2006 Mercedes-Benz SL500

It's pretty hard to resist a car that delivers so much style and sophistication, along with the promise of unbridled motoring fun offered by this 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL500. Sporty, yet elegant, it's a sleek, seamless take on the hardtop convertible, offering a tremendous open-air driving experience, with the transition to a quiet, enclosed cabin just the flick of a switch away. If you've longed for a convertible but have been dissuaded by the prospect of a cloth top creating too much ambient noise, this car has you covered.

This SL500 is just a flat-out great-looking car. The SL series got its start as a racing sports car in its native Germany, and while you can see that performance-centric influence - it sits nice and low to the ground, with a sharply angled windshield and aggressive, but not overbearing, inclined stance - this is by no means a spartan speed merchant. It's effortlessly stylish. Hardtop convertibles have had stylistic challenges over the years, with a raised roof often cutting into a car's visual appeal. Still, Mercedes surmounted this challenge in a way few other automobile manufacturers can claim. It's just a touch lengthier than most pure sports cars, yet there's no wasted space anywhere, and the champagne color this SL500 wears complements its sleek form.

Just inside the doors is a great-looking driving environment. The beige leather interior offers the understated sophistication you'd expect from a Mercedes. As you look around the cabin, you'll see all kinds of nice touches - the burl accents on the doors and center console, those ergonomically convenient switches on the steering wheel, and plenty more. You'd expect a nice assemblage of comfort and convenience features on a luxury brand like Mercedes. This SL500 has them, including power steering that retains plenty of feel for the road, air conditioning, power windows, doors and seats, keyless entry, and much more. Rollovers are the last thing you'd probably want to think about, but it's reassuring to know that the upholstered roll bar on display here will provide protection should that ever happen. The premium AM/FM stereo has a multi-CD changer, so you can load up plenty of tunes as you hit the road.

This SL500 is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 that delivers a healthy 302 horses and it sits in a nice, clean compartment, cranks up very easily, and idles smoothly. The engine teams with a 7-speed automatic transmission to provide a refined but compelling driving experience. Mercedes's Active Body Control active suspension system drastically reduces body roll during hard stops and spirited cornering, and StrutMasters coilovers have been added to the equation, so this car handles nicely. With power disc brakes at the corners, it also stops promptly when called upon. SL500s from this era got consistently high marks for their ride quality. When Edmunds reviewed the SL500 upon its release, it noted that it was ""as quiet and secure as any coupe with its automatic retractable hardtop in place."" Those are accolades you rarely see associated with a convertible.

If you're looking for a car that ably combines performance with understated luxury, you need to check out this 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL500. Call today!