SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: very low-mileage SL65s...
it makes sense to purchase the telephonics from MB, even though there's quite a premium required. there are neither repairs nor refurbished replacements; rather, there are replacements with new equipment.
i just have to find out what the extended warranty will cost. do any of you know the dealer margin on the warranty?
thanks again for your thoguhts.
all the same, wholesale numbers would be helpful because they'd tell me how much funny-money the dealer is playing with.
Last edited by david_101; Apr 7, 2006 at 04:49 AM.
it makes sense to purchase the telephonics from MB, even though there's quite a premium required. there are neither repairs nor refurbished replacements; rather, there are replacements with new equipment.
i just have to find out what the extended warranty will cost. do any of you know the dealer margin on the warranty?
thanks again for your thoguhts.
since asking if anybody knew the wholesale value of the car, i was able to find it: 143,200. if the car were in fair condition, then it'd be about 7k less. those are current, up-to-the-month numbers.
given those numbers, they might not wish to provide airfare.
chances are i'll hitch a ride on a private flight i think will be heading up there within the next couple of weeks. if not, then i'll splurge on my own ticket.
overall, not such a bad deal, right?
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
For Week Ending Apr 02
Above Average Below Feb 2006 Oct 2005 Apr 2005
Sale Price $152,122 $120,795 $89,468 $120,795 $0 $166,000
Mileage 4,212 8,423 12,635 8,423 0 5,361
Total Sold All 6 1 0 2
Average Auction Mileage
Prices are based on more transactions than shown under 'Transactions', above.
Apr 07 - Apr 14 2006
Above Average Below Insufficient Transactions To
Auction $140,000 $120,000 $100,000 Estimate Future Prices
Est. Retail $152,000 $130,000 $108,000
Copyright © 1996-2004 Manheim Auctions V 3.3.10
Last edited by JR.; Apr 7, 2006 at 08:22 PM.
I would say that if you wanted to hold onto the car for several years and enjoy it.........it's a great deal! On the other hand, if you wanted to drive the car for a year or so and get rid of it.........I think that you will loose money on it!
Lastly, several dealers that I ve spoken to about the very same thing.....low miles. They all seem to tell me that they have some very rich customers that want to have every new toy coming down the pike. They drive them for a bit and........trade them in for the next toy! My opinion is that many people need tax deductions as well. So, they buy these cars for a tax shelter of some sort, hardly drive them, trade them in.........then buy a new one! I guess they get the benifit of writing off the depriciation somehow!
as for tax advantages associated with the depreciation, i'm unfamiliar with any that could substantially offset such depreciation. the only thing i could imagine is that someone with a dealer/manufacturer license or something akin might be able to book the entire "loss."
i nearly lost the deal yesterday, when i learned that another rep had put a SOLD sign on the car...just before i called to say i'd take it.
when i learned about it, i didn't say i'd take it. instead, i took a different route.
now, my name is on the flip side of the SOLD sign. even so, i have the no-cost option to back out, if i should wish.
not such a bad deal became even better.
"When we obtained this vehicle, the owner stated that the mileage was accurate."
Makes you suspicious of odometer tampering, imo.
here's the link, car had 75 miles on it
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...QQcmdZViewItem
.
sale price above average below
$152,122 $120,795 $89,468.
mileage 4212 8223 12635
condition is really about the miles unless there are glaring problems
so, 140k for a starmark designo in excellent condition from a dealer with every option (except distronic) is at least not an unreasonable number?
regarding the auction prices,
above 152,222 w/ 4,212 mi
avg 120,795 w/ 8,223 mi
below 89,468 w/ 12,635 mi
there's an ~4,000 mile spread between above and avg, and between avg and below.
and there's an ~30,000 price spread between above and avg, and between avg and below.
without benefit of seeing and inspecting the auctioned cars, it looks like the depreciation per mile is HUGE at about 7.50/mile.
can that be accurate???








