Looking to buy a 2004-2006 SL500

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Dec 6, 2008 | 07:52 PM
  #1  
Wife and I have a baby on the way so i have decided to part with my mint condition 2007 Corvette Convertible and am searching for a nice 2004-2006 SL500. I know i will miss some things about the Corvette but it is time to move on. My wife and I have a 2003 E320 and a 1998 E320 and both cars have been great and we have had them for years so i have finalized my choice down to an SL for my toy

If by chance anyone is looking to trade you can see my car for sale at

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...5954&viewitem=

I would be interested in a reasonable trade if anyone is interested

My main question is why do i see 03 and 04 prices right there with 05 prices. I am assuming the newer the better and it looks like you cna pick up 05's all day in the mid 30's which is where 04's are sitting. I see cheaper 03's but the range there is wide too. Are there particular years to stay away from. I am leaning towards an 05 and then just extending the warranty thru a warranty direct exculsionary policy when the time comes

Please advise, thanks,
Robert
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Dec 6, 2008 | 10:16 PM
  #2  
most of the 05's at that price (mid 30's) point seem to be without sport package and do not have the extended warranties
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Dec 6, 2008 | 10:45 PM
  #3  
Get an 05 or later. The updated COMAND is worth it.

Corvette -> SL becaues of a baby? Doesn't make sense, both are two seaters.
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Dec 6, 2008 | 11:24 PM
  #4  
Quote: Get an 05 or later. The updated COMAND is worth it.

Corvette -> SL becaues of a baby? Doesn't make sense, both are two seaters.

Want something different, sold the wife on safety and a hardtop LOL
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Dec 7, 2008 | 08:17 AM
  #5  
I just went from a 2006 Corvette Convertible to a 2008 SL550 and it is a world of difference between the 2 cars. I just got tired of all of the squeaks and rattles in the Vette. The 550 still has plenty of power. I looked at the 500 and the power loss compared to the Vette was quite a bit. I would make sure you test drive a 500 to make sure that you are not sacrificing to much performance that you will be unhappy with.
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Dec 7, 2008 | 11:04 AM
  #6  
Ahh, Safety, It's for the children.
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Jan 2, 2009 | 08:10 PM
  #7  
In regards to everything being said about the coming 2009 year, does anyone think the SL prices will continue to drop.

I have been searching for a few months for an 05, and just in October they were in the mid 40's now into the high 30's.

Most everyone and what I read tells me car values will continue to drop, but some say the SL will not go much lower. I'm in a situation whether to buy now ( two killer deals I've found) or wait a few months to see if anything happens. Anyone think they will hit low 30's? My oldest year would be an 05.

I'd hate to buy then by April or so the they are 6-8k cheaper...??
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Jan 2, 2009 | 08:57 PM
  #8  
Quote: In regards to everything being said about the coming 2009 year, does anyone think the SL prices will continue to drop.

I have been searching for a few months for an 05, and just in October they were in the mid 40's now into the high 30's.

Most everyone and what I read tells me car values will continue to drop, but some say the SL will not go much lower. I'm in a situation whether to buy now ( two killer deals I've found) or wait a few months to see if anything happens. Anyone think they will hit low 30's? My oldest year would be an 05.

I'd hate to buy then by April or so the they are 6-8k cheaper...??
Who can predict? I bought my 2005 SL500 for 60K last October (a good deal), now I'd be lucky to get 40K. Problem is overall economy, deflation, and used SL's are sitting (no demand). Go ahead and wait. Probably will be cheaper in April when you're ready to drive the car and not have it sit in garage.
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Jan 2, 2009 | 10:44 PM
  #9  
Quote: In regards to everything being said about the coming 2009 year, does anyone think the SL prices will continue to drop.

I have been searching for a few months for an 05, and just in October they were in the mid 40's now into the high 30's.

Most everyone and what I read tells me car values will continue to drop, but some say the SL will not go much lower. I'm in a situation whether to buy now ( two killer deals I've found) or wait a few months to see if anything happens. Anyone think they will hit low 30's? My oldest year would be an 05.

I'd hate to buy then by April or so the they are 6-8k cheaper...??
The price would be cheaper and cheaper.
I would not pay the MSRP for a toy car, so I always look for like 2 yrs old car.
I have been in the market for awhile. I have my budget set at 60K. The problem is there are way too many choices at this point. I don't even know what I am going to get anymore.... my choice was between M6, F355, or SL AMG. For that money... I can get more that that ...
The most big facter is the snow is coming down.... no point to have any move now.
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Jan 3, 2009 | 02:14 AM
  #10  
I understand no one can predict, but just looking for opinions of other MB owners that have sold/bought/owned throughout recent years. I dont think any of us knew 2-3 year old $80-100k cars can be had for half price or even less.

The weird thing for me is that I'm set on a white SL, everytime I call the seller/dealer they are actually sold. A few are around but the majority are gone..

Weather isnt much of a factor as it was in the 70's and sunny over new years holiday, lucky that its driving weather almost year round...
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Jan 3, 2009 | 10:24 AM
  #11  
Quote: I understand no one can predict, but just looking for opinions of other MB owners that have sold/bought/owned throughout recent years. I dont think any of us knew 2-3 year old $80-100k cars can be had for half price or even less.

The weird thing for me is that I'm set on a white SL, everytime I call the seller/dealer they are actually sold. A few are around but the majority are gone..

Weather isnt much of a factor as it was in the 70's and sunny over new years holiday, lucky that its driving weather almost year round...
Hi:

Looks like your in Southern CA. As you know, markets vary a bit, and yours is probably stronger than most for SL's and other cars since:

1) As you say, good weather year round to drive those cars
2) More people there with money to buy those cars despite overall economy

I would still wait; prices can only continue to deflate in this environment. Although you want a specific color, just keep looking and eventually you'll get what you want, and for less money Good luck
Reply 0
Jan 3, 2009 | 10:54 PM
  #12  
Quote: I understand no one can predict, but just looking for opinions of other MB owners that have sold/bought/owned throughout recent years. I dont think any of us knew 2-3 year old $80-100k cars can be had for half price or even less.

The weird thing for me is that I'm set on a white SL, everytime I call the seller/dealer they are actually sold. A few are around but the majority are gone..

Weather isnt much of a factor as it was in the 70's and sunny over new years holiday, lucky that its driving weather almost year round...

Congrs for the good buy!!

Couple months ago, when I was really crazy about the
F355, I called several of posts. None of them had the cars. I have no idea what's up with all the ads. They all told me the car jsut sold ....

As long as the car makes you happy... money is not a subject!
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Jan 4, 2009 | 06:35 PM
  #13  
I bought my 2005 Black SL with AMG Package for $31,000, it is mint, it does have higher mileage than most at 57,000 but it honest looks like no one ever sat in it and I was able to extend the warranty 3 years up to 100,000 miles with better than factory coverage for an out the door price of 34k

There are plenty of low mile 05's in the high 30's that you can talk them down into the mid 30's on.

As for if they will continue to drop, of course they will, they are no collectibe and will drop down into the mid teens for nice examples. Look at 2002 Silver Arrows from the last generation, you can get mint ones int he teens right now. That is where these cars will end up eventually.

You have to decide what driving it now is worth, Sure you can save money by waiting but there are great deals right now to be had and tomorrow is not promised to any of us
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Jan 4, 2009 | 10:57 PM
  #14  
Quote: I bought my 2005 Black SL with AMG Package for $31,000, it is mint, it does have higher mileage than most at 57,000 but it honest looks like no one ever sat in it and I was able to extend the warranty 3 years up to 100,000 miles with better than factory coverage for an out the door price of 34k

There are plenty of low mile 05's in the high 30's that you can talk them down into the mid 30's on.

As for if they will continue to drop, of course they will, they are no collectibe and will drop down into the mid teens for nice examples. Look at 2002 Silver Arrows from the last generation, you can get mint ones int he teens right now. That is where these cars will end up eventually.

You have to decide what driving it now is worth, Sure you can save money by waiting but there are great deals right now to be had and tomorrow is not promised to any of us
3 yrs extended warranty would pay it off itself ... I understand the fact of we all living once.I am still enjoy every min of my 05 SLK 350. That was a gift that I gave to myself when I was done with my college. I got it after a year of working my *** off, of course after all the college loans. That's another reason why I am having hard time to pick a replacement.
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Jan 13, 2009 | 10:19 PM
  #15  
Dude you are in the perfect moment to purchase right now!
You should strongly consider the SL55, you can find them in the $40"s right
now. I have the 2005 SL500 and paid $48 a year ago and now I'm seeing the 55 for even less!!!!! Good luck!!!!!
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