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The Hairdresser’s Car Thing

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1.6K views 63 replies 37 participants last post by  Rick_In_Tas  
#1 ·
Right, owning up to something. Every SLK owner has had it at some point. The raised eyebrow, the “ah, the hairdresser’s car,” and almost always from someone who has never actually driven one.

I used to half-mind it. I don’t any more. Folding metal roof, a willing little engine, a sense of occasion that costs nothing and asks only that you point it somewhere good. I walked past a hotel car park full of black SUVs recently and got into my twenty-year-old SLK, and nobody looked twice, which I’ve decided is rather the point.

Esse quam videri. To be, rather than to seem.

So I’m curious where everyone else lands. Do you still get the comments? Did they ever actually bother you? And did owning one change how much you cared what anyone thought of it?

(I ended up writing the whole thing out properly if anyone fancies the longer read, but mostly I just want to know I’m not the only one who’s made his peace with the reputation.)
 
2006 Mercedes SLK200 owns
2006 Mercedes SLK200
#35 ·
Instead bothered by the ugly SUVs TheHerd now uses everywhere, in 100 shades of grey. What it thinks of my SLKs and myself... their problem. Do especially enjoy driving yellow beauty - with its bonkers red interior - imagining I'm hearing WITCHCRAAAAAAAAAAAAFT while going past the current predominantly grey world.
Another idiotic line I've heard regards buying an SLK due to being unable to afford an SL... really, if we would care about what insane people think of us, we would be just like them.
Let's all be proud of being individuals who can still think.
 
#38 ·
I was aware of the image thing when I bought my 2016 SLK 300 in June 2022 (UK) but it didn't bother me. I love it's design and smooth look. As an aging petrol head, now running on fumes, coming from a succession of Abarth's, I wanted a comfortable 'cruiser' rather than a hard edge 'sports' car. I've not regretted it and love the car! It rides and handles well and is quite quick enough for me these days (just completed my second speed awareness course in 60 years of motoring!!). I'm very happy, at my age, to have it as my last car!!
 
W
#44 ·
Most everyone that sees my 2001 SLK320 can't believe that she's 26 yrs old! I baby her and try to keep her original as I can. I'm 74 yrs old and I love it when I'm at a stoplight and a car of teenagers are looking thinking look at Grandpa. And then I floor her and they can't believe how fast she is and sometimes they see me and want to know all about her. I wouldn't trade her for any new car with all the screens and computers and electronics that are going to fail!
 
#45 ·
I’m in the US so it may be different here but all the comments I get are people saying how beautiful my 2020 SLC300 is. I get more comments about how nice and uncommon it is versus the other convertibles.
My coworker with a BMW Z4 (not 100% on the model) was jealous of the fact my black hardtop convertible was getting more comments the other day.
I also don’t care what other people say, I was just surprised by the positivity. My caring of what other people left when my wife passed which was the reason I said screw it I'm buying the car because you can’t take it with you.
 
E
#47 ·
I think that to be satisfed, a "Caprice car" like the SLK must fulfil your expectations. As many of you said, the SLK is sporty but not radical and very comfortable. My prior car was a 911 3'2 Carrera convertible, fantàstic driver car but hot in spanish summer and very noisy for long travels.
At my 75 and muy women 69 we looked for something that suited more our fisical condition. So we sold the Porsche and for a fraction of the Prince bought a SLK 320 with 85000kms and very good condition.
In April we have traveled 2600 kms go and return from Barcelona in the Nord to Andalucía un the south, driving beautiful routes. A pleasant and no tiring Journey thanks yo the SLK!
 
J
#55 ·
Eusebio said:
I think that to be satisfed, a "Caprice car" like the SLK must fulfil your expectations. As many of you said, the SLK is sporty but not radical and very comfortable. My prior car was a 911 3'2 Carrera convertible, fantàstic driver car but hot in spanish summer and very noisy for long travels.
At my 75 and muy women 69 we looked for something that suited more our fisical condition. So we sold the Porsche and for a fraction of the Prince bought a SLK 320 with 85000kms and very good condition.
In April we have traveled 2600 kms go and return from Barcelona in the Nord to Andalucía un the south, driving beautiful routes. A pleasant and no tiring Journey thanks yo the SLK!
Click to expand...
"...is a type of car that is designed for high speed, long-distance driving with luxury specifications.[1] The most common format is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-door coupé with either a two-seat or a 2+2 arrangement..." I think this definition suits quite well the SLK with its large (for two) boot, good noise/wind isolation, comfy cabin, north of 200 horse power on the higher spec'ed engines (from 218hp for R170 320 to 420hp R172 55 AMG) . But then, with dimensions not far away from those of a Miata and the ability to go from coupé to roadster.

The SLK, a Little Grand Tourer it is.
 
#56 ·
If it is a hairdressers car, we bought the whole salon!
A family fleet of 3. For the price of 1 new Honda Accord.

And those that make such a comment are missing the whole point of it, we have had the time of our lives for 14 years and counting. So many fun stories, sunset cruises for ice cream, road trips, thumbs up and smiles from motorists.

One of many...
My son who was about 24 at the time (clean cut young man, in gleaming black SLK, top down) was sitting at a stoplight in a nice neighborhood one afternoon, and another vehicle pulled up beside him.... in the passenger seat of the other car was a similar age young woman, who after a hello and a wink, before the light turned green, got out of the car she was in and into the passenger seat of the SLK. They had a fun evening and dinner together.

Moral of the story, it doesn't take a supercar to impress, just the right mix of presence, style and confidence.

And another...
Our first R170 SLK was a firemist red, and I gave to the daughter as a first car in high school. The 230 is a great car, handles well, not overpowered, had 5 star safety awards when built, can't be a community car for kids, and relatively inexpensive to run. Counterintuitively, was a great kids car too.
Shortly afterwords I had bought the silver and black cars, and she would rotate thru the cars sometimes If I was tinkering with one and people would ask her - I thought you had a red car...she responded, I have that color too, which left them speechless. She still drives the silver car to this day. (the red was traded for the blue, which was totaled by a rear-ending)

I could go on (and on), but it makes the point we all know, there is a lot of fun to be had with SLKs, and the detractors are just not the right kind of people to own one, much less get the picture.

Automotive lighting Car Automotive Parking Light Automotive Tire Automotive Exterior
 
#61 ·
I used to always call them "old mans car" but now I am 76 years young and just got my first SLK230 Kompressor. Many moons ago my dentist always had one parked outside his practice and he told me it was paid for by a sideline of his giving collagen injections to young ladies. Could do with some of that myself now. Always liked big motors until now but have to say am impressed by mine, 2003 with only 39000 miles. Odd thing just happened, a warning popped up saying this is a dangerous page?????. Have a nice day all.
 
#62 ·
I used to hand out the comments. As a young man / old teenager when these cars arrived, I was not a fan. In an era of Max Power cars, the SLK was a bit bland, a bit girly for my liking. A hairdressers car if ever I saw one.

As a mature man and a Dad, I see the car completely differently today. Subtle styling, sleek interior, power through the range, flat & fun through the corners, a pretty capable sound system as standard, and that folding roof 😍

I never wanted to own one. They turn my head these days, but I never fancied one for my own. I bought one merely because it was cheap, and it worked. The car I never knew I needed, I absolutely love mine.
 
R
#64 ·
Cleggsta said:
I used to hand out the comments. As a young man / old teenager when these cars arrived, I was not a fan. In an era of Max Power cars, the SLK was a bit bland, a bit girly for my liking. A hairdressers car if ever I saw one.

As a mature man and a Dad, I see the car completely differently today. Subtle styling, sleek interior, power through the range, flat & fun through the corners, a pretty capable sound system as standard, and that folding roof 😍

I never wanted to own one. They turn my head these days, but I never fancied one for my own. I bought one merely because it was cheap, and it worked. The car I never knew I needed, I absolutely love mine.
Click to expand...
That's a generous comment. I don't like getting old, but I appreciate being older.
 
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