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  #121  
Old 12-04-2003, 06:05 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Southern California, U.S.A.
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Quote:
Originally posted by lynn tassin
Didnt mean to irritate you. Its just my opinion. If I were to keep the car Im sure that I would have a steady stream of bills ( Hopefully small) not because its an MB but because it is OLD. Just like healthcare for an older person will always be more than a younger one. PLease leave my poor infiniti alone. Green is not a good color on you.
No no no, I'm not irritated at all. I'm a former high school and Jr. College teacher, and just trying to educate. ;-)

I make the same point to everyone. I'm not just picking on you.

I actually like the FX45. I think it's a great car, and should be very, very reliable. I'm not trying to persuade you to keep the 380SL (although it would make a great second car).

I agree with you wholeheartedly 100% that the FX45 will be more reliable than your 380SL, or any 20+ year old car, for that matter.

I'm just trying to rid you (and everybody else I talk to) of the view that since used cars require higher expenxes for maintenance and repairs, that they are money pits.

I just wanted to illustrate how the depreciation of used cars is such an enormous expense, and how this expense is always larger than the expense for maintenance and repairs.

So please, feel free to use the reliability reason for buying the FX45 (or any other new or newer car). It's a good reason, but not a financially wise one. New cars depreciate extremely fast, and never really make good financial sense.

Just don't call the old car a "money pit", when the new one will always cost you significantly more in depreciation.

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2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
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  #122  
Old 12-04-2003, 06:22 PM
lynn tassin
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UUGGHHH please listen to me, yes its depreciating but Im not paying by the breakdown episode to keep it running. Its always starting, always going fast and if it leaves me on the road I call the dealership. We're just talking reliability here. I understand depreciation, and believe it or not depreciation also happens on a mercedes benz. Can you imagine?
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  #123  
Old 12-04-2003, 06:52 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,126
Quote:
Originally posted by lynn tassin
UUGGHHH please listen to me, yes its depreciating but Im not paying by the breakdown episode to keep it running. Its always starting, always going fast and if it leaves me on the road I call the dealership. We're just talking reliability here. I understand depreciation, and believe it or not depreciation also happens on a mercedes benz. Can you imagine?

......Bobby Cox walks out to the mound. Suginami knows what's coming. The manager calmly speaks with the usually steadfast pro, but, in the end walks slowly off the mound peering down at the ground and shaking his head. A valiant effort, indeed. The crowd comes to their feet cheering Suginami's effort as he is retired.

Bobby motions to Leo Mazzoni to make the call to the bullpen. Whom will the manager call out next? Lynn has retired three pitchers and has fouled 26 balls off the first-base line

Oh, the agony! How will the game be resolved? Stay tuned, fans!
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  #124  
Old 12-04-2003, 06:55 PM
lynn tassin
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lol thats great. Im really not trying to be a pain, just understood lol
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  #125  
Old 12-04-2003, 06:56 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Southern California, U.S.A.
Posts: 8,538
Quote:
Originally posted by lynn tassin
UUGGHHH please listen to me, yes its depreciating but Im not paying by the breakdown episode to keep it running. Its always starting, always going fast and if it leaves me on the road I call the dealership. We're just talking reliability here. I understand depreciation, and believe it or not depreciation also happens on a mercedes benz. Can you imagine?
Yes yes, I'm listening to you.

I understand now that we understand each other. As I said earlier, reliability is a great reason to buy a new (or newer) car. I agree with your decision (although I would've bought a 2-3 year old used car), but I digress....

But you're comparing apples to apples, now. A brand new Mercedes has a slightly more gradual depreciaton curve, but it would be little different than your new FX45. A new Mercedes will depreciate slightly less, will (hopefully ) be equally reliable, and will come with a similar "free towing service" to the dealer.

In fact, most owners don't realize it, but all Mercedes cars come with a lifetime "free tow service" to the dealer, regardless if you're the first or second or third owner.
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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
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  #126  
Old 12-04-2003, 06:58 PM
lynn tassin
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Ok Im leaving now or will have to call a paramedic. lol good night all
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  #127  
Old 12-04-2003, 07:09 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2002
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(crackling in the radio)

%$^& "Stadium Security to the dugout"

"What's the problem?", asks the nightstick-clad security officer.

%$^& "We have a professional pitcher who refuses to leave the game" chants Leo, who's having trouble with the radio as it is not often used.

"On it!", barks the eager guard.

******************
(near the on-deck circle)

"Paul, it's no use. We're just gonna have to let this one go", exclaims Bobby.

"But", cries Suginami

"No, it's over", Bobby says sternly. "We'll get 'em next time."
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  #128  
Old 12-05-2003, 04:34 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 563
A few comments...

1) My 560SL is a daily driver and I don't put it away for the winter. But I also live in Austin, TX, where I think it's snowed twice in the 16 years I've lived here.

2) The '81-'93 Service Manual doesn't have a procedure to replace the power steering fluid and filter. Only to check the fluid level and add more if needed. The fastidious owner will change the fluid and filter periodically.

3) I'm right with Paul about the depreciation. My wife always makes a big deal about the cost of parts, but her new Suburban has cost us quite a bit more over the last 2+ years than my 560SL has.

Holy crap, what am I still doing awake?
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1988 560SL Black/Palomino
1988 300SEL Black Pearl/Burgandy
1984 500SEC Anthracite Grey/Palomino
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  #129  
Old 12-10-2003, 12:46 PM
lynn tassin
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Ok guys, Im leaving on Saturday to get my 380 sl in Birmingham Alabama. They are now forcasting snow for this area for Sunday. Is there anything I need to know about the car as far as the handling in snow. I have no choice but to drive it this weekend to get it home. Thanks
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  #130  
Old 12-10-2003, 04:11 PM
73 280c
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: kittery me
Posts: 93
Have never driven an SL in the snow, but MOST Mercedes (4matic excluded) are terrble in snow.

Just do all the typical things; be careful, go slow, make sure your hartop is on and make sure your heater problem is resolved- Also, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE DECENT TIRES.

Even though they come from a country where snow is a typical weather phenom., Mercedes are not very good in the snow! Trust me, I live in Maine- we know about driving these cars in snow.
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  #131  
Old 12-10-2003, 04:47 PM
lynn tassin
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Thanks for the advise. For once, everything on the car is operational. Tires are like new also so drive should be uneventful, hopefully. Ill keep you all posted
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  #132  
Old 12-11-2003, 06:31 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: queens,new york
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SL Forum Consider This before buying SL's

I purchased a 1973 450sl on 12/26/01 for $2000.00. The engine was good ,the tranny slipped and of course she needed to be painted and re-upholstered. Well through the trials and errors and returns to my indie mechanic along with a total of about $11,000 in parts, repairs , and painting, Voila! I am happy with my project. My wife is even pleased because the car just looks sooooo-damn good. When I learn how to get the before and after pictures downloaded everyone can give their critique. I have found it to be a thrill and a rewarding adventure owning this car---an experience that can't be replaced. And by the way ,I drove the car in snow and while it was in various states of undress. The car never left me stranded. I suggest as with everything in life ,some folks love what you hate and others hate what you love. To each his /her own and peace to everyone Mercedes,Lexus,GMC,Toyota,Nissan etc.......

Last edited by zeggate; 12-12-2003 at 03:21 PM.
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  #133  
Old 12-11-2003, 06:45 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: midwest
Posts: 4
Hello

I've been a long time lurker, but I just have to comment one this.

Lynn, I guess I just am a little surprised that you assumed a 23 year old anything would be reliable on a day to day basis. Like you, I love the SL shape and style. Also like you, I detest down-time and prefer to pay my cost of ownership in depreciation instead of maintenance. Unlike you, my experiences with SL's have always been favorable. I think this is because I go about it in a different way. I buy a new SL every two years. I drive them 20,000 miles a year, through rain, sleet, snow, ice, and mud. When it hits 35,000 miles or so I visit my dealer and order a new one. I trade when the new one arrives. I'd rather pay on the front side than the back side.

It sounds like you like to do the same thing. I guess I'm baffled that you could compare a new Infiniti to a 23 year old Mercedes. It would be like me buying a 23 year old japanese car and then whining that it is not what I expected and that my new BMW is much more reliable.

I don't have time or patience to care for old cars. Old cars are for hobbies and people with a passion for them. If you want a reliable SL, one that you can drive every day, one that will never leave you stranded, trade that FX for a new SL.
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  #134  
Old 12-12-2003, 09:55 AM
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Hi Lynn, Just read through this thread. WOW. I don't really understand your point. You complained about the costs of repairs on a relatively old car. Stated it's only for rich people. Then later you state that you would spend $100,000.00 on a car if it will be reliable. Why not buy a new or late model Mercedes in the 1st place. Your logic just seems silly. Or - for $100,000.00 you could have purchased a perfect Mercedes 89 560 SL with low mileage and also a Mercedes E430 4 matic with still plenty of money left over for a nice vacation. I think most people who have the financial means to purchase high end cars usually buy them new with warranties. Then most other people buy them used (with or without extended warranties). The way you approached your purchase didn't seem to use any logic. Considering the way you reacted to the apparently problematic older sl380 you bought. Thanks. No offence intended, just wanted to enter my opinion.
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2000 ML320 50K miles
1997 Jaquar XJ6 41K miles
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1995 E320 Wagon 105K miles "Sold" - 10-6-04
1998 E320 "Totalled" - 1-14-04

If you want to know how crooked a stick is, just lay a straight one next to it.

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Uncle's quote to me at 12 yrs old "Why walk when you can Bogaloo"
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  #135  
Old 12-12-2003, 04:16 PM
lynn tassin
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Robusto, in response to you post, Im not comparing the sl to my Infinity. It was the lost time and frustration with finding a mercedes mechanic who could finally diagnose the problems that DROVE me to the Infinity dealership.There IS no comparison between my sl and my Infiniti

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