Performance Wise - Almost Identical: FR-S vs. SLK 250
 

I was reading this article yesterday and as I was going through the stats it appears as though the new SLK 250, with the 1.8t and 6 speed manual is as near as damnit to our cars in terms of performance and a number of other criteria.

Moreover, the 250 got pretty high marks overall and beat the FR-S in lateral g's. Tough, don't look at that number too closely as it could be altered greatly with some better tires.

So what does this all mean? Well, feel good knowing that had Mercedes built our car, it would have cost $47,585 compared to our little ragamuffin. So don't get too upset with what the fr-s takes to the plate, it's still a good deal.

Here is the article with the performance secs and track data:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...50_first_test/

SLK's are just Miatas for people with too much money. I drove an SLK280 with a 6spd and it felt just like a Miata. Not even much classier inside the car, either. But yeah, $40-something-thousand new.

Interesting comparison. Out of curiosity, I looked up the numbers. MT's numbers for the SLK250:


Compared with FR-S:


Definitely a close matchup. Also agree with you about tires. The SLK250 is on max performance (or optional extreme performance) summer tires, compared with the grand touring summer tires for the FR-S.

As I've said before, it's pretty impressive the FR-S/BRZ can put up the handling numbers it does wearing the tires off the Prius.

When I drove my Miatas I would find myself envious of the SLK when ever our paths crossed. With the FR-S I don't feel that way any more.

I've driving lots of cars but with my car on coilovers and 17x8 enkies PF01 with hankook summer sport tires (Basically same weight as stock set up just wider)..... DANG THIS CAR TURNS IN HARD.

I was wondering if it would make any sense for Toyota to come out with a Lexus-variant of the FR-S similar to what the CT-200 is to the Prius. Not sure how much more weight the Lexus FR-S would add, but it sounds like Mercedes was able to balance the extra luxury weight with a turbo with more torque and performance tires with the end result being very similar performance for almost twice the cost.

^ That's called the Supra

I hope the Supra will be cooler than just a FR-S with leather seats. The Toyota dealer dude (not sure if I'd say I'd take what he says is gospel) told me the new Supra will come in a V-6 standard and optional 500hp V-8 and will go for $60k+ and should be a 2014 model year car (so introduced in 2013?). Where will the Lexus SC4x0 fit in this puzzle? I don't know about you guys but I'm highly intrigued to find out what Toyota will be doing in the coming years between the FR-S and the LFA.

convertible only? no thanks

Here in Oz the Merc costs more than 3x as much as the 86. My mate has one and cannot believe what I got for a third of the money! :lol:Those Merc badges sure cost a lot of hard earned cash:eyebulge:

i was just discussing this, the problem with that sort of set up is, there would be no more sales for the LFA.

if they developed a Supra with 400-500hp no one would ever buy the LFA and all the R&D would be for nothing on that car because everyone would say, hmm a toyota RWD with 500 HP for 400,000$ or a toyota with 400-500HP for 60-80,000$ gee i wonder whats more affordable?

It doesn't matter, because every LFA what have been produced is sold already. And you can't compare Supra and LFA, cos LFA is a supercar and Supra isn't. LFA is one of the fastest production cars ever in track, and that kind of performance comes with a price. New Supra is gonna be fast, but nowhere near of LFA's performance.

I believe that Supra needs 400+ hp to be a competitive sports car in it's class.

I was thinking the same thing yesterday as the OP. Its a luxurious FR-S with the SLK250 6 spd manual. I would say this car is a little overpriced though compared to a FR-S.

2.0T over a 2.0 = 4-5k
Hardtop convertible with a sunroof combo = 5-6k
Nicer interior = 2.5-4k
Other luxury features = 3-4k

It is worth a base price of 40-42k it seems.

Close but you forgot...

benz badge = 4-8k