The Hairdresser’s Car Thing

Rick_In_Tas said:

Another great piece that reflects my own feelings, Al.

Although the SLK still attracts attention. One of the reasons I like my boxy, plain Subaru Forester is that it's invisible. It doesn't stand out in a crowd. It doesn't draw attention to itself. For when the occasion calls for the job to be done rather than shown off. The SLK hasn't quite got to that point in this small, insular community where it still looks young and attractive.

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AlMac74 said:

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.)

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drumbum210 said:

Almac I have the same wonderful feeling when I get behind the wheel of my 98 slk230 kompressor! A blast to drive handles like a dream not a sleeper many people saying I really like your car. At the gas pump not really caring about the cost of premium fuel. Because I get to drive a couple of hundred miles if I want. It's clean at 63000 miles and easy to keep up! My very first convertible! A long time ago I saw one and I couldn't believe what I just saw? The top folding into the trunk! 46000 bought one and I just said one day. I finally got the chance last year and found one I bought it on the spot! I now see it every morning in my garage and get to drive it anywhere I want to go. I hope other folks who had that same feeling get to buy their dream....

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AlMac74 said:

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.)

Click to expand...

AlMac74 said:

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.)

Click to expand...

oldghost said:

I just ask them if they'd like to do a run real quick for $100. Usually shuts them up for they're usually broke and know my AMG will eat it up. Comments like those are only from the stupid. Miata killer indeed but hunting Vette's is fun too.

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AlMac74 said:

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.)

Click to expand...

peterjagger1 said:

Love mine to the ends of the earth, I so feel sorry for the SUV drivers, so far off the ground they have no real contact with the road, and to drive with the top off...bliss..so to the naysayers...suck on it

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AlMac74 said:

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.)

Click to expand...

drumbum210 said:

I'm not a hairdresser just have long hair and love my slk

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