What's it worth????

[Jay]

There is an 1975 450SL for sale near my home. It has 89K. Two tops and is in
"fair" condition, with some surface rust. Need to be repainted??? I know that
that isn't much info, but what is it worth?

[GermanMarque]

Only what your prepared to pay for it! If you go by the old motto, the cheapest is the most expensive to start with, you can't go wrong. If it's got surface rust, it's probably been neglected elsewhere. A fresh repaint will only mask what lives underneath. By the time you bring it back to a reasonable level, you'll probably find it's cost you more that one in better original condition. These are not cheap cars to maintain. It could well be a disaster waiting to happen and become a money pit. I know it's nice to want one, but if it's going to cost you a mint to repair years of neglect, you'll wind up poor and hating it. Sorry for the negatives

[KirkVining]

I see a lot of people trying to get outrageous prices for 70s era SLs in poor to average condition. The low miles make the car interesting, but also a little suspect. A car with 89K in "fair" condition"? It's easy to fix the miles on these cars. If you had found a 70's era 450 with 89k on it that was in excellant condition with records, it would be a whole nother story. I'd shy from this one.

If your really hot to buy it, I would take it in for a compression test and a mechanic's opinion on the miles. On just a wild guess, I'd say $3500 tops. Rust is really scary on these older SLs. You can spend a fortune fixing it.

[Jay]

Thanks for the input. Jay

[Richard1]

Regarding the value, unless it's in good condition, I would say seller should pay you to take it....you can easily drop several thousand fixing wear and tear items, such as shocks, subframe and motor mounts, etc....things that have as much to do with age as miles.

For what it's worth, my brother paid $800 for a 1980 450SL and here is what he got.... There is some rust but the rockers are still integral. Engine has a few minor issues, tranny and rearend are good, car runs and drives. Car needs complete brake job, front end parts, new carpet, new soft top, one side of grill broken, and all 4 tires! The seats either need cheap covers or spend big money to renew! Then there are few small dents here and there to fix and then a new paint job!

Because of his failing health, he gave me this car for me to putts around with and it has become a challanging project that I'm left wondering if it's all worth it?

It makes a big differance if you can DIY and if not, walk away unless if you have an uncontrollable habit spending money! BB

[deanyel]

In this market anything with rust is a parts car, or a daily driver if it's in top mechancial condition. But there is no way you should put money in a car like that. Even good cars are cheap - no way you should pour money into a marginal to weak one.

[Jay]

Hpoe to look at the car this week. I let you know what I find> Jay

[Jay]

hope, not hpoe. da

[Jay]

I spoke to the owner and she is asking $7000. She told me that she has owned it for 10 years and it needs a new soft top???? and it has an exhaust leak. I think it's time to RUN. Jay

Originally Posted by Jay

I spoke to the owner and she is asking $7000. She told me that she has owned it for 10 years and it needs a new soft top???? and it has an exhaust leak. I think it's time to RUN. Jay

Hay, maybe mine's worth more than I thought! Do a little cosmetics, minor essential mechanicals and wha-la! Instant high resale

Unfortunately, there are some who are waiting for a sucker, whether or not the car you looked at is suspect, there is something to be said about "good money after bad"

It all depends on arriving at a conclusion based on knowledge and experience!

When to talk, when to walk? BB

[BobK]

$2.5k to $3.5k. You are no doubt looking at a lot of work even if it is in good shape.