Originally Posted by TiredRetired
Hello all, my first post here after lurking for a while.
I recently retired and my wife and I have been bitten by the urge to purchase a Crossfire roadster. Simply beautiful cars. We understand your passion for these cars here.
We are looking at a 05 Limited roadster in Red Pearl. 14K miles with a clean title and car history. Automatic which is what we need at our advanced age.
Some minor blemishes, the worst being a dime sized door ding on right side just under the mirror, the two wheels on the right side exhibiting curb rash and some small spots of missing paint on the front bumper with the black plastic color showing.
The title shows this is the third owner because of a death, the inheritor sold immediatly to the present owner.
The car runs perfectly and is in fine shape mechanically.
The owner is asking $18,550 which is exactly what one of the online car value sites says should be average retail.
My question is what is a realistic price given todays market and the limited information I am able to supply. We are considering a top offer of 17,000. We are certainly willing to pay a premium for the low milage as this car seems hardly broken in yet.
What say the more knowledgable experts here?
Thanx
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You are in VT and there isn't a HUGE market for Roadsters there....I'm in the lower Mason Dixie line where the RAG-TOP here it's all the rage (meaning bigger market for the convertible model) . You'd be doing well to sell the car in the $17,000 range, which is within reason I'd think. If asked would I buy ???
NO......and here's why. Anyone that knows anything about the car knows it's ended production. THERE WILL BE NO MORE MADE. That means from
here on out...any replacement parts, starter, fuel pump, even something like a head light lens replacement is going to have to
come from Germany. The car is basically a Mercedes SLK model and there aren't many Mercedes dealer (supply sources) that in about two years are not going to stock such items. They are already high dollar replacement items
today even form the local dealerships. What's up the road for cost, in a couple of years.. is questionable.
You are in a forum where owners KNOW the car and knowledge of it's worth is high..I understand that ...and except that ( your comment about passion for the car).....What you need to decide is.... are you looking to get the high end dollar - or out of the car ?? Basically sell it because use is no longer feasible?
That should determine your approach to the market...that would be the market what you want to target. There's Crag's LIST and EBAY or even your local use auto dealer...it all depends
One of the good "feelers" you are using here is what a forum users ...would be willing to offer..and that why you are here asking....I get that....here, you'll get what the actual price is worth....
Very smart. ..Here, there are well informed owners group.
Me personally....I'll have to tell you, that's high end price. There in New England EVERYTHING is high price....
I mean everything.... It's a wonderful car..don't get me wrong...I'm just tossing out some prospective....but you're here for my own personal oppion...I'll step a side now...........
WHAT DO I KNOW, I'M ONLY THE 800 LB GORILLA IN THE ROOM....
......
I have 83,000 miles on mine I'm thinking about it's first oil change this weekend...what do you think ? Haven't had a LICK of trouble out of it yet...yet key word.... 17,000 miles on a German made car....sounds more like it's time to
change the OIL...then it is to sell it...LOL