Views on Mercedes Benz SL500 Depreciation | FerrariChat
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Views on Mercedes Benz SL500 Depreciation

Discussion in 'Other German' started by ghost, Jul 16, 2004.

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  1. ghost

    ghost F1 World Champ
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    #1 ghost, Jul 16, 2004
    Serious question for you guys: the more I look at the SL500, the more I am starting to fall for it. While dealers are no longer gouging buyers with premiums to MSRP, it's hard to find a low-mileage SL500 for much lower than MSRP. I'm fine with paying list; the question I really have for you guys is where do you think prices are going to be in a year from now. I doubt that SL500 prices will stay around MSRP, especially as more supply and a new model year (2005) comes around.

    So the question really is: how much do you anticipate SL500 buyers to lose in a year on depreciation alone? $1 - $3K? $4 - $6K? Or something even higher...

    All thoughts appreciated.
     
  2. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
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    #2 Auraraptor, Jul 16, 2004
    Depends on mileage used. Most are still very low and as a result command high prices even for dealers to pick up.
     
  3. ghost

    ghost F1 World Champ
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    #3 ghost, Jul 16, 2004
    Assume mileage of 2 - 3K, so pretty low.
     
  4. sjb509

    sjb509 Guest

    #4 sjb509, Jul 16, 2004
    When we bought our '05 C320 last week we talked about this very thing with the dealer. He indicated that he thought the depreciation would be pretty high for the SL cars. I would guess at least $15k for twelve months of ownership, that is only about 15% of list for a sport-optioned model. That $15k would be what you'd get when you went to trade it in. I know it's not apples to apples, but we lost about 25% on our 2004 C-class with 11k miles and not quite a year old.

    I personally think these are some the most gorgeous cars in existence. But I doubt Mercedes will keep the same body style as they did for 13 years on the 1990-2002 models. Just my opinion, but I would say by 2007-8 they will do a subtle restyle. The SL500, while an incredible car if viewed on its own merits, is now the low car of the SL range (SL500/55/600/65). Granted it is a pretty high-line range, but the higher-priced cars will depreciate as well, pushing SL500 prices farther down in the future.

    IMO, SL500 MY2005 prices for a car with 6k/year in July of:
    2004 $100k
    2005 $85k
    2006 $75k
    2007 $62k (the restyle is now out dating the car)
    2008 $56k
    2009 $51k
     
  5. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
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    #5 Auraraptor, Jul 16, 2004
    Ghost, PM me and I will sent you some info you may find helpful.



    PS Vote Auraraptor for Classics Moderator :)
     
  6. LAfun2

    LAfun2 Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #6 LAfun2, Jul 16, 2004

    HUH?? Details please
     
  7. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
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    #7 Auraraptor, Jul 16, 2004
    Sent you an IM.
     
  8. ghost

    ghost F1 World Champ
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    #8 ghost, Jul 17, 2004
    Omar, missed this till now. Just sent you a PM. Hook me up, brother. Thx.
     
  9. SpeedFreak

    SpeedFreak Karting

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    #9 SpeedFreak, Jul 17, 2004
    The SL500 is a great car for people who want a refined roadster with cool technology. However, it really isn't an exclusive car at all, it's just expensive, and discounts can be had for cars on the lot. I think in the car's big markets, waiting lists are non-existent for the 500. The base price for '05 is increasing $3k, which won't be recouped in a resale in a few years. So a well equipped '04 with some miles should go for less than 90k...or much less than 90k in a private sale. However, for the $ you pay, I would buy a new one with the sport package on a dealer's lot... you could probably get $5k off sticker and also get the 4 yr. warranty.
     
  10. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

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    #10 judge4re, Jul 17, 2004
    You'll probably loose more than $6k. If you keep the car a couple of years, even more. Go to nadaguides.com and get the resale values for the last 5 years or so. Sporty or not, these things do depreciate.

    Trade in on MB's are really bad. I'm glad to be rid of mine and I'll never get another one. And I even bought used!
     
  11. Kds

    Kds F1 World Champ

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    #11 Kds, Jul 18, 2004
    Ghost.....

    Up here in Canada the 03 model year SL500's are selling for between $105K-$115K CAD with 15-20,000 kms.

    These cars had MSRP's of $125-135K when new.

    They are always listed for more money of course......but.....I can walk into a dealer and buy a new one "today" and drive it either tomorrow, or within 10 days, depending on where it's coming from.

    I find it hard to swallow that the market does not reflect this in the US. Search hard for they are out there.....but be prepared to buy it when you see it, because the next guy who does the same as you, may not decide to "think about it" like you might.....and when you go back it is gone.
     
  12. 911Fan

    911Fan Formula 3

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    #12 911Fan, Jul 18, 2004
    I think a ready supply at the dealer guarantees at least a 5K loss in value the moment you drive off the lot (that's off MSRP, it would be a lot more if you include your tax and license in the "basis"). My rationale is that if I were buying a car in that price range, I would certainly spring for an extra 5K to get a brand new one.

    So a 10K loss from MSRP after the first year shouldn't surprise anyone.

    Or are the new cars hard to get from the dealers?
     
  13. Frank_C

    Frank_C F1 Rookie
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    #13 Frank_C, Jul 19, 2004
    PLain jane SLs aren't hard to find at all. I walked into the dealership in dec. and ordered one up. Three months later I got it and my S 55. The AMGs are more difficult to get.

    I'm more curious to see how much my S 55 depreciates.
     
  14. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
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    #14 Auraraptor, Jul 19, 2004
    Most are for around 100k for normal lower mileage 55's of 2003

    600s are the least popular oddly enough. With for example under 5000 mile 2004s going for around 110k.
     

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