Would you but this car?

[Jackd]

1994 E320, Silver, 77,000Km (48,000mi). It looks and drives just like new. One owner, all maintenance records from day one.
The car has been stored in a climate controlled garage for close to 4 years. The owner got sick, parked the car and never used it since october 1999. The old man died 1 month ago.
His son got the car out of storage one month ago, has put a new battery in, 4 new tires, all oil changed and had a very thorough inspection done at the local Benz dealer. I have seen the invoice and the inspection report).
Price: $18,000Canadian, or $14,300US. Firm, not negociable. No warranty (private sale)
what do you think
JackD

[kramlavud]

Can't speak for Montreal, but such a car can be bought for $12,000 in the USA.

Sitting for 4 yrs?? Tough call since the dealer didn't find anything. I'd take it a capable independent shop and see if they find anything. As the saying goes, "garages kill"!

That's low miles, but I think you'd be paying a premium for a car that's been sitting, again, not necc a good thing.

[haasman]

Jackd

I'll take the contrarians view with a twist.

I think this sounds like a wonderful opportunity! Wow .... now prove to yourself that it isn't!

In other words, find out exactly what is wrong with the car, not what is right.

A properly stored car is not something that is necessarily bad. Maybe the price is a little high in some areas, but in others, sounds good.

It pays to check it out. Obviously the seller cars enough to change the tires etc so if something is revealed from an inspection, he would most likely agree to some sort of a concession.

Keep us posted,

Haasman

[blackmercedes]

Jeez, Jack, car prices are low in Kay-Bec. A 1994 E320 here in rough shape is an $18,000 car. With a green light from a PPI, I'd snap 'er up. Keep a few bucks in the bank for a head gasket, and she'd be a sweet ride.

Hey, I know a guy with a 1994 E320 with 275K on it, and he just sold it for $16,000.

[Jackd]

The Benz dealer found nothing wrong with the car, no sign of head gasket leak
The Benz dealer 's inpection report (done last week) specifically indicates:
Head gasket: no leak
Wiring harness: Excellent.
Engine compression: low 174, high 181
Coolant: No CO detected, good to -40deg.
Brakes: front: Good 90%, rear: good 75%
Battery :New
A/C; output 37deg.F
Body: original, no trace of repair .
Road test: Excellent.
Oils: engine/tranny/differential/brake system/power steering=All replaced with filters+ gas filter.
Shifter light out.
Ant comments?
Jackd

[cbdo]

And you're posting about it rather than closing the deal on it for what reason?
All seriousness aside, if I were planning to hang onto it a good long time I'd be willing to pay a mild premium for a low-mileage car with no issues, and assuming that all the soft bits (AC seals, brake lines, bushings, etc.) are in good shape this certainly sounds like one.

[zero4588]

No No No