Hi Donald, I understand where you're coming from, and usually I'd agree that is was a little on the high side. And, I don't trust photos that much either. However, if you read the entire text of the ad, almost every high-dollar failure has been addressed. That includes the A/C system, tranny, and rear SLS not to mention almost everything else. The other thing that's hard to determine sight unseen is horsepower, and trying to get anyone to clock it properly with a GPS and stopwatch is nearly impossible. This guy even provided a DYNO graph, for cryin' out loud. The only thing I saw that I could gripe about was an aftermarket hood pad (not 'Genuine Mercedes'). Even the console wood was restored. Another list member paid $9k for a sedan in mint condition (not restored) in the past year and has been more than happy with the purchase. Yeah, you can buy a wagon for $4-$5k, and pat yourself on the back thinking you got a great deal, then spend another $5k over the following few years fixing everything that's not perfect. Me, I'd rather buy the right car up front and spend my weekends and evenings doing something fun. I still say it was worth $10k. Remember, you can't compare 1990's W124 model pricing to this particular car - apples and oranges! Just because a 1993 300D will sell for half that, ditto for an E320 wagon, doesn't mean this 87 is overpriced.
As to the previous sale falling through, I bet it was either an overzealous bidder, or someone couldn't get a loan, or something along those lines. If there's something really wrong with the car, then yes it's not worth $10k. As detailed and anal as that guy appears, I'd be surprised if that was the case though. I think Marshall summarized it best, though. The value is determined by what someone is willing to pay, and in this case it was north of $10k. I wonder what it would have fetched via the duPont Registry, instead of a limited-time eBay ad. =) +dm > ------------------------------ > Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 15:59:22 -0600 > From: "Donald Snook" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [MBZ] Opinions are like a**holes (was WAY too much for this > car) > > You are both wrong (and right). > > > > I do understand that something is worth whatever you can get someone to > pay for it, but there are limits. Sometimes, people pay too much and > other times too little. This particular wagon is unique, it is in great > condition, and it is a highly desirable car. But, I do agree the price > paid was MUCH too high for this car. This exact wagon was on ebay a few > weeks ago and now it is back. I wonder why the sale was not finalized > before? I find it hard to swallow that over $10,000 for this car is > equivalent to stealing it. A car with this many miles (in this > condition) just doesn't EVER sell for this kind of money. So, how does > paying more than anybody else has for a car indicate that they stole it. > Having said that, I would love to have a perfect 1991 Jeep Grand > Waggoneer with all the options and in pewrfect shape. They are selling > on some websites for over $22,0000. If I had an extra $20K (that my > wife didn't know about) and I could find one, I might be the proud owner > of a Waggoneer. > > > > I also think relying on the bluebooks just won't work right now. These > particular cars are selling for much more than KBB or NADA or Edmunds > has them listed. Any older Mercedes (if it is in this kind of shape) > will always bring more than the books say. It is a seller's market for > these Diesel Wagons. My stepbrother bought one just like it last year > with only 140,OOO miles and real leather seats (they were not brand new, > but they are perfect). It also had NO dings and scrapes like this one > has. He paid $6500 for it. He thought he got a great deal - maybe he > did. I wouldn't pay that much for one of these, but a LOT of people > will. > > > > > > Donald H. Snook
