From past experience KBB usually is a tad high with values across the board, so I was shocked to see the Private Party value for a 2006 Loaded SL65 with 4k miles on it in excellent condition to be $117k. Did this just recently get hit again from the release of the 09 SL face lift? I can't imagine being the owner of an 07 SL65 and seeing over a 40% drop in value as soon as the tires leave the dealer's lot.

yeah it does suck and that is just the way it goes. When do you pick up your sl65?

Inspection should be done any day and then it's off to me. I have to admit it looks like the 09 face lift is very similar to the current model so I'm not too bothered by it. Best thing is the 65 engine will stay the same which is most important anyway. Would be comparable to the F430 coming out with the same engine as the 360.

I agree that it would be a shock, but do people who buy these 65's really intend to sell it within a year? I would think they'd hold on to them for a couple of years, but I could be wrong.

depreciation only matters to those who can't afford it.

Sometimes I wonder how or if you guys enjoy your cars.

wow, it seems as soon as you drive it off the lot, it is $60k less. I wonder what the reasoning is?

These cars are not an investment, they are a toy to use and abuse often. I drive the **** out of mine and won't be selling it any time soon. I really don't care about the depreciation.

+1

It all depends on the buyer's financial position.

An SL65 could be a daily driver which the owner may want to switch in a year or two. If thats the case then it sucks to lose $70k+ instantly.

I agree that if its your weekend toy then who really cares.

Buying mine at $120k so I'll be enjoying it just fine thnx.

+1 Can't agree more

Man 40% is alot....

I came across a way to minimize the depreciation after purchase.

Extend the curb distance from the lot to the other side of the earth. It would take some time to leave the dealer's lot.

It sounds like private party sales might prevail on such a deep depreciation factor. I would take it off someone hands for 114K + some.

A know a guy who just purchased a used '07 SL65 for 130,000. Get this, it had less than 500 miles on the odometer. That's some serious depreciation.

O-U-C-H...

To think the SL 65 is in the second luxurious tier after the SLR for the Mercedes brand...

LOL......Thats not bad considering CL65's have lost over a $100,000 in the same time period!

Wow, I'm so busted!

My CL55 dropped 17k retail in 12 months.

I hate this because, #1 I'm cheap and #2 I'm cheap.

Can I afford it - marginally yes, but I still hate it.

Having said that, I do hammer the crap out of it whenever I can because it brings me pleasure - which does not seem to depreciate!

That buys is one lucky dude!

\

Yeah...because the top doesn't fold into the trunk.

The reasoning is that SL65 (or any 65 for that matter) is not worth its 185,000$ MSRP. It is overpriced to begin with, so it depreciates so fast.

Not really true. If they built less, they would hold value a lot better. For a 604hp supercar, MB builds way too many.

True, and I think they shouldnt have had the 600 so similar to the 65. 600 is basically a detuned 65 and for quite a bit less with more options standard. Yes, it doesnt have the AMG sticker which for many is worth a premium alone and the AMG upgrades. All and all if they did reduce the units they would hold a lot better.

You can't just blame the supply for the depreciation. SL55 doesn't depreciate as fast as SL65 and there are far more of them. The main problem is that SL65 costs as much or more than many exotic sports car. 185,000$ MSRP is higher than Lambo Gallardo, Ferrari F430, Ford GT, Aston Martin DB9, and much higher than Porsche 997TT. And like Speed Thrills said, SL600 is nearly as fast and costs far less. Actually if you chip SL600, it makes more power and is faster than SL65.

its all about demand. I am sure if you pull a inventory of new SL65s up there would be plenty of 06 models sitting around. Then factor the lease turn ins on these cars also. They are not moving fast enough simple as that.

I had a "Freind" remind me how much my
SL55 was depreciating. He is a Mortgage guy down on his luck
with a 3 series BMer. "Bet its lost 20 grand in the year you have had it."

I told him.
I love my AMG and I can afford it.