SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Car Purchasing/Warranty Confusion - HELP!
08-01-2010, 11:10 PM
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SL500
Car Purchasing/Warranty Confusion - HELP!
There are three cars I'm looking at. It's my understanding that Chrysler warranties are no longer available. Here is what I have on the plate:
a.2003 SL55 AMG - 45,000 miles (warranty ends 6/2011). Asking 39K
b.2005 SL55 AMG - 14,000 miles (no warranty) Asking 50K
c.2006 SL500 - 19,000 miles (Mercury warranty unti 06/2010 or 100K miles) Asking 42
It's my understanding that Mercury does NOT cover the two biggest issues with the car - the ABC and the Roof. So, how valid/helpful is this warranty.
How do I make sense of this. The 2003 is a spotless Renntech, comes with Radar Detector. Need to repaint hood and bumpers to make perfect. It's silver, I prefer black.
The 2005 SL55 AMG is perfect, lack pano roof, dis and parktronic. Car is perfect otherwise
The 2006 SL500 (yeah, I know, very tame) flawless paint, leather is a 7 (alot of wrinkling, no cracking), some plastic needs touch up paint and carpet needs cleaning - no AMG package - but looks nice, shows well.
I really don't know what to get and why. My preference is the 2005AMG but the cost is a concern and no warranty. Second is to take the tame power because of the warranty - but, it doesn't cover everything apparently - has a zero deductible, and then last is the 2003 because it's silver, but, it's the cleanest overall, enthusiast taken care of and drives great.
Please help me sort this out. My goal is to be totally covered in the event, or when crap goes wrong with the car. I'm not trying to buy a high maintenence girlfriend - I want a great warrant that takes care of everything.
Are there other options (not in the model car) that I should consider????
a.2003 SL55 AMG - 45,000 miles (warranty ends 6/2011). Asking 39K
b.2005 SL55 AMG - 14,000 miles (no warranty) Asking 50K
c.2006 SL500 - 19,000 miles (Mercury warranty unti 06/2010 or 100K miles) Asking 42
It's my understanding that Mercury does NOT cover the two biggest issues with the car - the ABC and the Roof. So, how valid/helpful is this warranty.
How do I make sense of this. The 2003 is a spotless Renntech, comes with Radar Detector. Need to repaint hood and bumpers to make perfect. It's silver, I prefer black.
The 2005 SL55 AMG is perfect, lack pano roof, dis and parktronic. Car is perfect otherwise
The 2006 SL500 (yeah, I know, very tame) flawless paint, leather is a 7 (alot of wrinkling, no cracking), some plastic needs touch up paint and carpet needs cleaning - no AMG package - but looks nice, shows well.
I really don't know what to get and why. My preference is the 2005AMG but the cost is a concern and no warranty. Second is to take the tame power because of the warranty - but, it doesn't cover everything apparently - has a zero deductible, and then last is the 2003 because it's silver, but, it's the cleanest overall, enthusiast taken care of and drives great.
Please help me sort this out. My goal is to be totally covered in the event, or when crap goes wrong with the car. I'm not trying to buy a high maintenence girlfriend - I want a great warrant that takes care of everything.
Are there other options (not in the model car) that I should consider????
08-01-2010, 11:59 PM
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SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
If you are wanting an AMG, don't settle for the 500. I have had my '03 55 since new and it has been bullet proof. In 46K miles the only issues have been a seized AC compressor, tire pressor sensors, an IC pump and a secondary air pump. I never buy extended warranties. I throw several hundred a month in an account for each car.... just in case, and that has always been enough.
The big thing that I have found with all my cars is that if I over take care of them, they rarely let me down. In other words a full service history is worth its weight in gold, as well as obvious pride of ownership. Do these cars represent that.
Remember, these are $130K+ cars, and they still cost to maintain and fix them. If you can't afford to fix it if something happens, then this is the wrong car for you. However, if you are smart and use your head to purchase, it will be way cheaper than a 'high maintenance gf', and will definitely complain less!
The big thing that I have found with all my cars is that if I over take care of them, they rarely let me down. In other words a full service history is worth its weight in gold, as well as obvious pride of ownership. Do these cars represent that.
Remember, these are $130K+ cars, and they still cost to maintain and fix them. If you can't afford to fix it if something happens, then this is the wrong car for you. However, if you are smart and use your head to purchase, it will be way cheaper than a 'high maintenance gf', and will definitely complain less!
Last edited by IngenereAMG; 08-02-2010 at 12:05 AM.
08-02-2010, 09:52 AM
#3
An SL of any kind without a warranty is a high maintance GF. No problem with that, you just have to know what you are getting into. I would buy an 07 SL500 with some warranty left if the power doesn't matter to you. You either pay depreciation or repair bills. There is no free lunch.
08-02-2010, 03:47 PM
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In my humble opinion you will regret not getting the AMG in the long run.
Also, silver is the best color for ANY Mercedes
