SLS Prices

[modoindustries]

I'm planning the change over from an SL63 to the SLS in the next year, so I've been watching the SLS market from the stands. Seems they are finally going for under sticker, and some decent deals are on the secondary market (US only). My gut tells me that as soon as we see the Roadster on the dealers floors we can expect to see Gullwings (loaded) at the $160k mark. Thoughts?

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[AMG Dictator]

Originally Posted by modoindustries

I'm planning the change over from an SL63 to the SLS in the next year, so I've been watching the SLS market from the stands. Seems they are finally going for under sticker, and some decent deals are on the secondary market (US only). My gut tells me that as soon as we see the Roadster on the dealers floors we can expect to see Gullwings (loaded) at the $160k mark.

Thoughts?

Not sure where your data is coming from. They seem to be holding quite well right now. I don't think that the roadster is going to have any impact on the price of the coupe at all.

You may see 160 in 6 months but it it will be a lightly optioned 3K mile 2011 model. They are still quoting some time to be able to spec one the way you want.

160 in a month is just wishful thinking. First AMG in a while to hold its value.

[abiazis]

After 5 years the SLS will probably be worth 50 % of sticker just like other semi-limited production cars.....

Buying semi-limited run cars for an investment against depreciation is risky business these days as there are TOO MANY choices of semi-limted or strictly limited production cars....by quality manufacturers that have a heritage....

When the original SL Gullwing came out they had only been making cars for about 60 years, which is relatively short time......cars have been around for double that now.......lots of "collectibles" around that are more rare than a SLS......and more desirable to collect....

The manufacturers have gotten greedy and continue to make so called special exclusive run cars, the next one better that previous one in their stable, etc.....they certainly can sell a pipe dream to people who can afford, se la vie...

[modoindustries]

Originally Posted by AMG Dictator

Not sure where your data is coming from. They seem to be holding quite well right now. I don't think that the roadster is going to have any impact on the price of the coupe at all.

You may see 160 in 6 months but it it will be a lightly optioned 3K mile 2011 model. They are still quoting some time to be able to spec one the way you want.

160 in a month is just wishful thinking. First AMG in a while to hold its value.

You can get them now for $190 fully optioned. I didnt know roadsters were hitting showrooms in a month, but I think there will be a lot of gullwing owners trading in for the roadster. Wishful thinking perhaps, but I was on the money with the SL63. I know the SL63 and the SLS are two different animals and that the AMG curse dosnt have the usual strangle hold, but its coming mark my words.

[bigben320e]

Wait about a year, then see. You should be able to grab a nice deal with low miles.

[clkwork]

Originally Posted by bigben320e

Wait about a year, then see. You should be able to grab a nice deal with low miles.

I agree. I don't see the roadster doing very much to gullwing sales, but there's no sense in speculating. Hold out for the one you want.

[dakrisht]

$160 is not happening

[bigben320e]

Well, it has not been a year yet since the OP posted. I see some are going in the 170 ranges already, only a matter of time.

[modoindustries]

It has come to my attention that MB is building them to order and not a set amount. If they dont have a confirmed dealer order, they dont build them. That could hold off the AMG depreciation curse.

[20C4S]

Originally Posted by modoindustries

It has come to my attention that MB is building them to order and not a set amount. If they dont have a confirmed dealer order, they dont build them. That could hold off the AMG depreciation curse.

it's all about the dealer network holding the line. as long as the car doesn't sit on the floor collecting dust, the value should be ok. but if they decide to offer dealers incentives to order for inventories, that's will kill the value.

i would hope they have some plan to make it a limited number car, but seems like that's not going to happen. now we just hope they don't flood the market with it.

[abiazis]

Nice if they did with all AMG models...

[Carac]

Originally Posted by modoindustries

It has come to my attention that MB is building them to order and not a set amount. If they dont have a confirmed dealer order, they dont build them. That could hold off the AMG depreciation curse.

The problem is that a couple of dealers I have talked with admit to "making up" customer orders just so they don't let an allocation pass. Sadly, thistype of greedy/shady dealer practice has the potential to damage the long term collect-ability of the SLS, flooding the market with ownerless cars.

Mercedes has the option to audit these orders, but I haven't heard of them doing so yet. I have a deposit down with my dealer for him to either get or trade for a April 2012 delivery SLS coupe allocation because that is when my finances will be in line for such a purchase. But every once in a while you get an email from a dealer saying they have a "car on order with a build we can change" for the next month or two.

Sad

[DCubed]

Originally Posted by bigben320e

Well, it has not been a year yet since the OP posted. I see some are going in the 170 ranges already, only a matter of time.

Per Autotrader there are two...one is at basically $180K and another at $178K. Both are base cars so MSRP was ~$183K. Most of the cars that are more worth buying are much closer to $200k or slightly over.

[bigben320e]

Like I said...only a matter of time. Let's revisit this thread next year same time.

[Carac]

The base price of the SLS is increasing by $6000 to $189.6 for 2012. Blame a weak dollar and inflation.

Here's a repost of something I wrote for the AMG Private Lounge boards. Sums up my feelings about this and why I decided to just order a new one. I plan on driving it a lot more and keeping it much longer than the Black (more than 6000 miles a year).

Once you're around $150-200k and over, the depreciation is a crap shoot. Look at the Ford GT, they made over 4000, but they still go for over sticker. Cachet and mind-share become a much bigger factor in that league of cars. As a counter-point, look at SL65 Black and SLR resale., not much history behind either. Whereas Mercedes smartly decided to use the 300SL to tug at a heartstring ensuring better resale.

And as crazy as it sounds, the doors and their history is a BIG factor in this story. Its been stated that the reason for the lower roadster production is that, given the option, buyers still want the gull wings (I know I do).

You are seeing a lot of 200-1000 mile models up for sale because the people that bought them have trouble getting in and out of them for age/health reasons. Also, there are A LOT of Mercedes customers that walk into a dealer and just want the hottest, expensive thing MB makes at the time, and have no idea what they are buying. They're expecting a CL65 level of luxury and comfort and find out the hard way that what they bought was a Viper, built by people that know how to make cars. So they immediately trade.

And if the supply begins to badly out-pace demand...blame the dealers. Because, technically, Mercedes will only build a SLS if there is a "confirmed" buyer behind it. The problem is that I've heard from many dealers that they tend to "find" or "make up" buyers in hopes that they'll be able to sell the car after the fact. Personally I think some MB audits of orders would be great on these guys, who are ruining the long-term collector status of the car.

Long story short, speculating about long term collectability of a car is still a crap shoot. But (as long as the dealers don't screw it up), the SLS' collector status is on the right track.

Basically the SLS is an unknown quantity when it comes to Depreciation. My personal opinion is that it will mimic the Ford GT and BMW Z8 where you see good, well-taken care of examples for original sticker or better in 6-7 years.

[gocargo]

Agreed that it's hard to factor in the short term value of these semi-exotic cars. The economy has effected many, but a large number of the people who would have bought this car in 2007 still have cash and their summer homes. But still I notice fewer high-end and exotic cars being driven. It's possible that it may not be as chic to be seen driving these types of cars while the media demonizes the evil rich.

[sound 8]

Wait till you want to put the roof down, what reason have you for changing,
to me it's faster that's it, the 63 wins on the rest and it's cheaper.
The New SL might be worth the wait, if it,s got the 5.5 TT engine a quick
remap and it will blow the SLS away.

[20C4S]

Originally Posted by sound 8

The New SL might be worth the wait, if it,s got the 5.5 TT engine a quick
remap and it will blow the SLS away.

wait til u see it. don't get ur hope high. i've seen the final car. both SL550 & SL63. very ugly imo.

[sound 8]

Originally Posted by 20C4S

wait til u see it. don't get ur hope high. i've seen the final car. both SL550 & SL63. very ugly imo.

Have you got any pics to post.

[20C4S]

Originally Posted by sound 8

Have you got any pics to post.

nope. no even suppose to tell u about it. but it's so ugly that i have to express my feeling.

[Maverick1975]

The sneak pics i have seen on the net, same as everyone else has seen, are absolutely awful. The 5.5TT could almost make up for it though

[20C4S]

it's a design study & private viewing event that MB AMG held. there were SLS, new SL550, SL63 & a new AMG model that's set to compete with 911, the so-called SLC as rumored. there were also other sports cars in the group. all i can say is the new SL was surprisingly ugly.

[Carac]

Originally Posted by 20C4S

it's a design study & private viewing event that MB AMG held. there were SLS, new SL550, SL63 & a new AMG model that's set to compete with 911, the so-called SLC as rumored. there were also other sports cars in the group. all i can say is the new SL was surprisingly ugly.

Not just a stretched 2012 SLK then? That's what I would assume.

[20C4S]

Originally Posted by Carac

Not just a stretched 2012 SLK then? That's what I would assume.

pretty much... not in a good way.

[sound 8]

Well Modoindustries that's great, the new SL is ugly, the SLS does not
come as convertible , and the SLS Roadster does not have the gull wings
to make it special just looks like an old SL ,so better keep the 63!!