Road Test Together, all of the technology behind the scenes allows for boatloads of fun when piloting around corners or weaving through traffic. Featuring a great combination of power and handling prowess, the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 is an absolute blast to drive.

It was only by coincidence that the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 was under our care at the same time as a Honda S2000 tester. Given the differences in price and targeted demographics, a full-fledged comparison made little sense. However, it did provide two of our editors with a terrific opportunity to skip out of the office for an afternoon, and to run each of these two roadsters to their maximum potential.

It would be accurate to say we were taken aback a bit by the Mercedes. Even with more than 3,200 pounds to motivate, the SLK350’s V6 provided plenty of punch. Power delivery was linear, and good golly, you’ve gotta love that torque. So much torque, in fact, that the driver can leave the shifter in third gear, and easily modulate the throttle in the straight stretches and in the tight corners. Downshifting to second is only required on the most aggressive turns. And this was on a somewhat steep, uphill run. When we found a chance to open it up, the V6 remained composed, so much so that we didn’t know we’d reached redline territory until the rev limiter activated. With the SLK350’s grille reflecting in its rear bumper, that high-revving Honda, even with similar horsepower and weighing hundreds of pounds less, was screaming for relief.

Unlike the silky feel of the V6, the six-speed manual transmission is clunky and sloppy. Depress the clutch pedal, and the shift knob feels eager to pop out of gear (though it never did), the gates between gears prevent smooth and quick shifts, and one of our editors complained of a springy feel to the clutch. Clearly, a tighter, more accurate shifter would be a better match for the praiseworthy engine. Like the one in the Honda S2000, for example.

Ranking better than the transmission but short of the admirable engine, the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK350’s brakes performed well overall, though there was too much pedal travel before braking took effect. However, once the brakes engaged, slowing power was impressive, impervious to fade even after long bouts of aggressive driving. And, to be sure, that’s how the SLK350 likes to be driven.

Thanks in part to the new rack-and-pinion steering system, handling feels more precise and communicative than the previous generation SLK, though large potholes and bumps do tend to stir things up. There is a small dead spot on center, but with the optional speed-sensitive steering (included in the Premium Package on the SLK350; standard on the SLK55 AMG), that goes away as the steering becomes firmer at higher speeds. Drivers will notice some understeer in fast corners, but it’s minimal. Chances are the SLK350 will make you feel like a better driver than you really are, namely because of the sophisticated suspension and the stability control system that keeps the SLK pointed in the right direction.