Oh what a fall from grace for this crashed 2004 Maybach 57 being auctioned off by Copart. The vehicle cost $305,000 back in 2004 — that’s over half a million of today’s inflated dollars — but today its “estimated retail value” is a paltry $45,029.00. That’s a drop in value of over $450,000! That’s a damn house! This might have you thinking: “This Maybach must be absolutely roached.” But no, it actually looks fairly solid.
It’s pretty crazy to think that DaimlerChrysler — the same company that brought us the rock-hard-plastic-interior-having Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass — also offered a $300,000+ ultra-luxury machine whose opulence left pretty much every other luxury car in the dust. The Maybach 57 truly was the ultimate back in the early 2000s, making its way into song lyrics, shuttling dignitaries, and building its name as the premier “flex” for the ultra-rich (a name that remains to this day).
But as baller as the Maybach once was, this Copart listing should remind us all that old age, combined with just a minor setback, can knock us all on our asses. This Maybach used to be a car that hotels would try hard to park out front, but now the thing is parked in an insurance auction lot in Sun Valley, California — home of the LA areas’s biggest junkyards.
The Maybach’s list of luxury features might have seemed swanky 20 years ago, but today they’re features you’ll find in Jeep Grand Cherokee:
- Heated & cooled seats
- Individual climate controls
- DVD players
- Navigation system
- Ultra-premium sound system
- Heated steering wheels
- Back-of-seat video monitors
Okay, that’s not a full list (and to be honest, the Maybach’s most impressive features are mechanical — it’s got a twin-turbo V12 that makes 543 horsepower and 663 lb-ft of torque as well as humongous pizza-sized brakes). Here, let Car and Drive try to break down the Maybach’s luxury by talking n:
Here’s what the Maybach does have: cloth curtains in the rear window and a miniature refrigerator. In this regard, this “ultra-luxury” car is just like a VW Camper van. Otherwise, not so much.
The Maybach 57-this is the little Maybach (say my-bahk) not the limo-length 62 model-also has six brake calipers, 10 distinct light sources serving as the headlamps, 528 red LEDs acting as taillights, 20 memory buttons for the four seats, two video screens, one DVD player, 21 speakers, two independent air-conditioning units, one remote control, two mobile phones, two champagne-flute holders, 12 combustion chambers, two turbochargers, and one umbrella. Our test car had 80 pieces of Amboyna wood veneer-a hardwood with a burled and swirled grain that is carried out of the jungles of Indonesia on the backs of elephants. Buyers can also choose less exotic burled-walnut or cherry trim
That’s the tricky thing about old luxury cars; swanky features quickly become standard features. Just look at heated seats; once reserved for luxury cars, you can now get them in most entry-level economy cars. Big fancy screens are the norm in everything. Dual zone climate control is common these days (I’m currently writing this from a base-spec Mazda CX-5 rental car; it has dual zone climate control, heated seats, and a nice screen), and a Navigation system? Those are essentially worthless in an era of Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
Add together the no-longer-so-luxury-features with the fact that most people no longer associate a car with luxury once it’s a couple years old (regardless of its features), plus this little dent in the rear bumper, and you’ve got a car that’s thoroughly washed up:
I don’t know much about this Maybach other than that it’s being sold by an insurance company after some rear-end damage that doesn’t prevent the car from running or driving. The auction listing states:
Run and DriveAccording to the auction, at inventory, the vehicle was “Run & Drive” meaning the vehicle: 1) Started under its own power or with the use of external jump box, 2) Was put into gear, and 3) Moved forward. This designation is no guarantee, representation, or warranty that the vehicle is roadworthy or will be able to start, be put into gear or capable of moving forward at the time of the sale.
I actually think this thing will sell for under $45,000, as I’m finding dent-free Maybach 57s for right around that price. Check out this 2015:
My god that’s absurd depreciation.
The question is: If you could snag this Copart Maybach for, say, under $30,000, would that be a good deal in your eyes? The luxury features really don’t hold up, but a twin-turbo V12 is a twin-turbo V12. And also, a Maybach is a Maybach…
“Just look at heated seats; once reserved for luxury cars, you can now get them in most entry-level economy cars.”
Europeans would like to remind you that they have the heated seats in even cheap vehicles for decades.
Cadillac has had them since the 60’s at least
I’m sure any cheap V12 car is a trap, but it might be a fun one to spring anyway if you had the disposable income.
No
Hear me out.
Purchasing this car as a vehicle is the king of bad ideas.
It is such a bad idea that the thought of purchasing this car transcends traditional thoughts and ideas of what it is/means to buy a car.
The purchase of this car would have nothing to do with the car as a vehicle, but is in and of itself a statement; the purchase itself is performance art.
Who would possibly buy a used Maybach? New, these were either used as executive limos or by bling-obsessed celebrities. Neither group will be interested in a used, outdated, $50K car.
You could lease a new luxury car for much less, with no risk, and get a car better in every way. I find it hard to imagine that there are any poor Maybach enthusiasts out there hunting for bargains.
Pretty sure those tail lights are only used on this car. If the part listing I just found is legit, it is $5k for a new set. Plus a bumper, which might just be a S-Class bumper, but that still isn’t going to be cheap. That assume the trunk lid and rear quarter panels aren’t screwed up too.
This came out in the gap when I wasn’t paying attention to cars, and I pay attention to pop culture less than DT, so I knew nothing about them until a YouTuber bought one. My first and remaining impression of the exterior styling was that it looked like it could have been a large Hyundai luxury car. It’s ugly, and I don’t get how it’s supposed to look impressive to people.
My J12 has a bespoke coachbuilt body and nearly a gallon more displacement than this common Maybach that you might have seen parked in front of any tacky McMansion in Coto before the financial crisis interrupted whatever shady mortgage shenanigans funded its lease. I suppose there are those who find it worth the money, or even a little more with the signatures (written and/or DNA) of the cast of whatever Real Housewives season it appeared in scrawled across the back seat, but not me.
Also: “Maybach” sounds like the noise Hitler’s cat would make coughing up a hairball, whereas “Hispano-Suiza” is an elegant and melodious name derived from the names of two countries which, a few years after my car was completed, managed to keep themselves out of combat during the Second World War and only used it to entrench its brutal fascist dictatorship (Spain) or reap enormous profits off the pain, theft and dislocation of the period (Suiza-land).
You could always just go for a Chanel J12, still has a bespoke version and can be had for high 4 figures
I’d drive it as long as I don’t have to look at it.
You can get Astons for $40-$50k and I know which one I’d rather have.
I don’t need the latest tech in a car like this. I need comfort. That looks extremely comfortable.
Dealer rating: * (32 reviews) This looks like a good place to avoid.
This looks like a very nice car, best avoided at all costs. A used Lexus in perfect condition can be had for much less, with more luxury features, if that’s what you’re looking for.
Those back seats look comfy. I’d have to nap while my 16yr old son chauffeurs my dumbass to Walmart for some hot pockets and shower spaghetti.
Before repairing a “cheap” Maybach, see Hoovie Tyler’s trials and tribulations.
Keep moving the decimal point. $30K nets a really nice used S 550 around these parts. True, one of those would be missing the Maybach badge, but I think I could suffer-through.
How cheap does it need to be for SWG to pick this thing up?
I’d chip in…
Forget the Park Ave; get ready for the El Camaybach!
Whatever happened to the Shrekmobile?
It seems like “Gossin Motors Backyard Auto Rescue, Son!” has been pretty busy giving a lot of other cars new life … I’m sure an update is forthcoming.
“You’ll never see this guy behind the wheel of a Mercedes ever, ever again.” (SWG quote)
My friend‘s piano tuner got a Maybach 57 second hand for about 60k. He drives about 40-50k miles a year (following famous pianists who fly) and he just needs a comfy ride, loves the car
Nah. If it’s a luxo barge, make it a Lexus.
Looks like its a 133 inch wheelbase. Vintage trucks come in that length. My vote is a total chassis/floorpan swap with a vintage truck, build a huge, low, luxury hot rod quad cab truck. I would recommend a Travelette from IH, but thats just me.
A modern-day Miss Agnes.
I’d buy it and turn it into a death kart
I see that $300K didn’t get you glass headlight lenses in 2004.
Yes, this Maybach looks like it is suffering from jaundice! 😉
For that kind of money I could pick one of Mark’s shitboxes and restore it
No. For 30k I’m certain I can put together something I wouldn’t mind being seen in with more than enough power to shorten my time on this planet.
though I must admit that, had I baller money, a Safari build would be stupid fun
This car (and all Maybachs) were twin turbo V12s, not V8s
Um, tiny issue there, I think.
Any who, I’d buy one if I could afford it. I have a soft spot for these ol’ Maybach’s. Even though they were just rebadged S-Classes.
Woops! Thank you!
Is 4 combustion chambers better than V8!
Edit: Dang. Fixed. I liked the idea of 4 extra, secret combustion chambers.
Haha. Dual engine; a little fuel-sipping two-liter in the trunk!
Would I buy it? Maybach, Maybach not.
Its Benz a while since a good pun chain happened.
Bring them bach!
Introducing the Maybach T-800: I’ll Be Bach
COTD
I hear despot dictators like this, although they prefer a good coup…
I’d rather something small and sporty, like A MG.
…with the Maybach’s twin-turbo V12 somehow shoehorned into it.