2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 550

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 550 is the one to pick if you want the V8 experience without the stiff ride and price jump of the SL 63 AMG. Its 5.5L V8 makes 382 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque, routed through a seven-speed automatic to the rear wheels, and returns 16 mpg combined. The standard Active Body Control suspension keeps the car flat in corners and automatically lowers at speed, though it adds complexity to the hydraulic system.