Enthusiasts Blogging Our Favorite Classifieds
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?
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.
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.
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?
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?
