LOVEMYBS

I found an 06 SL55 with 32K miles fully optioned including the 030 Performance Package for $40K. Retail book w/o the 030 is $71K. Should I jump or pass on this? I've always wanted an SL55 and this deal is just too good. Anyone interested in a fully optioned 04 CLK55 with OEM extended warranty good for three more years and 35K miles (see signature list)? Recommendations please!

Harsany

great deal on sl55!

CWW

Ya, that's a nice deal, go for it. The SL55 is a great car, and easily moddable. Plus, as nice and cushy as sedans are, there really is no replacement for a convertible.

BenzoBoi

Wow that's a killer deal!

prodigymb

that sounds like a good deal. almost too good. be careful, do ur homework on the car. make sure it wasn't flooded or in major accidetn etc....

Fantasm

almost too good of a deal, research that car

velvet fog

Sounds too good to be true. Caveat Emptor.

BlackHammer

This is a no-brainer deal. However, be mega careful. Don't even think of exchanging money until you actually see the car, meet the owner, validate it is their car, validate it has not been in an accident, etc.

Sounds like a scam to me (whoever has the car likely has everything you would want to see like photo's, window sticker, service records, etc). If the book is really $71 sounds like a worst case "trade-in" value of $50K to me to just bring it to a dealer and sell the car to them without trying to sell on-line and go through the BS.

TK

CWW

It's a good deal, but not to the point of saying "scam". There are lots others floating around near that price point. Look:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-...308#ht_500wt_0

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-...1%7C240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-...1%7C240%3A1308

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-...1%7C240%3A1318

I am starting to feel like the debbie downer of depreciation around here lately, but in case you haven't noticed THIS MARKET SUCKS! You can buy anything you want (within reason) for $40k's these days. Including the new E60 M5.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-...1%7C240%3A1308

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-...1%7C240%3A1308


These prices were unthinkable even a month or two ago. And it's still getting worse rapidly.

velvet fog

Ebay listings are a good starting point, but most of those cars have been listed on ebay several times and some have been around for months. If they were such great deals, why are they still there? Most of these cars are buybacks or lease returns picked up at auction by 2nd tier dealers. They are the cars the MB dealers do not want to re-sell as used or CPO.

A better guide of price for a decent car with no issues or history is the completed listings area.

Yeah, I'm being kind of a wet blanket here, but when something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

You should also take the VIN to a Mercedes dealer and ask for the service history.

CWW

You should poke around in the market and look at autotrader, I think you'd be surprised. There are just way too many of them at these prices, every one of them can't be a flood car or lemon buyback. Lol. That line is getting as bad around here as "Well I'd still take him in the twisties" is on the BMW boards.

Heck, my local dealer (Brumos Mercedes/Porsche) has a CPO SL55 in black/black with 40k miles, asking $41k. I've seen it in person, it has no issues, perfect car, and that's what a DEALER is asking...so you know the value is actually less.

velvet fog

Sounds like regional differences. Up here in Washington, there are far fewer high end cars and the MB dealers don't even have any used SLs of any model. When they do get one in, the prices are usually about 10k more than the same car in So Cal or Fla

OzE55

Of course that means your CLK is worth .........jack. So, remember to factor in the loss on your current car.

LOVEMYBS

After some digging I found out it has a salvage title. Apparently the owner left the top down in some light rain. No damage to the interior or exterior but the insurance company decided to pay the claim, buy the car and resell it. I'm still tempted.

CWW

No screw that! Don't buy it. You don't want a salvage title, and it isn't worth $40k if that's the case.

There are too many good ones in that price range to have to worry about a salvage title. Did you look at any of the links I posted? Also look up Brumos Mercedes' website, they have a SL55 for $41k, and I've seen it myself it's nice. Clean carfax was taped to the window when I looked at it.

LOVEMYBS

The more I think about it the less "attractive" this "deal" becomes. I have been tracking three of the eBay vehicles you suggested. One in particular (silver) matches my E55 which is what I'm looking for (peas in a pod). Thanks!

velvet fog

The car caught in the rain will have electrical problems forever, best to stay away. The values for these cars is going through the floor. keep shopping there are better deals to be had.

Let us know what you end up with.

Newzchspy

+1, up here the AWDs and the 4 X 4 get a LOT more $$ than down south where snow etc is not an issue, so there are regional differences. I do agree with Chris that saying it could be flooded etc is the same argument we've all heard. BUT, when Fleabay has at least 5 of these all in the same price range, that's got to tell you something. Check out www.luxurymotors.com in Chicago and NV, they've got a LOT of luxury cars and they've been dropping prices the past month like crazy as well. I wouldn't be surprised if you can't pick up an SL 55 in the mid $40 range. The SL 65s are getting down in to the $60s now.

There's a TON of used cars on the market and that is killing BOTH the used car market and NEW because you can get a great deal on a 2-3 year old car. Why buy new??

LOVEMYBS

Thanks everyone for your advice. I passed on the salvage SL55 and bought an 06 SL55 black/black with 12K miles from a local Merc dealer with every option except distronic. It even has the rare OEM $14K 030 Performance Package. Retail in 06 was $153,500. I think I got a good deal for $67K which includes a 100K CPO out to 2012. When I say every option it also includes the $3,500 Nappa leather interior. It's a one owner lease turn-in. I traded my CLK55 and took a beating on it at $25K (49.7K miles). Oh well, I think the SL will hold its value better over time. I know it's not a smoking deal but it's a good one and I don't have buyers remorse, at least not yet. I'm turning my E55 into a daily driver because I'm tooo upside down on it to do anything else. I love my E55 too so I'm not upset about driving it on a daily basis. With 30K miles and an extended OEM warranty good for another three years I should be okay.

aleksandar1099

congrats on a great car.... put up some pics!!