Changing my daily car from a 6 year old diesel to an 18 year old V8

[RyanSL500]

Afternoon everyone!

I hope you’re all well.

so after recent events and finally getting my SL500 R230 fixed, I have made the decision to sell my 2014 C220 coupe to We buy any car as the trade in value is pretty decent and probably not much less than what I would get selling it privately (plus I avoid the hassle of dealing with d**kheads offering me pennies!

The main reason for this choice is down to Covid-19. Being an accountant, I have been in the fortunate position of being able to work from home which has become the new norm for both my clients and I. Thus, driving up and down the motorway for work is no longer required. Plus it’s very unlikely that my base office will open until next year! This means having a car which was used purely as a commuter motor way cruiser is pointless (especially as I’m paying monthly instalments on it still).

I also live about a 5 minute walk away from a train station which takes all of about 15 minutes to get to the office. So if needs be, I can start doing that!

I’ve been using the SL as a daily car for a few days and by surprise it’s only about 10-15 mpg off what the C class is doing! - although as soon as you get in a motorway and settle down for a long trip, the C class is significantly better on fuel. But the SL makes the trip special.

My girlfriend thinks I’m making a mistake (doing man maths) and should be doing the exact opposite! Just wondering what everyone’s opinions are on this scenario and if they’ve had any experience doing something similar?

I should note that my girlfriend has a new A class so I have access to a modern car if needs be!

 

[Blobcat]

Absolute madness to do it in a V8...


Buy a V12

 

[Wighty]

I think we buy any car will try and knock you down further when they get the car in front of them , that does seem to be a theme ?

 

[RyanSL500]

Absolute madness to do it in a V8...


Buy a V12

If I had the money for an SL600 I would be awfully tempted! But I’ve ploughed a lot into this SL500 over the last year so it’s finally all up and running!

 

[sonic]

Its a matter of balancing the finances to the enjoyment. Possibly no depreciation on the SL, but maintenance & repairs will be considerably higher.

 

[RyanSL500]

I think we buy any car will try and knock you down further when they get the car in front of them , that does seem to be a theme ?

I’ve heard this too. I’ve got another independent car dealership offering me £150 more than we buy any car. Only issue is that they are on the Isle of Wight. So if we buy any car try knocking me down, I’ll just leave. The car is immaculate so they’ll have their work cut out! I imagine they’ll find something though. I’ll be sure to say how much they finally offer!

 

[RyanSL500]

Its a matter of balancing the finances to the enjoyment. Possibly no depreciation on the SL, but maintenance & repairs will be considerably higher.

I’ve put a decent sum into the SL over the last year and it’s all running fine at the moment. Once the c class goes, I’ll increase the monthly amount going into the SL maintenance fund by a couple hundred to cover any issues that pop up!

 

[Srdl]

Now that’s a first, an accountant who does man maths!

 

[Wighty]

I’ve heard this too. I’ve got another independent car dealership offering me £150 more than we buy any car. Only issue is that they are on the Isle of Wight. So if we buy any car try knocking me down, I’ll just leave. The car is immaculate so they’ll have their work cut out! I imagine they’ll find something though. I’ll be sure to say how much they finally offer!

You could try a quick ad on here which is just a bit higher than we buy , may work out for everyone ?

 

[RyanSL500]

On

Now that’s a first, an accountant who does man maths!

Only when it comes to cars!

 

[LostKiwi]

The big question will be practicality.
If there are just the two of you with no kids or dogs then an SL makes perfect sense. If you have kids or dogs or both it's pretty hard to justify.

If the other half needs persuading take her for a nice holiday to the continent. Drive down to the Med then follow the Route de Napoleon. In nice weather, top down in mid Autumn she'll be convinced.

For a nearer to home option a drive round the Lakes is pretty good too.

 

[RyanSL500]

The big question will be practicality.
If there are just the two of you with no kids or dogs then an SL makes perfect sense. If you have kids or dogs or both it's pretty hard to justify.

If the other half needs persuading take her for a nice holiday to the continent. Drive down to the Med then follow the Route de Napoleon. In nice weather, top down in mid Autumn she'll be convinced.

For a nearer to home option a drive round the Lakes is pretty good too.

Very wise points! I’m still free of those sort of responsibilities so it’s just the two of us. I think the back seats of my C class have been used a handful of times in the 2 years I’ve had it.

We’re intending on doing a road trip around the Lake District and you to North Scotland and doing the NC500 in early September! Hopefully that’ll convince her!

Thanks for the Europe road trip suggestion. Ive started researching a possible trip across the water.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Now there's a contradiction!
An accountant with a heart.

Just go for it - you know you want to.

 

[LostKiwi]

Very wise points! I’m still free of those sort of responsibilities so it’s just the two of us. I think the back seats of my C class have been used a handful of times in the 2 years I’ve had it.

We’re intending on doing a road trip around the Lake District and you to North Scotland and doing the NC500 in early September! Hopefully that’ll convince her!

Thanks for the Europe road trip suggestion. Ive started researching a possible trip across the water.

If you time it right visit the lavender fields around Sault. There's a cafe with amazing views over the valley and the smell is amazing. It's also far from Avignon which is beautiful.

Another place worth visiting (different area) is Carcassonne and the area to the south (the Cathar Castle trail).

Then there's the Millau Bridge which is very impressive.

Plenty of places there to entertain and see.

 

[A.J.]

Afternoon everyone!

I hope you’re all well.

so after recent events and finally getting my SL500 R230 fixed, I have made the decision to sell my 2014 C220 coupe to We buy any car as the trade in value is pretty decent and probably not much less than what I would get selling it privately (plus I avoid the hassle of dealing with d**kheads offering me pennies!

'We Buy any Car' are a company owned by British Car Auctions and any car they buy has to make a profit under the hammer. They will only give you a few hundred quid under the actual trade value to be sure of a profit. Even if you enter it in an Auction yourself you will still be a lot better of than selling it to those load of bandits !!

If you want to just get out of the car offer it straight to the trade yourself even.

 

[AnthonyUK]

Surely just the lack of depreciation on the C will more than cover the fuel costs.
Makes perfect sense to me

 

[rorywquin]

I think we buy any car will try and knock you down further when they get the car in front of them , that does seem to be a theme ?

Happened to my son. One price over the phone and another when they got there and the car was faultless. Luckily for him, he could afford to walk away and sold it privately a few weeks later.

 

[Argus]

In your position Ryan I can't see there's a decision to make. Get rid of the C Class via whichever route and luxuriate in the SL. Especially as you've spent out on it over the last year and it will hopefully give you trouble free motoring for some time to come.
Go for it, you know it makes sense!

 

[McDonald]

It's funny, this forum sometimes seems to actively discourage potential buyers from getting an SL500. But this thread, speaking to man who already owns one, is brimming with enthusiasm. I think The OPs mind is already made up - thumbs up for the SL. If you drive one of these cars, you're excited by it. Enjoy it Ryan & use the train for the commute.

 

[RyanSL500]

Thanks everyone! My mind is already made, the depreciation on the C class is the biggest killer (the accountant in me!) and Evans Halshaw have offered me pretty much what I could get selling it privately for, so I’m happy to trade it in. The C class is a good car (the most reliable car I’ve had), but its just a car, where as there’s something about the SL which is hrs to explain... yeah it was a massive pain in the a** while it had a hissy fit and had a good go and draining my bank account. But thanks to @Cole@MBS , keeping the SL running in good order going forward will be less stressful and much more affordable! (Famous last words!). Next on the agenda is getting the wheels redone