SLK + 6 spd = fun

Newton, MA —"Have fun, but don't get into trouble." Such parental admonitions may often seem oxymoronic. But with Mercedes 2001 SLK320 roadster, I found you can indeed have fun driving without getting into difficulty—with either the car or the law.

Settling into the driver's seat, it's easy to appreciate the ergonomic features that were designed into the two-seater. For example, side mirrors are in view without even having to move your head, and panel gauges have easy-to-read black characters on a white background. At night you realize that the black characters are really cutouts that become illuminated, producing light characters against dark surroundings, which helps preserve night vision.

Short throw. Under the hood of the 320 is the optional V6. Claiming more of its worldwide racing heritage this year, Mercedes has made a 6-speed manual transmission available in the U.S. to mate to the engine—and a sweet marriage it is. The short-throw gearbox can be worked with just wrist movements up through the first four gears. As with most five-speed manuals, fifth is a farther push to the right to avoid confusion with the lower gears, and sixth, strictly for Interstate cruising, is directly below it.

But the kicks are mainly in the first four gears. The transmission is geared down; meaning first is strictly to get rolling. Then with plenty of torque for accelerating, it is a quick walk up to fourth to between 40 and 50 mph. You can have fun up- and down-shifting, with lots of acceleration, and still be close to the speed limit on many enjoyable, twisty roads. As an added bonus, Mercedes designers have tuned the exhaust to sing a sweet song from the six cylinders—low and strong, but not loud—the icing on the top-down driving cake.

The car is very stable and I wasn't able to push it enough on dry road, jouncy turns to activate the yaw (skid) control system. One would have to be a real jerk (or a seasoned Massachusetts driver) to get in deep yogurt with this car. And while control is sports-car tight, my wife noted the ride quality is such that, "Unless you look back to see there is not much of a car behind you, you would think you're in a larger car."

Bummers. The ergonomics fell down when I sometimes went to signal a right turn but grabbed the cruise control stalk instead, making for an exhilarating lane change! And at $49,300 as driven, this is a machine most can only aspire to—or else wait for one to come off a lease in a couple of years.

*Includes 222 mile Interstate trip, half with top down

**Includes delivery, heated seats, and a $4,135 sport package of aerodynamic moldings, 17-inch alloy wheels, and performance tires.