Mercedes-Benz SEC (C126)
Flagged undervalued because -98% vs 2-yr avg, and -98% vs 3-yr trend.
What It's Actually Worth
Blended value of a standard 34 yr, 92k mi example, ~$19.6K now. The green line weighs confirmed auction sales most heavily (the amber dots — what cars actually hammered for), blends in fast-selling "just-missed" listings, and lightly smooths out month-to-month composition noise.
Did our model work? 56% direction calls right
Each faint amber line is a forecast we would have made at that point in the past (12-mo horizon), drawn against what actually happened (blue). Over 18 scored forecasts: 56% got the direction right, median value error ±83%.
Walk-forward: each ghost uses only data available at that date — no hindsight. Data-backed market intelligence, not a guaranteed prediction. Figures are modeled estimates from asking prices, sold comps, and public economic indicators; they can be wrong. Not financial advice.
Auction Scorecard gavel in range 5 in 10
We replayed 39 past auctions in this market — predicting each hammer price from market data before the sale (no hindsight). Typical miss: ±45%; the gavel landed inside our predicted range 5 in 10 of the time, and we lean slightly high on average.
| Sold | Car | Our range | Hammer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-24 | 1990 · 197k mi | $13.2K–$29.3K | $8.8K | ✗ |
| 2025-08-24 | 1990 · 161k mi | $13.1K–$29.1K | $2.6K | ✗ |
| 2024-05-10 | 1990 · 103k mi | $19.3K–$42.7K | $32.6K | ✓ |
| 2024-03-13 | 1990 · 92k mi | $19.1K–$42.2K | $20.0K | ✓ |
| 2024-03-02 | 1982 · 58k mi | $22.7K–$50.2K | $13.5K | ✗ |
| 2024-03-01 | 1990 · 39k mi | $40.9K–$90.5K | $583K | ✗ |
| 2023-12-19 | 1988 · 116k mi | $15.8K–$35.0K | $16.8K | ✓ |
| 2023-12-16 | 1989 · 86k mi | $18.8K–$41.6K | $34.2K | ✓ |
Live now — calling it before the gavel
We're currently tracking 7 open auctions in this market. Here's our predicted hammer range for each — check back after they close.
| Closes | Car | Source | Our predicted range |
|---|---|---|---|
| open | 1985 · 111k mi | ebay | $8.5K–$24.3K ($14.4K) |
| open | 1985 · 71k mi | ebay | $10.5K–$29.8K ($17.7K) |
| open | 1989 · 199k mi | ebay | $6.5K–$18.6K ($11.0K) |
| open | 1983 · 68k mi | classic | $13.5K–$37.8K ($22.6K) |
| open | 1991 · 138k mi | classic | $8.9K–$25.0K ($14.9K) |
| open | 1987 · 136k mi | classic | $9.1K–$29.3K ($16.4K) |
| open | 1987 · 85k mi | classic | $12.8K–$41.0K ($22.9K) |
No-lookahead: predictions are made before each auction closes; the scorecard grades confirmed sold auctions only (no-sales excluded). A modeled estimate, not a guarantee. Data-backed market intelligence, not a guaranteed prediction. Figures are modeled estimates from asking prices, sold comps, and public economic indicators; they can be wrong. Not financial advice.
Where We Think It's Headed
Probability and range, not a single number. Wider = less certain (not bigger gains).
| Horizon | Direction | Probability | Confidence | Past accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 mo | UP | 51% | Low | 54% |
| 12 mo | UP | 53% | Low | 56% |
| 24 mo | UP | 55% | Low | 33% |
Data-backed market intelligence, not a guaranteed prediction. Figures are modeled estimates from asking prices, sold comps, and public economic indicators; they can be wrong. Not financial advice.
Lead Indicator Forecast
Some indicators move before this market does. US Metro Mean Temperature has historically led it by about 24 months — so its recent move implies where prices head next (dashed). The solid green line is actual value through today; the shaded path is what the lead implies.
Crystal Ball — What Leading Indicators Signal
Distinct from the trend forecast above: this blends all 8 leading indicators (each at its own lead time, de-duplicated so correlated ones don't double-count) into one signal. Leading indicators are collectively signaling lower over the next ~12 months (low conviction — 27% of weighted drivers agree), driven mainly by Initial Jobless Claims and VIX Volatility Index, though VIX Volatility Index points the other way.
Are the indicators agreeing?
Each bar is one driver's current push; longer = more weight. All one side = high conviction; split = low.
If You’d Bought in 2019
$100K invested 2019-03 → today (7.4 yrs), this car vs where else you could've put the money. Rebased to 100 at the start; the dashed line is inflation (break-even).
What This Market Follows
Specialty-car prices don't move in a vacuum. These economic indicators have historically led this market — tap one to see it shifted forward by its lead time, overlaid on the value line.
US Metro Mean Temperature leads by about 24 months (moves against this market, correlation 0.76). Shown shifted forward 24 months so its turns line up with the market's.
Why We Think This
Current Inventory Snapshot
Comparable Markets
| Market | Undervaluation | Appreciation | Liquidity |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 1M Coupe (E82) | 18 | 69 | 61 |
| Nissan 350Z | 44 | 68 | 51 |
| Nissan 350Z NISMO | 26 | 59 | 57 |
| Nissan 370Z | 49 | 43 | 47 |
| Alfa Romeo 4C | 54 | 39 | 45 |
| Fiat 500 (2012-2019) | 34 | 58 | 47 |
| Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman | 46 | 40 | 36 |
| Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman GT4 | 18 | 40 | 33 |
Recent Signals & Alerts
- inventory spike Inventory spiked (robust z=4.0)
- inventory spike Inventory spiked (robust z=3.4)
- inventory spike Inventory spiked (robust z=3.0)
- inventory spike Inventory spiked (robust z=4.7)
- inventory spike Inventory spiked (robust z=3.4)
- inventory spike Inventory spiked (robust z=5.4)
Data-backed market intelligence, not a guaranteed prediction. Figures are modeled estimates from asking prices, sold comps, and public economic indicators; they can be wrong. Not financial advice.