Fair Offer? 1983 300 CD Turbo

[billy_m]

Hi Guys, Im going to look again at a mint condition 83 300CD Turbo 178,000km's (show room condition inside & out). Everything is original and dealer serviced. Original owner is no longer able to drive due to age / health - it even has original bill of sale!

Anyway, he has simply asked me to make a 'reasonable offer", but im kinda stumped as to what would be "reasonable" seeing as i dont know too much about this series or their values.

Can anyone give me some pointers on where to start.

Thanks

[barry123400]

The part of the country you are located in makes a difference I believe. Where are you? Also important that all windows work, air conditioning, sunroof and cruise control function properly.

If so it would be a fair if not desirable price for you between 3 and 5k depending on some other factors as well. You have to be careful not to offend him or the oportunity may go south. I would still try to get him to give you a ballpark figure of what he really thinks it's worth. Personal interaction between you is also a very large factor. Remember these are just one persons opinions.

[billy_m]

Sorry, I was actually updating my profile info when you replied Barry123400. Im in Ontario

Everything is working - been very well cared for and garaged - never winter driven either.

[barry123400]

A car as you describe in Canada is not common as you know. The no winter driving ever up here is a real premium item. If zero rust as well I would try towards the high side of the range myself. If it were a 1985 for example I think it is worth a little more as some improvements that year where signifigant again in my opinion. I would preffer for example to have the improved automatic and rear end ratio present in the 1985 model.

If the car is as you describe with no issues you will be able to resell it and recover your money I believe at some point. Thats if you continue to treat it well of course. Especially if all the service records come with the car. They might be available from the mercedes dealer as a printout remember if he has disgarded them. Whatever you do. Do not let the dealer know he is disposng of it until you own it. A dealer in toronto would cut your throat as easily as look at you. I am from Toronto thirty some years ago. Also carefully examine the booklet for oil changes that stops at about 125k miles.

On the otherhand he may have unrealistic expectatiions...If for some reason you decide the car is not for you drop me a personal message. I have been looking for a good one for quite awhile. The lustre pricewise at the present time is off a little because of the economy in my opinion. I have noticed the bids on ebay for example are getting lower. The cars conditions are factored into those prices I see as well. A true 166k miles example is not totally uncommon but scarce. If by chance it has a hundred and sixty six thousand kilometers the oil change booklet is still active. Since it is probably local to you it saves time and effort to locate one that normally costs you as well. I estimate the average cost of sourcing and picking up something out of the states at better than 1000 dollars extra. also my prices are in canadian dollars that effectivley lowers the actual cost versus an american aquisition. Let us know how you do. Curiosity is at work at this end.

[billy_m]

Thanks for the input. He has been coy about telling me a "ball park" and i want this car and as you say - i dont want to offend him. He has every record for the car and the original bill of sale is there too - he bought it in his early 50's and has clearly spared no expense in its up-keep. This would be a keeper if i can land it.

[barry123400]

Their should be no offence at say 4500 canadian. Watch out as some people are just playing games though. Get a statement of agreement and leave a deposit if he bites. Otherwise he can tell someone. I have an offer of 4500 and will another party go more.

Sorry to be so cynical. I guess thats primarily why you have activated my curiosity. On the otherhand it could go quite smooth. Also try to get some printouts of ebay auctions. The claims of condition are mostly false but the prices should be lower. I noticed a car described somewhat simular to that one in Rhode Island stopped attracting bids at 2300 last night and did not reach his reserve. It of course was not the quality of car you describe in reality. The ebay ad of course stated otherwise.

[lutzTD]

whatever you offer, if you can take the money with you. many a deal has been soured by "if he is willing to pay this, someone else might pay more" thoughts after the discussion but before the cash is traded

[Pavka007]

Originally Posted by billy_m

Hi Guys, Im going to look again at a mint condition 83 300CD Turbo 178,000km's (show room condition inside & out). Everything is original and dealer serviced. Original owner is no longer able to drive due to age / health - it even has original bill of sale!

Anyway, he has simply asked me to make a 'reasonable offer", but im kinda stumped as to what would be "reasonable" seeing as i dont know too much about this series or their values.

Can anyone give me some pointers on where to start.

Thanks

Just for your info: recently on E-Bay, one owner, full service history, SoCal 85 300CD, silver with black Palomino leather and only 87K miles was sold for $9725.00 once again it was very low mileage for the year and it was 1985.
So in a few words I think that the suggested price of 4500/5000 is a good one. How about if you ask him if he would consider 4500 cash now? That would give you a good indication of what he is looking to get.
However this is a two edged knife what if he is looking for just 3000?? You never know till you try.
Good luck and don't forget to post some pictures when you get it

[barry123400]

It s pretty apparent that none of his family probably want the car. Also at this stage of his life he cannot use it obviously. He wants it gone but does he expect a fortune?

I do agree with taking cash as the last poster mentioned if possible. At the same time all of us do not have 4500 laying around all the time. Many do of course as well.

I also agree that normally start at the bottom and work your way up. Of course it is almost impossible to back off the initial offer. This situation may be a little different in many ways.

Remember I cut my teeth in that general areas market years ago. I usually project a senario that meets some need of the vendor. From there my approach varies by opportunity.

Offer to take him for a drive occassionally in his old car for example. Or offer to let him know how things work out with the car. Tell him you intend tio take care of it and keep it. A lot of older people are basically alone. Money is not always the real issue. In my case I cannot take any with me and the rest of the family is well provided for. Best of luck and do not drag it out if avoidable or you may miss it.

There is no logic of why we get so attached to objects. Yet it is a given we do. Especially certain cars.

I can provide a good recent example. I know I will not live long enough to get to all my projects. I had an oportunity to purchase a ford factory rebuild 1951 flathead engine with transmission and radiator some years ago. If the right car body had come along in it would have went.

Word aparently got around that I had it so a few weeks ago someone arrived at my door. To shorten this up he offered 250.00 for the package after me giving him the source to find the verification of what I had told him. I know what a fresh properly rebuilt flathead is worth of course. Had already given him a very good price for the package in fact.. He informed me they were all over the place for 250.00... I suggested he get one of them.

He phoned and left messages the next weekend. In them he stated he would meet my price or exceed it if required. I was really busy and did not bother to get back to him. I can sell it anytime for what I want.

I just did not appreciate his attitude in general. I can easily get twice my price with little effort. I will wait until someone else comes along. Whoever they are will get my original asking price. Not the maximum the market can bear. Just the price I would like to pay if I had the need for it basically.

In your case you are basically dealing with an individual that is still attatched to his car somewhat possibly. As I suggested he might see a lowball as an insult to his intelligence. All older people are not totally out of touch. I also freely admit some of us are off our stick as well. Just never count on it .

If I asked you to make an offer and it was too high. Believe it or not I would tell you it was too high and take only what I felt an object was worth. I try never to operate on the basis of greed.

Instead I found that fairness pays and plays well. I will consider a lower offer but it better have real merit. Such as I sense the individual is strapped for money in reality. Buying and selling became an art form in my life a long time ago.

I guess I had better stop before I get into the technical stuff that is occuring between buyer and seller.

[billy_m]

Thanks for all the information and advice guys, but it turned out the seller's sentimental value far exceeds its resale value. After telling him how it would be going to a good home etc, I offered him 5000 cash. His reply was "i want at least 10,000"

Personally, i question wether or not he will actually ever part with the car. If i had said "i'll give you 10,000" - i suspect he would ask 20,000

Anyway, we parted company with a hand shake and i left him my number should he change his mind down the road.

All in all, with the info / advice and my own instincts - i feel that 5000 was a fair & reasonable offer.

[Pavka007]

Don't worry, let him sit on it for a few months and call him again...the Xmas is just around the corner he will need to buy presents

[barry123400]

I agree. He may even eventually call back. If really in poor health watch the obituaries. The cars like this often get sold off by the heirs.

In my opinion ten k is still way too high. Your offer sounded fair to both parties. A nice car is desirable but that 10k price range for this year applies to only extreme mercedes fanatics in my opinion.

These cars have not really reached collector status yet if ever. Many of us like them. Many out there do not. They do not have universal appeal.

At least half the problem with these cars is finding good ones. If you had offered 3k he would probably never have called again. I think he may still call. You are probably still in the running.

My next expected one is quite nice as well. It is a two year process to aquire it. First the owner had to be notified legally. This is currently underway. After a certain amount of time the issue goes to court. If all conditions are satisfied the court instructs a brand new registration be issued.

Done under the mechanics lein act. I really do not think the owner is coming for this car. Until the car is actually in my name of course nothing is certain. Went through the exact same deal with the last aquisition.

[piccolovic]

I was able to buy my 190D for $3500, although the owner wanted $4200. I told her I thought the car was worth it, however, I was strapped for cash and could only come up with $3500. I shook hands with her, and told her to keep my number, in case she got tired of dealining with the public answering her for sale ads. Three weeks later, she left me a message that the car was mine for $3500, if I still wanted it and that she was tired of dealing with the phone calls and showing the car for naught. Good luck.

Torie