1991 Mercedes-Benz 500SL

Description

We all know why you're looking at this car: an A-list 1991 Mercedes 500 SL roadster for under $10,000. More than 300 horsepower on tap, stunning good looks even 20 years later, and an opulent leather interior that looks (and was) insanely expensive all add up to an incredible ride for an incredible price.

You already know about Mercedes-Benz and the legendary quality, so it should be no surprise to learn that the black paint on this lovely SL is still in remarkably good condition. Start with great stuff and it's probably easier to keep it that way, and it's fairly obvious that someone loved this car. Nothing looks better than black, so that's probably why it was so well-maintained and it definitely looks great today. The ingot-like structure of the SL probably helps a lot with keeping everything in line, so it still shows great gaps and the doors open and close with a feeling that no other automaker has ever been able to duplicate, and even after all these years, it feels substantial. The headlights and marker lights are not cloudy as often happens to certain cars from sunny states and the taillights are still bright and vivid. There's not a lot of chrome on the SL, but it does proudly display the 3-pointed star emblem and SL 500 nomenclature on the deck lid, and since styling hardly changed, it looks just like the newer models. Nobody will know how affordable this car really is, so showing up will be an event for you everywhere you go.

The tan leather interior is befitting a car that cost nearly $80,000 when it was new. The fat steering wheel makes you feel as though you're at the helm of something substantial and the clear, easy-to-read gauges are arranged with typical German efficiency. That's real wood on the center console and the plus carpets feel sinfully soft underfoot. Everything was standard, including climate control, power windows and locks, cruise control, and a bunch of other electronic miracles that seem to be a Mercedes-Benz hallmark. A Sony AM/FM/CD stereo head unit has been slipped into the dash at some point, updating the sound system in a meaningful way and it sounds great, particularly with the wind block installed behind the seats. The trunk is as nicely upholstered as the rest of the interior, and comes complete with factory tools and first-aid kit. A removable hardtop is included with the car, so it seals up as tightly as a hardtop and looks awesome.

The 5.0 liter DOHC V8 was one of Mercedes-Benz's better designs. With the kind of power that feels effortless in any situation, it's astoundingly fast but docile enough to idle with nary a vibration. There's a husky V8 rumble from the tailpipe, but it doesn't call a lot of attention to itself until you're really running hard. The engine bay is very clean and obviously well-maintained, and with a recent major service including a rebuild on the automatic transmission, it still a superb highway cruiser. The suspension is just the right combination of comfort and sport, so it'll hustle if you ask it to but it's also comfortable hammering across long distances. Powerful 4-wheel disc brakes are confidence-inspiring and it wears chrome AMG-style wheels and 245/40/18 front and 275/35/18 rear performance radials which don't seem to exact a ride penalty.

No, it's not perfect, but for the money, this is an A-list ride that's still a blast to drive. Call today!