SL-Class (R232) Discussion on the 2022 R232

SL/R232: premiums when buying SL's off the lot

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Old Aug 22, 2022 | 05:09 PM
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premiums when buying SL's off the lot

now that these are out, there are plenty around that have either been abandoned by their buyer for a variety of good reasons, or just not accounted for

Still running into the games tho. Just had one dealership say they won't provide the price over phone or email, only in person. and Playing the "AMG's are special cars that we don't sell for MSRP"

All signs point to the car industry being on the precipice of a big decline - demand is down, supply is finally working its way back. Repo rates are increasing rapidly, and use car rates are falling rapidly. At this point, anything over msrp is money lost forever - when you sell the car you aren't getting that back.

Any thoughts on that? what are people seeing?
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Old Aug 22, 2022 | 05:17 PM
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Right now 25-50k over msrp and they are getting it. There are plenty of people who want to be the very first to own a new car and don’t want to wait 1-2 years. In this segment (150-300k cars) there is still limited supply, huge demand and cash buyers. Most dealers have a very long wait list for the car. In 12 months that will be a very different story.
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Old Aug 22, 2022 | 07:38 PM
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19 E63s, ‘24SQ8, wanting another gas guzzling V8
Supply is picking up so. The SL63 I looked at last week (Wednesday) had a $25k premium on it. As of today, it was still there.
I’ve also noticed other dealers have a few more cars now than the past few months.
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Old Aug 22, 2022 | 08:10 PM
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to continue the saga - this was a dealer outside of San Antonio. Finally got a price - $34k over MSRP. Just laughable.
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Old Aug 23, 2022 | 12:46 PM
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I wish anyone that pays over list all the best!!! I'm sure the dealership appreciates your financial acumen. Perhaps those lucky new owners that need to be the first on the block to own a R232, can refer similarly inclined friends to the same dealer.
I want but don't NEED a R232..........in a year when the SL63 (hybrid----whatever it's called) I will do a dealer inquiry. If I get a discount off MSRP, I will place my order......not a moment before.
Many of us can pass the "Marshmallow test", but the lucky "pay over list buyers" would fail the test miserably.,,,,,,,and the dealers thank you.
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Old Aug 23, 2022 | 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike P
I wish anyone that pays over list all the best!!! I'm sure the dealership appreciates your financial acumen. Perhaps those lucky new owners that need to be the first on the block to own a R232, can refer similarly inclined friends to the same dealer.
I want but don't NEED a R232..........in a year when the SL63 (hybrid----whatever it's called) I will do a dealer inquiry. If I get a discount off MSRP, I will place my order......not a moment before.
Many of us can pass the "Marshmallow test", but the lucky "pay over list buyers" would fail the test miserably.,,,,,,,and the dealers thank you.
I’m not sure why there is animosity or a stigma attached to those that pay over MSRP? Have you ever wanted to go to a concert or sporting event that was sold out and you paid over face value? How about have you ever bought an iPhone when it was first released? Why not just wait 6 months for them to be on sale? If a person wants a car and doesn’t want to wait why is that a problem? Life is too short and maybe 25k to someone isn’t a big deal and the enjoyment they would get from driving the car 12-18 sooner is worth it to them. (This wasn’t meant as an attack against you or anyone. Just pointing out a contrary view). People pay over msrp for lots of things, cars, sporting events, shoes, etc.
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Old Aug 23, 2022 | 01:13 PM
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Mcraft3003:

I do not harbor any animosity toward those buyers that pay over list......I sincerely hope the new toy makes them happy. This is why consumers are offered chocolate and vanilla.
I consider myself a patient man, I have friends that are the antithesis........and we can still be great friends. No harm was intended.
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Old Aug 23, 2022 | 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike P
Mcraft3003:

I do not harbor any animosity toward those buyers that pay over list......I sincerely hope the new toy makes them happy. This is why consumers are offered chocolate and vanilla.
I consider myself a patient man, I have friends that are the antithesis........and we can still be great friends. No harm was intended.
no harm at all!! The smart move is definitely to wait and get a discount in 12-16 months. I’ve paid a premium for some cars but this would NOT be one of them (I paid a premium on a Pista as I was never able to get an allocation and had to have it. Lol). Btw, my car is still stuck at the port in Germany and I have lost patience and close to losing interest in it.
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Old Aug 23, 2022 | 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted by mkraft3003
no harm at all!! The smart move is definitely to wait and get a discount in 12-16 months. I’ve paid a premium for some cars but this would NOT be one of them (I paid a premium on a Pista as I was never able to get an allocation and had to have it. Lol). Btw, my car is still stuck at the port in Germany and I have lost patience and close to losing interest in it.
Yeah patience is a virtue, and also no fun at all

Sorry to hear the delay stories - these cars aren't all THAT configurable - are you sure you can't find what you need already on a lot?

If it makes you feel any better (it won't), the only reason i'm here looking at these cars is because the Taycan CT4S i ordered last fall has been sitting at the port in Germany since April, and keeps getting delayed in 2-3 week increments. I've obsessed over it for so long i feel like i've already lived with it for a while and its lost its new car shine.
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Old Aug 23, 2022 | 06:33 PM
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Originally Posted by imfletcher
Yeah patience is a virtue, and also no fun at all

Sorry to hear the delay stories - these cars aren't all THAT configurable - are you sure you can't find what you need already on a lot?

If it makes you feel any better (it won't), the only reason i'm here looking at these cars is because the Taycan CT4S i ordered last fall has been sitting at the port in Germany since April, and keeps getting delayed in 2-3 week increments. I've obsessed over it for so long i feel like i've already lived with it for a while and its lost its new car shine.
when my car finally arrives I’ll go look at it, drive it and make a decision on whether I buy it or pass on it. At this point I’m in no rush As like you said with your taycan it’s lost it’s new car appeal. Lol.
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Old Aug 29, 2022 | 04:18 AM
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You mean "Discounts when buying SL off the lot"
As written before, now even more than 70 cars available over here (EU), most of them below MSRP.
Since MY23 is coming soon, would not pay a premium and see an even much stronger depreciation in a few months!
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Old Aug 30, 2022 | 09:33 AM
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A lot of the benefit of getting the “new” model is that you are not seeing the same car on the street often. I’m not apposed as much to AMG selling over sticker as much as Honda Accords selling over sticker.
Other than paying over sticker, new model purchasers are also working out the bugs in that first year.


But even in this tough consumer market remember best buying practices from before- go to dealer at the last few days of the month when they are trying to make sales quotas for new allocations. Start discussions at the dealer cost price, not MSRP. Use any other dealer which is selling at MSRP even if it may be further away from you than you would like- I usually say I live here but work near that other dealer selling at a lower price showing there is a probability of buying it there.
Stay calm and respectful. My wife has little say in the make/model or price of my cars but in negotiating with the dealer I make her the bad guy. I ask the sales guy to help me buy the car for the price I want and she would approve.
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Old Aug 30, 2022 | 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Pennetta
But even in this tough consumer market remember best buying practices from before- go to dealer at the last few days of the month when they are trying to make sales quotas for new allocations. Start discussions at the dealer cost price, not MSRP. Use any other dealer which is selling at MSRP even if it may be further away from you than you would like- I usually say I live here but work near that other dealer selling at a lower price showing there is a probability of buying it there.
Stay calm and respectful. My wife has little say in the make/model or price of my cars but in negotiating with the dealer I make her the bad guy. I ask the sales guy to help me buy the car for the price I want and she would approve.
I think you will find this approach won't work in this market.
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Old Aug 30, 2022 | 05:13 PM
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Originally Posted by mercedesmax
I think you will find this approach won't work in this market.
it definitely won’t work in this market. The dealers are not concerned about end of month and making quotas in the past 2 years. They are making more money than they ever have and almost every dealership out there is more profitable than they ever have been. They are making their numbers by mid-month. That strategy worked pre-Covid but not anymore. We will eventually head back in that direction but it will be a while. I think it you tell a dealer you want to start at their cost they will laugh at you.
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Old Aug 31, 2022 | 08:26 AM
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The cars just hit the dealers last week. They will get over MSRP.
I ordered a Ford Bronco, another car getting over list, for my kid at the beginning of the year at MSRP so don’t just give up.
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Old Sep 7, 2022 | 08:17 AM
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Again, it depends on your area. Overhere (EU) nobody pays OVER MSRP, or it must be a unique, one of a kind car or so, but even then.....

Maybe a Ford Bronco would have a Premium here, since those are very rare overhere
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Old Sep 13, 2022 | 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by imfletcher
now that these are out, there are plenty around that have either been abandoned by their buyer for a variety of good reasons, or just not accounted for

Still running into the games tho. Just had one dealership say they won't provide the price over phone or email, only in person. and Playing the "AMG's are special cars that we don't sell for MSRP"

All signs point to the car industry being on the precipice of a big decline - demand is down, supply is finally working its way back. Repo rates are increasing rapidly, and use car rates are falling rapidly. At this point, anything over msrp is money lost forever - when you sell the car you aren't getting that back.

Any thoughts on that? what are people seeing?

Hadn't seen one in person since the launch last year but the Local Ferrari/Maser dealer has a black SL63 sitting in their used lot so I swung by to take a look. TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS....
The MSRP price of the SL already puts it at a disadvantage, but that's just absurd. Honestly at this point I cannot wait for dealers to go the way of the dinosaur.

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Old Sep 18, 2022 | 06:07 PM
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I was at Euro Motorcars in Bethesda, MD the other day and the SLs had a $30k ADM.
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Old Sep 18, 2022 | 07:36 PM
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15K extra for SL55 on the floor
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Old Sep 21, 2022 | 10:16 AM
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Local dealer has a Black SL63 w/ $25k ADM & a Black SL55 w/ $10k ADM. But, was told that since I’ve bought from them before,I could order a ‘23 SL55 at MSRP. Still waiting for the new order guide to be released before I do anything.
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Old Sep 21, 2022 | 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by SteveL1
Local dealer has a Black SL63 w/ $25k ADM & a Black SL55 w/ $10k ADM. But, was told that since I’ve bought from them before,I could order a ‘23 SL55 at MSRP. Still waiting for the new order guide to be released before I do anything.
There won’t be too many additions/changes to the order guide other than the new White Leather. Hopefully Exclusive Napa should be order-able for MY23’s.
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Old Sep 22, 2022 | 01:10 PM
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Gents:

I detect a pattern..........$50K dealer markups, then $25K, then $10K.........hmmm. I'm a diehard SL fan BUT, the R232 will NOT be a big seller. I predict by spring it's discount time on all the models including the SL63e.

Depreciation is a given, those that pay $50K over, OUCH!!!

Mike-----future R232 buyer-----at a discount
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Old Sep 22, 2022 | 01:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike P
Gents:

I detect a pattern..........$50K dealer markups, then $25K, then $10K.........hmmm. I'm a diehard SL fan BUT, the R232 will NOT be a big seller. I predict by spring it's discount time on all the models including the SL63e.

Depreciation is a given, those that pay $50K over, OUCH!!!

Mike-----future R232 buyer-----at a discount
just curious if you asked your dealer the timing if you ordered a new one today? The 3 dealers near me have said they have orders placed for their entire allocations for 2023 and still have a backup list.

Now IF, and that’s a big IF, that’s true it would appear to be a huge seller. However I agree the depreciation will be very big once the market corrects, especially if you paid a premium.
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Old Sep 23, 2022 | 12:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike P
Gents:

I detect a pattern..........$50K dealer markups, then $25K, then $10K.........hmmm. I'm a diehard SL fan BUT, the R232 will NOT be a big seller. I predict by spring it's discount time on all the models including the SL63e.

Depreciation is a given, those that pay $50K over, OUCH!!!

Mike-----future R232 buyer-----at a discount
You know, I'm not so sure you are going to see that discount for quite a while. To cut a long story short, I sold my 2005 Vette(only 10,000 miles and still like new, my garage baby and heavily customized and really miss her) for more than I originally brought her for 17 years ago!! Private buyer, so no fees and I kept saying no for 3 years, but he was bugging me, and since I can't use a stick much anymore due to my knees and the wife said I care more for that damn car than I do for her and since quite frankly the price was so ludicrous, I just caved in. I have also brought and sold 3 C8's in the last 2 years and each time made a rather nice profit. If you can't beat them join them as having owned 15 vettes over the years(I now need far more comfort and it's time to move on, but to what?)It's not so much the money with me as I do get attached to my cars but sure you have seen the insanity going on for months and it appears to be getting worse. Example, friend of mine just sold his 2021 C8 4300 miles for 18K over MSRP. WTF! But my private sale was the ultimate WTF and yet I feel quite ill when I can't see her in the garage anymore. But I'm waffling. Since 2020 the world has gone mad and it's getting worse but the well to do, or the "have to have the latest crowd" will always pay to be first, plus it's not as if the SL's are pouring into every dealership in the Country and I also heard a local dealer's allocation for 2023 was supposedly booked. On my 3 C8's, I managed to get one at MSRP as I had dealt with the same guy for years and the other two paid more than I should have done,(and still made over 15K on each). Felt like a pig. I suppose, at the end of the day, it is what it is and I if you want anything in life, it just depends how much do you really need it, or indeed want it, and whatever one pays, good luck to all concerned. But yes, like you, when it comes to the 2023 SL63 I can't see myself paying anything like 50K let alone 15K over MSRP, as I want to see one first, sit in one(preferably the Crystal White interior) and see if I can get over staring at a big bad assed iPad in my face.
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Old Sep 23, 2022 | 01:59 AM
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Originally Posted by mkraft3003
just curious if you asked your dealer the timing if you ordered a new one today? The 3 dealers near me have said they have orders placed for their entire allocations for 2023 and still have a backup list.

Now IF, and that’s a big IF, that’s true it would appear to be a huge seller. However I agree the depreciation will be very big once the market corrects, especially if you paid a premium.

One local dealer said that I would likely get a ‘23 around May or June and the other quoted July or August. Neither has a back log of orders and I would likely get the next allocation available if I put down a deposit now. There have only been two delivered so far, both from the same dealer. The other dealer has two on the floor, but both have ADM’s on them.

Based on what I’ve been told by both dealers, I highly doubt anyone will be getting a discount off MSRP until at least next summer, unless something weird happens and they just don’t sell any between now and then.
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