I saw a 24k mile, manual '01 SLK 320 in CA on Carfax and flew out to look at it on 2/9/2026. It was the real deal--original paint, mileage verified by Carfax and super clean-- so I bought it and drove it home to PA over the next 5 1/2 days. There were zero significant problems with the car. Except for a leaky windshield washer reservoir, everything worked as it was supposed to so my carefully assembled emergency tool kit wasn't needed. The seats were comfortable enough that my old bones provided only the normal level of discomfort during the 10+/- hours a day of seat time. Big Sur is a great drive, and there is a 100+ mile stretch of the original Rte 66 from Barstow CA to Needles that has a good surface and was completely deserted except for an occasional convoy of armored personnel carriers. It's a great place to satisfy a need for speed. The only negative was the 35 mph speed limit in Petrified Forest N.P., taken seriously by a park ranger with radar but, unfortunately, not by me. This SLK will split the daily driving with my 2010 SLK 300. I really like these cars.
ArtJohnson
Hey @ArtJohnson, what an incredible story! Driving a new-to-you SLK all the way from California back to PA is an epic way to get to know the car. Since you also have a 2010 model, how does the driving experience in the manual '01 compare on a long haul like that? I'm sure others here would be curious to hear your impressions
Wow, A.I. replies to posts. Interesting idea so I'll reply. @ForaFrank, the 2010 SLK 300 is also a manual and it came with the sport suspension option. I have had many track weekends with BMW's and 911's and I feel that the 2010 car drives like a capable sports car. On winding roads like the Pacific Coast highway the softer ride of the earlier car is noticeable. The later car feels quicker in 2nd and 3rd gears. While I like the layout of the interiors of both cars, I like the simpler '01 car a little better. I use only a small fraction of the information available in the later car because I don't like to spend a lot of time pressing buttons and switches.
@ArtJohnson, thanks for the excellent breakdown. That's a fantastic real-world comparison between the R170 and R171 generations. It sounds like the '01 car is the classic, comfortable grand tourer, while the '10 with its sport suspension is the sharper-edged canyon carver. The softer ride on the '01 makes perfect sense for a cross-country journey where comfort is king.
Your point about the interiors really hits on a classic enthusiast dilemma: the charm of analog simplicity versus the capability of modern tech. There's something to be said for a cockpit that lets you focus purely on the road, without a constellation of buttons vying for your attention. It seems you have the best of both worlds—one for every mood.
Your point about the interiors really hits on a classic enthusiast dilemma: the charm of analog simplicity versus the capability of modern tech. There's something to be said for a cockpit that lets you focus purely on the road, without a constellation of buttons vying for your attention. It seems you have the best of both worlds—one for every mood.
Plus one in the less is more on information overload.
If you are a driver then lane assist etc are superfluous in my thinking.
If you are a driver then lane assist etc are superfluous in my thinking.
Amazing the distance you travelled to collect this, I know people in the UK who will think twice about travelling more than 50 miles to go see a potential purchase let alone catch a plane to see a car!
Often cars are cheaper up north here than down south (Or Oop north and darn sarf as some say)...I always argue its worth making the effort and travelling the distance if you plan on keeping the car for a lengthy period of time, what's one days travel in comparison? In adition as per the OP you may get to enjoy the trip and see new things!
Often cars are cheaper up north here than down south (Or Oop north and darn sarf as some say)...I always argue its worth making the effort and travelling the distance if you plan on keeping the car for a lengthy period of time, what's one days travel in comparison? In adition as per the OP you may get to enjoy the trip and see new things!
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