Not necessarily Mercedes - be thinking year 2000 or newer, around $20,000, and reliable fun-to-drive machine.

Off the cuff:

3-series cabrio
SLK b/c of hardtop
CLK b/c of hardtop

Any other suggestions? I might end up going this route.

__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

1938 Cord Phantom.....

__________________
"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

Masarati bi turbo Zagata. Very fun to drive and a good example will be way under your stated investment.

__________________
BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

Two sets of boobs in as many replies.

I am going dizzy.

Oh yes....

If your budget allows for a new, non-Benz, convertible, look at the Volvo
(C70?) the VW (Eos) and the Pontiac (G6?).

Good luck

__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!

1990-1998 Mercedes SL. They can be had for about that price now.

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

G6 is very good styling. Couldn't think what the darn thing was called a moment ago....................

__________________
BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

There is also the Saturn version of the G6. Whatever THAT is called.

__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!

Saab 9-3 Viggen

1960 Cadillac Deville, sapphire blue with a white rag top.....oh yeah...

__________________
"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

1938 Cord - maybe not reliable
Maserati Zagato - maybe out of price range
1998 SL - on the list, good one
1960 Cadillac deVille - pass
A f'n bug? No thanks.

__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

I would wait for this guy to come out!!!

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Heh, see if you can get Mistress to jump up and down!!

As to the cars, Brian, for sheer exhiliration and fun, the BMW 3 would be hands down the best, I'd think. They are pretty reliable too.

The Volvo C70 turbo, (I owned one for awhile), well, what can I say, welcome to torque steer. I never liked wrong wheel drive either. But they have the most comfortable seats in the business.

These, and the SL cars are more like open cruisers, great at what they do but not as much fun or involving.

I don't think the Mustang GT convertible is what you are looking for either
(brute V8 muscle, great sound, noise, live rear axle)

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

2000 Corvette convertible.

I have always had a soft spot for an Auburn Boat Tail Speedster.
Or an early thirties Lincoln, Dusenburg or similar dual cowl phaeton.

Neither car meets your budget, and both are older than year 2000, but they are great, worthy cars.

__________________
1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Boxster? Probably the best driver's car of all mentioned here.