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1998 Mercedes-Benz S600
Invoice: $115,060 - $115,060
Miles Per Gallon
City: 13 MPG
Highway: 19 MPG
Body Style: Sedan
Engines: 6.0L V-12 389 HP
Perfection or excess? One of these words will sum up the Mercedes-Benz S-Class line with sufficient accuracy for most people. Proponents of perfection will no doubt point out Mercedes' reputation for nth-degree engineering, bank-vault safety and zillion-mile reliability. They will list the dozens - hundreds, for that matter - of amenities offered by the S-Class cars, many of which are exclusive Mercedes-Benz features. They also will describe the bewildering array of models (there are eight, by our count) in the S-Class range as a something-for-everyone lineup. And they will be correct in every respect. Those who see the S-Class cars through jaundiced eyes - calling them excessive - will point to high curb weights, extravagant prices (anywhere from $62,000 to $133,000), unrelenting thirst (translation: poor fuel efficiency) and the cars' complexity as negatives, and are likely to suggest a host of alternative vehicles for the luxury-minded to consider. These people, too, will be correct. As you can probably guess, class comparisons are difficult to make. The Mercedes S-Class line falls between BMW and Rolls-Royce/Bentley on the price scale, almost doubling in price from the base S320 sedan to the S600 coupe. The 6-cylinder cars compete against the Jaguar XJ6, the V8s fall squarely in the BMW 740i category and the 12-cylinder sedans and coupes face the Jaguar XJ12 and BMW 750i. And yet these Mercedes Benz S-Class cars are as different from any of their rivals as apples are from oranges. Let's line the S-Class entries up for inspection: At the entry-level end of the scale is the S320 model. The S320 is equipped with a 228-hp 6-cylinder engine and 5-speed automatic transmission. Next up is the only luxury turbodiesel car sold in North America, the S350. Like its S320 sibling, the oil-burner has virtually every feature you might expect a luxury car to carry, including air conditioning, anti-lock brakes (ABS), traction control, power-controlled everything and a first-class sound system. Three V8-powered S-Class cars are next. The S420 has a 275-hp engine; the S500 gets a rousing 40 hp more. With the more powerful engine comes a choice of coupe or sedan body styles. The top-of-the-line S600 is also available in coupe or sedan form. A 6.0-liter V12 provides the power here. Both V12s, all V8s and the turbodiesel are fitted with 4-speed automatic transmissions. Our test car was an S500 sedan that boasted burl walnut trim, heated seats, a Bose sound system and a tilt steering wheel, and was priced at $87,500.
Purchasing an older vehicle, such as the 1998 Mercedes-Benz S600, makes good financial sense. You're able to avoid the steep depreciation rates that occur with brand new vehicles. This essentially gives you the advantage of getting a 1998 Mercedes-Benz S600 for less money than when it was new. If the 1998 Mercedes-Benz S600 was properly maintained, you also have a good chance of steering clear of problems that would have developed when the car was new.
The amount you pay for an older car depends on various factors. One important element is where you buy the vehicle. You're likely to get a better deal if you buy it from a private party, as opposed to a dealer. On the other hand, a reputable dealer will normally have some kind of limited warranty, so you can drive away knowing that if the car breaks down right away, you'll be covered. Another factor that may affect price on a 1998 Mercedes-Benz S600 is whether it's "certified" by the manufacturer. A certified vehicle will cost more because warranty service is provided that normally doesn't come with a used car.
Another dynamic that will play into the purchase price is the resale value. A used vehicle with a high resale value will obviously cost you more. It is expected that the 1998 Mercedes-Benz S600 will have a good resale value. This assumes that the 1998 Mercedes-Benz S600 is in good condition and has a reasonable number of miles.
Find a used 1998 Mercedes-Benz S600 for sale at CarsDirect.
