Hello people,

I want to first thank this forum and what a wonderful forum it truly is.

This is my situation, I currently live in Southern California but I am moving to Indianapolis in January. I have a 2000 BMW 328i I will sell and get the money for that, but I was originally looking in getting a car in Indianapolis (like a 530i or E350 or so...) but then I figured everything, once I move back to California 6 months later, I will have to pay 3-4 thousand dollars in shipping my car back!!

The last couple days I have been looking for an alternative. Obviously car dealerships do not do 6 month leases, but I found this guy who is leasing a 2003 Mercedes Benz SL 500. He wants me to take over his lease and the car is in excellent condition, and he has agreed that I take over his lease in January until his lease expires and his lease expires in July. That is the perfect timing for me since my lease for my apartment will expire in July as well and I can then return the SL 500 to any Mercedes dealership. He is also in Illinois, so it is only about a 3 hour drive to Indianapolis...

Now his lease payments for this car is $1,560 which will be about $9360 by the time I return the car. I will sell my BMW I have and have that cash in order to pay the lease amount and when I move back to Cali I can buy a new car...This car will also allow me to drive about 1000 miles a month and I will be living in downtown Indianapolis...right in the dead center of it which is close to my work.

I want everyone's opinions on this and what they think and I also had a question, is the 2003 SL 500 any different than the new 2005 or 2006 SL 500 models? Is the look any different? I heard the hardtop for the 2003 model is rectrable which is different than the new one but I believe the body is the same...

He also said he had the standard rims which came with the SL 500. Does anyone know how many inches comes with the standard SL 500?

Again, any suggestions or concerns would be deeply appreciated. I really think this would be a good alternative instead of leasing a car and paying a ridiculous amount to ship it back plus a new car may be damaged on those trucks.

The car is black too....and it comes with the options and navigation system and all that which I will need....I would deeply appreciate feedback. Thanks!



S.K.D.

 

Hello people,

I want to first thank this forum and what a wonderful forum it truly is.

This is my situation, I currently live in Southern California but I am moving to Indianapolis in January. I have a 2000 BMW 328i I will sell and get the money for that, but I was originally looking in getting a car in Indianapolis (like a 530i or E350 or so...) but then I figured everything, once I move back to California 6 months later, I will have to pay 3-4 thousand dollars in shipping my car back!!

The last couple days I have been looking for an alternative. Obviously car dealerships do not do 6 month leases, but I found this guy who is leasing a 2003 Mercedes Benz SL 500. He wants me to take over his lease and the car is in excellent condition, and he has agreed that I take over his lease in January until his lease expires and his lease expires in July. That is the perfect timing for me since my lease for my apartment will expire in July as well and I can then return the SL 500 to any Mercedes dealership. He is also in Illinois, so it is only about a 3 hour drive to Indianapolis...

Now his lease payments for this car is $1,560 which will be about $9360 by the time I return the car. I will sell my BMW I have and have that cash in order to pay the lease amount and when I move back to Cali I can buy a new car...This car will also allow me to drive about 1000 miles a month and I will be living in downtown Indianapolis...right in the dead center of it which is close to my work.

I want everyone's opinions on this and what they think and I also had a question, is the 2003 SL 500 any different than the new 2005 or 2006 SL 500 models? Is the look any different? I heard the hardtop for the 2003 model is rectrable which is different than the new one but I believe the body is the same...

He also said he had the standard rims which came with the SL 500. Does anyone know how many inches comes with the standard SL 500?

Again, any suggestions or concerns would be deeply appreciated. I really think this would be a good alternative instead of leasing a car and paying a ridiculous amount to ship it back plus a new car may be damaged on those trucks.

The car is black too....and it comes with the options and navigation system and all that which I will need....I would deeply appreciate feedback. Thanks!



S.K.D.

 

Don't DO IT....


Get an 04-05-06 - SL600 :v :v :v

No Comparison!!!!

 

Agreed.
You'll just be cheating yourself with a subpar >6 second 0-60 time and a >13 second 1/4mile run.

 

2003 SL500 is the first year model of the current generation SL, & it has a 5 speed auto transmission. It has been upgraded to a 7 speed auto transmission since the 2004 model year.

 

Don't cross post, it makes me mad

Merging with your other thread.

 

I also deleted the thread you had in the R129 forum as it was totally irrelevant.

 

i would agree not to do it; way to much money on a used SL500; you could probably lease a brand new SL500 for that price or as the others have indicated, look into a used SL600 (that's what i did) or SL55 and you will be much happier. good luck..

 

The thing is what some people don't realize is that I will be in Indianapolis temporarily, only for a period of maximum six months. If I get a new car in Indy like an E350 or 5 series, and then have a shipped back to California, it will cost me just as much so rather instead of putting any cash down I can just get a 2003 SL 500 with low miles.

It is a very nice car still...afterall, it is the new style body.

Just think about the situation I am in, and also I want to have a nice car and have a good time there.

 

I see your point, just keep the car utill the lease runs out. The new lease rates and interest rates are higher now if you can do a new lease/purchase contrack now.

How do you take over someone lease? Was there a clause in the contract that someone can take over the lease? I never did a lease so that is why I am asking.

 

They can sign the lease over to you...there are websites such as sweapalease that help facilitate it.

 

His lease payment sounds high. You don't have to pay the full amount.
You can offer him less and he can pay the difference. It won't be easy for
him to lease his car for 6 months. The most I'd pay is 1200-1300.

 

this is the begining of a good thought!

 

Seems like a high lease as other have stated. But besides that if its what your looking for, it sounds O.K.