Newbie: Is this a fair price? 1966 230SL

[ikarak]

Hello all!

I'm looking to purchase my first SL. I found one for sale not to far from my house. The asking price is 12K, is this a good price for this car? I attached a few pictures. Any help is appreciated.

1966 Mercedes Benz 230sl convertible, Automatic.

[jameshoward]

I wouldn't have thought so. Someone from the States will chime in soon, but to me it looks like a complete and utter money pit, although it's hard to tell without a lot more photos.

You probably need to consider whether, if you got it say for $5K whether you could afford the $20K it may cost you to get it up and running. Or more. (Or less!)

My recommendation would be to leave this one well alone, regardless of the price. It's been said here many times before, but you should really seek to buy the best car you can afford. It may mean that you don't get the cheapest car, but a good runner in fair condition could end up being a great deal cheaper than a bargain that costs you a fortune to get up and running. Parts for these cars are getting horrendously expensive, and more so each year.

If you want a more rounded opinion, you'll need to get a lot more photos. Use the search function on the site to find lots of buying advice, and take a ton of relevant photos then you'll be able to get some sound opinions.

Good luck.

[MichaelB.]

Does it run? (not likely) does it drive? (less likely).

If not I think the price seems a little aggressive, but the market for these has gone straight up in recent months. 

Photos only tell a part of the story. Guessing a price right now without further details may be premature.

[pj]

I hope you get a lot more info before making a final decision. I paid not much more than the price you mentioned for mine. This was about a year ago. Mine looked much better than these pictures. I got to drive it before deciding, plus I had the recommendation of an expert. (Benz Dr.) So in my inexperienced opinion, if the whole car is in the condition of the "sun-facing" side in your photos, then $12k is rather ambitious.

However, part of me wants to believe every one of the Pagodas should be resurrected and restored and enjoyed, if at all possible. Is there any hope the car is worth fixing? If the seller is reasonable, snap it up and get to work. Plan to spend $15k or more on it before too long, plus your own time and energy if you have the skills. Keep us posted, of course.

[ikarak]

Thank you for the advice guys, appreciate it.

I'm thinking about giving the seller a call later in the week, what are some key questions to ask to better determine the price? I'll post the answer on here so that we can have a better idea of what it's worth. Below are a few questions I already have planned to ask, let me know what I can add on.

1. How many miles does it have?

2. Does it start, run?

3....

Thank you!

[DaveB]

Agree with James - I don't think this car is worth more than $5k if it has a soft top, less if not. This would be a demoralising restoration proposition, far better to start with a nicer one.

[rmmchl]

please don't buy this one.  It looks like a rust bucket. It might be a 3 to 6 thousand dollar parts car-maybe. I think  many times some of our cars need to be led the junk graveyard, but people try to restore them. You can have way more money into a restoration than it's worth. Not including the headache and frustrations. I guarantee that you would be miserable. You would hate the whole project before you finished. There are too many better cars out there to purchase. This car could well  need up to and beyond $20,000 worth of body work,  an engine and drivetrain rebuild at $10,000---$6000.00 for an interior------$10,000 for paint-and  another $10,000. for other parts.  who knows  what the underside looks like.   please try to  stay away from this one. I wouldn't tackle this project if it were given to me, free.  

[tel76]

I think that if he can do the work himself , wants a project and has the cash he should barter the price down and buy it.
Yes,you do get despondent but the secret that i found was when it is not going so well on one section,leave that and do something else.
I started with a rust bucket that i paid too much for,but i wanted a project which is  very nearing completion.
If that was in the UK i would buy it.
I hope Tosh informs us how much his invoice is from Colin

[Ulf]

Sure looks a bit scary, but if money is short and you have a lot of time/skills to attack is as a project over the next couple of years you might end up with a car that is just as you want it in terms of color combo and other specs. Over here in Europe, it would sell at that price in a couple of weeks and probably end up in the hands of a professional restorer who would then sell it on after a "restoration". But if you are looking for something to drive, I would follow the general advice of buying the best you can afford and improve it as you go along...

[stickandrudderman]

If you have $60000 lying around and are prepared to spend it restoring that car then go ahead, it's a bargain!
If, on the other hand, you are mere mortal like the rest of us and you only have just enough funds to buy the car plus a bit, or are thinking very, very long term DIY, you should give this a miss.

[ikarak]

Hey guys!

Here's a little update. I spoke with the gentleman today and offered him 3.5K for it. He told me he has an offer for 7K ( I think he's lying). The car has 50,000 Miles on it.

[john.mancini]

Welcome aboard Newbie,
That pagoda may say"50,000 miles", but it looks like 5 million miles. DO NOT BUY THAT CAR. You'll spend $100K before that car safely hits the road.
Look for a solid (not rusted or damaged), good running car. They are out there and you'll save yourself a ton of money and a ton of sanity.
John