true beauty. Hopefully i will be able to buy it when i graduate university, which i just began. in the meantime, i will try convince my father to get it. You just can't go wrong with the E55.


The 350Z doesn't appeal to me. Seems too small, would hate to see how it rates on a head on collision. I would buy a corvette if i wanted to drive hard at a reasonable and affordable price.

Neogeek

do you have another car for the wife and kids? the Z and SLK are two seaters... I test drove the Z because my mom has the old one and we wanted to see how much different it is... The Z is nice if your tall, but i still think its a chunky car with a chinsey interior. I saw the SLK parked about few months ago, and It was one of the nicest Benzs I have seen. Its REALLY small, and i bet it handles great.

as 03CoupeV6 says, each car is completly different. If i had the choice, and lived in florida, I would go with the SLK, it definatly atracts some attention.

sufall96

Reply to Dr. Murdock:
I know what you mean about the E55. I love that car! If I could afford it that would be the car I would buy without a doubt. My TL is fine but coming from an 03 tl type s to a 04 tl I am kind of immune to the acceleration, but the E55 would rock my world.

EZZ

My recommendation would be to get the SLK 350...that is a great car. The TL is really different from the 350Z and SLK350 as both are 2 seaters and the TL is a an entry lux sedan...if you want more similarity, the G35 coupe is much more comparable to the TL. The 350Z has EXCELLENT resale value as evidenced by ALG and kbb. Its depreciation is unlike that of most Nissans... and is comparable in resale to the TL (if you don't believe me, please do research on your own and you'll see that the 350Z has high resale).

If you value any practicality in your autos, get the TL as the other two aren't very practical.

avs007

If you are considering the 350Z, consider the Infiniti G35 Coupe. It has a better interior, (sure not Acura level or anything), but definately uplevel from the Z. And similar performance. In fact, I think some mags said it actually got better handling becuase of the slightly longer wheelbase. Also currently, the Infiniti G35 is rated as having the best resale value, even better than the TL currently.

But like someone else said, these are really very different animals. I looked into the TL vs G35 thing myself. As it turns out, we got the wife a TL, but a G35 coupe for me. It really depends on what you're looking for.

My wife rated her priorites as:

1.) Luxury Features
2.) Safety
3.) Roominess
3.) Fuel Economy

My priorities were

1.) Performance/Handling
2.) Safety
3.) Luxury Features
4.) Reasonable Fuel Economy (To me reasonable is ~ 20mpg highway)

03CoupeV6

Thanks for the correction... teach me to make assumptions!

EmuMessenger

The new SLK is hot. Nice cross-drilled rotors, too. The Z is last for me. TL is second.

The comparisons become more strange by the day.

Didn't we have someone cross shopping a TL and a C6 Vette?

pearl04

That's funny! The TL is a beautiful car. Everytime I start thinking about any other car I would have bought besides the TL (with four doors) I can' t come up with anything. I wish I could afford that E55 also.....that thing is sick.

F23A4

The biggest plus with the Z: Low prices!! I've been watching the Z market and have come across so many low mileage 03s for low $20s that I'm tempted just on principal to pick one up.

EZZ

Your assumption was usually correct...most Nissan's have terrible resale value. The Z though has traditionally has high resale...even the 300ZX is still expensive even though they are old. You can still pick up a used Z for low $20s but you have to remember that they start around $27k which is significantly lower than a base G35 coupe.

The Slk350 though is probably as fast as a Z but you have the pimp factor

Dobber

If you are only going with a lease get the slk. But if you are buying the tl and leasing the slk go with tl. Leasing sucks with all the restrictions.

J RIDE 81

I personally don't like the new SLK. I'd go with the TL but I really think it personal opinion

1acura

My friend runs the Wilmington MB Store. I have a ML 350 in addition to the TL. He actually steered me away from MB b/c of the changes they are going through right now. Anything under the S Class (and AMG) is now mass produced. Additionally, the 2004 Model year is the last year to offer the awesome MB warranty. From 2005 on it is pretty much "pay as you go". To me, that was a big deal and will have me buying an MDX when the ML is history at the end of the year. Either way, good luck.

dpilati

I considered the same cars and Audi S4 and 5 series. I was coming out of a 300ZTT and wanted a bigger car. Now, 1 month into the 5 series, I don't really need the room.... Could've lived with another 2 seater.

350Z or G35 - In the end the interior got me and the harsh engine noise.

TL - great car (2nd or 3rd choice). Handling. No pass seat adjustments...

Audi S4 - reliability, resale dumping, No real nav at $50k, no good phone option.

SLK350 - wasn't out yet when I made decision... Tempting but I think I would want the AMG ($$ and limited avail). No bluetooth (not acceptable at this price point) Very expensive (to the point of ridiculous) options. $2000 for a phone system that is not as good as the TL's or 5 series standard systems (maybe the interface is but it is still not bluetooth.

5 Series - expensive. Not Japanese reliable. But in the end - power and amazing handling won out. Unbelievable stereo (option) and unbelievable seats (again option) was the icing. Bluetooth is fantastic - won't consider a car without it.

And resale does matter. The S4 costs about the same as a loaded 545 to lease because of BMW's stellar resale. 65% at 3 years.

underdog_RENAMED2

Well, I just exchanged my 2001 SLK230 (Kompressor) for an 04 TL A-Spec.

I can tell you that MBZ has a long way to go in quality control. Maybe the 05 SLK350 is good, but then again, it's the first year of a new body style. They didn't get mine right and they had been making that body style for 4 years already. Check http://www.mbnz.org forum to get a feel for what the owners thing. I believe the new body style is R171.

My local MBZ service center was HORRIBLE, but the next one 20 miles farther north was excellent. That was nice until I had to have the car towed a few times (long story - again bad MBZ quality control) and MBZ will only tow to the nearest dealer/service center.

I also agree that MBZ (and most German manuf these days) still believe in charging exorbitant premiums for things that should be standard. In 2001, the SIX DISC CD changer option was $1200! Of course, I snagged on one ebay for $175.

Best of luck to you. You'll be happy either way. As much as a disappointment the SLK was, I still don't regret it.

alextclam

i went to the love mercedes event at six flags a few months ago and test drove the slk350. let me tell you i'm 5'9" and i would die if i had to drive even 5 mins in that car. there is no leg room at all. so if you are taller then i'd suggest getting something else.

Crazy88

in additon to the TL i would also consider a 300C Hemi, used M3, G35 coupe or sedan, M45, new RL just my

geminis2

Get The New Rl

glnn01

I had the opportunity to sit in a 350z this past weekend. All I can say is that the inside of that car is so small. I really didnt like the gauges inside the vehicle and the rest of its interior, but the 6-speed transmission felt pretty smooth. If you're pretty sport-oriented, I'm sure the 350z wouldn't disappoint. I was in the same situation months ago when I was shopping around for a new vehicle. I too, considered the 350z. I figured if I got the z, I'd enjoy it for a little bit, but then get sick of it because I know I'd want a bigger car;something I can keep for a while and serve all purposes.

I attended the International Car Show in San Francisco this past weekend and for the value you get, I think the TL scored big amongst other vehicles in its class. I may be biased when I say this, but I think the TL has one of the better interiors out there. You get a lot out of this car than you would if you decided to get the 350z. Just consider this, is it peformance or luxury that you want? If you want both, I say go for the TL. It may not be as fast as the 350z, but it still can haul some ass for a 4-door.

mio

slk 350 is much more expensive than 350z or TL, if u got that much money go get slk, it is awesome~

BTW: I own a 350z, there is something i need to tell u: First, NissXXX dealer fukin sux,

sec: 350z is so uncomfortable... u will get tired of it soon...

and it is so slide when it is rainning or snowing ... which means it is not safe for normal driver... (infiniti G coupe is much better than Z... )

third: if u wanna go for 350z roadster, the soft roof looks like a terrible tent from inside...

if u wanna go for a 350z hard top , u can see the back trunk from inside, which means

u will feel like u'r sitting in the back trunk... go to the dealer and find out whether u like the feeling or not...

last: the 350z engine sound is awesome, but it will be getting very annoying if u hear it everyday...

u know, noise pollution...

rets

.

Neorick

SLK 350 nuff said

ramzfan

Mercedes quality is crap. I got out of a ML320 for a Tl. Nothing like $1000.00 brake jobs since rotors cannot be turned. Or the 3 sunroofs that were put in it due to the rails breaking. Then there is the differential, water pump, dash lights (2 sets), AC compressor.
I learned my lesson big time. German cars were great at one time, but they are just overpriced junk now. Not sure why someone would be comparing a roadster to a 4 door sedan anyway.

MaX800XT

I sat in a 350z about two weeks ago at the South Florida Intl Auto Show. I was not impressed with it's interior at all. Our TL interior blows it away. Even one of my favorite car's interior, the M3, did not impress me all that much. I'll agree the E55 would be a cool car to own, but about the only car I'd give up my TL for is a Porsche 911 GT2.

rets

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