Continuing with the cars that are for sale at a local car show I went to over the weekend, I came across this beauty that could have been on the “Certified Pre-Owned” section of a New Car Dealership. I can’t believe that this car is 20 years old, but to see it, you have to make the jump….
Its a funny thing, but older Mercedes-Benz models don’t really look that old, especially the SL. This car has an aura of fresh minted money, nicely finished in white, without a hint of tackiness that seems to accompany most older Benz models. Its a perfect summer cruiser, with only a bit more than 19,000 miles on the clock, it has a lot of life left to cruise with your significant other (or your concubine if you prefer…) on the way to your retreat.
However, I have to ask if the price for this vintage Benz is too much, or if you would part with $24,500 of your hard earned dollars to own what is probably the nicest 500 SL in New England? Why not leave your comments below?
V.I.S.I.T – Can this really be a 20 year old car, and is it worth the asking price?
By Jim Brennan
Jun 16, 2010
Jeff Glucker
Maybe New England is different than South Florida, but I checked the Miami Auto Trader and there are a number of late-'90s SL600s for sale for less than this much older SL500. For instance, I found a loaded '98 SL600 with only 21,000 miles at a Mercedes dealer for around the same price as the featured car. Pass this SL500 by – it's not a bargain at all.
That's because the SL600 is a V12. And a nightmare to work on. SL500 is a V8 and much easier to obtain servicing for.
Doesn't make the SL600 any less pricey on the used market, but it doesn't change the point anyway. I just found a 1999 SL500 with 27,000 miles as a Certified used car at a regional Mercedes dealer for $20,500. And that is costlier than most SL500s of similar age in this area. The featured car is still a price ripoff.
Did a quick search on CL and found five SL500's for under 10K
sorry dewds, put down the pipe
Super low miles, babied, AND an auto? No thanks. This body style does seem to last, however.
What was the last Merc available without an auto?
No
You can theoretically get the current C300 sport with a stick. I know someone who did.
Aside from that, You could get the SL's with a 6-speed circa 2000.
I'd rather have the Jag in the background…
I'm guessing the Jag in the background was the replicar from yesterday.
Not a deal, but a damn nice car. This era of Mercs will definitely be collectible in another decade or two. The styling is classy and timeless. It is to the '90s what the W108 was to the '60s.
Meh. The styling is from the trimmed brick school if that's what you like. The W108, W109 and the W116 are far more classy than this thing will ever be. But that's just me. Somebody must like these things because they sell a ton of them.
My father was actually seriously considering one of these about a year ago, still sort of looking, he is just waiting to get over some health issues. Ones with about 3 times this mileage seem to be going for under $10k. If you look hard you can find a nice one for $8-9k, the miles will be in the 75k-100k range, but they usually still look very nice. You can find a near perfect one for under $15k, maybe not with mileage this low though. The hardtop was standard on these cars, if it is missing something is up. Not bad considering original sticker on these cars was $100K+ The only downside is all of these are automatic only. These cars were built in the Mercedes era of building cars to last forever without unnecessary gadgets.
Very nice car with great miles, but SLs are a dime a dozen. At 19k miles, the reliability and wear concerns probably aren't much worse than if the car had 50 or 60k. This car is probably far more likely to exhibit problems stemming from not being driven enough, or simply from being 20 years old. $24.5k is just too much for a car that is so widely available with slightly higher miles.
Based on how he's parked it, it's fairly obvious the owner is a bit of a douchebag. I'd be terribly afraid that the douchebagginess would rub off on me if I bought the car.
I think it is a pretty good price!
Red one http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SL500-NO-RESERVE-/…
Old (non diesel) Mercedes buying flow-chart:
Am I a coke dealer or low-end strip club owner?
No.
Ok, then I'll pass.
Doesn't that also apply to new Benzes? Well, mid-range strip club owners, anyway. And hedge-fund managers, and too-stupid-to-live housewives.
Well, all right, it's more that coke dealers and their ilk aspire to a newer Benz.
On a related note, am I the only one who thinks a clean original W126 looks both newer and fresher than a comparable W140?
How do you really know a roll bar works?
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