1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL

Tony’s Take: Ten years ago I purchased a Mercedes-Benz 560SL. I drove around Palm Beach Island like I was an Florida aristocrat. My mechanic liked to put champagne in the trunk. I’d find a cool spot and toast the well-deserved longevity of Mercedes’ C107 model. As mb107.com puts it, the 560SL offers “affordable status symbol bargains for the not so rich and famous.“ It’s not a terribly fast car (227 hp V8), but boy does it waft (287 lb⋅ft of torque @ 3500rpm). This one’s got all the goodies.

“Offered with a hardtop stand, recent service records, spare wheels and tires, manufacturer’s literature and accessories, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Kansas title.” That tells me the car’s been in the right hands. High miles? Not for a 36-year-old car (2,277 miles per year X 36 years), and it’s a great color comb (Nautical Blue Metallic with a light colored interior). For $18k you’re laughing. More money, not so much. Downside: four extra chrome wheels sounds like a PITA’s worth of tires. Removing the hardtop requires serious muscle and at least one sober Kumpel.