'99 SL500... $20

A cook at the Pittsburgh Steelers team complex is driving around in a red Mercedes convertible thanks to an unexpected and generous deal from the franchise's former secondary coach.

On his final day in Pittsburgh before taking over as defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals, Ray Horton gave his 1999 Mercedes SL500 to cafeteria worker Maurice Matthews.

The cook had always kidded around with Horton, telling him he was coaching his position and asking when he'd be allowed to drive his sports car. Horton would jokingly reply, "you can't afford the gas in it."

But on his final day in Pittsburgh, Horton approached Matthews to say goodbye and asked if he could borrow whatever money he had in his pocket. When Matthews handed over a twenty, Horton said "sold for $20!" and handed him the keys to his car.

"Ray said, 'Hey, you always liked the car, you're a good dude, I know you'll take care of it," Matthews told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "It's yours."

The next day he drove Horton to the airport and received all the paperwork to take ownership of the car. With 64,000 miles on it, Matthews ended up paying $20 for a vehicle that carries a Kelly Blue Book value of $17,735. "It's just taking care of guys who took care of you," Horton told the Arizona Cardinals team blog. The Cardinals got a good man. And cafeteria workers in Tempe just found their new favorite customer.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Steelers-coach-sells-Mercedes-to-team-cafeteria-?urn=nfl-wp4503

[buzzkillington]...and so begins the deferred maintenance [/buzzkillngton]

If only all $20 Merc's where that nice...

Happens all the time in Pittsburgh. We're that kind of people.

gamby wrote: [buzzkillington]...and so begins the deferred maintenance [/buzzkillngton]

If that's a picture of it (and it seems to be), then it looks to be extremely well taken care of.

pinchvalve wrote: Happens all the time in Pittsburgh. We're that kind of people.

what? good coaching leaves for a better city?

http://instantrimshot.com/

Guess what happens when that guy goes to register it at the DMV?

BAM! Taxes on $18,000!! (they tax or fee or whatever they are called on real value, not price sold)

But still, $1500 or so in taxes is still not bad for that car.

The coach is a genius!!

Imagine the level of service he'll get when he moves to Arizona? People will be falling over backwards to help him.

-Rob

aircooled wrote: Guess what happens when that guy goes to register it at the DMV? BAM! Taxes on $18,000!! (they tax or fee or whatever they are called on real value, not price sold) But still, $1500 or so in taxes is still not bad for that car.

Not in PA

[more Buzz Killington] In three weeks, the Pburgh Post Gazette will run a story on how this man went out after a party, raced a BMW, and wrapped the car around a pole. [/more Buzz Killington]

daytonaer wrote:

aircooled wrote: Guess what happens when that guy goes to register it at the DMV? BAM! Taxes on $18,000!! (they tax or fee or whatever they are called on real value, not price sold) But still, $1500 or so in taxes is still not bad for that car.

Not in PA

In my town, they go by blue book for tax valuation. Ridiculous. However, my town is broke, so they need to squeeze us for every cent.

In Ohio they tax on whatever sale price you write on the title.