They've got to be bare bones models in poor condition. I was looking at loaded 06 M5s before getting my S-class and didn't see prices like this unless the miles were way, way high. Maybe the facelift in 08 is another factor. Either way, with a warranty it's an awesome buy

Those M5's are driving demos. Aka(lets see what this puppy can do, its not my car) Dodge does the same thing with their "Viper Days" Vipers.. They run them through auction. Plan on clutch replacement and trans. issues right off the bat..I would say add $5-7k to those figures for the "right" car.

I agree with that statement, and its exactly the reason I drive my E55 EVERY DAY.. Rain,snow,etc.. I dont care....

If its going to depreciate. Im sure as heck going to enjoy the car.. Did I mention mine is leased.

Only way to go... Even at the ridiculous payments these cars command. Your still WAY ahead of the game after 3 years..

Hey Tom, I can't trade cars every 6 months like WSH does either but I don't consider his posts as condescending. I can easily see how you could take it that way but we are all in different financial situations with varying financial commitments and if I could do whatever it is he does and trade cars as frequent as he does, I'm sure I'd be doing it too. I have his addiction for the latest and greatest too but not his resources but I respect his ability to do so and I think his perspective of MB ownership is quite intriguing and his posts reflect that.
Like the other poster said, just don't take it so seriously Just hang in there with us and enjoy the ride of versatility amongst the different forum members.

I can assure you WSH is not a snob, just highly enthusiastic while playing with these beautiful rolling pieces of art.

Did someone say "AMG Challenge"?

Who cares? If you get a good deal (like 7 to 10k below market) and the warranty is still in effect ... the car is already broken in for you.

I am here in agreement with Trumpet 1. We have come to know WSH and he is not your traditional 'snob'. He is an unconventional Mercedes fanatic, with 'newness' & fresh technology as the paramount requirements for his continued devotion to the marque. He mostly uses unconventional speech to communicate quite conventional practices. I, for one, have developed a fondness for his argot, which seems to come from a different cultural 'age'. In general, I think we need the WSHs of the world to buy/lease the desirable cars at 'full boat' when they come out and when these cars demand full pricing at the dealers. These early 'adopters' take good care of their cars for the few months they will use them before they go on to the 'next' new thing. Then, 'value' shoppers like me (or you) can come in to pick up incredible deals on nearly new, high-tech MB cars. I really don't agree with WSH's philosophy yet 'understand' it and try to 'profit' from it. I don't need my car to be a 'virgin' if I can save 1/3 off in 8 months and perhaps end up with a better extended warranty. And I believe some others here in this fine board would agree with me. There are many WSHs out there that are part of this 'market' and we need them to create the conditions that will make others afford their high end Mercedes 'addiction'...albeit at a different financial (much lower) threshold. Z356

+1. Z356

Trumpet1/Z356:

I never said he was a snob based on his car buying decisions. What people do with their money is their business...and believe me I do respect his taste in cars. What gets me going is people with superiority complexes putting other people down. My assessment was based on the quote above (I could find some of his other gems .... if I had absolutely nothing else to do.... but I don't have such a luxury) not his appetite for nice cars.

Tom

That's cool. I'll have to say in that quote that you pointed out that I was one of those less bright individuals in my 30's as I've probably bought a brand new S600 with all of my accumulated losses on multiple trades. (Apparently I was in denial that I was a closet automobile nut). Now I'm ready to settle down with my current car for at least 3-4 more years.

My wife loves my 600 so much that she wants me to keep it till the wheels fall off of it.

What really bugs me is that people complain about our cars losing value quickly...Am I wrong in my assumption that if people are looking for a bargain on the front end, ie initial purchase of the vehicle, that there is no way in God's name for them (the cars) to hold their value on the back end? If we (collectively) want wholesale or invoice on the front end, we better expect it on the tail end. Just my two cents. The car certainly wont appreciate over the term to offset that initial discounting.

Love the brand, will never buy anything else. I'd rather my car lose value quicker than a Honda, than die as quickly in an accident as a person in a Honda.

I think I follow you. It's like comparing apples to apples and oranges to oranges. No matter what the starting price point, the depreciation is just gonna happen to a certain percentage no matter where you start.

I'm really hoping that I will keep my current common sense and finish paying off my S600 and keep it for many years. Then , if I want to toy with another Benz (like a CL or something), I will just go into a clean lease deal of around 24 to 36 months while still hanging onto my current car.