How much for a low-mileage 85 300CD? - Page 8 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TylerH860 · #**106** 05-22-2008, 12:40 PM

That has some pretty good moments in it.

"See this. I call it the ranch, because that's where I keep my 220 horses."

Hatterasguy · #**107** 05-22-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Salt air doesn't cause rust? I thought it was an issue for outdoor AC units and such; are you sure?

Well yeah it does but you have to park your car right on the water to see the affects. So don't buy a car from someone who lives on the water.

Salt gets into the air, just doesn't travel very far.

rcounts · #**108** 05-23-2008, 12:39 AM

Hey! I think I may have thought of why NADA doesn't take location into account on their classic car site. Funny thing is, we talked all around it but none of us quite made the connection! Though Tyler got really close

Their classic car site is for cars > 20 years old, right? Could it be that they don't bother breaking the data down by region/area because there are so few areas where there are more than a tiny fraction of 20+ year old cars still on the road that are worth buying?

I know that whenever I go visit my family in Missouri, I'm always surprised at how few cool old cars I see - compared to how abundant they are in Washington where I live. Most of the cars I see back there in the midwest that are more than about 10-15 years old are rustbuckets - pretty much what NADA would classify as parts cars on their classic car site.

I'll bet that if you compile statistics of decent (or better) condition cars - what NADA classifies as Low Retail or "daily drivers" (or better) that are still on the road, 75% or more of the ones in that condition are west coast or southwestern (AZ, NM, NV, TX) cars. The majority of them from the salt belt don't make it into the book because they aren't in good enough condition to qualify as Low Retail cars. The result is that the average prices in the book are higher and more in line with west coast and sunbelt state prices. Kind of like Tyler described - they aren't counting the bottom 20% - but for a valid reason.

It's a theory, but one that seems to make perfect sense to me.

#**109** 05-23-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcounts

Hey! I think I may have thought of why NADA doesn't take location into account on their classic car site. Funny thing is, we talked all around it but none of us quite made the connection...

It's more likely that no one cares about the book value, folks who buy old cars know more than the "book" anyway and the older a car becomes the less applicable those average values really are (I've seen 300CDs sell anywhere from $1K to $25K). Also the region isn't important because it's not a local market (I flew 2000 miles to pick up my last car purchase). Finally, the "book" is primarily used by dealers and banks who don't care about older cars, these are usually bought privately and always with cash.

rcounts · #**110** 05-23-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

It's more likely that no one cares about the book value, folks who buy old cars know more than the "book" anyway and the older a car becomes the less applicable those average values really are (I've seen 300CDs sell anywhere from $1K to $25K). Also the region isn't important because it's not a local market (I flew 2000 miles to pick up my last car purchase). Finally, the "book" is primarily used by dealers and banks who don't care about older cars, these are usually bought privately and always with cash.

I'd have to disagree with the part about the book being used only by dealers and banks. I've bought a lot of older cars, and I know I always look at the book - as well as auctions, AutoTrader (both print & online), Cars.com, Vehix, CraigsList, and even the paper if I'm looking for a common enough vehicle.

I dunno, maybe I do more research than the average person, but I seldom buy a car without at least a couple of months worth of hunting for the right deal on one. I can also tell you that just about every private seller for every car I've ever looked at can quote high & low book for the car they're selling - and even tell you why theirs is worth at least what the book says

I do agree with you that a lot of older cars are bought for cash outright - though some posters in this thread would even disagree with that

#**111** 05-23-2008, 04:21 PM

OK, Personally, I've never looked at the book value of any car I've bought. I know what it's worth to me, and that's the only number that matters. My research includes looking at actual cars that are for sale and comparing prices.

Blevinsax · #**112** 05-26-2008, 12:59 PM

Well, I have a tentatively accepted offer of $7000 net (including taxes, etc. he will net $6400) He says he has an out-of-state offer of $6800, but will take mine since it will be done quicker as I am local. I also checked the VIN through AutoCheck - I'll attach the pdf file here; let me know what you all think...

http://www.rustyblevins.com/300CD AutoCheck Vehicle History Reports VIN Check, Your Report.pdf