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Even when SUVs and crossovers dominate new car sales and almost every brand offers one, the Mercedes-Benz wagon continues to command premium prices in the used market. The sedans wither away like regular old used cars until they have nothing left, while the wagons garner a response of “Why didn’t you just buy a new Honda Civic?” after hearing how much they sell for. Today, we have one of those examples.
This is a 2003 E320 wagon, which marks the final year of the W210 chassis as the 2003 sedans were already in the next generation W211. It is finished in the wonderful shade of Aragonite Blue Metallic, which is more of a turquoise color, but to me it is a welcome change over the silver/white/tan/black that we normally see. Inside, gray leather and just 67,000 miles. The price? Well, that new Honda Civic looks pretty good.
Back in July 2021 I took a look at a rare bird; a stock Mk.4 GTI 1.8T with only 75,000 miles:
2003 Volkswagen GTI 1.8T
That may not sound like a rare car on the surface, but it’s far more difficult to find one of these than…say, pretty much any 911 ever. Today’s example is pretty similar in some ways; it’s also got only 75k miles, also appears to be stock, and also is a 1.8T manual. But this one turns up the rarity a few notches; not only is it equipped with the Luxury Package (which adds a power moonroof and Monsoon audio), Cold Weather Package (heated front seats), and Leather Package (you guessed it), but it’s also Rave Green. It’s not perfect, but that’s not holding back bids – let’s take a look:
Yes, the Mk.4 GTI ushered in a more bloated body, subdued styling, increased safety, and a lot more weight. But, it also brought with it a lot more choice. While the VR6 continued over into early models largely unchanged, though a more potent 24-valve version emerged later. But the big news was the entrance of the turbocharged 1.8T into the lineup for me. More in keeping with the character of the original model, the peaky and punchy 1.8Ts grew in power over the production run, and they also offered the basis for a few special models; the European-market 25th Anniversary model, the 2002 337 Edition, and the 2003 20th Anniversary Edition.
Today’s car is none of those special models, but it carries a large amount of the same DNA in a more discrete standard package. It’s also got only 75,000 miles and is claimed to have lived with just one owner, and it’s completely stock. This might be the rarest GTI of them all.
We saw what kind of asking prices the 996 Porsche 911 is asking, and I really mean asking, but I still think it might be a sign as to what is to come with that generation. As with everything, the best and most desirable examples get snatched up first, then you make your way down the food chain at a rate that the market demands and of course the supply offers. Thankfully they made a ton of 996s in nearly every flavor, and most of those flavors as relatively appetizing. Today, we have the trusty “not a Turbo but kind of looks like one” Carrera 4S in the always popular Grand Prix White. Inside, black leather. Get one while you can, or still not worth it?
Believe it or not, March is here. Funny to say that since it happens every year, but spring fever is going to get hot and heavy. Especially since, well, you know the drill. With spring, comes convertible season. At least for us who live anywhere else but California and Florida. The options are pretty wide when you are looking for top down cars, but dollar for dollar, the R230 SL55 AMG continues to be one the best values out there. As expected, most of these don’t have many miles on them. Even with that, $25,000 buys you a decent example. However, this 2003 up for sale in Florida has an impressive 98,000 miles. Even better? It’s from the original owner.
