Discussion
I would like more opinion about this and I guess General is the best place to post to get a balanced opinion.
I currently own a MY09 (59 plate) Nissan GTR. The mileage is low (to me anyway) @ around 25,000. Full Nissan service history as well. The next big spend would be on tyres and maybe brake pads/discs. Next big optimisation service (costing around 300-500) would be due in November. Warranty ends late September. The car is in good condition otherwise.
I am currently looking at a 2012 plate Mercedes SLK55 AMG. It's ex-demo and have ALL the toys you can ever expect in a 12 plate SLK. After settling finance etc I estimate the cost of changing would be circa £20,000 from my pocket. I know for a fact the dealership is pretty desperate to sell this car and have recently dropped another 1k from the list price.
I've heard prices for the GTRs around my age are slowly stabilising whilst I might be taking a bit hit if I buy the Merc.
Half of me wants to spend around £3000 to get tyres for the Nissan and also to get it serviced and keep it for another year. Another part of me wants to trade it in for the SLK55 ASAP.
I know I won't get the pure driving enjoyment as I get from the SLK55 but that is balanced by cheaper maintenance/upkeep costs. Roughly 3 years left of manufacturers warranty too. However, I am also worred that once I get the SLK, it will depreciate drastically and one year from now I might be better off spending money on maintaining the GTR.
What would you do in my shoes?
I currently own a MY09 (59 plate) Nissan GTR. The mileage is low (to me anyway) @ around 25,000. Full Nissan service history as well. The next big spend would be on tyres and maybe brake pads/discs. Next big optimisation service (costing around 300-500) would be due in November. Warranty ends late September. The car is in good condition otherwise.
I am currently looking at a 2012 plate Mercedes SLK55 AMG. It's ex-demo and have ALL the toys you can ever expect in a 12 plate SLK. After settling finance etc I estimate the cost of changing would be circa £20,000 from my pocket. I know for a fact the dealership is pretty desperate to sell this car and have recently dropped another 1k from the list price.
I've heard prices for the GTRs around my age are slowly stabilising whilst I might be taking a bit hit if I buy the Merc.
Half of me wants to spend around £3000 to get tyres for the Nissan and also to get it serviced and keep it for another year. Another part of me wants to trade it in for the SLK55 ASAP.
I know I won't get the pure driving enjoyment as I get from the SLK55 but that is balanced by cheaper maintenance/upkeep costs. Roughly 3 years left of manufacturers warranty too. However, I am also worred that once I get the SLK, it will depreciate drastically and one year from now I might be better off spending money on maintaining the GTR.
What would you do in my shoes?
Is p/x the only option?
Could you sell private, get more for the GTR, possibly get a better deal on the Mercedes and be a bit happier with spending a bit less? Granted it may take some time to shift private, and tyres would probably be a bargaining tool from a buyers point of view if they need replacing soon.
Could you sell private, get more for the GTR, possibly get a better deal on the Mercedes and be a bit happier with spending a bit less? Granted it may take some time to shift private, and tyres would probably be a bargaining tool from a buyers point of view if they need replacing soon.
m44kts said:
Is p/x the only option?
Could you sell private, get more for the GTR, possibly get a better deal on the Mercedes and be a bit happier with spending a bit less? Granted it may take some time to shift private, and tyres would probably be a bargaining tool from a buyers point of view if they need replacing soon.
I have no experience of selling privately with finance outstanding on the car though...I'm just afraid there will be a lot of hassle... The sales executive down at Mercedes were excellent though compared to the treatment I've got from BMW. He maintained a very professional outlook even though it was closing time.Could you sell private, get more for the GTR, possibly get a better deal on the Mercedes and be a bit happier with spending a bit less? Granted it may take some time to shift private, and tyres would probably be a bargaining tool from a buyers point of view if they need replacing soon.
I will just have to wait to hear back from him to see what he values my car at but I think it will not be more than 30k... that's 10k lost since I've got it in January :S
SWoll said:
I would guess you will lose the £20K difference in the first 1-2 years.
£60-65K for an SLK = madness.
Keep the GTR.
The SLK55 AMG is now up got £48,999. It's ex-demo, very low mileage (3500) and has all the toys you can expect in an SLK. Another thing that kind of bug me is that SLK is a woman's car...£60-65K for an SLK = madness.
Keep the GTR.
m44kts said:
Ahh, finance owing, totally different situation then. I'd be keeping the GTR.
Thanks. The head tells me that's the wisest thing to do but the heart wants a new toy. Just seen the SLK and I must say it's loaded with toys and the hard top convertible does make sense... oh well...crazy about cars said:
nottyash said:
Worried about paying £3000 is nothing to how much you will loose on a Merc.
Keep the GTR, or sell it to me really cheap
Will Mercs (especially an AMG) depreciate as bad as say... a BMW?Keep the GTR, or sell it to me really cheap
Is it any wonder Mercedes are taking fortunes off theirs?
LHD said:
They all take a kicking as there aren't the buyers for them.
Is it any wonder Mercedes are taking fortunes off theirs?
Ah ok, I gotta admit I've never owned a Merc before so I am not clued up. Really keen on the SL55 but if that means I will be making an unwise financial decision I rather just pass this chance.Is it any wonder Mercedes are taking fortunes off theirs?
crazy about cars said:
Ah ok, I gotta admit I've never owned a Merc before so I am not clued up. Really keen on the SL55 but if that means I will be making an unwise financial decision I rather just pass this chance.
Have you had a test drive in the Merc and able to extend it in the way you do your GTR?Only way to decide.
WhoseGeneration said:
Have you had a test drive in the Merc and able to extend it in the way you do your GTR?
Only way to decide.
I arrived too close to the closing time today but still credits to the sales exec being so courteous and patient. I've got to sit in the SL55 and had a play with all the gadgets etc. I was offered a slot tomorrow but I might be busy with the family so I told him I will phone ahead to confirm. Excellent customer service from Merc. BMW should learn a thing or two...Only way to decide.
crazy about cars said:
WhoseGeneration said:
Have you had a test drive in the Merc and able to extend it in the way you do your GTR?
Only way to decide.
I arrived too close to the closing time today but still credits to the sales exec being so courteous and patient. I've got to sit in the SL55 and had a play with all the gadgets etc. I was offered a slot tomorrow but I might be busy with the family so I told him I will phone ahead to confirm. Excellent customer service from Merc. BMW should learn a thing or two...Only way to decide.
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