Prices of SL500s recently

Prices of SL500s recently

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CIS121

Original Poster:

1,271 posts

220 months

Friday 7th December 2007
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I've been looking to pick one of these up for about 9 months now, but recently have been keeping a very keen eye on prices. The asking price for an early one seems to have moved very little despite the credit crunch and the risks of economic/housing market issues.

Are these selling for bigtger discounts on asking prices than a few months ago and further more, if we do get further economic problems and house price falls in the first few months of next year is this likely to affect the prices much?

I would presume few people are keen to upsize to a car like this now and that soem are having to sell them to realise capital.

Any input from you guys in the industry would be greatly appreciated!

davidn

1,028 posts

266 months

Friday 7th December 2007
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What age of car are you thinking of? I recently bought a 500 and am pleased to see prices haven't moved much which doesn't help you I know. I watched the prices for most of the year expecting to affect a particularly stinky deal by buying a convertible in the autumn/winter which by all accounts isn't the done thing. No joy unfortunately maybe a £500 shift throughout the year for a good one with the right options.
From a main dealer I'm not sure, they may have 550's sitting on their lots which 'should' drive the price of a 500 down and the face lift is due in 08/09. I've seen the facelift and although in a number of areas I'm sure it's a better car from the looks of it it's not so nice, well to me anyway. I've read on other forums that merc dealers are purposely kept in the dark re: new models to keep them selling the current stock without discounts for end of line. How true that is I don't know but it sounds reasonable.
Take a punt I guess but prices seem pretty stable despite the state of the economy. Good car though so I doubt you'll feel hard done by for the odd grand or so.
I've just realised I've been no help what so ever but I'm rather impresed with my lack of spelling errors so I'm going to post it anyway - sorry.
David

CIS121

Original Poster:

1,271 posts

220 months

Friday 7th December 2007
quotequote all
Hi David,

No, thanks for your post. It's interesting to hear your experience. I had a Boxster in the past and got a very good deal on it (bought in either Sept, Oct or early Nov). I presume the hard top on the SL stops it being at all impractical in the winter hence no price shift.

I'm looking at a fairly early one so probably 03, althought might go to an 04 for the right car. In the same way fears of the housing market are leading some sellers to take a good 10 hit on price currently, I was hoping to see a greater drop in the price of these.

Congrats on your purchase, it looks stunning.

Midlife

13 posts

239 months

Tuesday 11th December 2007
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Hi. In my opinion, it's more about the sunshine than the economy. Prices are coming down - no doubt - but if it's sunny that day then dealer may have more customers on the forecourt and negotiate harder. Bought mine 12 months old 4 years ago. Think the dealer was axed to sell it that rainy weekend. Had seen it drop 2-3k on the stock list. Reckon it cost about a oner a month over three years (ex finance costs)there after. Sold it just over a year ago. I'm not sure if depreciation ever slows; you would think it should, but I'm sure it's being re-cycled in the classifieds here by a dealer at the moment for more or less the price I sold it. Guessed they were taking a 6-7k spread out of me - so perhaps the drop isn't so bad now.
Think I've only been of limited help - and not too sure about my spelling - But I'm posting because I miss the car and will chat to anybody about it !
Buy it and enjoy it (but get a warranty ! ). Jon

jcelee

1,058 posts

251 months

Tuesday 11th December 2007
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Spot the trader.. on this thread (Jon)...