Crazy Used Car World, Buy a top-line Mercedes for 914 money Options

[lapuwali]

Once upon a time, the M-B 500SEC was considered THE car for high-speed cruising. EVERY F1 driver had one. They were heart-attack expensive in 1985. On Craigslist, there's what looks like a cherry 1985 500SEC for $2999, which is $1 less than I paid for a 1971 914 with dodgey paint and one carb two years ago. A 914 in equal condition to this car would be $8K easy, for a car that's at least 10 years older, a lot less powerful, and with far fewer comfy gadgets.

Clearly, the market prefers Porsche to M-B...

[lapuwali]

I can't say I buy the operating cost argument. Despite $3+/gallon gas pretty much nationwide now, there's still a waiting list for the Hummer H3.

The old news argument I can buy. I do know a good number of people who love on Benzes, but perhaps there just aren't enough of them to keep the prices propped up. My next door neighbor has a 300D from the early 80s with over 400K miles on it, and he fixes it himself. I think he finally had to do wheel bearings last year (owned the car since new). His wife has a late 80s 560SL, but rarely drives it in favor of her Toyota daily driver. Neither one are the usual M-B owners. He's an electrician, and she owns a beauty salon. They aren't really into the status thing.

Just struck me as odd and not a little ironic that what was once such a desirable car (to some) is now less than half the price of something that was once considered cheap trash by the high status set (and still is, by many).