55 cabdriver

...but wow! Was I ever disappointed with the trade value of my '02 CLK 55 cabrio (silver/charcoal with 25,000 miles). I came into this car from three successive late model Porsches, and am intrigued by the recently released 40th anniversary 911 (MSRP $96k). The local P dealer supposedly called four brokers, and the top dollar they have for me is $40k. Jesus, this was an $80k car that I see on KBB and Edmonds wholesaling at $55k. He is telling me to Ebay the car. I guess convertibles in the upper midwest in November don't bring what they would in CA, AZ or FL, but I was really shocked. Suffice to say, I didn't do the deal; and at this point just considering several options. I was sure this car would be a $60k car at retail at some point. All stock, no accidents. Comments/advice?

5439cc

My CLK55 was completely loaded, there is no option that was missed in my beast - many months ago I posted that I was thinking about getting back into the 996 line again - when I discussed the deal with my dealership they only would give me 44K for the car - sticker was 87K in two years she dropped 53% HELLO - They explained to me, that AMG release more CLK55 then advertised and the re-design generally kills the re-sale value of the older design. So needless to say I kept the beast - I am still happy with the car thus far - I am truly thinking of buying it, after my lease is over - If your leasing your car, you can always try swapalease.com to get out of your lease. good luck..

55 cabdriver

As of now, I kind of wished I did lease that time (I lease my work car, a C32). No, I paid cash for the cab. I'll need to figure out a way to get at least another $10-12k out of the car or have to pass on the silver anniversary 996, which they are asking full retail for (presumably due to the limited run of those, 1963 cars). Of course, with 1,963 being produced, that makes those cars about twice as common as my 55 cabriolet!

Micah

If you are talking about trading the CLK in to the Porsche dealer, then, yes, they are lowballing. They will not give the full market value to you, because they need to make a profit when they turn around and sell it at fair market value. You need to sell it yourself to get the maximum $$$. It is also true that redesigns typically kill the resale value of older generations.

55 cabdriver

...I make them every day. I just thought that $40k for a car that supposedly was wholesaling at
$55k was a shade off. But I suppose the market is telling me that all of our 208 series CLK 55s are truly only worth $35-40k unless we sell them ourselves. Unfortunate how they have depreciated, but I'll get over it. Keep in mind that on the 40th anniversary 911, at MSRP, the P dealer is already making $12-15k, and that he will try to retail my $40k cabriolet at $60k. Must be nice.

scorchie

Selling to a dealer is a rip off to you. They'll try and buy at $6-10K UNDER WHOLESALE.

If you value your dollar, don't do it.

p.s. how could a W208 coupe STICKER for $87K, with all (both) options available?

-s-

UtilityGuy

it's a cab

bbeckmann

Your car is worth at least 50K at auction. (last one sold for 52K with 30K miles). Lower mile examples aren't going for more than 55K at auction.

Ebay it for 49K with no reserve. My guess is that it will sell with no problem.

Of course, the depreciation you're about the experience with that 996 will make this not seem so bad in a couple of years. I sold my 993TT and haven't missed it at all since getting the clk55.

Micah

Pardon my ignorance, but what makes the 40th Anniversary 996 worth $96K? I haven't done any reading on that car. For that kind of money, I'd rather spend a little more and get a 996 GT3, my dream Porsche.

scorchie

Sorry, I was referring to 5439cc's car, which he said stickered for 87K fully loaded, and in the pictures of his car, it has a hard metal permanently attached to the car (coupe).

-s-

scorchie

Same thing that makes a CLK55 coupe sticker for $87K! Maybe it's Canadian money?

-s-

Chappy

When the CLK55 first hit the showrooms (in the U.S.) in early fall 2000, several here in Atlanta were 'dealer stickered' at $89K

scorchie

Dealer sticker does not equal sticker. And, we're talking about a 2002 model.

-s-

5439cc

take the base price 71K - add the following
Command system - $2,170.00
Bose System - $800.00
Epresso Paint - $5000.00
Teleport Phone - $1,995.00
Voice Command $650.00
Staggered 4 AMG wheels $2760.00
Rear Power Sun Shade $450.00
Ski Sack - $220.00
Illuminated Door Sills - $845.00
Sports Luggage Container - $775.00

TOTAL - $86,665.00


NEVER DOUBT DADDY !

ndabunka

I had similar problems. My CLK55 is up for sale right now on eBay. Dealers offered $40K in trade so your younger (and cabrio) should bring in a LOT more. Street figures for yours are around $53 to $56. Good luck. PS - Mine has NO bids starting @ $32K
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=31853

Larry Sonsini

Wow, someone would have to be nuts to pay for all of that for a 2002....even in mid '01. I didn't pay anywhere near that, and I got a "special order" color combination, comand, Timeport, Bose, Linguatronic, Staggered AMG wheels, rear power sunshade, and Ski Sack.

The only "Options" I could select were the Comand and the Timeport. Everything else was standard. I suppose you could load up on dealer added extras like illuminated door sills, rubber floor mats and tons and tons of MB car wash fluid to boost up the price, but it just sounds like a lot of dealer added markup and not the factory sticker.

Hell, why not just buy a clk55 with a full lorinser kit and 19s from the dealer? That would easily get you a "sticker" of $110K for a car, but I'd hardly call that the factory sticker price.

scorchie

Umm, your car is silver though?

Anyhow... 2002 list was $68.5K (69 with dest charge).

Bose = included
Espresso paint = that's silver?
Timeport phone + voice = $2200
Staggered AMG wheels = included
Power sun shade = included
Ski sack = included

Door sills and sports luggage container, well those aren't on the "sticker".

It's not that I am doubting the Daddy... well, OK , I am.

-s-

allenjdmb

but not horribly low. They're prbably just playing the retail gaem with you, seeing if you'll move. You guys just don't know how tough the marketplace is out there right now. I have watched some big $$ cars do some ridiculously low numbers in the last 120 days. It seems that if it's not absolutely brand new, the uncertainty is so great that lots of dealers just don't want to take the chance. And you can blame your friends at MBUSA, BMWUSA, and PCNA. There is simply TOO MUCH product in the marketplace. This erodes value for everyone at every stage in the game. When the manufacturer is beating down the dealer's door to take more product, he's not too crazy about loading up in used.
You really want to get your feelings hurt? Try talking to some of these folks who own 01/02/03 Porsches. Wow! We are talking 20/30/40k of depreciation from MSRP in 5-8000 miles. Incredible!
Hope this helps, (though it probably won't)

Micah

That is really good insight.

55 cabdriver

I started this thread...so here goes:

1.) my car is a cab, stickered at $82k (no
command), silver with voice control phone. I paid $78k, and got a fair price ($70k) for my trade, a '00 911 C4 "Millennium" (which itself stickered at $90k). I don't know about the guy who's car that MSRP' at $87k. That car does sound loaded.

2. the 40th anniversary cars are expensive, but have several unique options, unique paint, an upgraded (25 hp) 3.6L motor, a lowered suspension,
LSD, and is relatively limited production, as was my Millennium. It's no bargain, and agreed, a lot of people do prefer to step up to the GT3 or turbo for a couple more dollars. I just kind of dig it.

3. A week later, the P dealer is still stuck on his $40k offer, and I might try ebay, since I still have a gut feeling the 55 cabs are worth in the mid 50s, somewhere, to somebody. Trick is finding him/her in the middle of winter! And the one post about the 209s hurting the 208s' value is dead on.

4. My last 911, as implied above, lost $20k in value in about a year and a half, so the 20k miles I put on that car cost me $20k, or a buck a mile. Actually, for most of us here, that's somewhat of a bargain, be it an AMG or a 911. What's life without a bit of fun?

allenjdmb

I got a call about an 02 CLK 55 Coupe this afternoon. Only 18k, Comand, but needs two tires (I'll bet it needs 4). I did not see it, but got an accurate description from someone who knows. offered to me at $39k, I passed. Wha't amazing is that out of all these cars, the 430 and 320 (?) cabs are still holding the strongest. I suppose just more of a marketplace for them. Also, I can't recall the miles on your car, was it around 30k? Designo cars are usually not as strong resale wise as your best basic colors (black, white, silver). Just thought you might find this interesting.

Micah

That's right, man. You gotta pay to play! Heck- I paid over $400 to rent a brand new CLK500 Cab while I was in Las Vegas 2 weeks ago. Worth every penny.

55 cabdriver

What is interesting to me is that the 55 cabs are evidently bringing 320 and 430 cab resale numbers, even though the engine upgrade (and other changes) really seemed to transform the car, and added considerably to the original price! It's as if the market (?) doesn't value the AMG badge as much as one would think. My car is a silver/charcoal cab, by the way. I didn't want to spend $5k for one of the two designo colors for exactly that reason, since my personal history with cars is to flip every couple of years. Likewise, the walls in my home are predominantly earthtone so as not to "offend" potential buyers! We move a lot, too.

theine

Forget about the Porsche, the CLK 55 is more confortable and fast enough. Keep it and save the money!

Timster

I have to agree. I traded in my 2001 996 Twin Turbo on my 02 CLK55 AMG. The MB is not the same kind of car but in my opinion it's a much better car.
As for the resale value. I got beat up on the 996, and when I sold my CLK in July even with all the money I had in it $58K (with 16K miles) was all I could get out of it. It's sade but I took it!
Best of luck to ya,
Tim