Mercedes-Benz SL (R230)
Flagged undervalued because asking +3% vs historic sold, -29% vs 2-yr avg, and -30% vs 3-yr trend.
What It's Actually Worth
Blended value of a standard 19 yr, 65k mi example, ~$18.0K 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 122 scored forecasts: 44% got the direction right, median value error ±18%.
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 | 2004 · 49k mi | ebay | $11.3K–$40.7K ($21.5K) |
| open | 2011 · 70k mi | ebay | $9.0K–$32.4K ($17.1K) |
| open | 2003 · 74k mi | classic | $8.7K–$31.4K ($16.6K) |
| open | 2011 · 75k mi | classic | $8.7K–$31.1K ($16.4K) |
| open | 2005 · 76k mi | classic | $8.6K–$30.9K ($16.3K) |
| open | 2005 · 94k mi | classic | $7.5K–$26.9K ($14.2K) |
| open | 2005 · 42k mi | classic | $12.4K–$44.6K ($23.5K) |
| open | 2003 · 95k mi | classic | $7.4K–$26.4K ($13.9K) |
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 | 50% | Low | 52% |
| 12 mo | UP | 51% | Low | 44% |
| 24 mo | UP | 52% | 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.
Lead Indicator Forecast
Some indicators move before this market does. High-Yield Bond Spread has historically led it by about 6 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 — 33% of weighted drivers agree), driven mainly by Ethereum (USD) and LVMH (luxury proxy ADR), though Nasdaq Composite 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 2012
$100K invested 2012-01 → today (14.5 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.
High-Yield Bond Spread leads by about 18 months (moves with this market, correlation 0.70). Shown shifted forward 18 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 | 76 | 55 | 61 |
| Bentley Continental (S1, S2, S3) | 68 | 63 | 50 |
| Buick Riviera | 39 | 44 | 24 |
| Mercedes-Benz CL-Class | 51 | 71 | 41 |
| Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class | 38 | 44 | 47 |
Recent Signals & Alerts
- vin returned lower VIN relisted $-4,105 vs prior
- vin returned higher VIN relisted +$3,473 vs prior
- vin returned higher VIN relisted +$13,900 vs prior
- vin returned higher VIN relisted +$6,052 vs prior
- vin returned lower VIN relisted $-9,495 vs prior
- vin returned higher VIN relisted +$2,744 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.