late 107 500SL or 280 pagoda?
Discussion
Started searching but can't make up my mind between a late 500SL or a nice 280 Pagoda.
Would be used sparingly on sunny days. Would need to be a sensible reason to justify the purchase to the trouble, along the lines of "great investment"
The 107 has increased in value recently as has the Pagoda but which will be best long term
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Would be used sparingly on sunny days. Would need to be a sensible reason to justify the purchase to the trouble, along the lines of "great investment"
The 107 has increased in value recently as has the Pagoda but which will be best long term
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
The 280 Pagoda has to be one of the most undervalued cars in the world. A gorgeous, petit, classy 60s roadster with a high standard of build and reliability, they are much cheaper than they really should be. Looking at 911s of a similar period, which seem to have appreciated well over the last few years, it seems to me that we're on the cusp of a bit of a boom on these.
The 500SL is awesome, however there are hundreds of R107s about which can be had for reasonably little money. That combined with a bit of a thirst makes me think it'll never be worth big money.
For me it has to be the Pagoda. There are and will be faster and better SLs than the 500, however I don't see them making a prettier or classier car than the Pagoda
The 500SL is awesome, however there are hundreds of R107s about which can be had for reasonably little money. That combined with a bit of a thirst makes me think it'll never be worth big money.
For me it has to be the Pagoda. There are and will be faster and better SLs than the 500, however I don't see them making a prettier or classier car than the Pagoda
I agree the Pagoda has been or still is relatively undervalued. Up to recently they seem to have been stagnant for years but we can now see an increase.
Maybe they've been held back by the horendous cost of resto and general parts.
We will start to see a divide in values for proper cars with history and the normal run of the mill. Reflecting the cost of restorations too.
Maybe they've been held back by the horendous cost of resto and general parts.
We will start to see a divide in values for proper cars with history and the normal run of the mill. Reflecting the cost of restorations too.
A good example of the difference in values can be seen at the auction estimates. A totally restored 230SL is estimated at £40k-60k while Barons are after a much lower £24k-£26k for an excellent 280SL. Certainly condition is an issue with any car, though I can't think of many more condion dependant cars at the moment than the Pagoda.
As a side, the Pag would fit nicely into your collection. The 500SL would be trumped a little by the Dodge!
As a side, the Pag would fit nicely into your collection. The 500SL would be trumped a little by the Dodge!
CampDavid said:
The 500SL is awesome, however there are hundreds of R107s about which can be had for reasonably little money. That combined with a bit of a thirst makes me think it'll never be worth big money.
Not that I have a vested interest or anything but the number of decent R107s around in very low. When I first got mine 5 years ago it was unheard of to see people breaking them for spares, now it is fairly common as they have approached (passed ?) minimum value. This reduction in the total number of cars should mean they go up in value. Having said that I won't be selling mine I love it.
Ben
A further consideration may be this:
Apart from the higher intial purchase price, potential horrendous restoration costs and parts prices on anything associated with the mere word "Pagoda" (!) you have to realise these cars are much older technology.
Thus although the 280SL Pagoda handbook may quote a top speed of 121 mph you'd have to be one of the bravest of the brave to attempt anything like that! Much above 70 mph and you start having to be very focused driving one...and it doesn't get to that speed particularly quickly either. That makes it a very slow car by modern standards. This in turn makes one feel very vulnerable when amongst modern traffic on open roads or even worse on motorways where you're not much quicker than the huge articulated lorries. You're in a small, low slung, 1960's open-top car with little or no saftey features!
At the sametime one is worried about all the money one has invested in the car (unless money is no object?).
These two things may conspire to actually spoil ownership and the driving experience. That's what I found anyway:
http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...
A W107 SL500 is a much faster and more 'modern' car (I would think?...haven't owned one myself). It's sheer grunt and more modern dynamic capabilities must give it greater primary safety whilst dealing with modern traffic. So even if you don't intend to drive fast you may still enjoy the whole experience more?
Yes, the Pagoda is very, very pretty...but ....
Apart from the higher intial purchase price, potential horrendous restoration costs and parts prices on anything associated with the mere word "Pagoda" (!) you have to realise these cars are much older technology.
Thus although the 280SL Pagoda handbook may quote a top speed of 121 mph you'd have to be one of the bravest of the brave to attempt anything like that! Much above 70 mph and you start having to be very focused driving one...and it doesn't get to that speed particularly quickly either. That makes it a very slow car by modern standards. This in turn makes one feel very vulnerable when amongst modern traffic on open roads or even worse on motorways where you're not much quicker than the huge articulated lorries. You're in a small, low slung, 1960's open-top car with little or no saftey features!
At the sametime one is worried about all the money one has invested in the car (unless money is no object?).
These two things may conspire to actually spoil ownership and the driving experience. That's what I found anyway:
http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...
A W107 SL500 is a much faster and more 'modern' car (I would think?...haven't owned one myself). It's sheer grunt and more modern dynamic capabilities must give it greater primary safety whilst dealing with modern traffic. So even if you don't intend to drive fast you may still enjoy the whole experience more?
Yes, the Pagoda is very, very pretty...but ....
Wise words
I have experience with owning both cars, a Pagoda some 3 years ago and quite briefly and a whole host of W107s but a good few years ago now.
The Pagoda is horendously expensive to maintain and I'm sure reliability might be more of an issue.
I have to say having looked at both a 500SL and a Pagoda this week I'm leaning towards the 500 SL. It's a more practical car and I think I will use it more often and after all do I really need another old sausage.
I think a nice low mileage original 107 is relatively rare. The right car will serve well and I'm pretty sure values will rise over the next 10 years. Still a very pretty car by todays standard and one the War Dept can easily drive.
I'll keep you posted.
I have experience with owning both cars, a Pagoda some 3 years ago and quite briefly and a whole host of W107s but a good few years ago now.
The Pagoda is horendously expensive to maintain and I'm sure reliability might be more of an issue.
I have to say having looked at both a 500SL and a Pagoda this week I'm leaning towards the 500 SL. It's a more practical car and I think I will use it more often and after all do I really need another old sausage.
I think a nice low mileage original 107 is relatively rare. The right car will serve well and I'm pretty sure values will rise over the next 10 years. Still a very pretty car by todays standard and one the War Dept can easily drive.
I'll keep you posted.
Another vote for the 500SL here also having owned one for a number of years and still amazed that it can still keep pace with some quite modern and capable machinery. (Straight line speed mind - not in the corners!)
The only nagging doubt in your particular scenario for me would be that from my perspective, the assett growth on the Pagoda will be much higher in time owing to relative rarity and current desirability.
Nice dilemma to have though, kind regards.
The only nagging doubt in your particular scenario for me would be that from my perspective, the assett growth on the Pagoda will be much higher in time owing to relative rarity and current desirability.
Nice dilemma to have though, kind regards.
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