LovinMercedes

I called Aston Martin in England last night because I wanted to know when my 2006 Vanquish S would be delivered.

I spoke with the factory and we discussed the scheduled production of my car which I now know goes into production on August 8th.

Very similar experience to the 15-18 MB's I have ordered. YEAH right.

Given that production date they said I would have my car in early October.

That seems like a million years from now so these are my thoughts.

Should I hold on to my SL600 until October or should I sell it now. Emotionally, I want that car out of my garage as the more I deal with Aston the more I get upset at Mercedes.

Should I keep my car until October? There is no chance I will keep it after that but something tells me the time will go faster if I am driving my SL600. The other side of me says I don't want that car anywhere anymore.

I know this sounds kinda funny but won't I lose a huge amount in depreciation on the SL600 between now and October.

Any thoughts on how much I'd lose between keeping the car until October and selling it now?

CASL55

You've already taken the two biggest depreciation hits: the normal first-day depreciation, and all those modifications that you made that won't do much to increase the value of the car over stock. COmpared to that, it won't cost you that much to dirve it for a few months.

However, if the next few months of driving your SL are going to be unpleasant because of the car's association with past pain, it makes no sense to pay anything for the experience.

Jim

ajf1

Lovin,

I would sell now, you have mother nature on your side. Although the weather in northern cali is mild most of the year, the midwest and northeast are coming into spring. That means convertible hunting time. Your potential selling market is now the entire us, especially when its a car over 100k. Given the fact that 100k cars make up a fraction of the cars on the road, potential buyers don't limit their search locally, they go nationwide. It always amazed me to see prices jump as soon as the weather began to stay consistently warm. The price increase is as much as $10k on some cars(360 spiders). As far as your 600 goes, call around to a few dealers and find out what kind of number they would give on trade and add 10k. That should be what your car is worth retail. I know it will be scary, but that is the nature of the sl600 market. Take a look at the residual values on 600 models I pulled from the leasing section, most of them are worth around 50% less in only 24 months! Scary

SL Class 2dr Convertible SL600

24 mo/15k mi – 58% Residual Value – Money Factor .00320 Base Rate
36 mo/15k mi – 49% Residual Value – Money Factor .00320 Base Rate
48 mo/15k mi – 42% Residual Value – Money Factor .00320 Base Rate
60 mo/15k mi – 35% Residual Value – Money Factor .00320 Base Rate

S Class 4dr Sedan S600

24 mo/15k mi – 50% Residual Value – Money Factor .00320 Base Rate
36 mo/15k mi – 40% Residual Value – Money Factor .00320 Base Rate
48 mo/15k mi – 35% Residual Value – Money Factor .00320 Base Rate
60 mo/15k mi – 27% Residual Value – Money Factor .00320 Base Rate

CL Class 2dr Coupe CL600

24 mo/15k mi – 54% Residual Value – Money Factor .00320 Base Rate
36 mo/15k mi – 44% Residual Value – Money Factor .00320 Base Rate
48 mo/15k mi – 37% Residual Value – Money Factor .00320 Base Rate
60 mo/15k mi – 30% Residual Value – Money Factor .00320 Base Rate

I know the mileage would be high but its still gives you an idea of depreciation. Look at 99-2000 SL 600s, they are around $30k-$40k with less than 40k(much less than the 75k miles allowed by the lease).

mantylar

Do a search at Latimes.com. It's not pretty...

Prolix

Emotionally speaking, you are past the point of no return with your SL600, break the relationship off now and don't drag it on any longer. Imagine how upset you will be if you have to deal with something else going wrong with the car between now and October.

Also, you want to sell a convertable in the spring, not in the fall!

Prolix

RadSteve

I agree with the above on both counts. It's seller's market in spring, buyer's in fall. Cut the cord baby.

allenjdmb

But I've got a feeling you're going to want to hitch on to a buyer when one shows up. I know you're in California, which is probably different from the rest of the world, but it's just going to be tougher to sell a $100ish K used car than you think, especially a blue one. I think I'd go on and offer it up for sale now, and if an agnel falls in your lap right away, buy something to pass the time between now and when the new car arrives. Based on the volatility in the market right now, you can get a great buy on some super nice cars right now. Granted, they aren't an AM or an SL 600, but beats a crap car for 3-4 months. So, maybe you lose a grand or two in 3-4 months. Ain't gonna be too far from the carrying cost of the SL (if you don't have the title in the glove box). If you do, that little bit of money won't matter. Just my .02...

lorinserbenz

Dump it now... Its going to be tough to sell the color you have, especially since its a 600.

The MB market is super soft... and it will only get worse. Its much easier to sell a convertible in the summer than the winter.

SilverSL500

Hmm. Curious as to why? I think the color is very nice. Silver (which I have), black, and heaven forbid, white, are boring.
As a fairly new MB owner, why is the color such a big thing?

S

zzoorrkk

Sell it now as others have said. Convertible season fast approaching. Supply and demand...and all that jazz. You get a higher price now rather than later. But then what are you going to drive while you wait for your Vanquish? What about asking the AM dealer for a loaner?

onpaws

Lovin,

You have a beautiful car. I would buy it in a heartbeat if I had dinero!

trin

Sell it now................ Will you leave this forum once you receive your new car?

LovinMercedes

Not if you invite me back.

trin

Hehe

NeilC123

Blimey so much depreciation is such little time for such little use...remind me again why people buy BRAND NEW cars again?

blueSL

I agree, sell it now.

StephenK

I personally don't see the rush to sell. I assume the SL doesn't need to be gone to acquire the Aston Martin. If that is the case, keep it enjoy the top down over the next months before you get your new car. Sell it when you get the price you are willing to accept. Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter, there is always a buyer out there, the clowns that want to try to steal it, send them down the road. It has always worked for me in the past.

LovinMercedes

I've put to much into this car to give it away. Once the door panel is here, the car will be PERFECT in every way.

lorinserbenz

Because the everyday person wants silver or black. Dont ask me why, thats just how it is. Ask any car dealer, they will tell you the same...
Ever see a car lot with 20 yellow cars or 20 bright blue cars? Nope..

I like Lovin's color, but I know Id grow tired of it after a year.

LovinMercedes

I agree, I know the colors that are the most popular are the silvers and black. Been hearing that for years.

Bet my car sells soon. OH please.

WIldcat465

If there had been an Aegean Blue 600 when we bought our car we would have jumped on it. Although I understand why black is popular (it makes the car look mean), silver, to me, is just plain boring. Sure it's nice, but still plain. I think some people don't want to take chances with a $100k car when it comes to color.

I would not have bought Mars Red unless I saw it. Now I probably woudn't trade it for any color (except (maybe for Aegean Blue). I heard the same crap about a red car, but everybody who see the car drools just like I do everyday when I go into the garage.

LovinMercedes

Personally, from the comments I have gotten on my color, I can't believe it will be a problem but in fact, a plus.

As one would listen to what has been said over the years as the general rule, it may be a problem.

Only time will tell. She goes up for a new home when I arrive back from St. Barths around the middle of next month.

WIldcat465

Have you decided what your asking price will be? I recall that you car is loaded like mine with all options and I don't see many cars equipped tht way. It should sel for above average.

LovinMercedes

Asking $135,000. MSRP was about $152,000. Then I added all the extras.

blueSL

Gosh, what, 2k miles? Extras at least $10k, and does that $152k include tax?

Not wishing to rain on your parade Lovin', but you need to check out the problem one Vanquish owner is having with his clutch before you part with your SL...

http://p088.ezboard.com/fastonmartin...icID=353.topic