Do used cars seem cheaper to you these days? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

benhogan · #1 12-04-2010, 03:58 PM

I am always looking of course but it seems like nice used MB cars are cheaper these days.

There's a 63 230sl for sale in my town for $6000. I mean, $6000 is about a down payment on a new Accord.

Maybe it's the season (winter) but what the heck.

Fulcrum525 · #2 12-04-2010, 04:48 PM

I think the prices fell when the economy tanked. I've noticed that Land Rover Discovery prices for the series two trucks have plummeted when back in the day the series one trucks held their value fairly well.

MBlovr · #3 12-04-2010, 08:44 PM

It might be true for old hobby cars but I have had a devil of a time finding a good deal on a good late model used compact car. My perception is that used cars are at a premium because the new car sales are down. Late last year the KBB price on my E3504matic actually increased with time due to this effect. This all may be turning around as new car sales seem to be picking up.

MercFan · #4 12-04-2010, 09:00 PM

Not Land Cruisers... still kind of looking around for a good deal - though I might never find one that will tempt me so much that I'll actually pull the trigger.

It seems that all the dealers want 8K - 12K for a clean one even some with +200K miles... most vehicles are in the 5-6K category and holding steady... the ones below 5K sell very quickly unless they are non-runners.

The search goes on (well, kind of)...

Hatterasguy · #5 12-04-2010, 09:32 PM

My dad and I had a heck of a time finding a clean cheap little car for my sister.

Good cheap little 4 cylinder cars are in high demand.

aklim · #6 12-04-2010, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benhogan

I am always looking of course but it seems like nice used MB cars are cheaper these days.

There's a 63 230sl for sale in my town for $6000. I mean, $6000 is about a down payment on a new Accord.

Maybe it's the season (winter) but what the heck.

I'm not sure that comparison is good since the new accord is new and has a warranty. The 230sl has a taillight warranty. To compare apples to apples, how much is the downpayment on a new C class?

Winter and this time of the year is an issue. It is cold and I would want either a 4WD car or one that has FWD (I'd shoot myself before I bought one voluntarily but just saying what the regular guy might think). The 230SL isn't the greatest in the snow and it might not have the same creature comforts that the accord might. The economy might also play a role since people want reliable transportation.

So, if you like those older cars, this would be a good time to buy. I would think they would go up in the spring since they would be out of storage and I wouldn't have to worry about storage for another 8 months.

#7 12-04-2010, 09:57 PM

I just found a pretty good deal (with some help).

TylerH860 · #8 12-05-2010, 01:07 AM

For luxury cars, yes the used market is cheaper. Do you have a link to that SL by the way?

For just about everything else, especially the 5k and under bracket, more expensive. Cash for clunkers blip and a slow economy means fewer trade ins. Buy here pay here lots need inventory as credit is a growing issue, and pay well over wholesale for things, since they make most of their money on the financing. This makes normal used car dealers have to pay more for their stuff, and thus charge more to make their money.

This is what I'm struggling with somewhat.

benhogan · #9 12-06-2010, 10:01 AM

here's the link as requested

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/2084114038.html

Mr.Kenny · #10 12-06-2010, 11:40 AM

I noticed on craigslist, project cars, and cars that need work are getting cheaper and cheaper by the day. Some Sellers are getting more desperate; with the "must sell by this afternoon" becoming more frequent for all types of cars & trucks.
Because advertising on craiglist is free; Also I noticed that there are a lot of old project cars & junkers coming out of the weeds, woods, barns and pastures and onto craigslist that normally would just stay in the woods, pastures, & barns. Before craigslist a person had to pay for an ad, go to newspaper office/penny power/T-nickle/....a hassle for something that may or may not sell.
A free internet ad posted at home may turn the grandparents old rusted out Studebaker hulk into "classic car cash". ( Bring trailer and chainsaw)

Stretch · #11 12-06-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Kenny

I noticed on craigslist, project cars, and cars that need work are getting cheaper and cheaper by the day. Some Sellers are getting more desperate; with the "must sell by this afternoon" becoming more frequent for all types of cars & trucks.
Because advertising on craiglist is free; Also I noticed that there are a lot of old project cars & junkers coming out of the weeds, woods, barns and pastures and onto craigslist that normally would just stay in the woods, pastures, & barns. Before craigslist a person had to pay for an ad, go to newspaper office/penny power/T-nickle/....a hassle for something that may or may not sell.
A free internet ad posted at home may turn the grandparents old rusted out Studebaker hulk into "classic car cash". ( Bring trailer and chainsaw)

Sad times when you have to sell your project - almost like "no more fun"...

benhogan · #12 12-06-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

Sad times when you have to sell your project - almost like "no more fun"...

no i bet a whole lot of these 'project' owners are happy to let them go.

aklim · #13 12-06-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

Sad times when you have to sell your project - almost like "no more fun"...

A lot of people start the project with high hopes and what not only to give up along the way and sell it off after they have lost interest, had more pressing needs, etc, etc.

Stretch · #14 12-06-2010, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

A lot of people start the project with high hopes and what not only to give up along the way and sell it off after they have lost interest, had more pressing needs, etc, etc.

Yeah I know - I'm determined not to let it happen to me - it would be a very sad day...

jcyuhn · #15 12-06-2010, 03:51 PM

I've read that run-of-the-mill, everyday transportation style used cars are more expensive now. I'm thinking your basic 4 year old Honda or Toyota sedan here. Makes sense, as fewer have been sold new in the last few years, so the supply of such used cars is reduced. But demand should be constant - older cars are wearing out and being retired at the same rate as ever. So supply is down, demand is constant -> price goes up.

Prices for used high-end luxury cars seems to be softer since the financial bust. Not too many people shopping for used cars in the $30K-$60K range these days, apparently. My theory - totally unproven - is that buyers of such cars relied on either credit or home equity to purchase them. These days they don't have any home equity to tap, and probably can't get a loan for an expensive used car. So sales have dried up, and prices have plunged accordingly.