Hi,

My significant other would like to replace her 2001 VW Cabrio with a Mercedes SL. Budget is around $25K.

We test drove a red 95 500SL with 96K miles (price 24.5K) the other day. Nice car, but looking at the carfax we would be the 5th owners and 96K is getting up there. At the same time the SL "rolled" down the road...quite unlike my 95 E300D

I hestitated on getting the car on the spot as I had not done any homework. I also know that there is a 320SL with a 6 cylinder...perhaps she doesn't need 300hp...you know.

So I did some searching at local MB detailers and also checked out the prices on NADA, Edmunds, etc. for SLs.

I found a strange market with sale prices for similar cars varying by as much as $10K. The "books" told me that a 95 SL should retail for $30K but they are available with higher miles for $25K all day long.

Ideally I would like to find a 96 320SL with 60K in great condition with low miles in the low $20Ks. Am I dreaming? I realize the original MSRP was big bucks but it seems like these cars have depreciated and in a buyers market prices are depressed (?)

Questions:
1. SL 320 or SL 500
2. 95, 96 or 97 (perhaps too expensive)
3. Reliablity issues, things to check for?
4. Just curious, what kind of mileage does the SL 320 get?
5. Any worries with 90K miles? I bought my e300d with 86K and now I am at 116K with no problems....

Thanks.

Chuck
Annapolis, MD