what problems can i expect on buying a used mercedes benz sl 500?

[dJUAN]

i'm finishing up school soon and i want to get a beginners car with some style. most of the used sl's i've seen online cost between 38,000 to about 49,000. i would like to know is this a realistic price for a $96k only 4-5yr old? and what problems should i expect, ie toyota's master cylinders will go out on you, fords seals and transmissions go bad after a 5 years. my main concern comes from the fact the mercedes is a foreign car and it will cost extra to get fixed. thanks for the help, & peace and love

 

[EricM1]

why instead of spending that much on a used car
you get the nissan 350 Z its like soo cool and stylish
and youll only pay like 43 for a loaded one


or even like a new lexus or something
idk i think its a waste
38,000 is alot for a used car

 

[DKY]

I wouldn't call a used SL500 a "beginner" car.
Also, there is a reason why these cars lose value so quickly.

These type of cars do one thing well one thing only. That is making its first owner look rich for 3-4 years and their job is done.

There really isn't a demand for these cars on the used market. Because used buyers :
1. shy away from high maintenance costs of these cars.
2. gawk at insurance premiums
hence, the lower prices which may "seem" like a super deal.

Service and parts for these cars are appropriately priced for the rich that bought them as new. That's ok, because they can afford it.
Now, just because you bought it used, service and parts arn't going to give you a break.
You'd have to upkeep this car just as if you were rich like the first owner who bought it. And that's exactly what sucks the blood out of second hand buyers of these. It'd be a huge mistake to think these are a good deal... They aren't.

a little word of the wise..:
Mercedes or BMWs these days aren't built like they were years ago... they're not built to last anymore.
Why? because manufacturers know a great majority of rich owners of these cars don't keep their luxury cars long enough to put them through test of time.

The car makers don't give a rat's crap about used buyers. Because used buyers are NOT their target audience. As long as the car is bought the first time, they've succeeded. Makers don't give a crap what happens afterwards in the used market.
So lot of their electronic "gizmos" and power this and that "toys" break all the time.... But that's ok, because by the time the rich owners no longer own these cars to see them break. (but I do hear lot of horror strories about them malfunctioning even when they're spankin' new... so go figure...)