Mercedes-Benz SL (R230)
Flagged undervalued because asking -2% vs historic sold, +1% vs 2-yr avg, +3% vs 3-yr trend, and inventory -0%.
What It's Actually Worth
Blended value of a standard 19 yr, 65k mi example, ~$18.2K 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? 44% 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 124 scored forecasts: 44% got the direction right, median value error ±15%.
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 live
Live now — calling it before the gavel
We're currently tracking 8 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 | 2005 · 48k mi | ebay | $11.3K–$40.9K ($21.5K) |
| open | 2003 · 102k mi | classic | $6.6K–$23.8K ($12.5K) |
| open | 2003 · 73k mi | ebay | $8.8K–$31.6K ($16.7K) |
| open | 2005 · 92k mi | classic | $7.6K–$27.4K ($14.5K) |
| open | 2005 · 171k mi | classic | $4.9K–$17.6K ($9.3K) |
| open | 2005 · 42k mi | classic | $12.4K–$44.6K ($23.5K) |
| open | 2003 · 95k mi | classic | $7.4K–$26.4K ($13.9K) |
| open | 2003 · 59k mi | classic | $10.2K–$36.4K ($19.2K) |
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 | 50% | Low | 53% |
| 12 mo | DOWN | 49% | Low | 44% |
| 24 mo | FLAT | 50% | Low | 46% |
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.
If You’d Bought in 2012
$100K invested 2012-01 → today (14.7 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.
Gold (futures) leads by about 12 months (moves with this market, correlation 0.76). Shown shifted forward 12 months so its turns line up with the market's.
Why We Think This
Current Inventory Snapshot
Comparable Markets
| Market | Undervaluation | Appreciation | Liquidity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Martin DB4 | 61 | 48 | 63 |
| Aston Martin DB5 | 16 | 50 | — |
| Bentley Continental (S1, S2, S3) | 53 | 38 | 61 |
| Buick Riviera | 60 | 43 | 49 |
| Mercedes-Benz CL-Class | 49 | 50 | 35 |
| Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class | 56 | 39 | 40 |
Recent Signals & Alerts
- vin returned lower VIN relisted $-2,500 vs prior
- vin returned higher VIN relisted +$5,780 vs prior
- undisclosed title change VIN previously reported non-clean now listed clean/undisclosed
- price jump Median asking moved sharply (z=-4.6)
- inventory shortage Inventory dropped (robust z=-4.4)
- vin returned higher VIN relisted +$7,101 vs prior
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.