advice needed Buying a 2003 SL500

[mercless]

This may seem like a stupid question but I really have't a clue so I was hoping to get some advice and experiences of buying a used car.

I fully intend to buy a SL500 in the near future. I am hoping to get a 2003 with mileage under 30K. I hope to pick one up for under £40k that is in good nick. I fully intend to stick with this car for years to come.

I regularly scour various site checking prices. I have also been to numerous MB dealers and MB direct. For peace of mind I am leaning towards MB main dealers for the purchase as I would feel safer when parting with a large sum of money, god forbid, should anything go wrong.

My question is If they have a car on the forecourt for lets say 40K what should I offer and what is a reasonable price to pay?

From the various discussions I have at the dealers they will never divulge what sort of offers they would consider. The only indication that I did get was that they would knock something off although this would be in the hundreds rather than thousands. I did not pursue this at the time as I didn't have the necessary funds. I was also told that the end of the month may be a better time to buy as set targets may not have been met by dealers???

I appreciate that every sale is different and all I am seeking to do is be reasonable and sensible and safeguard my long saved for funds.

Thanks.

 

[mioba]

its great buying a car and haggling.
Its also amazing how much difference there is when haggling, when i got my w220, i was searching for about three months.
I had everything in place the cash etc etc just needed the right car at the right price.
What i done was called a number of dealers told them i wanted the car, I was paying all cash. so I wanted the deal done ASAP. Provided everything was right - ie a good price. I done this just an excercise to see the type of discount i could get.
In the last the knock down I was offered ranged from £0-1750. It all depends on the car because dealers surely have a % markup margin on each used vehicle they sell which i am sure they must adherer too - they have tragets to reach.

contact the dealers be confident and say i want that car, i will pay for it now, how about doing a good deal, making a new customer happy bla bla bla and I will give you £XXXXX, If they so no way, try again, you will be able to gague if you are taking the pis*, or if its a realistic offer.. tend to stay on taking the **** side. do alot of humminh and hahhhing. if they want your custom you will get a good deal.

Try this first call lots of dealers across the country, even if your not going to buy the car, just as a negotiating excercise - to see the amount of lee-way thiy will accept off the window price.

try to avoid MB direct, they are very pushy

 

[Flying Scot]

Ho Hum

Driving a £40K SL500 seems like a crazy idea to me - you will get a lovely 1996/97 SL500 with all the toys and the five speed box for much less than half that - as they say Mondeo money - to me that is the only way to drive a SL500. Our SL has 150K on the clock and drives like a new car it is not 100% perfect with a few little things needing sorted but all minor cosmetic issues and the result of it being a 11 year old car with 150K on the clock If you asked very very nicely you can have it for £10K - no haggling mind you - find another three as good as mine and you can have one in each nice colour that you fancy - a Monday car a Wednesday car a Friday car and a Weekend car - mmm what do they call a garage full of SL500's

 

[mercless]

Cheers Guys

Thanks for the advice. I must say flying Scot your car does look lovely. The trouble is having had a number of old mileage pigs i tghought I'd treat myself before the old arthritus takes over and I'll need something a little more upright. I do agree, I must be mad. Test drove one 18months ago and just managed to avoid re - mortaging on the spot. I was hoping it was a mid life crisis and the urge would pass. Sadly it hasn't and even my missus is lusting after one now. I just no it will be the biggest mistake of my life........but then, maybe not!

 

[Blobcat]

A 2003 is just outside the MB 3 yr warranty, so buying from a MB dealer is the safest as they will give you 12months warranty. Other garage warranties are not usually as comprehensive.
Unfortunately as it is the summer "open tops are always at a premium sir" is the normal answer. However as long as you are prepared to walk then IMHO there is no insulting offer to make. If it is a local dealer to you, then you can always use the tack that they will be getting the £££ servicing from you after you buy so you expect a decent discount.
Most dealers make more £££ on used vehicles than new and especially if finance is involved.
My price guide has a 5 speed SL from 02-03 and a 7 speed from 03. Both models are valued at £32K to £40K. However those prices are more what you would get trading in rather than buying.

 

[Flying Scot]

Thanks for the advice. I must say flying Scot your car does look lovely. The trouble is having had a number of old mileage pigs i tghought I'd treat myself before the old arthritus takes over and I'll need something a little more upright. I do agree, I must be mad. Test drove one 18months ago and just managed to avoid re - mortaging on the spot. I was hoping it was a mid life crisis and the urge would pass. Sadly it hasn't and even my missus is lusting after one now. I just no it will be the biggest mistake of my life........but then, maybe not!

Well IF you were spending £40K and that was small change to you i would not have an issue in buying that sort of car - BUT it sounds like your not in that position. Spending £40K and that being a significant load of dosh to you - your going to be hyper and for sure your SL better be immaculate and run like a swiss watch - and then you have the stealerships to deal with never mind the tradesmen that think your rolling in dosh. Read these forums MB's are NOT perfection or anything like that - though remembering that we are the people with problem MB's and just silly car nuts who like to be 'involved' with our cars 9o% of the posts here are 'problems' unless your into hellishcopters .

I am led to believe that 1996/7/8 were the best years for MB's quality wise and that after that things went downhill fast - now getting better but still nowhere as good as it was previously.

Can i suggest you go find a nice SL500 at around £15K and go drive it in fact i would go as far as to say go drive every SL500 you can find within a 100 mile radius - one of them will just click with you and that will be the one to buy - hopefully it wont be one with a £40K price tag that to me would be a big big mistake - unless that truly is just pocket money to you.

Not sure where you are in the UK but if you are near me your welcome to come and have a drive in an 'old' SL500 with 150K on the clock i am sure you will be amazed at the quality of the ride/performance and the look and feel of a car that is really just silly money now when you consider what its initial cost was.

Also if you bust the piggy bank to get this £40K car remember your going to get 20MPG generally maybe 25 on a good day and 10/15 when you want to go and have some fun but i have to say the fun is just awesome even just cruising at 50/70MPH with the hood down and the wind deflector up.

 

[mercless]

David,

Thanks for your advice and very kind offer. Unfortunately I live in Surrey. I wish £40k was pocket money, your right it isn't to me. They are all very valid points that are all worth considering.

My circumstances are such that I could just about get away with it. But you are right its an awful lot of money for a car.

On the upside sounds like youlove yours!

Cheers

 

[Speedmaster]

Would you be interested in an SL500 with glass roof and amg alloys, the new shape with a high spec in blue?

 

[mercless]

Hi Speedmaster,

Thanks for the line what sort of mileage and year are we talking about? Tried to PM you but for some reason I don't have access.

Cheers