Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach sold Mercedes to cafeteria worker for $20.00

Danny Tse

Former Pittsburgh Steelers secondary coach Ray Horton sold his Mercedes-Benz SL500 roadster (with 64,000 miles) to cafeteria worker for $20.00....

Maurice "Mo" Matthews is accustomed to preparing and serving lunch and dinner to the Steelers coaches and staff in the team's cafeteria on the South Side.

It's not very often when he is served the type of surprise he received from former secondary coach Ray Horton.

On the day he was leaving for his new job as defensive coordinator with the Arizona Cardinals, Horton parked his car -- a red 1999 Mercedes Benz SL500 convertible roadster -- in front of the team's office complex and went inside to say goodbye to the cafeteria staff.

When he saw Matthews, he said to him, "Hey, I need a favor from you. How much money you have in your pocket?"

Matthews said, "I got $20."

Horton took the money, looked at it and said to Matthews, "Sold for $20!"

And then Horton handed Matthews the keys to his car and told him to keep it.

"I'm like, 'Stop playing with me Ray; don't play with me,' " Matthews said. "The other [workers] were looking at me, their jaws dropped.

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

The following day, Horton had Matthews drive him to the airport in the Mercedes convertible, which had 64,000 miles on it. When Horton picked him up, he handed Matthews the title and proper paperwork to transfer ownership of the car.

"I'm still in shock," Matthews said. "I don't think it has hit me yet. I still pinch myself. I look out the window when I bring it to work and I just go, 'Man, that's mine.'

"People ask me what's it need, and I tell them it doesn't need anything. All it needs is a driver."

Toxis

wow! Great story. Maybe the lock out changed some outlooks on income? Regardless, great gift!

AsSiMiLaTeD

cool story

Jstas

Yeah, it's all neat and cool but that cafeteria worker better start saving his pennies 'cause it's a matter of time before his $8700 transmission decides to soil the bed. I don't think Horton did him any favors there.

AsSiMiLaTeD

So John would you have bought the car for $20?

nooshinjohn

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

So John would you have bought the car for $20?

Bought for $20 and sold for 12k:biggrin:

WilliamM2

Jstas wrote: »

Yeah, it's all neat and cool but that cafeteria worker better start saving his pennies 'cause it's a matter of time before his $8700 transmission decides to soil the bed. I don't think Horton did him any favors there.

Insurance and standard maintenance is probably more than he can afford as well. But I still would have taken it, it can always be sold.

Jstas

nooshinjohn wrote: »

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

So John would you have bought the car for $20?

Bought for $20 and sold for 12k:biggrin:

This.


But no, knowing what I know, I wouldn't buy it for $20K or $20.

nooshinjohn

WilliamM2 wrote: »

Insurance and standard maintenance is probably more than he can afford as well. But I still would have taken it, it can always be sold.

Based on age and mileage, it costs a grand just to open the hood on these cars. It was however, one of the nicest geastures I have seen in a long time, and nothing should take anything away from that. For all we know, the guy had a new transmision put in it last week.

exalted512

nooshinjohn wrote: »

nothing should take anything away from that.

Pfft. That's what we do here at Club Pessimistic...errrr...Polk
-Cody

billbillw

Jstas wrote: »

Yeah, it's all neat and cool but that cafeteria worker better start saving his pennies 'cause it's a matter of time before his $8700 transmission decides to soil the bed. I don't think Horton did him any favors there.

That's a ridiculous statement. Yes, the upkeep on that car might be higher than average, but the 722.6 transmission is about as reliable as any auto trans. Lots of W210 E-class owners run them 250k miles without any problems. They might have had some issues in early production, but that was well sorted out by '99.

I have the same trans in my E55.

Saying that Horton didn't do the cafeteria work a favor is complete BS. Even if the trans did crap out, he still has a parts car worth at least $5k. Don't tell me you wouldn't take it for $20.

Jstas

billbillw wrote: »

Don't tell me you wouldn't take it for $20.

What the hell is the problem with you people?

Jstas wrote: »

But no, knowing what I know, I wouldn't buy it for $20K or $20.

There it is.

In black and white. Errr...black and gray!

No, I wouldn't buy it. Maintenance costs, the risky trans and the insurance on it would pretty much turn me off. Even for $20.

Private Party price is about $19K. If he does end up having to pay for transmission, that's half the worth of the car. Plus maintenance. The tires alone are going to be around $1500.

For a cafeteria worker, unless he's making bank for a cafeteria worker, he's gonna go broke just trying to keep it on the road.

It was a nice gesture but the dude would be better severed looking to unload it for a decent price and taking the money.

billbillw

What the hell is the problem with you people?

But no, knowing what I know, I wouldn't buy it for $20K or $20.

There it is.

I started my reply before you posted that 2nd ridiculous statement. Doesn't change anything.

Don't know where you are getting your info. The trans in that car is NOT a ticking time-bomb. Those cars are built like tanks as well. Old school reliable Benz. If he finds a good independent Benz mechanic, his maintenance costs won't be much higher than any European import car.

maximillian

Jstas wrote: »

Yeah, it's all neat and cool but that cafeteria worker better start saving his pennies 'cause it's a matter of time before his $8700 transmission decides to soil the bed. I don't think Horton did him any favors there.

I peg you as a "glass is half empty" kind of guy. Am I right?

Jstas

billbillw wrote: »

I started my reply before you posted that 2nd ridiculous statement. Doesn't change anything.

Don't know where you are getting your info. The trans in that car is NOT a ticking time-bomb. Those cars are built like tanks as well. Old school reliable Benz. If he finds a good independent Benz mechanic, his maintenance costs won't be much higher than any European import car.

OK, George.

schwarcw

That picture wasn't taken in Pittsburgh LOL! Palm trees, sun. blue skies, I don't think so!

F1nut

That's great!

John, quit effing up this thread. Geesh!

Etalaze254

That's great!
John, quit effing up this thread. Geesh!

gdb

Yeah, Eff it, I am also too smart to pay $20.00 for a car that is worth over $10,000.00. You've got to get up very early in the AM to fool me like that.How much is a POS Craftsman lawn tractor bringing these days?:rolleyes:

Danny Tse

schwarcw wrote: »

That picture wasn't taken in Pittsburgh LOL! Palm trees, sun. blue skies, I don't think so!

It's merely for informational purpose :biggrin:

JimAckley

Put me down on the "I'd buy it for $20" list. Heaven forbid you spent $20 on a freakin Benz. Drive it for a month as a gesture of appreciation and then sell it!

Toolfan66

Walk on water much John??

one would have to be stupid not to pull out a $20 spot for that car..

comfortablycurt

Jstas wrote: »

What the hell is the problem with you people?




There it is.

In black and white. Errr...black and gray!

No, I wouldn't buy it. Maintenance costs, the risky trans and the insurance on it would pretty much turn me off. Even for $20.

Private Party price is about $19K. If he does end up having to pay for transmission, that's half the worth of the car. Plus maintenance. The tires alone are going to be around $1500.

For a cafeteria worker, unless he's making bank for a cafeteria worker, he's gonna go broke just trying to keep it on the road.

It was a nice gesture but the dude would be better severed looking to unload it for a decent price and taking the money.

You are completely full of it if you are seriously claiming that you wouldn't buy that car for $20. Seriously...I don't think anybody on the planet would turn that down.

Even if you absolutely hate that car and think it's a POS...you'd be a complete fool to turn down that Mercedes for $20. Hell, you could take the thing to a damn scrap yard and get around $300 for it, and instantly make your money back 15 fold. Obviously, it would be worth significantly more than that in resale value, or even as a parts car. I can't say that I've ever heard much about these transmission issues you speak of. I know several people with similar Mercedes, that have had no issues with them. One of my good friends has virtually the same car, with the same transmission. It was his moms car new, and she probably put around 80,000 miles on it, and he's probably put another 60,000 on it since he bought it a few years ago. He's had absolutely zero issues with the transmission. There have been a few routine maintenance kind of issues that he's had to deal with...but nothing major. I've always heard that those Mercedes are built like tanks.

I refuse to believe that you wouldn't buy that car for $20. If you would seriously turn that down you'd be one of the biggest fools to ever walk the planet.

This is an incredible gesture that he made to this guy, and you've gotta look down on it saying that you basically think the guy ripped him off by selling him a $15,000+ Mercedes for $20, because it's been known to have some transmission problems(according to you anyway). Quit being Negative Nancy all the time man. Lighten up a little bit. Be happy for the guy instead of saying that he's going to inevitably have to replace the transmission, and saying that he'll never be able to afford insurance and upkeep and whatnot.

I would imagine that someone who works in a cafeteria preparing meals for the Steelers coaches and staff would make significantly more money than someone who works in a cafeteria at a college or factory or something like that. Do you know this guy personally? Maybe he does have the money to afford all of those expenses. Plenty of people that don't make 6 figures a year own Mercedes-Benz's.

I for one would gladly pay $20 for that Mercedes. Hell, I'd pay HUNDREDS of dollars for it!!

dorokusai

Yeah, I'd take it for $20 and figure it out afterwards. Who's to say he doesn't have money in the bank John? You immediately assume he's borderline welfare state just because he's in the cafeteria? That's a bit obtuse and close minded don't you think? Overall it's a great gesture of goodwill and if just 1/4 of the super affluent folks in this world would do something like this now and then, I believe it would start some great karma for more than that individual.

comfortablycurt

dorokusai wrote: »

yeah, i'd take it for $20 and figure it out afterwards. Who's to say he doesn't have money in the bank john? You immediately assume he's borderline welfare state just because he's in the cafeteria? That's a bit obtuse and close minded don't you think? Overall it's a great gesture of goodwill and if just 1/4 of the super affluent folks in this world would do something like this now and then, i believe it would start some great karma for more than that individual.

+1000


Hell, I've got an uncle that owns a 1988(I'm pretty sure) Lamborghini Countach LP500S. He's pretty well off, but he's definitely not rich...he doesn't make 6 figures a year, but he got a great deal on it and it's something that he's very passionate about, so he manages to pay all of the associated costs with it. That things a badass ride...I've been trying to get him to let me drive it for years...I think I'm starting to wear away at him, so hopefully I'll get to take it for a spin eventually. Just riding in the thing is exhilarating though. It's like riding in an airplane on the road.

Jstas

Man, you guys really told me. I guess I really am stupid and a fool. :rolleyes:

dorokusai

It was just an observation John. Only your parents can actually tell you anything, of which I doubt that's happened in a decade or so.

Jstas

You can tell me I'm wrong all you want. I voiced my opinion (I'm allowed to do that) which is based on automotive repair experience and was called the biggest fool to walk the planet by some kid from Dixon and stupid with a God complex by some guy who should really not throw stones.

I'm glad the guy got the nice car. I don't know if he has money stashed away anywhere and it's not looking down on the guy when you consider the average income of a cook let alone a cafeteria cook and whether or not it can handle the maintenance costs of such an expensive piece of machinery. I know what it costs to do basic maintenance on them. I even have average labor times. I also know what major repairs cost and they are Mercedes. They aren't perfect and they break. So Mr. Matthews has a nice car until something goes wrong with it. Horton just gets it fixed. Matthews has to consider financial hardship for his family or a Mercedes coupe. I still don't think he did him any favors. It was a nice gesture of friendship. Horton's probably going to take the tax write off too but if a Mercedes 500SL was a ride that the average cafeteria worker could handle financially, you'd probably see more cafeteria workers driving a Mercedes 500SL.

I'm not arguing it anymore. I'm not the one with the problem. My experience says it's not as great of a thing as it seems and I'll stand by it. But that doesn't make me a fool or stupid with a God complex or even a jerk for that matter. But hey, it's Club Polk. Everybody's an expert even if there was an actual expert to tell you you're wrong. That's how we roll here.

Demiurge

You'd have to be an idiot not to buy this for $20 if offered. Yes, that's the right word for it.

inspiredsports

Jstas wrote: »

Man, you guys really told me. I guess I really am stupid and a fool. :rolleyes:

Actually, I think you are retarded.

It was a super-nice gesture on Horton's part and nobody can take that away from this story.

Jstas

Hey Doro, see, I'm an idiot and retarded now too.

If *I* was doing this, I'd have nasty PM's, warnings from mods and probably a "time-out".

All this because I voiced my opinion?