Full disclosure: this is not an XK question per se (though an XK is mentioned…)
I’m posting here because this is still the most knowledgeable car forum I’ve been on, so I thought I’d run my question by you guys. Hope it’s OK.

So my XF Sportbrake is on the East Coast. (Topic for another time: I love my sportbrake. If you’re considering one, I highly recommend it)
As you may know, I drive back and forth across the country every year. Due to a number of factors —chief among them being recent eye surgery and the price of gas (and overall burnout)— I’d really prefer not to do the drive this year. So I’m thinking of leaving the Sportbrake in New England, flying back to LA, and getting a second car. (All of which, as a friend points out, is merely an excuse to buy another car, and he may be right.)

I’m still looking to replace my XKR ‘vert, but I’m limiting my search to 2013-15, and frankly I think what’s out there is overpriced. I’m still looking but not holding my breath.

I’ve narrowed my search down to two possible second cars: a 2007-08 Mercedes SL550, or a 2014-15 Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet (don’t really care which model, and there are a few).

Trying to keep this under $28K all in, taxes and everything. Trying to limit the search to cars with under 80,000 miles. Also I just don’t do white or red cars. Personal taste. In normal times I think those would be reasonable parameters, but these days….

So I’ve got 4. Let me know your thoughts.


1) I drove this car; it’s fine. Everything works. And it’s been in southern CA all its life, and has been serviced at Mercedes dealerships. This is a “no negotiation” dealership, so that’s the price. Though they did agree to throw in one annual service (oil change, air filter, cabin air filter), and drop a whopping $50 off the price to bring it to an even $27K out the door.
It doesn’t have some options I’d like, it feels a little underpowered, and I’m not a black-and-beige car guy. But it’s simple, and they’re ready to sell.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...=myATCsavedcar

2) Also did a quick drive of this car. MUCH more attractive, bigger engine, has options I like.
But the price. And I always feel funny buying from small lots, though I suppose there’s no reason why I why I should.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...=myATCsavedcar

3) I spoke with the owner of this car. He’s eager to sell. But I really didn’t want to get into another black-on-black car, and he did disclose it still has what sound like Jaguar-type electrical gremlins, but he insists it drives great.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...=myATCsavedcar

4) Then… there’s this car. Here’s the deal: I thought it might be a 50th Anneversary edition SL550, so I reached out and asked the owner some questions, like whether the car had the P1 or P2 package. They had no idea what I was talking about. Plus, the car is in Phoenix, which would be a problem, except... Phoenix also happens to be where my SMOKIN hot ex-gf lives. Did I reach out to her? Of COURSE I did (story for another time). So she agrees to go do a test drive, makes a very nice video….
BUT BUT BUT GET THIS: while she’s on the test drive, I receive the following text from the owner:
“She is taking a test drive now! You might want to take a new look at the ad. You asked some very good questions which prompted us to do better research. New price. We just didn’t realize what we had.”
THEY RAISED THE PRICE OF THE CAR $6,000 WHILE SHE WAS ON THE TEST DRIVE. SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS. DURING THE TEST DRIVE.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...=myATCsavedcar


Finally, there’s this, but I’ve never bought a car sight unseen and I’m not planning on going to Kansas.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

So what do you think? Any of them? None of them?
Thanks as always...

 

2014 Mercedes-Benz E 350 Cabriolet

...... if you absolutely NEED a Merc. Course you know the maintenance cost will be double your Jag, if not triple...

 

Thanks!
Don't need a Merc, but do want a convertible.
Would rather not go the mustang/camaro route; the Corvette I'd want is out of my price range. Would love an old one but too much of a project.
Have driven the lexus IS250/350. Fine cars, but something about the styling just doesn't work for me. Ditto with those 2003-06 T-Birds.

 

Well, I have (and love!) 2 MB SLs, a 1998 SL500 and a 2013 SL63 AMG, so I feel qualified to weigh in.

The SLs you’re looking at are all of the R230 generation; my ‘98 is the preceding R129 generation while my ‘13 is the succeeding R231 car. This is not an accident - R230s are beautiful cars, but have a reputation as being in the Chrysler era quality trough of recent Mercedes cars. Specifically the convertible hard top (an awesome system when working properly) and the adjustable hydraulic suspension are areas with high failure rates and expensive repairs.

Are you opposed to an older R129 model? You can pick up a decent 1997 - 2002 SL500 with low miles for low to mid 20s, and these cars are bulletproof. On the other end, I fear that a 2013+ R231 will be out of your price range, unless you find a well maintained higher miles example. If you really want a R230, I would recommend a “facelift” 2009-2012 model as they seem to have most of the kinks worked out by then.

Alas I know nothing about E-class cars so I’m unable to comment on those. SLs are sure awesome, though!

Edit: just read your next post. Have you driven a late model Mustang? My wife and I rented one for a week’s worth of driving through the Smoky Mountains, and I was very impressed. For full disclosure, I’ve owned 4 Mustangs over the years, although the most recent example was a 2011 model. They’ve really come a long way since with the fully independent (aka current century!) suspension and also the latest powertrains.

 

Another thanks. I've actually owned 2 R129's - and 1998 and a 2000 (or 01?), and yes they're extremely well-made. Just wanted to get into a newer car.
My understanding is that, yes, 2003-06 R230's are dogs, and to be avoided. But I also understand that 2007-08 are sweet spots - better engine, and the suspension is much more reliable. Not wild about the 09 facelift (and I think there was no 2010 in the US?)
And, yes, the R231's are out of my price range.
But damn those R129's are well made cars. Just not for me anymore.

 

Not wild about the high doorline of the Mustang convertibles (the opposite of an R129!). I've rented a few; always feel like I'm driving in a deep bathtub.

 

All good points. Sorry for assuming you were not familiar with the SL lineage!

How about a late model Miata? Too small?

 

Oh my god yes. My stepdad had one. Fun, but felt like driving a hot wheels car.
And completely unsafe on long highway drives-- ask big-rig drivers. The Miatas are so small they just don't see them.

And one of my non-negotiables is storage in the passenger compartment (and no, the passenger seat does not count). Like the "back seat" in the XKR. I don't care that no one can sit back there. It's an essential storage area. I had stuff back there all the time.

 

I'd go for the E Class Cabriolet. They are solid cars that are a joy with the top down. MB really did the engineering to make it a great top down car. Generous trunk and good back seat. A good friend has an E550 Cabriolet that is too fast for its on good. A cousin has one with an V6 that he is loving. The styling doesn't tire on the E Class cabrio and they seem to hold their value better in the long run than most SL's.

 

I have a CLS-550, so all the E class cars feel under-powered and soggy responsive to me

That said, I'd go for one of the E-classes. An SL with gremlins doesn't sound inviting, and an SL in Kansas sounds even less inviting. As for the guy who raised the price on you, to heck with him.

Also, depending on where in LA you are, the best repair shops for Mercedes we found were South Bay Autohaus in Hawthorne, or Inland Mercedes Service in Riverside. Still looking for an indy Jag repair in the Riverside area

 

Thanks for the recommendations for the MB mechanics!
I'm also leaning toward one of the E-class options.
For what it's worth.... I always, always recommend Rusnak Jaguar for any complex work on XK's. No, they are not cheap. Far from it. But their work is top notch.

 

So I went looking for this car.....




AND LOOK WHAT THEY JUST GOT IN STOCK:




DAMMIT!! DAMMIT!!

 

Those SL prices seem high...I guess that is the market now. About 6 months ago I toyed with the idea of trading my XKR and drove several cars. Merc SLs being a few of them, but they were all under 20k then. Now just a quick peek Autotrader there's a 2013 SL550 near me with 64k mi for 29999. An '04 with 78k for 15500 (actually looked at this one, it was 13000 then lol) and an '05 with 55k for 19995. Crazy how markets differ so much by location.
Ended up keeping my XKR but very nearly traded for an E63 AMG. To me, nothing felt or drove quite like the Jag.
Nice rides though. Looking forward to the update whatever you choose.

 

Is that a 2010 as well? Looks great in silver.

 

Nevis wheels, should be a 2010. That means Up-Spec stuff all included.

It seems to me your decision should now be obvious.

 

Ha, yea I was thinking, the stars have aligned. They were meant to meet

 

pk4144, If, as it appeared, the $6000 price increase happened on an ad running on AutoTrader you do have the option of calling AutoTrader and filing a complaint. Especially if the seller has not changed the asking price on the online ad. I currently have a car on AutoTrader and when I called about an obvious scam attempt not only were they more than helpful in notating the scammers info for future reference, but they also asked that I recontact them about any irregularities that I came across on their site. If reported to them, AutoTrader may actually remove the offending ad and prohibit them from future advertising with AutoTrader. Sounds as if it would serve them right don't you agree?

 

Well, I think it's going to be this car.

- in terms of the SL550 on Autotrader, they did in fact change the price on the app BEFORE letting me know. The car was at $29,500 - they sent me a text suggesting I "take a look at the ad with the adjusted price" - and sure enough, it was $36,000. I chose not to ask whether they'd ever had the hellish experience of trying to private-party sell a used (and highly priced, for the age) Mercedes. I simply wished them luck.
- I realized that, as I always do, I was price-creeping myself. I really need to keep the price of the car in the neighborhood of $25K. Gets me out the door below $27K, and closer to $26K is even better. I really shouldn't have been looking at cars over $30K at all. But damn it was fun, and if you can get to a $32K price point you do get a lot more car.
- so I decided to go with this one. (I'm buying it sight unseen, which makes me nervous, but it seems that everyone's doing that these days, so...) They knocked a good chunk off the price. It's not the XKR, but itll do fine.

https://express.sfbenz.com/express/u...deal_type=cash

 

FYI, here's my new convertible list of more or less what's out there-- not counting the XK and F-Type. (Also leaving Astons, Bentlys, Rolls, etc off the list):

TOO SMALL
Mazda Miata
Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky
Fiat Spider (new)
Mini Cooper (wouldn't be caught dead in one anyway)
Fiat 500 (ditto)

THE AMERICANS
(I like the Corvette, but the Vettes I want are out of my price range)
Camaro
Mustang
Corvette

OUTLIERS
Cadillac XLR (that Northstar engine, no thanks. And surprisingly small interior for such a large car.)
Lexus IS 250/350 (nice cars. Somehow they just don't work for me.)
Ford Thunderbird (2004 - 07) Close. I kind of like these cars.
Lexus LC500 (too pricey, and probably belongs in the Supercar catergory. But it's a sweet ride. But in terms of that love it/hate it Lexus grille, I'm in the Hate It category...)

Then, of course, there's the Germans: Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche. Too many to list. Interesting that the Germans still like the soft top, which I do too. Takes up less trunk space.

 

Solid color combo. Seems very reasonably priced if the 80K miles you are fine with. See if they'll flush all the fluids and new filters.