A bit down in the dumps :-(

[portzy]

OK, it could be a long story but I will try to keep it short and in context.

Some of you will know that about six years ago I put a deposit down on what was then the freshly minted SLK R171. There was about a six/nine month waiting list back then but due to finances I opted for a twelve month wait which made the anticipation and final acquisition so much more of a pleasure. Sadly, after five years of ownership and lots of fun I finally decided over the weekend to let my pride and joy go.

Why?

Well, to be honest and purely from a spare time available point of view, she has not really seen much use these past couple of summers which is a shame but I cannot see things changing in the foreseeable future/summers.

So?

It just didnt make sense seeing her sat on my drive with no-where to go so I have sold her, at least I will have done by tomorrow, hence the mixed feelings of guilt, sadness, depression, grief, loss of a friend. I know its only a car, ultimately, but for me I have become attached to her in a strange kinda way unlike any other car that I have owned. Dont get me wrong, she has been a pain at times with water leaks, comand playing up, and duff bits of trim but I persevered with her and got her sorted.

Well?

One of those very rare moments when I have approached and come to a decision using only my head after having chosen and bought her with my heart.

Someone make me feel better???

Portzy

 

[NW_Merc]

Buy a 500E and be done with it

 

[trapperjohn]

Hey. You have done the right thing. You say yourself ,five good years with her:bannana: and now its time to move on.
Winter looms and what joy would you have with her through the dark months
Time to start crusing the pages for perhaps something to replace her in the spring
You still have the forum.
Raise a glass, wish her well, smile and say. "Til the next time!

 

[portzy]

Buy a 500E and be done with it

Forgot to add, I still got my A Class, not quite the end of the world I keep telling myself.

Portzy.

 

[Colin_b]

You'll miss it. You will, however, now have the time to carefully consider a replacement....

 

[portzy]

You still have the forum.

Very true, I'd be stuffed without it and some on here have got me out a few fixes/scrapes and put me right on a lot of things.

Portzy.

 

[Colin_b]

Winter looms and what joy would you have with her through the dark months

Airscarf, heated seats, SLK's are excellent top down in winter.

 

[trapperjohn]

 

[st4]

You had to sell the car, or you've justified selling it. IMHO if you really wanted to keep it, you would have.

Why not sell the A class, use the proceeds of the sale of the SLK and go out and buy one really nice car, maybe a used S class 320cdi.

 

[MOR8A]

It's like coming out of a relationship with a girl.................... rejoice............ you are a free man again........... let the hunting commence!

 

[MOR8A]

I really miss my 500E but it was the right time to sell, I'm now having an affair with a younger model!

 

[S60_alex]

Portzy,


I did a very similar thing to you - we saved long and hard and bought an SLK 350 for my wife's birthday a few years ago, it really was out 'pride and joy'.

However, we found ourselves using the Volvo S60 for 9 out of 10 journeys - more space, more comfortable, less concern about the doors being dented when parking (as an aside, a chap called 'The Dentman' did excellent work for us).

We were stuck with a car that we absolutely loved and which, on a sunny day in Surrey, offered an amazing experience, that we simply never used. Add to that a £1k+ service last year and a new set of tyres looming after the winter and it just didn't add up.

In the end I sold it privately to a Mercedes dealer for his wife - I did actually shed a tear on the day it went.

However, now I just think of the happy times with the car, I don't have the constant "we need to do something about the car" feeling in my gut each time I look out at my parking space and took the opportunity to put a stake in the ground "only a V8 next time!!"

Good luck with the sale.

Alex

 

[JasM]

IMO you made the right choice. If it's not getting much use, then obviously it makes sense to sell it on.


It's replacement should be some sort of AMG.

 

[markjay]

I miss almost every single car I sold since I was 18, and that was a very long time ago.

I guess that means that I am very fussy about the cars I buy, as I rarely had a 'lemon' - they were all good!

Such is life, you have to move on....

 

[portzy]

You had to sell the car, or you've justified selling it. IMHO if you really wanted to keep it, you would have.

Why not sell the A class, use the proceeds of the sale of the SLK and go out and buy one really nice car, maybe a used S class 320cdi.

It wasnt a case of having to sell in the sense of needing some cash , it just did not stack up from the tax/insurance/MOT/extended warranty point of view when set against the actual mileage covered. Someone said a while ago that these cars need a lot of spirited usage and I'm inclined to agree, Italian tuneups I think there called!

If I'd based it on pure emotion then things would have stayed as was. I need the A Class, or at least a four seater with boot, for my other pursuits i.e. fishing, bit of casual gas fitting etc so I your suggestion of a brand new start has set my mind at work.

Cheers.
Portzy.

 

[portzy]

It's like coming out of a relationship with a girl.................... rejoice............ you are a free man again........... let the hunting commence!

Strange that you should say that! It really feels like having a very nice girl who you dont have the time to spend with but wished you did so its only fair that you should let her go.

Portzy.

 

[Alps]

me the same after 9 years and the c36......just let go and move on and up when ready

 

[buccal]

I really miss my 500E but it was the right time to sell, I'm now having an affair with a younger model!

Would be a good thread to hear your experience/comparison between the 500 and the 55

 

[tpwuk]

Don't worry....buy my CLK 430 Convertible!

 

[MOR8A]

Would be a good thread to hear your experience/comparison between the 500 and the 55

Yes indeed, I will try to put something together when I have more time.