This is a cool topic since i just got the itch to start looking at slk350's. I don't own a g35 but now im also debating whcih car i'd rather have as a second car in about 12 months.
Mian things would be the reliability and the cost of maintaining it. I guess when you pose this question you need to compare specifics in what you are looking for.

Congrats on whichever way you decide to lean

 

isnt it supposed to look like the McLaren SLR...??

 

I don't know what it was supposed to look like. I just think the '05 looks more like an SL than the previous model did.

 

slk350


slr mclaren


sl500

 

...and then you have this rather undesirable looking model...'04 SLK320

 

yeah lol, much improvement

 

frankly i wouldnt do it... the price difference is a big factor...

 

I wouldnt do it because of price. The slk55 power trumps any negatives. What is the $ difference between sl500 and slk350? If that isnt too far apart then sl500 would appear to be a better choice.
But once again I am internet opinion basing so please dont mind me. Just thinking aloud. Kudos to you for be having to be in an enviable position. Only thing that could make it better would be if it was .

 

You really don't know how much a SL500 costs do you? Hint: MSRP $93,000. Noone in their right mind should be comparing a SLK350 or a SLK55 at $60k with a SL500. I don't think these are the same consumers.

 

like Dean said, they arent the same category. you can get the SLK55 for around $70K. Its very performance oriented, built for enthusiasts. The $90K SL500 has a 302 HP engine and a heavy convertible body, built for looks. Its performance is more similar to our Gs, whereas the SLK55 would hand us our asses in a race.

 

This SLK is no doubt a nice car (almost as good looking as the G IMO), but for $2600 more I could get a similarly equipped M3...

 

True, but the SL65 is a force to be reckoned with.

 

Hey, I have an SLK350 in Diamond Silver Metallic with the AMG package and Harmon/Kardon Sound System, 6MT. I find this amusing, seeing as I am trading my SLK for a G35. The SLK350 is a nice car, but, I don't know. It's just TOO flashy for me, right now. I mainly drove *** cars before this and I find them more fun, for some reason. I always had a thing for Skylines even when I was little. I think switching to the 350GT is a good choice for me, currently. The backseats will help me out greatly and I think I will enjoy modding it. Accordingly the SLK 350 is faster 0-60 but the 1/4 mile is really a drivers race. The best times of both cars are only offset by a tenth of a second. Speed shouldn't be a concern when trading. But just remember, you can't mod an SLK 350 without going to super-expensive companies like Brabus. I'm going to go into a 2006 G35 in black with the 6MT and 19s. In some aspects I'm moving up. My SLK doesn't have heated seats nor power seats, whereas the G35 will. Keep in mind also that most SLKs you'll see on lots don't have many options, I had to order mine. Good luck, Peace.

 

How about STI or MR ? I know I know it's totally different cars

It's worth considering

 

hmm.. or you can save the money for another year and trade in for GTR? As long as you are cool with Infiniti's unprofessional service, I think that would be another good alternative choice =P