Author Topic: Moving and need to prepare to sell my pagoda  (Read 3855 times)

rogerh113

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Moving and need to prepare to sell my pagoda
« on: November 12, 2020, 14:37:43 »
Hello,

I am hoping that there are some folks I can talk to here about preparing to sell my 230SL.  I have had the car for 25 years, and have spent most of my time in the technical forum.  I am most interested in finding the car a good home, and understanding what a fair (not high) price is for the car to make that happen.  Looked in the 'for sale' section, and there is not so much information by way of sold cars, and of course they are all different.

If anyone can help give me some perspective on how best to go about this, I would appreciate it.  Hopefully this is not a verboten topic here.

regards -- Roger
1966 230SL black 4 speed (250 low compression engine)

scoot

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Re: Moving and need to prepare to sell my pagoda
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2020, 16:06:46 »
  I am most interested in finding the car a good home, and understanding what a fair (not high) price is for the car to make that happen.
So it sounds like you are _not_ interested in auctioning the car, is that correct? 
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

rogerh113

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Re: Moving and need to prepare to sell my pagoda
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2020, 16:31:14 »
I would rather know who was buying the car, and have some basis for thinking they 'understood' the car and would take care of it and cherish it.   One of the reasons I am asking here, since I think the folks here, for the most part, know the 113.

It is no trailer queen, but a solid driver.  A real pleasure to drive.  I was going to say that it has all of the issues of a 60 year old car, and the buyer would have to understand that, but then I don't think the car actually does.  Many a time I have walked by it in the garage wondering what I needed to do to it, and the answer was merely 'drive it'.

Over the years, it has become more than a mere possession to be sold to the highest bidder.  I live in the Silicon Valley, where there are a lot of people with more dollars than sense.
1966 230SL black 4 speed (250 low compression engine)

scoot

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Re: Moving and need to prepare to sell my pagoda
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2020, 16:49:20 »
There are 61 230SLs that have sold on Bring a Trailer in their auction history.  I think of Bring a Trailer as a playground for people with way too much money, but sometimes "real people" actually buy and sell cars there.  You may find it useful for comparing your car to some of those and use those sales prices as "high" datapoints.  https://bringatrailer.com/search/230sl/   It's worth looking at some of the sales and pics.

I think it's great that top dollar is NOT your primary concern.

Scott
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

mgmoore

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Re: Moving and need to prepare to sell my pagoda
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2020, 18:17:39 »
BAT every time. The first and best online classic car auction! Spend some time doing 50 plus photos , especially underneath if possible, include all the images that Pagoda buyers like to see. A really good write up and i reckon a pre Christmas auction may pay dividends.

Good luck!

scoot

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Re: Moving and need to prepare to sell my pagoda
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2020, 18:19:42 »
BAT every time. The first and best online classic car auction! Spend some time doing 50 plus photos , especially underneath if possible, include all the images that Pagoda buyers like to see. A really good write up and i reckon a pre Christmas auction may pay dividends.
...And this is _exactly_ what rogerh113 said he was _NOT_ looking for.  BaT can be used for data points.  He wants to sell to "a good new home" which is NOT what you are likely to get with BaT...
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: Moving and need to prepare to sell my pagoda
« Reply #6 on: November 12, 2020, 18:44:26 »
Hi Roger,

Go to Hagerty they will be able to give you an average price (see link below).

Here----> https://www.hagerty.ca/apps/valuationtools/1967-Mercedes~Benz-250SL

Provide them your VIN number and details you have. Then determine your asking price based upon your car's condition.

List your car in "Items for sale" along with a brief description and photographs. You must include an asking price. I am sure you find one of our members that is looking for a car.

Good Luck

Dieter
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

MikeSimon

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Re: Moving and need to prepare to sell my pagoda
« Reply #7 on: November 12, 2020, 20:53:52 »
BAT every time. The first and best online classic car auction! Spend some time doing 50 plus photos , especially underneath if possible, include all the images that Pagoda buyers like to see. A really good write up and i reckon a pre Christmas auction may pay dividends.

Good luck!

It is not that "Pagoda buyers" want to see all the pictures and the "driving video"
It is the "comment gallery" that wants to see that. People who have no interest in buying the car but want to be entertained by spending time on the computer looking at BaT.
It is always the same guys making "expert comments"
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

dirkbalter

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Re: Moving and need to prepare to sell my pagoda
« Reply #8 on: November 12, 2020, 22:11:03 »
It is not that "Pagoda buyers" want to see all the pictures and the "driving video"
It is the "comment gallery" that wants to see that. People who have no interest in buying the car but want to be entertained by spending time on the computer looking at BaT.
It is always the same guys making "expert comments"

I agree 100%
Dirk
66 230 SL
70 280 SEL
53 CHEVY 3100
18 C300 COUPE
05 HD FLSTNI

john.mancini

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Re: Moving and need to prepare to sell my pagoda
« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2020, 02:56:03 »
Why not try listing your 230SL on this website's "For Sale" section. Lots of good people here. Good luck with your sale.
John
65 230SL 519 Red 4-sp
98 911 cab
56 Ford F100
08 Porsche RS60 Spyder
23 Z4M40i

rogerh113

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Re: Moving and need to prepare to sell my pagoda
« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2020, 13:36:52 »
Thanks very much for all of the helpful input.  I will spend some time on the two sites and get some sense of pricing.  That will help a lot.  Then I will take some pictures and post on the 'for sale' section here. 

Thanks again.
1966 230SL black 4 speed (250 low compression engine)

Garry

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Re: Moving and need to prepare to sell my pagoda
« Reply #11 on: November 14, 2020, 04:10:03 »
Please remember, to post on the For Sale area it must be priced.


Given that you have been an Associate here for some years and had lots of support over that time, it would be nice to give the members first call to buy at your asking price.
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G
2005 MB A200
2006 MB B200
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rogerh113

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Re: Moving and need to prepare to sell my pagoda
« Reply #12 on: November 14, 2020, 14:09:19 »
Thanks, and I have every intention of posting here long before I post publicly, and definitely in the 'for sale' forum.  As mentioned, I really want to place the car with a knowledgeable 113 person, and that pretty much means here.

The posting a price was my major hurdle to get started, since I don't have a clue.  The price sources given above will be most helpful, and should get me over that.  I am writing my description now, will go through pricing in the next day or two, and will take some pictures in the next day or two.  Hope to have the ad up by mid week, pending no alternate distractions.
1966 230SL black 4 speed (250 low compression engine)

rogerh113

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Re: Moving and need to prepare to sell my pagoda
« Reply #13 on: November 17, 2020, 08:59:59 »
Looks like the Covid surge has put the move on indefinite hold.  Thanks for the pricing sources, and perhaps the car will come on the market when the situation clears up a bit.

best regards -- Roger
1966 230SL black 4 speed (250 low compression engine)