guitarplayer

I have a 2002 E320 with only 36,000 miles that I just looked up on Edmonds to see what I could get out of it. Man was I shocked! Private party $19,200, trade in is $16,575. Ouch! Looks like I'll have to keep her, I'm upside down. No new car for me this fall.

ohlord

did you even get that figure?
Never add in options when pricing for sale,you won't get that money and the car will sit unsold.Never set the price based on the top condition rating,that is reserved for collector value cars of which a E320 does not qualify.My calc would have you at about $13.5 private party deal.Yes you are indeed upside down and will be for quite some time.Low mile 02 E55's are going for less than $19k

Air Marshall Eldritch

As soon as the CLS63 comes down to under 20k, I'm in!

zam2000

We had a 04 E320 in our family, bought when new. When putting the car in for service, we asked how much we could get for it ? $15K at max, dealer response. He wasn't low-ball, as he point me to an 2004 E500 on the lot, with listed price of $21K, that car have sport package & 40K mile. Here in SoCal, you could easily get a decent 2000-2002 W210 E55 for mid-high teen $$.

Car came w/ almost every option, and currently have 41K mile on it.

I would say edmunds and blue-book are as much as 50% more than the going market price. eBay & craiglist seem to be much more realistic.

ohlord

if you use it right gives good values.Just do not list options,they are worth nothing in market value private party deals.Never enter the excellent condition value.Just enter clean if it is clean.price comes up close to real private party values,which is the only way to buy a used benz,CASH.
ohlord

guitarplayer

I guess the smart thing is to buy it and keep it.

sosh

Cars are a depreciating asset. the newest W210 is 6 years old at this point. They are not collector vehicles and they made lots of them. The value of the W210 is still higher than most all Domestic and many foreign competitive vehicles but they are now old.

01BlackE320

A 2001 W210 isnt worth much more then a used loaded 2001 Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. The Mercedes cost nearly twice as much when new

thebenzbar

That's arguably true to a point, but I'd still rather own a clean contemporary W210 than a good old plain Accord.
Choose (2000 E320 w/ 40k miles for $13k vs. 2001 Accord EX w/ 70k miles):

OR

01BlackE320

Me too. Thats why I bought my 2001 used 2.5 years ago for $16k with 58k miles. It's a stunning car and was a great value used. 90k miles now and still love it

citruspilot

You want to get a "real good idea" of what your cars worth?? You might think I am crazy but I am not. Take it to a Carmax store. Ask them to appraise it as you might want to sell it. Just be firm and tell them your not buying, your just selling. They will do a visual inspection, test drive, then make you an offer to buy it good for 30 days and 1,000 miles. Folks, they use the Manheim Market Report (MMR) and other online dealer computer research programs along with the little "Black Book" and NADA Used Car Guide. Most dont even think of using Edmonds or Kelly at all. In our case, MB's that is, they might even call their used car buddy at the local MB dealership, run the car by him, then make you an offer using him as a back up. Their offer to you should be in line with what a dealer would buy it for from the auction. Afterall that is what they do, buy low, sell high.

Give it a try but dont be mad when they make you a lower offer than you expected. Thats just the way it is. They buy at wholesale and sell for average retail. No negotiating at all on their cars. I still cant believe some folks go there and pay their "fixed" prices. Its just not logical to me.........

Most Americans are upside down. Why do you think our economy is so screwed up! We just keep trading into a bigger car debt.........

Jeff