Is it just me, or does it seem like, especially with cars that are more than 5 years old, that KBB, NADA etc. values just don't apply?

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You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

I think that KBB, etc get their prices from dealers who respond to surveys as to what cars are going for. So consider the source of the data.

The older the car, the more likely it is junked. So there is less of them changing hands. Hence, the data is less reliable.

Good observation. I agree with you.

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

It's all about what they command at regional auctions.

Car prices are all over the place right now. Alot of people in hard times are worried about the MPG. MPG means alot right now. I know one thing 4 banger and smaller cars are holding their values from what I see. This explains why if you look in the Want ad or the CL listings you see Honda, Nissan, Toyota or Chevy cruises, and Ford Focus that sell in a week or so. Cars like MB, BMW and other higher end cars including larger trucks and also due to a lack of working jobs the demand for large trucks and SUV's are down. I have seen them fall to the floor. Took my cousin 1 month to sell his mint condition fully serviced defect free 2004 Mercedes with 80k miles on it. His wife had her 4 banger car for sale that sold in less then 3 days.

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2015 ML350 4Matic. Wifes DD
2015 GLK350 4Matic. My winter DD
2012 E350 4Matic. Road Trip car
2009 CLK350 Coupe Designo.Kleemann Tune For nice days/DD
2006 CL600. V12.Eurocharged Tune. Enough said
2005 CLK55 AMG Coupe.Kleemann Tune. For the sound and style
2004 CLK320 Cabriolet. 2005+ Interior swap. For the sunny Florida days & beach days

So, while we're on the subject.

What do you think the dealer will take for this 2008 E350 off lease with 38k on the odo? Listed for $34,480. Certified?

The white one on page 5 of 9. It's been hanging around on the lot since May and the '12s now coming in. Frankly, I like the older E-body style better.

Pre-Owned Mercedes Benz Inventory

It's not just you, they're not even close. When I sold my '00 Wrangler (67K, Sport package, 4.0L, 5sp. hardtop) over the summer I checked KBB to get an idea of what to ask. They said something ridiculous like $9500, which I knew was way too high. I started at $7500 and didn't even get phone calls until I dropped it to $7K and ended up selling it for $6400. I think every dealer sets their price by seeing what the KBB private sale price is because every one of them within 50 miles was around that $9500, usually with far more miles. It's quite telling that they were listed for months and months.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

Well, I can get you one from my dealer wholesale for about $10,000 less.

There are 213 2007-2008 Mercedes E Classes with less than 40,000 miles to choose from.

For example: Black/Black Premium 1 2008 E350 with 32,000 miles for $24,700. Lease return direct from MB financial services.

One More: Silver/Gray 2008 E350 with Premium 1 and Nav, Sport Package. Has some minor scratches and dings that are PDR-able. 17,000 miles for $26,200. Once again a lease return from MB financial.

You can buy an extended warranty from MB for $3-4k I believe. Their cost on them is probably $2-3k. Gives you an idea as to how much they're making.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

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