95 Sl320

Hi all -- I'm new to this forum and have a question for all of you --
what's a fair selling price for my 1995 SL320?

My car is starmarked (perfect condition) for the next 3 years and has 54K miles on it. Unfortunately, my fiancee is forcing me to sell it -- yesterday evening I placed a thread in the shopswap forum and listed the car for $37,900 (based on edmunds.com tmv minus a random discount). Much to my surprise, I received a few emails this morning from "buyer brokers" offering to purchase the car sight unseen for between $32K to $33.5K. The mercedes dealership I purchased the car from has also offered to repurchase the car for a similar price. Will I be able to get more for the car by selling it to a private party or should I just sell the car to the dealer I purchased it from? Sorry for the stupid question, but I've actually never sold a car before (I've only traded in my cars in the past).

[-fad]

In general, you most likely will receive the most $$$ in hand from a private party sale.

Automobile dealers will buy a used vehicle with the idea to re-sell it for a profit. Hence the idea of the automobile "business".

In your case, it sounds like dealer(s) envision purchasing your car for ~$33.5K (or lower) then quickly turn it around- - selling it for ~$37,900 (or more). Your situation is very very very attractive to dealers since the Starmark certification and reconditioning process has already been absorbed (paid for) in the previous sale.

Theoretically a Starmark vehicle would speak for itself, attract a Starmark type buyer, and would command the Starmark premium without need to do heavy 'below fair market value" discounts. The slow American economy may be a slight negative factor in used luxury car market depending upon your area/ area you are advertising.

Suggest searching and using the widest and most appropriate advertising forum (target Starmark-type buyer audience).

You may also find it helpful to politely ask the Service Advisors and Techs to keep an eye out for interested buyers (with/ without finders/ referral fee).

Good luck and sorry to hear that your purchase did not work out.

Financial frivolousness aside, my perspective is that a man together with his motor vehicle interests are a wonderful inseparable package.

-fad

Thanks Fad -- you're email was pretty helpful. Any suggested advertising venues? I've already placed ads in the Washington Post (via cars.com) and yahoo autos. Not quite sure where else I should list the car.

[-fad]

Suggestions:

If you are looking for a high "volume" exposure net ad, I've seen that autotrader.com list vehicles US wide.

Naturally e-bay holds "volume" exposure as well.

In SF there are "SL" automobile sales specialists/companies. You may wish to consign your car, and cut a little $ of the sale over to them.

You may wish to take an ad out in your local MB Club, or Star Magazine too.

Also, there usually are smaller local newspaper/periodicals that cater to the "higher per capita income" city areas....(they do exist here in SF)

If your vehicle is truly a perfect "10", you may also wish to list it in a high end mag ie. the Robb Report, Dupont Register, etc. (world wide distributions).

More suggestions,
>don't be too desperate to sell the vehicle, a "motivated" seller would be the politically correct stance and hold a healthy frame of mind through the process
>if worse comes to worse and you are unable to sell it, maybe its your karma to keep the car.....have a wonderful life (maybe negotiate with your significant other). We all make a few sacrifices to have one or two things really really nice in our lives
>favor picture ads, it speaks volumes
>take a drive for brunch/ coffee and park the car on Sat. and Sun in the best areas (with a for sale sign w/ related info on it)- preferably fully detailed...you may also employ this strategy and park it in front of the MB dealer, Jag/BMW/etc. (if you are so bold enough).
>if you have a network of individuals inclined toward an "SL" type vehicle- - contact them: car enthusiasts, professionals, current SL owners etc. (I've encountered a few retired individuals and regular folk interested in owning the car they have always dreamed of and had the ability to pay $$$ too)
>maybe your fiance has outlets to advertise the availability of this vehicle too ie law firms, big companies, accounting firms, etc.

Good Luck and hope this helps.

-fad