2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 63 AMG

The 2009 SL-Class is Mercedes' flagship two-seat roadster, a convertible that trades the brand's usual practicality for open-air luxury. It's a relaxed cruiser on the highway, yet the available AMG version turns it into a serious performance machine when you want to push. The cabin is a snug leather-lined cockpit with powered seats that heat and cool, though the cupholders are flimsy and won't hold large drinks. Some owners have had the seat heating and cooling elements fail, so it's worth checking those work before you buy. The SL 63 AMG trades the SL 550's standard V8 for a hand-built 6.2L V8 with 518 horsepower, AMG's Active Body Control suspension, and a seven-speed automatic with launch control. That 6.2L V8 and seven-speed automatic make it brutally quick, but you'll pay at the pump: 14 mpg combined. The AMG Drive Unit lets you store your preferred suspension and shift settings on one button, so you don't have to dial them in every time.