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I have a 2012, which has a bit of a value jump with the new m278 turbo engine, but I also looked at the Nada recently, and there is no way I'm letting it go for $18k "retail" price. I'm sure trade is 5k less. I searched within 500 miles on Autotrader.com and there are only a handful of E550 2012-2014, all of them over $22k except one private seller with some visual modifications that would turn me away based on pics, and one stupid cheap at $13,700 with front damage on the Carfax and 121k miles. This radius includes from Miami to Atlanta. I think this car is rare enough that a well kept example is selling above what the "books" say. I'll probably have it another 2 years or more, putting it over 100k miles, and then the value will probably be so low that I'll just never sell it. Only sold my last one because I had nowhere to keep it and I didn't want it to weather away in the street.
I have a 2012, which has a bit of a value jump with the new m278 turbo engine... I think this car is rare enough that a well kept example is selling above what the "books" say. I'll probably have it another 2 years or more, putting it over 100k miles, and then the value will probably be so low that I'll just never sell it. Only sold my last one because I had nowhere to keep it and I didn't want it to weather away in the street.
Agreed.
Something else to consider, though.. We Americans are now satisfied (sadly) to buy neanderthal, box-on-frame pickup trucks with roofs and extra seats, windows and doors. Accordingly, our domestic manufacturers have passed the tipping point, just last year deciding to abandon the SEDAN car marketplace (or is it surrendered to Honda, Toyota, Kia and Hyundai?)
This shift in customer demand is not about price, either. Consumers are gleefully buying (err, leasing) $68,000 domestically produced SUVs in place of similarly priced luxury sedans. The profits on a new SUV are at least 2x-3x that of a unibody sedan, so the US manufacturers are more than content to push SUVs on us until we succumb to the hype (as apparently we have)
Given this evolution, used sedan prices are falling across the board. I have a friend who is a finance manager at a local Toyota dealership. He says they can't give away newly off-lease sedans... of any Brand. So he suggests now is the time to buy a used sedan while pricing is low, before it goes even lower.
In combination with the rate at which MBs, BMWs (etc) depreciate, we need to be honest and realistic in valuing our cars. The writing is on the wall. No matter how "rare" and valuable you think your MB is, the sedan market is changing, and all it takes is another oil price trade war to put your luxury MB (especially a V8) in the pricing gutter.
The situation is different in Europe, where fuel economy is more highly valued. So, while MB-USA turns out SUVs by the thousands at its Alabama USA plant, MB-Europe will continue to make sedans and estate wagons as they always have.
Bottom line? I'm perfectly happy to keep my Mercedes for the long haul, because I know it's built like a tank. My 2001 MB at 115K miles is literally worth nothing, yet it has no rattles or squeaks, so I know that MB's flagship model (E-Class) will be the same.
Is anyone here that help me to chose my car? I will try to get the car on lease transfer BMW X5 xDrive 40e so, here is a detail for a car
Original payment:$819Payment with incentive:$819Incentive Applied:$0Current Miles:8997Lease Miles Remaining:21003Miles Per Year:10,000, Original term:36 months, Months Remaining:17 months, Lease End date:8/31/2020Lease End Buyout Price:$42,409.00
Bottom line? I'm perfectly happy to keep my Mercedes for the long haul, because I know it's built like a tank. My 2001 MB at 115K miles is literally worth nothing, yet it has no rattles or squeaks, so I know that MB's flagship model (E-Class) will be the same.
I like new technology. Not necessary that I need it, but this is part of my hobby to explore and that was what was making me changing cars quite often.
But you are right that logically when you DIY - you can't beat value of "classic" Mercedes.
Reading how other members are pulling 40- years old cars from the barns and put them on the road for few hundreds buck- make you confident that there is no upper limit how long you can drive them.
I've seen 1960's MB diesel showing on local craigslist. Was tempted to buy it for restoration, but that era cars offer HP in 40's range and AC who work only when it feels like it, so showing-off might be short lived.
Now have you seen pricing on new diesel pickups? They have even more gadgets than new MB, but MSRP is over $140,000 for a nice one. Still you can get them with huge discounts.
I agree with the assessment of the rapid decline of the sedan in America. I greatly prefer the handling characteristics and lighter weight (aka quicker acceleration) of my E550 over the body roll of an SUV. My wife "hates" driving my car because it's not tall. I worked at a rental car company around 2005 and I saw much of the same attitude, mainly from women. Well have to wait for the next recession and gas hike before consumers shift back to the sedan, but times are good now, so bigger is better. Funny thing is that I'm seeing a lot more hatch backs coming out, which were very unliked 10+ years ago. Europeans always embraced the utility of the hatchback, and now Americans that can't afford the SUV are catching on. I always just thought a hatchback looked cooler as a small car than a sedan, and the extra cargo space is always welcome. I would love to drive an E63 wagon, or prefereably an E550 wagon which doesn't exist. Things like the CLA, new A class, or Audi A3/S3 sedan just make me scratch my head and ask why even bother putting the back doors on it when the back seat is useless and paired with a tiny sedan trunk.
I test drove a Porsche Cayenne S recently. I thought it may drive sporty enough for a change as they are becoming pretty affordable in the 2011+ style, but it does not. I got back in my E550 and felt the torque thrusting me along and knew I would have to go up to a turbo model Cayenne with the lowering air suspension if any.
I thought with the low gas prices that the V8 wouldn't be an issue but I suppose that used buyers want fuel efficiency too. For giggles, I looked up the value of a 2014 Kia Optima which was my second choice after the Accord. While the Kia didn't hold it's value as well as the Honda according to those valuation websites, the Kia is still worth more than my W212 that cost just as much back then. Such a joke.
Originally Posted by DFWdude
Agreed.
Something else to consider, though.. We Americans are now satisfied (sadly) to buy neanderthal, box-on-frame pickup trucks with roofs and extra seats, windows and doors. Accordingly, our domestic manufacturers have passed the tipping point, just last year deciding to abandon the SEDAN car marketplace (or is it surrendered to Honda, Toyota, Kia and Hyundai?)
This shift in customer demand is not about price, either. Consumers are gleefully buying (err, leasing) $68,000 domestically produced SUVs in place of similarly priced luxury sedans. The profits on a new SUV are at least 2x-3x that of a unibody sedan, so the US manufacturers are more than content to push SUVs on us until we succumb to the hype (as apparently we have)
Given this evolution, used sedan prices are falling across the board. I have a friend who is a finance manager at a local Toyota dealership. He says they can't give away newly off-lease sedans... of any Brand. So he suggests now is the time to buy a used sedan while pricing is low, before it goes even lower.
In combination with the rate at which MBs, BMWs (etc) depreciate, we need to be honest and realistic in valuing our cars. The writing is on the wall. No matter how "rare" and valuable you think your MB is, the sedan market is changing, and all it takes is another oil price trade war to put your luxury MB (especially a V8) in the pricing gutter.
The situation is different in Europe, where fuel economy is more highly valued. So, while MB-USA turns out SUVs by the thousands at its Alabama USA plant, MB-Europe will continue to make sedans and estate wagons as they always have.
Bottom line? I'm perfectly happy to keep my Mercedes for the long haul, because I know it's built like a tank. My 2001 MB at 115K miles is literally worth nothing, yet it has no rattles or squeaks, so I know that MB's flagship model (E-Class) will be the same.
I agree with the assessment of the rapid decline of the sedan in America. I greatly prefer the handling characteristics and lighter weight (aka quicker acceleration) of my E550 over the body roll of an SUV. My wife "hates" driving my car because it's not tall. I worked at a rental car company around 2005 and I saw much of the same attitude, mainly from women. Well have to wait for the next recession and gas hike before consumers shift back to the sedan, but times are good now, so bigger is better. Funny thing is that I'm seeing a lot more hatch backs coming out, which were very unliked 10+ years ago. Europeans always embraced the utility of the hatchback, and now Americans that can't afford the SUV are catching on. I always just thought a hatchback looked cooler as a small car than a sedan, and the extra cargo space is always welcome. I would love to drive an E63 wagon, or prefereably an E550 wagon which doesn't exist. Things like the CLA, new A class, or Audi A3/S3 sedan just make me scratch my head and ask why even bother putting the back doors on it when the back seat is useless and paired with a tiny sedan trunk.
I test drove a Porsche Cayenne S recently. I thought it may drive sporty enough for a change as they are becoming pretty affordable in the 2011+ style, but it does not. I got back in my E550 and felt the torque thrusting me along and knew I would have to go up to a turbo model Cayenne with the lowering air suspension if any.
I could have written this exact post. My wife only likes to sit high up as well. Cannot get her into anything but SUVs or a Van.
Jesus Christ! over $800 per month to drive a car with only 10K miles per year, no thanks!
My wife's side of the family loves to lease cars. They are all about the "Latest and greatest" and must have a new car. They ask why we do not own new cars all the time and why some of our cars are 10+ years old? I simply smile and say "Because we can afford to buy"
I like new technology. Not necessary that I need it, but this is part of my hobby to explore and that was what was making me changing cars quite often.
But you are right that logically when you DIY - you can't beat value of "classic" Mercedes.
Reading how other members are pulling 40- years old cars from the barns and put them on the road for few hundreds buck- make you confident that there is no upper limit how long you can drive them.
I've seen 1960's MB diesel showing on local craigslist. Was tempted to buy it for restoration, but that era cars offer HP in 40's range and AC who work only when it feels like it, so showing-off might be short lived.
Now have you seen pricing on new diesel pickups? They have even more gadgets than new MB, but MSRP is over $140,000 for a nice one. Still you can get them with huge discounts.
A guy who works for me just paid nearly $95,000 for a Diesel Pickup. More options then any of my MB's except maybe my CL600 but that is tons of money to spend on a truck that will haul drywall around for me
I could have written this exact post. My wife only likes to sit high up as well. Cannot get her into anything but SUVs or a Van.
My wife is the same way. However, when she drives one of the coupes or convertibles she loves it! She says it reminds her of being on vacation as where the SUV is all business for the day to day grind. I like being on vacation everyday because everyday is a holiday
My wife's side of the family loves to lease cars. They are all about the "Latest and greatest" and must have a new car. They ask why we do not own new cars all the time and why some of our cars are 10+ years old? I simply smile and say "Because we can afford to buy"
I definitely can't afford to lease at that price. I made one payment on my 3 year old E550, a check for $24,500. That would only get me 2.5 years on that lease, I've OWNED the car for nearly 4 years and it still has considerable value, vs. throwing away all that money into the air.
I definitely can't afford to lease at that price. I made one payment on my 3 year old E550, a check for $24,500. That would only get me 2.5 years on that lease, I've OWNED the car for nearly 4 years and it still has considerable value, vs. throwing away all that money into the air.
Even if you made a payment on a used car or CPO car with good credit and low interest you can still make out much better then a lease. Leasing is only good if you can benefit from writing it off on your taxes.
IMHO lease is a luxury and definitely only for people who have lot of disposable income.
You can buy new car, drive it for 2-3 years and sell, what should you save some money comparing to lease, but then who wants to deal with tire kickers?
I bought couple of former CPO cars, who originally started with 1 years leases. I can only imagine cost of using MB like that for 1 year.
Had similar experience with my friends who needed new water heater. Even I am semi-retired, I could install them good WH for less than $1000.
But they prefer luxury and spend $2200 for Costco contractor to do it next day.
It is only money.
IMHO lease is a luxury and definitely only for people who have lot of disposable income.
You can buy new car, drive it for 2-3 years and sell, what should you save some money comparing to lease, but then who wants to deal with tire kickers?
I bought couple of former CPO cars, who originally started with 1 years leases. I can only imagine cost of using MB like that for 1 year.
Had similar experience with my friends who needed new water heater. Even I am semi-retired, I could install them good WH for less than $1000.
But they prefer luxury and spend $2200 for Costco contractor to do it next day.
It is only money.
I work a lot, I can pay someone to install a new water heater, but when mine went out I went straight to Lowe's and bought a new one for $300, installed and running within hours.
Even more sobering, if I had bought the 2014 Accord Touring (instead of my used 2011 E550) for the same money 5 years ago, that car has a trade in value of $15-16k and retail of $17-19k depending on who you ask. But then I wouldn't have known the joys and pains of owning a Mercedes.
This is funny because I have a 2012 E550 and my wife just bought an Accord EX-L. So, I guess hers will always be worth more than mine BUT mine is much more fun, and it doesn't bother me that it will depreciate.
Originally Posted by GulshanDCC
I just build a car "Mercedes-Benz G-Class G 550 4MATIC SUV" including these features:
Go for this deal without any hesitation, if you want to drive luxurious wheels then this car is for you.
This is funny because I have a 2012 E550 and my wife just bought an Accord EX-L. So, I guess hers will always be worth more than mine BUT mine is much more fun, and it doesn't bother me that it will depreciate.
At the time that 2014 Accord was about the same as I paid for my 2011 E550. You can probably get a 2012 E550 at a big savings compared to a 2019 Accord EXL or higher. But you're right about the fun - I was only talking about the resale value.
By the way, did your wife get the 2019 Accord EXL? I drove the 2019 Accord Touring and it's pretty nice on the inside - I understand the EXL is pretty much the same. Not in the same league as the W213 but it did make me feel like my W212 was a little dated.
My wife's side of the family loves to lease cars. They are all about the "Latest and greatest" and must have a new car. They ask why we do not own new cars all the time and why some of our cars are 10+ years old? I simply smile and say "Because we can afford to buy"
I usually just smile & say: "I own the best cars in the world, it's called: "PAID OFF..."
Actually since I have about 6k miles left under extended warranty, I was thinking about listing my car for sale just to see what I get hoping the transferable extended warranty will sweeten the sale. What do you all think are the best options for listing a car for sale? Autotrader? Cargurus? Probably going to target $16k+ and see what happens.
Actually since I have about 6k miles left under extended warranty, I was thinking about listing my car for sale just to see what I get hoping the transferable extended warranty will sweeten the sale. What do you all think are the best options for listing a car for sale? Autotrader? Cargurus? Probably going to target $16k+ and see what happens.
When I want to get rid of old MB, I put it on ebay with no reserve and 1 cent starting price.
Autotrader definitely gets the best exposure. Facebook market has been like the new Craigslist with less BS lately. Just remember you're competing with dealers, and the price tag is more than most people can afford in cash. I think few people pay cash for a car over maybe $5-10K. That's always been the difficult part of selling a pricey used car on your own unless it's something rare and desirable. I always refer people to contact a credit union for financing if they want to buy it.
Autotrader definitely gets the best exposure. Facebook market has been like the new Craigslist with less BS lately. Just remember you're competing with dealers, and the price tag is more than most people can afford in cash. I think few people pay cash for a car over maybe $5-10K. That's always been the difficult part of selling a pricey used car on your own unless it's something rare and desirable. I always refer people to contact a credit union for financing if they want to buy it.
Thanks for the tip. Good point about the cash. Last car's I sold were about $8k which had plenty of interesting buyers and no issue with bank checks. At $16k, I imagine it will be a smaller pool of buyers.
Maybe I'm not familiar with selling cars on ebay, but no reserve seems risky. Wouldn't you want a reserve set as your minimum price?
If you don't think you have good value in your car, than don't put it on auction.
Last time I sold SL500 for about $3000.
Bought it for $1200, so even with my time and few parts I put in it, still good deal/
Hey Fisch, All auto sales are non-binding on eBay. That’s why people do it. Per their policy that has been in place since the start:
“A non-binding bid is a bid that shows a buyer's interest in purchasing an item, but it doesn't create a formal contract between the buyer and the seller. All bids made in the Real Estate and eBayMotors vehicles categories are considered non-binding.”
03-26-2019, 05:09 PM
