Tag: Convertible

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1JZ-Powered 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL

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When someone says “engine swap” on an old car, my mind automatically goes to a big V8 swap in an American muscle car. It certainly doesn’t go to today’s car.

What we have is a 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL with a Toyota 1JZ-GTE turbocharged inline-six. Talk about an odd couple. The R107 is so far from the tuner-culture 1JZ that I’m really struggling to see who this appeals to. Toyota fans who want something classy? Or R107 fans who want easy power? Either way, I am extremely impressed with this build. Something I don’t say often.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1JZ-Powered 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL on eBay

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1993 Mercedes-Benz 500SL

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Last week I laid out why I think right now the R230 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is probably the best value in the Mercedes-Benz world. It has the perfect combination of very high production numbers and the perfect timing of too old to be modern but too young to be a classic. Today, we have the previous generation that had a similar production run, which means it can still be had for very little money given how many are out there floating around. Of course I’m talking about the trusty R129, and more specifically an early 500SL.

This example up for sale in New Jersey is finished in one of my favorite colors of Spruce Green and just has shy of 51,000 miles. The best part? The asking price is only $10,900. Of course there is a catch.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500SL on eBay

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2022 Porsche 718 Boxster S

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This is a way to make an entrance. I’m all for fun colors, but if you go for one, you have to own it. This is especially true for colors like we are checking out today — Viola Purple Metallic. Needless to say this is a Paint to Sample option, and a pricey one at that, and even more crazier when you put it on a convertible. Still, this is much better than another black or grey car, even at it’s current crazy pricing considering this is still just a Boxster S. Love it or leave it?

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2022 Porsche 718 Boxster S at Porsche North Scottsdale

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2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500

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For me, right now, there is no better value in the Mercedes-Benz world than the R230 generation SL-Class. A nearly $90,000 car new back when it first launched almost 20 years ago has probably reached its floor for the well-loved models. If you want in on one, now is the time. Thankfully just like the previous generation, the R230 had a long production run with no less than five different engine choices including a V12. Of course, the real value is with the classic M113 5.0-liter V8 with the nearly indestructible 722.6 five-speed automatic. Today’s example, an Amber Red Metallic example up for sale in Nevada, is looking to be a real deal even in today’s thirst for everything cool in the automotive world.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500 on eBay

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1998 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

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We made it to April and the convertible season is finally here. Personally, I’m not a huge convertible guy, but I appreciate them, and certainly more so when it’s on an iconic model. For the Porsche 993 generation, Porsche had a tough job to stash the folding soft-top somehow behind the rear seats and in front of the engine firewall, all while making it look good. Truth be told I think they did a great job considering the challenge, but I can’t say I’m ever tempted to go buy one. However, if I were in the market, today’s car might be one of the better ones.

This 1998 911 Carrera Cabriolet up for sale in Miami has the understate black exterior but went all in with Lobster Red leather on basically everything. Even better, this one has some extra goodies to top it all off.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet on eBay

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2002 Porsche Boxster S

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I’m not here to claim that the 986 Porsche Boxster gets overlooked in terms of the Porsche world in general, but it maybe isn’t the first model you run to when you dial-up Porsche in your thoughts. It was a wildly successful model when it launched in the late-1990s, as it brought back memories of the 914 and got people in the door of the Porsche brand without paying 911 prices. The base Boxster in 1997 started right under $40,000, while the base 993 started at around $65,000. As the years went on the 986 became just a used car, although a used Porsche, but still didn’t get much love from the collector crowd unless it was a really special example. Today, this still holds largely holds true but they are starting to come along slowly. Let’s look at this 2002 Boxster S, as it’s a great color and has just 47,000 miles. Is it worth the premium?

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2002 Porsche Boxster S on eBay

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1975 Mercedes-Benz 280SL

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At some point, you have to throw in the towel. A car that gets too far gone and well past the point of mathematical sense to fix, or try to dish it off as a parts car. Ideally, you are never faced with the situation, but when you are, you probably have to take a real hard look from an outside perspective. I think today’s car, a 1975 Mercedes-Benz 280SL, is one of those situations.

This is admittedly a rare Euro car with the slim bumpers, nice headlights, and M110 inline-six engine. Other than that, it is a typical R107 that there are more than plenty out there at every price level. The problem is, the condition is not good – not good at all. Is it worth saving?

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1975 Mercedes-Benz 280SL on eBay

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2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 Convertible

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It is hard to believe the C208 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class was the first Mercedes-Benz “E-Class” coupe to be offered with a V8. It is by name and appearance only though, as it was based on the less expensive C-Class W202 platform. Still, it fooled literally almost everyone in the world except those who write internet blogs about 20-year-old Mercedes-Benz models a few times a week. The CLK430 brought the goods without spending S-Class money for the V8 or king-of-the-hill M120 V12, and did it rather well. I personally think the M113 V8 is one of Mercedes-Benz’s finest engines ever in terms of reliability, efficiency, and power output. It only got better when that 4.3-liter went to a 5.4-liter displacement, but from the outside, they look totally similar.

Today, we have a very interesting CLK430 Convertible up for sale in Miami of course, and boy does it have some extra goodies on it both factory and aftermarket. Also, just under 27,000 miles.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 Convertible on eBay

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2005 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet

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By the back half of 2004, Porsche was full steam ahead with the launch of the 997 chassis for 2005, but they still had some unfinished business with the 996. Mainly this amounted to getting rid of all the leftover body shells and throwing all the parts bin stuff at the cars for high MSPRs to squeeze the last drop of juice out of the chassis. The 2005 model year for the 911 is hell for basically everyone having to deal with them as you could get a C2 cabriolet, Turbo, and GT3 in the 996 body as a 2005 model year, but the rest of the model range was now a 997. Even stranger was that if you wanted a 2005 911 Cabriolet, the base Carrera was a 996, but the Carrera S was a 997. Try having to pitch that as salesmen to potential buyers. Today’s car, a 911 Turbo S Cabriolet, was a full on “throw all the options on it to clear out the space we need in hopes someone buys it for a margin” kind of build. This car carried an MSRP of nearly $160,000 and was not shy about going a little over board equipment. Now? Not much of a discount, honestly.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2005 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet on eBay

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1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL

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The Mercedes-Benz 190SL has one of a the craziest price deltas considering they all are the same car. A running project will get you in the game at around $40,000, while a restored example is north of $200,000 and beyond. Anywhere in between those two numbers, your mileage will vary (no pun intended) on how nice a car it is. Truth be told, the 190SL is much more of a looker than a driver, as it is a car that was built in the 1950s and is very much not the big brother 300SL. Thankfully Mercedes was not shy with the color combinations both inside and out, so your heart can run wild in terms of what flavor you’d like.

Today, we have a 1961 up for sale in a lovely shade of blue with a dark blue fabric top. From the outside, it looks fairly nice and has a more than reasonable price tag of $70,000. Oh, but wait until you open the doors and peek inside.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL on eBay

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