BiTurboBenz

CY 2006 SL-Class sales down 16.1% compared to 2005
12/2006 SL-Class sales down 50.9% compared to 12/2005

I guess the refresh had no impact on the consumer.

glennbaz

After owning numerous MB's and watching the "Scary" depriciation as of late, I think anyone would be out of thier mind to buy a "new" mercedes. It would be less painfull to take a handful of money and throw it in the fireplace.

AdamG@NorCal

Brand new SL 65 = $180,000

After signing lease/finance/purchase paperwork = $130,000

Losing $50,000 just driving off the lot....well you get my point.

SL BRABUS

maybe sale down because people start buying SL REPLICA... ... damm.... china made......... j/k

AdamG@NorCal

hahahaha

yes, because mercedes open up a manufacturing plant in china!

glennbaz

Maybe if they did open a plant in China, all their electronics would be more reliable.

BiTurboBenz

Top 10 Cars With the Best Residual Value
By Warren Clarke

If you're looking to purchase a new car, you'll probably want one that won't lose too much of its value to depreciation. Well, potential buyers, take note: With resale value in mind, we've compiled this list of the 10 cars likely to depreciate the least during ownership. Included is the percentage of its original value that each vehicle is likely to retain after five years with an annual mileage of 15,000. Our residual value percentages are based on each car's national True Market Value (TMV®) price plus typical options and destination charge. Rankings and figures are updated monthly.

1. 2006 Honda S2000 — 51.7%

2. 2006 Mini Cooper — 51.5%

3. 2006 Acura TSX — 47.7%

4. 2006 BMW M3 — 47.6%

5. 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class — 47.0%

5. 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG — 47.0%

7. 2006 Infiniti G35 — 46.9%

8. 2006 Acura RSX — 46.5%

9. 2006 Lexus SC 430 — 46.5%

10. 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI — 46.4%

LINK: http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/...9/article.html

BiTurboBenz

Brand new F430 = $200,000

After signing lease/finance/purchase paperwork = $250,000

Gaining $50,000 just driving off the lot...MY NEXT CAR WILL BE AN EXOTIC.

sklasse

umm......why ?

meegle

Unfortunately, unless one is a repeat client who has purchased a few Ferrari's in the past, the chances of getting a new one anywhere near MSRP is slim to none.

dmjohn02

yep, that's what I was told as well meegle...probably from the same central florida dealership off Lee Road!

Germancar1

The SL's market is just so crowded now. There is finally some stiff competition for the SL. Everything from the Aston Martin V8 Vantage to the 650i/M6 to the Jaguar XK/R. The SL is still the benchmark and it still outsells all the rest of the cars in its price range, but others are digging in to it's market share. The next SL is going to have to be a real stunner to hold on to its position.

M

glennbaz

Now with all the 03's coming out of warranty people are trying to dump them like mad. This helps drag the prices down. I'm glad I bought an extended warranty when I did. At least I can hold onto the car for 3 more years and not have to worry about costs or resale.
Glenn

rcf8000

I see where SC430 sales were down 39% in December, compared to a year ago. The only explanation I can come up with for the drastic reduction in SL and SC sales is that both have been out in their current form a little too long and the market for them has been satisfied. It can't be because the wall street bonuses weren't high enough this year!

AMG 17GT

He's correct .....do not fantasize about msrp on new models....there ar 20 guys in front of you that have bought several cars..........be careful, the way these guys deal with all that eye candy is financially dangerous...and remember you cant drive them everyday

Germancar1

True, with the Lexus being out a year longer than the SL. The SL has been facelifted to perfection but there are newer cars in its space now. Astons, Jags, BMWs and Masers.

M

mannnu81

how can the SL retain 50% of its value in 5 years, if it loses 30% of it just driving off the lot? the other cars are understandable

CY

The sl550 residuals are so freaking high...I think they may be the highest of all MB on certain lease terms. Yeah there is actual comp. for the SL now but most of it is pretty weak (XK, current Maser...6'er is decent) I think that the new Maser hard top roadster and the possible new SL fighter BMW will push MB to make the next SL very special....or just fu*k it up royally Either way the R230 is still freaking hot as hell and still hard to afford for the masses since a cheaper 03 with miles will kill the buyer if it's out of warranty.

mjr24

I disagree. I still don't think there is any good competition for the SL. 650i is $20-30k less than the SL. I don't personally see how Benz can be worried about a ragtop BMW either.

The SC430 is even less than a 6 series new. Considering that, the fact most are still in the lower 30's is pretty impressive. I really don't think people are comparing Astons to the SL when looking....aren't Astons $175k new?

I would think most cars....once they are in their third or fourth year of production...that new car sales of them ALL decline unless a major change is made. The 2007 SL changes were hardly major exterior wise. Why would someone pay $100k for a new 2007 when they can get a 2005 for $65-70k? I think the SL has been out long enough to show there aren't alot of major problems with them...even the 2003's. It sure isn't anywhere near the poor reliability of the S and CL in 2000 and 2001. $55k for a 2003 is a pretty damn good deal on a sweet car. When I bought my CL in 2004....they weren't ANY under maybe $63k.....not even the 2000's were under $63k. In other words, most SL's have depreciated a good $10k more than the CL did in the same timespan.

Let's be honest, convertibles are always going to depreciate more than anything....even if it is a hardtop. One of the main attractions of these cars is that it is a convertible....and in many places, like where I am at, we can only have the top down 6 months per year. Some people would be more apt to buy it if they were in CALI than Illinois.