I recently sold my 6 series and looking hard for a clean 03/04 black or silver sl55 with berry interior. I have access from a friend to purchase manheim auction cars. I have been following the current prices at these auctions and sl55's are selling for 3-6k more in california at auctions for the same year and condition in other states. Is this just a current trend with summer approaching or do these cars always sell for higher in CA auctions.

 

Its easy. We have year round driving weather. The Majority of the county, not people can take the top down in Dec-Feb wearing shorts and a shirt...let alone even drive the car during these months..

In payback, we are the highest taxed state ever but o well...would'nt trade it still...

Summer approaching and some statements being thrown around that well be out of the crisis by next year doesnt help either...

 

yeah thats what i thought to but many other sunny states are selling these cars for a lot less. I mean places like texas and florida have decent weather all year round but amg cars sell for $$$$ less at auctions

 

I guess it has something to do with demand.. I'm sure the car is more demanded by people there than in Texas... I brought my car from Arizona, you should look there as well since its not too far from Cali

 

I'm guessing the higher cost of living in Cali translates to dealers asking for more and getting it...On an aside...I love to visit there but Cali is like a supermodel that has the herps...looks good from the outside but there is a serious problem underneath the surface...(too many taxes, over burdened healthcare and school system, higher gas prices, home values skewed upward relative to the rest of the country). I'm not saying Florida is not without problems, but they seem amplfied on the West Coast.

 

Exactly the point I was going to make. Cost of living is way high in Cali, and the dealers have to sell at higher prices to make ends meet - that, in turn, drives up auction prices and used car values.

 

Hi, I'v been looking for a nice used 03/04 SL55 and they seem to be going in the mid to high 30's in Cali. If you dont mind me asking, what prices have you been seeing at the manheim auctions?

Thanks

 

I live in So Cal, when I bought my 05' SL600 I found the best deal w/every option but Distronic in Texas, had her shipped to LA for about $1k. Buy SL from out of state get DC warranty from reputable dealer have Carfax Buyback guaranteed & your set!

 

it really depends what states the manhiem auction is in... seems like texas has the best prices while california the most expensive. A 03 blk sl55 with around 43k miles, in above average condition, sold at the riverside,ca auction for 33k last month. You can get the same car in texas manhiem auction for around 28k. let em try and find some prices... had some saved somewhere.

EDIT... here are some old auction prices for 03sl55. I can get current prices but have to wait for my friend to look them up for me. He is the one with the auction lisence.

04/14/09 RIVRSIDE Lease $30,500 62,398 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes

04/09/09 GTR PHNX Lease $32,500 42,142 Avg SILVER 8G A Yes

04/08/09 W PALM Regular $31,800 53,844 Avg RED 8G A Yes

04/08/09 DALLAS Regular $25,300 79,219 Below SILVER 8G A Yes

03/31/09 RIVRSIDE Lease $32,700 43,257 Above BLACK 8G A Yes

03/19/09 NEVADA Lease $30,750 34,667 Avg WHITE 8G A Yes

03/19/09 NEVADA Lease $30,500 37,733 Avg MAROON 8G A Yes

03/18/09 SEATTLE Lease $28,000 56,375 Avg BRI SIL 8G A Yes

03/17/09 FAAO Regular $27,800 54,189 Avg SILVER 8G A Yes

 

So Cal is the biggest AMG market in the world. That's why the prices are higher.

 

03/19/09 NEVADA Lease $30,750 34,667 Avg WHITE 8G A Yes... This one was a really sweet deal. I love white sl55 and to me they seem to be rarer and sell for higher prices in the used market because of the color.

 

This must be a joke
we pay 140% more for the cars we drive here in Turkey
ı paid nearly over 100k+ for my 2006 sl55
So always remember there are human beings out there somewhere who suffers more than you
And we see sunshine 6 months a year which is good enough i believe

 

W/this list of past/present cars you're suffering

 

^^^ In my home country used higher end cars sell for a little over double than what you would pay here and are somewhat hard to find... would have to import them. To import a car taxes are close to 100% of the US value of the car plus you would have to factor in overseas shipping. To get a 03 sl55 there would cost me over 70usd.

 

Can you imagine what cars ı could drive if i lived in States

and ı also need to tell you that ıf the cars engine size is over 4000cc and the car is 1-3 years old we pay 8k $ a year road tax
brand new sl63 is over 300k $ here