Mercedes SLK 55 AMG’s – Five Years, $11,000, and 60hp apart? Sportlich (sporty), Leicht (light), and Kurz (compact).

The Mercedes SLK is the most diminutive of the Mercedes Benz drop tops and comes across as a nice little commuter convertible with a four or six cylinder motor, but stuffed with a snarling, hand-built, AMG 5.5 liter V-8 it becomes a far more formidable sports car – matching its snub nose revolver look. I so want the SLK55 AMG to have the 500hp supercharged V-8, and yet I guess smarter car guys than I have figured out that there are limits to how much oomph this little frame can hold.

The 2009 SLK55 AMG unicorn at $28,995, with only 49,000 miles, has depreciated just over 50 percent in 10 years. This five owner car doesn’t show as nicely as the two owner, far more modern and tighter 2014 SLK55 AMG with only 30,000 miles. The 2014 has also depreciated just over 50 percent from its $87,000 original price in only five years. Kind of fun to see the evolution from the second generation (R171) 2009 model and the third generation (R172) 2014 model. Both naturally aspirated 5.5 liter V-8’s, and yet horsepower jumps from 355 in the SOHC 2009 to 415 in the DOHC 2014. Both have AMG Speedshift 7G-TRONIC transmissions.

The 0-60 mph times drop from 4.9 seconds to 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 174mph. Interesting to see gas mileage go up from 14/22 in the 2009 to 19/28 in the 2014 despite the boost in horsepower and increase in curb weight by just over 100 pounds. The overall car length increased by two inches to 163 inches from 2009 to 2014, and yet the wheelbase and cockpit dimensions are unchanged.

The 2014 has racy nice carbon fiber interior and the 2009 looks clean but dated. I kind of dig the Air Scarf heated collar. Here’s an Automobile Magazine review of the 2009, and an Autoweek review of the 2014. The 2009 SLK55 can be found here at Dulles, Virginia and the 2014 here in Indianapolis, Indiana. I’d be looking for the MaxCare warranty for either one – not cheap to fix.