Hello,

Greg here from Fairhaven, Michigan

I used to have a real nice 72 silver 450 sl back in the late 1980's for a few years, since then there has been a nice string of Porsches.

I think I'd like to jump back into the Mercedes fray again and I am contemplating :

A BEAUTIFUL.. and I mean Beuatiful metallic gold 1981 380 sl

Converted to double row in 2004 (12,000 miles ago).. valve job at that time.

all rubber hose under car and under hood new in last 5 years
new tires, new exhaust, BEAUTIFUL paint, flawless beige interior, perfect dark bronw top and gold hardtop

newer brakes, coolant flush, shocks

THIS CAR ROCKS!!! ASKING 11,000

So here's my question....If the chains have been converted to double, the valves done, the AC now 134 coolant, and the other stuff above... am I buying a car that only I want anyway. It's important to me that someone will want this car 4-5 years down the road.

I know the 380 seems amoung the least desirable, but in this case I feel I am buying very good, steady maintenance, and a 10 year very caring owner.

Is that engine basically "good to go" if the valve and chains have been done... or is the engine still a bummer no one wants.

92,000 very believable miles.

There was significant trans work done about 2000 miles ago also

receipts for everything from well known local shops

I know 11,000 is a bit high on the price, but if I save some on maintenance, I can live with that.

I WOULD BE MOST GRATEFUL FOR ANY THOUGHFUL INPUT YOU MAY HAVE ON THE SUBJECT. I want this car, but I want someone else to want it too someday!!!

Should I just spend an extra couple grand on a 560? It will be tough to find a car this nice with the maintenace records... but hey, the real fun part is the LOOKING FOR IT!!, as after you get it home.. then what do ya do!!!

thanks

 

if you love the car, nothing else matters.

 

With all due respect to you Brookings, as a senior member around here, JUST ME loving the car is not enough, at least to me.

If everytime I buy a car, boat, motorcycle, jet ski, etc... I bought what only I liked... Id be stuck with a tremendous pile of "junk"

My point of view, when you're buying "toys", you need to buy what you know someone else will buy from you someday.

If I pay 10,000 for this car, keep it 3 years.. sell it for 10,000 because it's sought after car.. then I have driven, and enjoyed for "free", minus insurance, etc ... but if I buy a "stone on the market" because it was a shiny bauble... but have to take 6,000 to get rid of it... then it's cost me 40%... and "that dog don't hunt"

You are not alone in your position.. when I was into the Harleys, guys on the forum had the same opinion about way overspending" on their Harleys.. but in the end.. were crying in there beers because they "had to buy new(ALWAYS A HORRIBLE IDEA) or had to have "that bike, screw the price" .

I'm getting the feeling, that after 220 people read my post, and I only got one reply... that I'd better steer clear of this car. Any car so apparently nice that take 4 weeks to sell is telling me something.. I sold my last two Porsches in a couple days...

WITH THAT SAID... THANKS VERY MICH

 

Apparently GTHONG didn't really want anothers opinion.

 

No,

I really do wants others opinion please.

Like.. no Greg, a nicw 380 is never as good as a 560 or 450... go buy a 560?

or

The 380 engine, with the chains converted to double... is now a really good engine

or

11,000 is 4,000 too much for a 380...



thanks to all