Has anyone bought an SLK 55 out of state?
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porsche 911
Has anyone bought an SLK 55 out of state?
I am looking beyond my state in the U.S. for a used SLK 55. I have seen many advertised here and there and several I want to make a move on. I was hoping for advice from the buyer and seller perspective as to what might be expected or how it might work. If you have purchased one out of state, did you travel there to see it first? Or was it shipped to you sight unseen and if so how was the money situation resolved? Deposit first? How do you know you can trust the anonymous seller, despite talking to him/her? Did you have a mechanic check it out first? This is something I've never considered before but the selection range is much larger. Thanks folks....
Last edited by porschetobenz; Oct 3, 2007 at 12:29 AM.
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From: Ventura County USA
'06 E55, '05 SLK55, a few others
If it's a CPO vehicle, warranty isn't an issue, just inspection. If you don't have the option of a friend or relative being close enough to look it over for you, it can be inspected by a local dealer. Don't necessarily trust Carfax, they miss things and a few people here have had to battle them over mis-information on their cars. Shipping isn't an issue anymore, just the cost of it. Ideal situation is to fly out and drive it back, makes for a great short vacation. Good thing about it is NO tax! Here in Ca. some people think they get out of paying tax when they buy a car from private party. Wrong! DMV collects it when they register it. Only way to avoid the tax is to take it out of state, which would be your situation. Good luck.
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porsche 911
Thanks Fast55...i've got my eye on one owned by a private owner...i haven't called him yet but i'm assuming that he still has the remainder of his original warranty....so it wouldn't be out of the norm once i do call and negotiate, to ask him to take it to an authorized MB dealer to look it over and trust in that? i imagine i'll have to pay over the phone the dealer inspection.....thanks.
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From: Miami, FL
Lotus Elise SLK55
I bought my car out of State (from Kansas and I'm in Florida). The main reason for doing that is that luxury car prices tend to be higher in states like FL and CA due to above average demand. Unless you have a friend in the State where you're buying the car who can inspect the car for you, I highly recommend flying there yourself, it shouldn't cost more than 200$ round trip (unless the vehicle is brand new, or almost new <2000 miles, in which case, its safe to assume that its O.K. IMO). Maybe if its not that far, you can even drive the car back home... there is no better way to get to know a car than a long trip 
When picking a shipping company, make sure to ship it enclosed and shop around for different quotes. It costs aprox. $1,200 to ship a car from California to Florida and 600$ to ship a car from North East to Florida, insured.
When picking a shipping company, make sure to ship it enclosed and shop around for different quotes. It costs aprox. $1,200 to ship a car from California to Florida and 600$ to ship a car from North East to Florida, insured.
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From: Ventura County USA
'06 E55, '05 SLK55, a few others
Thanks Fast55...i've got my eye on one owned by a private owner...i haven't called him yet but i'm assuming that he still has the remainder of his original warranty....so it wouldn't be out of the norm once i do call and negotiate, to ask him to take it to an authorized MB dealer to look it over and trust in that? i imagine i'll have to pay over the phone the dealer inspection.....thanks.
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porsche 911
got one!
Well folks. I got my car. 2006 SLK 55 AMG. Mint. 19,000 miles. Got a great deal...Caspian Blue. Loaded with nearly every option. P30, Bi-xenon, Sound package, NAV, air scarf etc...Just tinted the windows and it's a beauty. After driving a stick all my life, i'm finding it dodgy to get smooth upshifts in manual mode. At least when I'm driving it, there is a delay in gear aquisition and the tach jumps up. I ease off the gas too. It's not a smooth gear transfer like a clutch. Must be me.
And in sports mode, the auto downshifts to second and first gear are somewhat abrupt.
Do most people here drive theirs in manual or sports mode? Trying to find the quickest acceleration.
But, it's a stunning car.
Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions. This is a great site!!!!
And in sports mode, the auto downshifts to second and first gear are somewhat abrupt.
Do most people here drive theirs in manual or sports mode? Trying to find the quickest acceleration.
But, it's a stunning car.
Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions. This is a great site!!!!
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Miami, FL
Lotus Elise SLK55
Well folks. I got my car. 2006 SLK 55 AMG. Mint. 19,000 miles. Got a great deal...Caspian Blue. Loaded with nearly every option. P30, Bi-xenon, Sound package, NAV, air scarf etc...Just tinted the windows and it's a beauty. After driving a stick all my life, i'm finding it dodgy to get smooth upshifts in manual mode. At least when I'm driving it, there is a delay in gear aquisition and the tach jumps up. I ease off the gas too. It's not a smooth gear transfer like a clutch. Must be me.
And in sports mode, the auto downshifts to second and first gear are somewhat abrupt.
Do most people here drive theirs in manual or sports mode? Trying to find the quickest acceleration.
But, it's a stunning car.
Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions. This is a great site!!!!
And in sports mode, the auto downshifts to second and first gear are somewhat abrupt.
Do most people here drive theirs in manual or sports mode? Trying to find the quickest acceleration.
But, it's a stunning car.
Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions. This is a great site!!!!
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porsche 911
Thanks all.... Skip the manual mode? and i thought that would be fun for everyone. well, i guess sports mode is a fuss free, fast acceleration. but I thought manual could compete. but it's not at all like a clutch shift. if it ain't smooth as silk, why would MB give the mode? hmmmm.
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From: Ventura County USA
'06 E55, '05 SLK55, a few others
Same experience in both the E55 and SLK55. I just do not see a reason to use "M". You can still manually shift in "S", and it's got to be as fast or faster. 
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From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
Thanks all.... Skip the manual mode? and i thought that would be fun for everyone. well, i guess sports mode is a fuss free, fast acceleration. but I thought manual could compete. but it's not at all like a clutch shift. if it ain't smooth as silk, why would MB give the mode? hmmmm.
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porsche 911
shifting
Thanks Ingenere...the downshifting doesn't seem so bad but the upshifting, well, i can't get it smooth. it revs higher on the tach before the next gear engages. perhaps i need to ease off of the accelerator a little in between. i have been leaving it where it is in between...i guess i have some practicing to do. just seems like it couldn't be as smooth as a clutch.
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From: sac, calif.
'06 slk55
Well, I drive in C mode 80% of the time. Yet, I still change gears like a manual. I like having control like the M mode but I dislike the short 1st gear for anything other than racing. So S mode on the track and C mode everywhere else.
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porsche 911
I see what you mean about first gear. if you aren't ready for it, the downshift into it can sprain your neck. i'll fool around with all 3...it's interesting the different opinions. I thought about starting a poll to see which mode people like best for their daily drive and why...
Last edited by porschetobenz; Nov 1, 2007 at 10:52 PM.
