Hello people,

I want to first thank this forum and what a wonderful forum it truly is.

This is my situation, I currently live in Southern California but I am moving to Indianapolis in January. I have a 2000 BMW 328i I will sell and get the money for that, but I was originally looking in getting a car in Indianapolis (like a 530i or E350 or so...) but then I figured everything, once I move back to California 6 months later, I will have to pay 3-4 thousand dollars in shipping my car back!!

The last couple days I have been looking for an alternative. Obviously car dealerships do not do 6 month leases, but I found this guy who is leasing a 2003 Mercedes Benz SL 500. He wants me to take over his lease and the car is in excellent condition, and he has agreed that I take over his lease in January until his lease expires and his lease expires in July. That is the perfect timing for me since my lease for my apartment will expire in July as well and I can then return the SL 500 to any Mercedes dealership. He is also in Illinois, so it is only about a 3 hour drive to Indianapolis...

Now his lease payments for this car is $1,560 which will be about $9360 by the time I return the car. I will sell my BMW I have and have that cash in order to pay the lease amount and when I move back to Cali I can buy a new car...This car will also allow me to drive about 1000 miles a month and I will be living in downtown Indianapolis...right in the dead center of it which is close to my work.

I want everyone's opinions on this and what they think and I also had a question, is the 2003 SL 500 any different than the new 2005 or 2006 SL 500 models? Is the look any different? I heard the hardtop for the 2003 model is rectrable which is different than the new one but I believe the body is the same...

He also said he had the standard rims which came with the SL 500. Does anyone know how many inches comes with the standard SL 500?

Again, any suggestions or concerns would be deeply appreciated. I really think this would be a good alternative instead of leasing a car and paying a ridiculous amount to ship it back plus a new car may be damaged on those trucks.

The car is black too....and it comes with the options and navigation system and all that which I will need....I would deeply appreciate feedback. Thanks!



S.K.D.

 

It sounds like you won't really need a car 24/7 while you're in IN. Since you'll be so close to work, have you considered taking mass transit to and from work and then renting a car when you need one and taking taxis for short trips? Maybe you can't rent a nice car like an SL500, but it'll be new and you're only talking about 6 months. $9,360 plus car insurance, required dealer maintenance, probably parking garage fees where you live AND where you work, license and registration fees, and property taxes seems like a lot of money for 6 months. Will you be responsible for the costs of ending the lease? If so, the dealership will nickel and dime you out of your wallet. You should be able spend a lot less if you rent as needed.

I know many people living in large cities who have disencumbered themselves from their car. They do the renting/taxi thing and mooch rides. Seems to work nicely for them. I know it wouldn't work in SoCal because of the car culture there, but if it would work in Indianapolis you maybe should consider it. I'd inquire about mass transit there before commiting, though.

That's my two-cents, since you asked.

 

Thank you for your response but I want a nice car when I am there and what I will be doing will require me to drive around...plus I want to be able to drive to go place to place and to be in different areas other than downtown as well...

Again, I want to have a nice car when i'm there and transportation is a requirement. I would rather do this than get a $hitty rental car and the two things I am comparing it to is a lease of a 530i or E350 and comparing it to this 6 month lease takeover.

I will have full insurance on it obviously and the car is in excellent condition.