Z Boss

I have an '05 SL55 that I would like to trade in however it appears that an outright sale is in order based on the trade-in offer for an excellent 42,000 mile car. What is the best way to market this car for a private party sale? Looking for $40-43K with new PZero tires.

allenjdmb

on the money, IF it's a right car (color, equip, no paint, etc.). Tooooough marketplace for SL's of every description now.....

Sunir

I think an 05 Sl55 with fairly low miles can still get mid $40's ....SL65s last I checked on autotrader were at around $54 to $56K entry and there were only a couple there, most of them are still hovering in the $60's and up (remember it was close to $200K new!). The '03 - '04 SL55 and SL600 were between $35K - $45K for the most part aand a lot of that depended on mileage and condition.

alx

i am telling you actual sale numbers, not pies in the sky. what people ask for those cars is one thing, what they sell after being for sale for 180 days is far far less.

there is no 05 $50-52k sl65 unless with <20k miles and some aftermarket warranty. the majority of cars with 50k miles are $43-45k cars. a good aftermarket warranty will add about $2k on the price so think $47k tops for a 50k miles car with warranty.

there is another thing- keep in mind that desire to buy such a car and ability to actually finance it (remember, most folks that will buy such a car will finance it) are two very different things. banks generally frown on giving money for a 5-year old car at a good interest rate.... and as you move to 6-7 year old cars it only gets worse. that is why the second steepest depreciation of a car (the first one is the first year) is after the 5th year as at that point financing becomes expensive or simply not available.

of course individual buyer/seller mileage will vary, but generally this is how it is right now

alex

Z Boss

All of the comments on financing are very true as a couple of folks interested in the car could not get financing - still tight money in my area. I appreciate your comments and assistance. I have submitted car specs to Carmax hoping a larger market may be the place to sell. My research, including your comments now, tells me typical asking price is $42K and actual selling price should be around $40K including extended warranty. These are superior cars and just need to find the right market \ buyer. I have a few vehicles and this SL55 AMG is by far the most refined and powerful automobile I have ever owned.

allenjdmb

you and I are obviously thinking alike. Apparently we are both in and around the industry, and understand that advertised prices and real $$ are two different things. It's tough here, as many of the cars talked about on this forum are much nicer than the average bear, and folks think that they will bring a huge premium. Some folks here can write a check, but the average american cannot. And with new SL's at a near standstill, it's putting lots of downward pressure on the market. BTW, Z, in our area, Carmax would not take that car.
I used to believe the old saying from my Dad's generation--that there's an axx for every seat--but not anymore. You?