To add to PHAEDRUS242's well-defined comments, you might consider looking at the R129-series as well. These cars haven't aged enough to achieve "classic car" status, and the growing inventory (trade-ups to the R230) combined with the steady depreciation has made the pre-96 models go for Camry prices!

I know you are looking at $10K or so to spend, but consider the $$$ you would have to invest to keep an R107 in top condition? Btw, nice R107 examples are still commanding $14K-$16K, so you aren't too far away from getting a nice R129.

I mention this because the R129s also have a very good reputation of solid engineering and reliability. And because they aren't as old as the R107s, you can get more years of trouble-free driving before you have to stare down some mortgage-draining repair...

...and with mine, I've had very little go wrong...and what has, I have been able to rectify in my own garage. The wierd thing is that some R129 parts are unusually cheap while others, just as unusually expensive!

Example: Replaced a hydraulic top locking cylinder...$106
Also replaced the plastic lens off the gauge cluster I accidentally broke: $372!

Go figure...

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car