Thank goodness for that!

[Uncle Benz]

Almost two years ago I inherited a 1992 Toyota Corolla 1.6 auto from an elderly relative who had given up driving at 92. He really wanted me to have the car, as he said I would look after it with the same love and care he had given it from new. What a difficult situation! I didn't really want it, as I had a lovely C55 AMG at the time, but could hardly say that. A pal had been badgering me to sell him the C55 for ages, so I decided to do the right thing and take on the Toyota and part with my C. Actually, not a bad move as I nearly doubled my money on it!
Anyway, I have suffered 22,000 miles in the old Toyota, but she had a differential bearing disintegrate last week, and it isn't worth repairing. Finally she is off to the scrapyard. (Woo hoo. Say it quietly...)

Had a ring round a few pals in the trade and have secured myself a 2003 CLK500 with only 34,000 miles on the clock as my new daily. Lovely condition and a fair price. I'll post up some pics next week when I collect it, but it's going to be great to be back in a v8 Benz as my daily drive. Cannot wait!!

 

[LostKiwi]

Well done!
It can be such a chore when the elderly want you to look after their pride and joy after they've gone

 

[V6Matty]

Very lucky break down there UB, and very nice new car on the way, good luck with it.

 

[Sasha94]

Look forward to seeing the new beast, nothing quite like a V8

 

[Uncle Benz]

Look forward to seeing the new beast, nothing quite like a V8

Indeed! This will be my fifth M113. I've owned a C43, C55, SLK55 and still own a CLK430 cab. My favourite Merc engine of all time.

 

[peterws1957]

Surprisingly there's quite a following for early 90's Toyotas now!

 

[Uncle Benz]

Surprisingly there's quite a following for early 90's Toyotas now!

There's nowt queer as folk

 

[Alex M Grieve]

CLK 500, yum yum. With that sort of mileage you could easily suffer some appreciation on that one too Uncle.

Alex

 

[Uncle Benz]

Oh bother! HPI check rather put me off. The search continues...

 

[Sasha94]

Imported or written off??

 

[Uncle Benz]

Cat C

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Cat C

Drat and double drat - but it proves the importance of "due diligence". I searched for a similar model at one point without success but there appear to be a few on offer at present. Advertised prices are now well ahead of "valuations", so they are perhaps now an appreciating asset?

Alex

 

[Sasha94]

Cat C

Damn!! Good thing you checked!

 

[MalcQV]

I've had a CAT D car and my friend two CAT C Ferraris (still owns one).
It all depends on who repaired it and how. Remember the category is decided by the insurance company whom wrote it off and they are not always the same as each other.
My point being you could buy a none CAT car that has had damage repaired (and possibly earlier in its life) that was not registered as a 'write off'.

The price you pay is important too. CAT cars are worth less so you just sell less. So long as the price you pay is right compared to a non CAT registered car. Buy cheap, sell cheap.

As with any secondhand car you do your own checks. However if you're just not comfortable with a category registered write-off then leave them to me

My friend sold his previous CAT C Ferrari for almost 2.5x what he paid. However Ferraris seem to be in their own parallel universe for value . He also brings them to concours winning standard.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Good points there- I suppose the ultimate is if you intend to keep the car for the long haul and the repairs have been carried out to a good standard it matters much less

 

[00slk]

There's a CLK55 out near me for sale, 190k though but reasonably cheap at two and Half grand

 

[Uncle Benz]

A

I've had a CAT D car and my friend two CAT C Ferraris (still owns one).
It all depends on who repaired it and how. Remember the category is decided by the insurance company whom wrote it off and they are not always the same as each other.
My point being you could buy a none CAT car that has had damage repaired (and possibly earlier in its life) that was not registered as a 'write off'.

The price you pay is important too. CAT cars are worth less so you just sell less. So long as the price you pay is right compared to a non CAT registered car. Buy cheap, sell cheap.

As with any secondhand car you do your own checks. However if you're just not comfortable with a category registered write-off then leave them to me

My friend sold his previous CAT C Ferrari for almost 2.5x what he paid. However Ferraris seem to be in their own parallel universe for value . He also brings them to concours winning standard.

All fair comment, but I don't want a cat C for my daily drive.

 

[Sasha94]

If you don't want one, you don't want one. It wouldn't bother me, providing the price reflects it but if it bothers you that's all that matters, it's your money you're spending (or not, as the case may be) not mine.

Out of interest, it's not a silver 52 plate Avantgarde you're talking about is it?

 

[Uncle Benz]

Silver, 03 plate.

I am in the motor trade myself, and my cars are usually much admired. The last 8 or 10 have been sold on to friends or customers without them really being for sale. They tend to fall in love and nag me until I agree to sell This is why a cat car is no good to me.

 

[Sasha94]

Never mind then, there's a 52 plate 500 Avantgarde just appeared on the Bay with 34k so I wondered! Not ideal to have a Cat car in your situation then. I guess the search continues!! You can have mine at the right price haha