Model Mix Our test car was a 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 with an estimated price of $50,995, including destination charges. With all of the fun we had with the SLK350 manual, the extra $10-15,000 for the SLK55 AMG seems to be a needless expense.

For 2005, the SLK-Class lineup consists of a V6-powered 350 model and a V8-powered 55 AMG model. The four-cylinder 2.3-liter model, known as the SLK230, ended production with the 2004 model year. For 2006, a new SLK280 with a lower base price and a smaller V6 engine will be offered.

Pricing for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 roadster starts at $46,970, which includes a $720 destination charge. Among the standard features are a 3.5-liter V6, a six-speed manual transmission, 17-inch wheels, a power retractable hardtop with a glass rear window, and heated rearview mirrors with integrated turn signals. Inside the cabin are standard leather seats, a nine-speaker sound system with a CD player, an exterior temperature gauge, an automatic climate control system, a manual tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and silver accent trim. Also included as standard fare is a Tele Aid telematics system with 12 months of free service.

There are numerous options for the SLK350, such as a glovebox-mounted six-disc CD changer, heated seats, run flat tires, a hands-free telephone, metallic paint, and a seven-speed automatic transmission. Also available is a neck heating feature called AirScarf. An AMG Sport Package adds unique 17-inch AMG wheels, a sport suspension, front and rear air dams, side skirts, and steering wheel-mounted transmission controls (if equipped with the automatic transmission). An AMG Sport Suspension Package is also offered, as is a Comfort Package featuring power seats and a steering wheel with memory. A Trim Package puts wood on the steering wheel and shift knob, and a Lighting Package adds xenon headlights, cornering lights, and headlight washers. The Entertainment Package pumps 380 watts out of an 11-speaker Harmon/Kardon sound system, and also includes the glovebox-mounted six-disc CD changer. Included in a Premium Package are rain-sensing windshield wipers, speed-sensitive steering, a remote-controlled power top, among other features. Finally, special edition packages offer unique exterior colors with upgraded Nappa leather seats, poplar wood trim, and unique floor mats.

If performance is more your thing, consider dropping at least $61,220 (including the $720 destination charge) for a 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG roadster. Under the hood is a 5.5-liter V8 engine fronting a seven-speed automatic transmission, and inside the wheel wells are unique 18-inch alloys. Also standard is the SLK350’s AMG Sport Package; Nappa leather seats; aluminum interior trim; power, heated driver and passenger sport seats with AirScarf; a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel; a remote-control power top; a rear spoiler; and exterior mirrors with memory, with an automatic-dimming feature on the driver’s side.

Packages for the SLK55 AMG include the Lighting Package, Entertainment Package, Premium Package, and the special edition packages. Individual options include the hands-free telephone and the glovebox-mounted six-disc CD changer.

Our tester was a 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 with an estimated price of $50,995, including destination (no window sticker was available for our car). With all of the fun we had with the V6 model and its manual transmission, the extra $10-15,000 for the SLK55 AMG seems to be a needless expense. To keep the costs down, skip the expensive AMG Sport Package and all of its superficial fluff – for a mere $200 you can get the true nugget of that package, the sport-tuned AMG suspension, as a stand-alone option. We’d also shell out some coin for the heated seats and AirScarf neck warming feature, and don’t forget the Entertainment Package with its 380 watts – with the top down at speed, the standard sound system just doesn’t cut it.