1983 Mercedes-Benz 300CD

• Gold paint is glossy and even all around the coupe, so no respray money needed.
• Chrome grille and window trim are bright, but the front plate bracket is rusty, so a small bracket replacement, not chrome work.
• Mustard front seats are worn — the driver's cushion shows cracks and splits — so budget for seat repair or covers.
• Rear seat and door cards look clean and untorn, so the back of the cabin needs no money.
• Engine bay is complete and reasonably tidy with a fresh-looking battery, so no obvious neglect to pay for.
• Underside at the rear suspension looks dry with only light surface rust on arms and exhaust, so no underside metal work seen.
• Bundt wheels are a bit dirty but Hankook tires have deep tread, so no immediate tire spend.
• Trunk opens clean and the owner's manual and spare keys are shown, which saves hunting paperwork and keys.
• One photo is a repair invoice listing A/C and heater-valve work paid and a heater valve assembly rebuild marked recommended, so ask whether that recommended work was ever done before paying full price.

Money: At $13,995 the glossy gold paint and tidy underside support the price for a 300CD coupe, with the cracked driver's seat and the invoice's recommended heater work as the costs to argue over.