Is It Prime Time to Buy an SLS AMG?

By Arison Knapp - November 24, 2015

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Proud Mercedes-Benz 280 SL owner and MBWorld member Kayvan007 wants to know when is the right time to pounce on an SLS AMG? He is an avid researcher of the used supercar market, but would like more experts in the game. SLS AMGs are selling between $150K and $200K, but Kayvan007 would like to wait till they settle around $100K. Will that ever happen? Will it happen in this decade or next? Let’s dive into some SLS sales information to help out Kayvan007 with more advice.

After avidly watching the supercar market, he’s found over the next couple of years the SLS AMG might hit the bottom of its depreciation curve. More in-depth info included that a fair amount of SLS AMGs are out of their 4-year warranty, along with lessees returning their 2 to 4 year leased SLSs. This influx of product usually leads to oversupply and depreciation with mass produced models, but who knows with the limited-production supercar market? I think Kelly Blue Book said it best, “The SLS AMG’s predicted resale value is not quite as high as that of other Mercedes models, but still comparable to that of the Audi R8 – and over time, who knows what collectors will do to the price.” This is all speculation, of course, so let’s look at some actual facts around the web to offer a brief current market analysis.

Let’s begin with TrueCar estimates before we go to the real true market. TrueCar’s ClearBook value calculator and graph indicates the 2011 SLS AMG should sell from a private owner with 25,000 miles for roughly $93,000, although the average price is $118,000. Just from looking at that, I can see it’s a bargain for this supercar. Searching SLS AMGs on Cars.com and AutoTrader.com, from the 30 examples I found from each site, all of them were between $150K to $200K. From a 2015 Mecum Auto Auction in Florida, I found a 2011 Gullwing coupe with an estimated starting bid between $160K and $200K.

This implies dealers and auction houses still holding prices high. But there might be a “barn find” from a private seller that lets it go from $100K or under, based on the TrueCar evaluation. From this brief report, I can see that the SLS really hasn’t fallen in market price, but only estimated prices. It’s actual listing prices in the real market are still holding. So I don’t think the SLS will hit less than $100K for more than 5 years.

Do you own an SLS AMG? How much would you list it for today? Do you think the SLS AMG will be valued less than $100K in a couple years?

Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>