[Porsche-O-Phile]

Okay, okay. . . I know it's not a P-car or BMW (no flames plz). . .

After walking around the L.A. Auto show this past weekend I felt that the best car in the $45k-$50k range was hands-down the Mercedes SLK-280. Call me nuts, but I'm actually considering going to go look at one. I sort of doubt I'd actually buy one (I hate the thought of eating depreciation on a new car, I'm pessimistic about the price of gas and favor a motorcycle for dealing with LA traffic rather than paying $1,000-a-month for the "privilege" of it) but who knows.

Anyone have any thoughts/opinions on these? Seemed very attractive, well-put-together and solid (MB builds 'em like brick ****houses). Sticker for a nicely loaded one was about $45k, which is about the same as a Z4 (which frankly kind of bores me), only slightly more than a 350Z (and probably twice the car for the money) and way less than a Boxster or S, and considerably less than a Cayman.

In general I thought across-the-spectrum that the MB cars beat the pants off the BMWs in the same price ranges.

Just curious what you guys' opinions are about them.