RickP330

Gang,
This deal came into being recently. I can sell my C300 pay off the loan and have enough left to pick up this 2002 Silver Arrow SL500. it has 37K miles on it and 3 years of warrantee left.
I just need a formal price offer from this guy and it could be a done deal (I have a buyer on the hook for my car at the moment).
What do you think?
Kind regards,
Rick

hutch300

Its called buying someone else's troubles. You have a newer reliable car, what motivated you to buy the SL? Maintenance is expensive on the convertible tops when they break.

I am Jeff

Why? It might be the car of his dreams? It still has 3 years of warranty left on the car, so he's not on the hook for maintenance yet. 80k car for the price of a 40k car? Personally, I wouldn't do it. But it is only because I'm not a fan of that body style and the motor in it. I would do it if it were the newer body. So go with what your heart desires, because the wallet is no longer a factor now.

hutch300

Listen to what you said, an 80k car for the price of a 40k car!

Its not just about money or the perceived value of your car, a car should not define you. it depreciated a lot to become affordable to him, and it will keep going down! I think the C is a safer bet. I am not a risk taker, I believe in responsible informed decisions. He may have researched this and it may be a good choice for him. He asked for options, I gave one. I think no one should buy a car they had to go online to be convinced to buy.

joshg1001

2002 is part of the dark ages for mercedes benz. I wouldnt buy anything between the years of 1994 and 2004. As for the SL, i wouldnt do it either. You have a newer body style that will stay current for the next 4 years, newer technology, better reliability, and I think better looking car.

I dont know what options you have on your car, but I wouldnt even touch the old COMAND unit, and I dont think that car would have other multimedia options, rear sunshade, bi xenons, bluetooth, etc

I am Jeff

I don't believe there were comands back in 2002.

As for Hutch...like you said...Perceived value. You might not see any value in it, but he might. It might be his dream car. In terms of intrinsic value, I do agree that his car currently is worth more. Factors such as sentimental and perceived value do mean a lot too. We all don't buy cars purely on the intrinsic value, otherwise we will all be driving around in Hondas. You already said you aren't a risk taker, so a 2 seater drop top convertible isn't exactly something on your list of "things you got to buy".

RLE

Sure there were. The W220 S-Class had the first version Comand which used two discs for the US and was exceedingly clunky to operate.

As for the SL, that's an R129 and they were not known for trouble free operation and it can only get worse.

RLE

Even when the car is worth 10K, you are still repairing an 80K car and the parts prices reflect that. Similar to a Porsche 928 as one example.

CustomW204

I would def have to agree with everybody. Keep the W204...

PJsBenzo

Both are really nice cars. But id stick with the C300. Kinda a no brainer.

hutch300

Actually my mom has a 09 SL550 and I love driving it, I just couldn't afford to buy it! That said after driving a newer one I would not be into the 02, too old for me.

RickP330

Wow,
What a response - way more then I expected guys. Thank you. I have an 08 C300 sport P-01 package auto.
The car is certainaly a step "back" if you want to put it that way, no command - no bluetooth ect. Plus the radio sux.
The pluses to doing this are loosing a $280 monthly car payment and the top drops! (of course it's spring and I'm jonsen for the summer). They guy let me and my GF take it to lunch the other day. We both loved it.
I don't use my C like I used to. I had a 95mile commute before - now I moved in with my GF and we drive her GLI to work every day and it's 7 miles tops. The C just sits in the garage now - I hardly use it.
RP

RickP330

Yeah.... I am aware of that and it has me a little concerned....
RP

RickP330

With all due respect to your expertise of the subject I am always looking for the information for which I am overlooking. I find that the more I talk out loud about it the more readily I find it.

RP

Savage c-300

I don't know Rick. I wouldn't trade my newer car for an older one unless I was trying to save money and it would really have to be a LOT of money.

I am Jeff

Rick...Ask yourself this question....How much do you really like it? If there is a hint of hesitation, I wouldn't buy it, but if the answer is you really do love it. Go for it because you did say there was still a 3 year warranty left on the car, so the "money pit" concept don't apply to you "yet". lol. You're obviously going to be saving the 280 a month which is not an unsubstantial sum of money either.

Good lucck with your decision

white_glass_top

Not tryin to be nosy, but what type of info have u gotten on the car?? Have u seen pics of it, other than the one u posted here?? Is it a local purchase?? Seen the car in person?? I recently came across a deal, that I thought was TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, came with carfax, and some pics of the vehicle, but none of the pics showed me that the person owned the car. turned out to be a scam!!!! lucky I asked questions about it.

RickP330

Nope, no noseiness taken! he's one of my closest friends. He's the second owner and he knows the original owner, I am trying to talk him into a 2010 SL600 but he is having none of it! He has a line a '06 for $45K

But it's looking like this isn't going to work, I need $23K for my car and I have a buyer but he is balking at $22 right now and I need my friend to come down a little.

RP

aowhaus

keep your C, the SL has much older design. safety features, engineering, etc.
Being a Silver Arrow doesn't help either -- you are buying an expensive edition but you are not gaining much in features and paying for the premium.

I would rather go for a used SL55 or SL63 instead.

E92-Lighting

good luck with your choice, in the end, its all on you

RickP330

Right you are. A standard SL500 that year is like 18K. The silver arrow pumps up the used value to over 22K.

It's not going to happen. and I like your suggestion about the AMG but I am afraid to buy one privatly - you know they get abused....

Thanks
RP

Mr_Clifton

Just wanted to chime in here to offer advice about the SL

The R129 SL is hands down one of the best cars ever made by MB. The only reliability problems are from 1993 - 1995, with a wiring harness that is biodegradable. Also, the SL600 can be a nightmare because of the V12 and the ADS system. The whole early 2000s MB reliability thing is only a problem with W220 and W210 (and some would argue the W203).

The SL500 is an 80 - 100k dollar car... Even if you get it at a great price, the parts are still expensive. 2001 and 2002 models came with the sport package, staggered wheels with Michelin PS2s. A brand new set will cost you about $1600 installed. You have to buy these once a year if you use it as a daily driver. Silver arrow has special rotors that are more expensive too, brakes will be expensive... plus the interior is kind of stupid looking (in my opinion; its a two tone black and white).

On the plus side, the car is the best I have ever driven. I have a 2001 SL500 and also a 2009 C300. I prefer the SL500 hands down. My new wife and I just got back from a 2000 mile road trip starting at the OC area in California driving the coast, along highway 1, all the way to San Fran. Beautiful drive with the top off, comfortable seats, and you can fit two bags of golf clubs in the trunk.

If you're interested, check out two of my webpages about the SL...
http://www.brianclifton.com/mb/cars/r129/buyers-guide/
http://www.brianclifton.com/mb/cars/r129/

First one is a buyers guide I wrote, second one is a bunch of resources I gathered. Also, this is kind of retarded, but I have a blog for each of my cars...
http://www.brianclifton.com/mb/blog/sl500/
http://www.brianclifton.com/mb/blog/c300/

I am Jeff

Sorry...I was referring to the SL. I should have clarified.