|
|
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
What do you think it's worth?
I'm considering going to look at this car but I feel it's overpriced given the rust, AC, and seats. Am I off-base on the values of these cars or is that a realistic price?
1973 Mercedes Benz 280SEL 4.5 |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Miles are right, it runs and seems to have a great history. I think that you know rust pretty well so detailed pictures will give you a good idea. The seats leather looks OK, the pads are good and can be replaced separately. At $4000 it may be a better deal.
Rust free non runners are usually $2500-3000 in Texas.
__________________
With best regards Al |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
Saw a rust-free 4.5 in LA-area on CL for $1500, it didn't stay running after fires (seller said fuel pump, sounds like something easier to me like the ballast resistor)... that was ~2-3 wks ago. Same color combo as well - blue/blue. I think it was a SE not SEL, but the L isn't worth that much more! I would value that car at $3k-3500 personally, because the interior is fairly worn. The rust doesn't look that bad on it... but you never know what's under the surface unfortunately.
__________________
Current: 2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee" 2018 Durango R/T Previous: 1972 280SE 4.5 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi" 1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
I'd say it's a $2,500-$3k car. There's always more rust than meets the eye.
Thanks, David
__________________
_____________________________________________ 2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles 1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles _____________________________________________ |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
As a starting point I would ask for receipts for the following:
Many new parts installed and repairs made by me after I got it in 2000 include: Timevalve complete stainless-steel exhaust system, new fuel tank, automatic transmission pump and fluid lines to cooler along with miscellaneous transmission parts, new radiator, new power-steering pump and steering gearbox, miscellaneous front-suspension parts, new engine mounts, recent brakes, new Bilstein shocks, and Michelin tires. Exactly what was done for the auto transmission, steering gearbox, pump, front suspension parts, etc? That could be some pretty expensive stuff. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Rust
I think the worst thing about it is the rust. On the pic of the muffler most of the body seams are rusty. If the rest of the underside is like that then this car has a bunch of rust! Maybe this is more acceptable in the rust belt, but down here it would reduce a car's value by a bunch. Also it seems like the heater levers are broken, so it will need at least those, plus likely many of the other w108 illnesses attended to.
__________________
Csaba 1972 280SEL 4.5, silver |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
The spare wheel well and the well in the opposite location seem to be common rust areas for even hot climate cars like Dallas. I expect that this is caused by failing trunk seals which cause it to rust inside out. I'm not sure how bad that rust is. But as others have said, it's almost always worse then you think. In any case, it does not sound like a $5k car.
__________________
With best regards Al |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Thank you for the opinions. In my mind it seemed over-priced but I'm not going to knock the guy for trying to get what he wants for it.
|
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Isn't that pretty much the $ for any halfway decent old car out there?
I see everything in a thirty year spread from 72 VW Bugs to 92 BMW 525s to 02 Audi A4s in that price range... Seems like it is the "common low price range" for almost anything that runs and needs a little cosmetic help. Add a little more for "nice", add a little more again for "really really nice". But yeah, I agree, $3K-ish range. (Figure on the same amount to re-do the body and paint to the quality that'll make it last another 40 years.)
__________________
Looking for Early 108 windshield surround wood in decent-to-good condition. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
The certainty about rust is that there is always more than you can see even under close inspection. Once the car is striped you will find more undoubtedly. I would take "cash in hand" that you are willing to spend on the car look it over very closely, ask additional questions, and lastly if you feel comfortable with the car and the owner make an offer that is low and see what is said, probably about half of what he is asking and go from there to your stopping point or less. Remember, you can't see everything and with older cars there will always be unexpected problems especially where rust is concerned. Just my .02 MikeD>
__________________
MAKDUFF3 1975 300D, Feuerrot and Parchment interior 1971 220D (RIP) |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
What I usually see in the $2500 range are cars that have been through succession of flippers, each of which do little or nothing to the car before selling it on. Those usually need lots of sorting out.
__________________
With best regards Al |
#12
|
||||
|
||||
From my perspective it is extremly difficult for any of us to determine the extent of the rust. Without close up photos we can only guess. But it does look good and if all of the repairs are correctly represented they add a good amount of value. All of which cost a good amount of money.
The question that should be ask is what do you plan to do with the car? Will it be a daily driver, a weekend cruiser and are you willing to put some hard work into it. If the rust damage is minor and/or superficial $3000 to $4000 would be a good price. I would look at every inch of the undercarriage because it looks to be a Chicago car and Chicago winters are brutal. If there is extensive rust damage walk away.
__________________
Britton McIntyre 68 280 SE coupe 'Hairball' 70 280 SL 71 280 SEL - RIP May 2010 |
#13
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Also consider this car apparently sat for a while. Cars with bad rust, while sitting, get rustier. Even if garaged! The fact that this car hasn't developed rust craters would leave me to believe the rust isn't that bad. The seller doesn't look like he's trying to hide the rust there which would give him kudos in my book.
__________________
Current: 2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee" 2018 Durango R/T Previous: 1972 280SE 4.5 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi" 1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k |
#14
|
||||
|
||||
Just a cheaper CA find as an example:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/4107668824.html
__________________
Current: 2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee" 2018 Durango R/T Previous: 1972 280SE 4.5 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi" 1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
Bookmarks |
|
|