Any car guys here?

[Offbeat]

I did something both totally uncharacteristic and characteristic of me today. Skipped going to the best mambo social of the month last night and spent sometime researching cars. Spotted a dealership that dropped price of a used 10 year old S55 AMG (with the mileage a little bit on a higher side) for far below market price. To the tune that they probably didn't make any money on it. Been in the market for a car for past few days and suddenly came across their price drop. For $9K out of the door including the taxes, fees, etc, it was too much of a bargain to turn down. Never before owned this type before and about to discover joys of maintaining a beast like this.

All because, got into an accident on a crowded freeway at 60mph nine days back while driving to a salsa club. Luckily didn't hit anyone but knew car would probably be totaled. Talk about either salsa addiction or insanity or both! Had the towing guy dropped me at the airport after dumping the damaged car in his yard. Booked a rental on the way to airport. Moved stuff in to the rental car and drove straight back to the salsa club in time for dancing

 

[premier]

I guess I can't call myself a car guy, but I'm pretty sure any Benz with AMG motor is a blast to drive We demand pics.

 

[Offbeat]

I guess I can't call myself a car guy, but I'm pretty sure any Benz with AMG motor is a blast to drive We demand pics.

Now besides SF, I have the car forum to spend time on Though not as much as SF. Just not to have buyer's remorse just did a search for all available S55s in the country and am pretty sure this was the sweetest deal possible. Maintenance costs - that's a whole different story. Way too high. It seems people don't drive these too much (most are very low miles compared to their age). Defeats the purpose of owning one if you are not going to enjoy it.

 

[timberamayor]

I did something both totally uncharacteristic and characteristic of me today. Skipped going to the best mambo social of the month last night and spent sometime researching cars. Spotted a dealership that dropped price of a used 10 year old S55 AMG (with the mileage a little bit on a higher side) for far below market price. To the tune that they probably didn't make any money on it. Been in the market for a car for past few days and suddenly came across their price drop. For $9K out of the door including the taxes, fees, etc, it was too much of a bargain to turn down. Never before owned this type before and about to discover joys of maintaining a beast like this.

All because, got into an accident on a crowded freeway at 60mph nine days back while driving to a salsa club. Luckily didn't hit anyone but knew car would probably be totaled. Talk about either salsa addiction or insanity or both! Had the towing guy dropped me at the airport after dumping the damaged car in his yard. Booked a rental on the way to airport. Moved stuff in to the rental car and drove straight back to the salsa club in time for dancing

Well here is how much of a car guy I am...what color is it?

 

[Offbeat]

Well here is how much of a car guy I am...what color is it?

Its deep dark blue (can be mistaken for almost black in low lights), but not sure which kind since when looking up the colors offered during that particular model year there are three exotic sounding blues without color palette for reference.

 

[bailar y tocar]

Thanks for starting this thread. I was just going to post (bury) my car adventures in the Random Thread that nobody really reads anyway.
I just sold my 12 year 168,000 mile Toyota Corolla LE 4door on craigslist for $1300. In my ad I posted everything that was wrong with it: dents and dings on both bumpers, crack in windshield, AC needs recharge, 2 nw tires needed for front in Minnesota winter weather. I posted my cell in the ad and the phone rang off the hook for about an hour. I had about 10-12 calls/texts and e-mails. I sold it in 90 min from the time the posting went up until I had transferred the title to the buyer and collected 13 Franklins.

I could have operated my Toyota for another 2 years with new tires but the car I was looking for came up on a dealer's site: a 2005 Hyundai Elantra with 70k miles for $7500. I bought it on Monday but don't have enough room in my 2 car garage to fit 2 cars and bicycles and assorted other junk that I am supposed to get rid of but keep procrastinating to do so.

I posted on fb that my Toyota cost me a $11594 for purchase*, repairs, service, tax and fees over 9 years and 128700 miles. I bought it used for $8500* in 2003 and operated it of $0.09/mile for 9 years. That is the best I have ever done on a car.

I am hoping to get 70-100 k out of my Hyundai.

If I was rich I would go for my dream car, the Maserati Granturismo:
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archivo:Maserati_GranTurismo_front_20071104.jpg . At the rate I am saving, I'll be able to afford it when I am too old to drive it. I guess I'll have to hire a hot young chica to chauffeur an octogenarian around when the time comes.

 

[bailar y tocar]

I should mention that the Kelly blue book value for a 2000 Toyota Corolla ranges from $2600-$3300 for fair to excellent condition. I posted that I was selling at a 50% discount because of the flaws. The first contact even tried to lowball me at $1000, but the eventual buyer had already pulled up to my driveway. It was a family and it looked like they needed the car because the wife was going back to work and needed wheels to get around. He got out of the car handed me 13 100's and then we filled in the paperwork to close out.

Thanks for starting this thread. I was just going to post (bury) my car adventures in the Random Thread that nobody really reads anyway.
I just sold my 12 year 168,000 mile Toyota Corolla LE 4door on craigslist for $1300. In my ad I posted everything that was wrong with it: dents and dings on both bumpers, crack in windshield, AC needs recharge, 2 nw tires needed for front in Minnesota winter weather. I posted my cell in the ad and the phone rang off the hook for about an hour. I had about 10-12 calls/texts and e-mails. I sold it in 90 min from the time the posting went up until I had transferred the title to the buyer and collected 13 Franklins.

I could have operated my Toyota for another 2 years with new tires but the car I was looking for came up on a dealer's site: a 2005 Hyundai Elantra with 70k miles for $7500. I bought it on Monday but don't have enough room in my 2 car garage to fit 2 cars and bicycles and assorted other junk that I am supposed to get rid of but keep procrastinating to do so.

I posted on fb that my Toyota cost me a $11594 for purchase*, repairs, service, tax and fees over 9 years and 128700 miles. I bought it used for $8500* in 2003 and operated it of $0.09/mile for 9 years. That is the best I have ever done on a car.

I am hoping to get 70-100 k out of my Hyundai.

If I was rich I would go for my dream car, the Maserati Granturismo:
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archivo:Maserati_GranTurismo_front_20071104.jpg . At the rate I am saving, I'll be able to afford it when I am too old to drive it. I guess I'll have to hire a hot young chica to chauffeur an octogenarian around when the time comes.

 

[Offbeat]

I should mention that the Kelly blue book value for a 2000 Toyota Corolla ranges from $2600-$3300 for fair to excellent condition. I posted that I was selling at a 50% discount because of the flaws. The first contact even tried to lowball me at $1000, but the eventual buyer had already pulled up to my driveway. It was a family and it looked like they needed the car because the wife was going back to work and needed wheels to get around. He got out of the car handed me 13 100's and then we filled in the paperwork to close out.

Was going to reply yesterday but the SF server failed.

Glad you could close the transaction at price you wanted.

Frankly if you are going to refer to Kelly's blue book value, the best is to refer to its 'wholesale' figure. "Retail Figure' is just a marketing gimmick. No serious car buyer goes by the 'retail value'.

Many dealers will move the used/trade in cars that don't get sold on their lots to auction. The independent used car dealers often buy their cars at these auctions. Unless the car is exceptional it usually gets sold at the auction for below wholesale price.

The best way to get value for the car - whether buying or selling is to do a private party transaction (i.e. no dealer or broker).

Most German cars need expensive replacements to parts around 100K mark. However almost all modern cars can easily go till 150K to 200K before needing change to water pump, starter, etc. The transmission and engines can definitely go to 250K to 300K and beyond depending on how well they get maintained.

 

[bailar y tocar]

Frankly if you are going to refer to Kelly's blue book value, the best is to refer to its 'wholesale' figure. "Retail Figure' is just a marketing gimmick. No serious car buyer goes by the 'retail value'.

Many dealers will move the used/trade in cars that don't get sold on their lots to auction. The independent used car dealers often buy their cars at these auctions. Unless the car is exceptional it usually gets sold at the auction for below wholesale price.

The best way to get value for the car - whether buying or selling is to do a private party transaction (i.e. no dealer or broker).

However almost all modern cars can easily go till 150K to 200K before needing change to water pump, starter, etc. The transmission and engines can definitely go to 250K to 300K and beyond depending on how well they get maintained.

Which figure to use depends on your target audience. If you are a seller you use retail as a comparitive so your lower price looks better by comparison. If you are a buyer you use wholesale so you can sort through offers with some rationality.

I bought my 'newer' car from a Mercedes dealer, who kept it because it was in such good shape. Dealers and private parties can lie just as easily and often about the true condition of the car. The long life of cars today is really important in used car pricing, they last longer and therefore hold their value longer.

I bought my newer car via www.carsoup.com and sold my old one via craigslist*.

*Btw, the first guy to look at my old car was a used car dealer who puts a little money in really cheap used cars and then sells them for more than they are worth. The 2nd guy was a private party who wanted the car for his own use.

 

[Offbeat]

I bought my newer car via www.carsoup.com and sold my old one via craigslist*

Am not familiar with carsoup. Craigslist is best place for private car sales. It has totally replaced the classified ads in daily newspaper (does anyone even look at them?).

When buying, a savvy buyer can always find a bargain. In my experience most people don't spend that much time in learning or know how to buy a good car at good price.

 

[lastquestion]

Offbeat I own a SLK350 not AMG. My car guy friend has a SL55 AMG.

Welcome to insane operating costs. Not just gas, but getting the car washed all the time, the tires smoke out in a year, year half, or two if you're "good with the gas pedal".

Your spark plugs, you've got 12, it's a V12, right? Each of them are $. Adds up.
Brakes are just so much $. Your fronts will go out way faster then rears, especially with the weight of your car.

Also the paint chips way easier, or maybe it's just I pay attention now, compared to my other cars.

Check to see if the engine is a oil burner. If the rings or gaskets are worn - how many miles - pulling the head is an annoying difficult operation in a car like the S55 given the amount of space you have before the firewall. And if you have to pull the rings you'll have to take the engine out.

Luckily!!!

driving a car like that is just sooooo nice. ahhhhh it makes up for all the maintenance.