1993 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.6

Before we get to far into the details of this next car, I've got to point out the major elephant seal in the room -- this thing has a slushbox auto.  But maybe that is okay in a car that was never designed to clip apexes or let you heel-toe.  This is a car built for cruising down the highway at something moderately near the legal limit.  This is not a Fitbit Versa 2 or an Apple Watch 5...this is a TAG Heuer...it is mechanical beast that is equal parts jewelry and status...and certainly not something you'd want to get wet.  And the red pin stripe interior is wicked.  Find this 1993 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.6 offered for $4000 in Ladera Ranch, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Ultra Luxury Floater: 1998 Buick Park Avenue

This next car comes as a tip from Doug who writes: Can't apologize for this but if were looking for a: 1)DailyDriver with 2) low mileage 3) dependable history 4) a CA car 5) family sized 6) with boost 7) leather 8) no hood ornament nor 'portholes,' and a bunch more if your thinking along my lines; a light window tint here and powder-coat those alloys, a decent affordable ride can be had. Yes, old folks bought Buicks, and all the more reason a secondary-market purchase makes sense. They take 'em to the dealer for dirty windows and get a full once-over. They're garaged 5 days a week and have lived 30-sec 0-60 lifestyles. No, not glamorous nor a project.  Just always there when you've got other stuff to do. Besides, who ever gets pulled over in a Buick?  Find this 1998 Buick Park Avenue offered for $4250 in Vista, CA via ClassicCars.com.

Luxury Car Roulette: Mercedes-Benz S430 vs BMW 750li vs Audi A8L vs VW Phaeton

A quick look in your local craigslist for $5k cars is an experience not too far from dangling in a La-Z-Boy recliner above a hungry sarlacc pit with nothing holding you up but a harbor freight bungie cord that's on fire.  Sure, its a great way to get your adrenaline flowing while being super comfy, but that warm feeling in your gut isn't just the two week old Mexican food leftovers that you probably shouldn't have eaten...it is also the fact that most sub $5k cars for sale or total junk. Salvaged late model Japanese economy cars are everywhere...but there is hope.  And that hope lies in the over priced German luxury tanks that have depreciated into poor man's territory and the only downside is a threat of doom from lurking expensive repairs.  Just don't say it was my idea to drive one of these cars.  They all came as a tip from FuelTruck.  So if your wife needs someone to blame...blame the tipper. Which would you pick?  Mercedes-Benz S430 vs BMW 750li vs Audi A8L vs VW Phaeton

Safe At Speed: 1975 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow

Whenever I make the mistake of taking a tour around on public streets, I am aghast at the vehicles that I encounter.  All manor of economy cars are clogging up lanes and people even seem to think it is appropriate to drive electrically powered automobiles.  Particularly offensive is anything that doesn't have the class, elegance and unfettered weight of something like a Rolls. Find this 1975 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow offered for $8000 in San Jose, CA via craigslist.

Toyota-Benz: 1990 Lexus LS400

Do you want a car that will offer the style & class of a Mercedes-Benz but the reliability & cost of a Toyota?  Yes, there is only one answer -- an aged Lexus LS. Find this 1990 Lexus LS400 offered for $3750 in Hazlet, NJ via craigslist. From Cory.

A Little Help From My Friends: 1989 Sterling 827SL

When you are down on your luck and things don't look good, call a successful friend.  That's what British Leyland did in the 1980's when they struck up a partnership to build cars in the European Union with Honda of Japan. BL hoped to build cars that would lift up its sagging image and Honda would be able to get around import restrictions imposed by the EU. One of the resulting cars was the Rover 800, sold as the Sterling here in the US.  Find this 1989 Sterling 827SL for sale in Sequim, WA for $2,900 via craigslist.

East Eats West: 2007 Lexus LS460L

For decades the best European Q-Ships built came from a company called Mercedes-Benz.  If you wanted something that could hit Warp 10 by the time you finished saying engage or do the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs, you got a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or whatever they were calling it at the time...but times...they have changed. Today, if you want the best European Q-Ship on the planet, you head to your local Lexus dealer and pickup a car built in Japan...or get a used one for eurocents on your yen.  Find this 2007 Lexus LS460L offered for $12,000 in Rio Rancho, NM via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

12 Times The Pucker Factory: 2001 Mercedes-Benz S600

Mercedes-Benz's current global advertising blitz uses the tag line -- "the best or nothing."  I'm not going to go into the details of why Mercedes-Benz isn't the brand juggernaut it used to be, but I think that used Benzs should use the slogan "the best for nothing".  Find this 2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 offered for $4,500 near Houston, TX.  Tip from Jeff G.

Pucker Factory Stock: 2008 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG

Way back in 2008 (okay, that wasn't really a long time ago) if you wanted to look like a baller, you would buy a new Mercedes-Benz S-Class.  The basic S550 would set you back $90k before options/tax, but if you wanted to make a bigger statement you'd option for the $127k S63 AMG version (or the $194k S65 AMG)...but oh my, what a difference a decade makes.  Find this 2008 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG here on eBay offered for $26,995 buy-it-now or make-offer, located in Chantilly, VA.

Lasting Luxury: 1998 Lexus LS400

Six thousand dollars doesn't buy much in terms of a car these days at a dealer lot. The Nissan Versa is the cheapest new car you can get, but it still costs more than $12k out of the door, so will you believe me if I tell you that you can drive a luxurious, reliable, and fast car for about half that price?  Find this 1998 Lexus LS400 offered for $5950 located in Mountain View, CA via craigslist.

Begging Your Pardon: 1982 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit

The Silver Spirit replaced the Silver Shadow in 1980.  It was meant as a short term stop-gap until the smaller, more fuel efficient SX series.  The SX never made it past the experimental stage, and the Silver Spirit soldiered on for 20 years over four "marks".  In 1982, a "mark 1" Silver Spirit would have set you back $111,000 ($277,000 in 2016 dollars).  Today, you can pick one up for the price of an econo-box. Find this 1982 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit for sale in Kirkland, WA for $11,950 via craigslist.

Be a Passenger: 1988 Mazda 929

Mazda's new ad U.S.campaign "Driving Matters" is an extension of their "Be A Driver" campaign in its home country of Japan.  The tagline speaks to the focus the company has on being involved in the act of driving vs. a mere passenger in an appliance.  Mazda also claims that there is a little Miata DNA in all of its current lineup.  But 30 years ago, the opposite was true.  Find this 1988 Mazda 929 for sale in Ocean Park, WA for $2,495 via craigslist.

1k: Seller Submission: 1988.5 Ford EXP Lux

The Ford EXP was a 2-seater version of the Ford Escort built in two generations from 1982-85 and 1985.5-1988.5.  It was Ford's attempt to built a sporty 2-seat version of their bread-n-butter Escort economy sedan, à la Honda's CRX from the Civic.  The EXP was lower, longer and sportier than the Escort, but somehow gained an additional 200 lbs in the first generation making for abysmal acceleration.  Ford continued development and by the end of the 2nd generation, power was up, sportiness was well contained and the EXP was discontinued because Ford launched the Probe (and the Fox-body mustang did not turn into a front-drive platform).  Find this 1988.5 Ford EXP Lux for sale in Ford Walton Beach, FL currently bidding for $1,025 reserve-not-met with 5 days to go.  Seller submission from Mike G who says "I’ve salivated over too many cars on your site so I’m working on turning over the fleet for some new projects."