Diggy

Hey guys. I am currently test driving a 2000 C230 Kompressor- 4dr sedan. I am absolutely in love with it, but I want to make sure I'm getting a good deal. The car has 63,000 miles, runs great, new tires, sport package. I can get it for $15800 with $1200 trade in, so $14600. Is this a fair deal? I work at the dealership that I am test driving the car from. I'm in parts dept. but have only been there for 3mo. so I don't know if I'm getting the discount of a regular employee. They are putting the car on the lot for $16,800. Isn't trade in value $12-13K? With routine maintenence, is this car pretty reliable? Thanks so much for any help you can give me!!

KWiK

I wouldn't pay more than $14.5K for the car, but would try for less. Your trade-in doesn't change the sale price, it's just a form of payment.

I,Zombie

I just bought a 1999 for 13K, and I absolutely love it...If you can affordit GO FOR IT! You can also check Edmonds.com and KBB.com for pricing based in your zip code and use that to help with the buy, but I can tell you right now that they are well below what is listed on those websites as a price you can expect to pay at a car lot.

Diggy

I appreciate the responses! I can afford the car, BUT, I have no clue as to how expensive maintenence is and what to expect with reliability in the future. I am getting married next year AND buying a house. I don't want outrageous bills on maintaining my car. Can anyone give some insite or links on this? Thank you!

DougandhisC280

Yes, that's an OK deal. Maintenance is expensive, so are repairs. This is no Honda or Toyota you're dealing with here so you'd better know what your getting into before you rush into it. You'd better make sure it has a perfect maintenance history before you even consider buying it.

trbo2nr

According to the KBB, that car private sale is: 15,800; Trade is: 13,125 and retail is 18,765 (I could be off by a few hundred). I'd say try and
see what discount you can get and don't bring any other numbers into the equation of the car. Good luck.

meanie

Sorry Doug, can't agree with you on that one.
My VW averaged 40% higher prices on all parts I ever purchased, vs. what I've been paying for the M-B.
When I asked the parts guy why the parts are so cheap, for my lowly C-class, he informed me that M-B's strategy is to get you started in a C'class & hopefully move you up to an E, or S class at some point.
Looooooook out for parts prices when you get there !
:p

eddieo45

I paid $17.8K 15 months ago, and I'd pay $15K now for a clean 230K now in a heartbeat.

DougandhisC280

Many of the parts of our C Class are shared with the E and S class. They are almost double the price of domestic parts and 50% higher than Japanese parts.

sph17

Is the car going to be StarMarked?

Used cars are usually sold for $5,000-8,000 over what the Used Car Manager has in them. When I purchased my W-202 I negotiated $3,500 off the original asking price. When I purchased my E-39 I negotiated $5,500 off the original asking price. Recently when I was looking at another pre-owend vehicle I negotiated $4,000 off the asking price and had them include the StarMark, which they were not planning on including.

Dealers were were offering me $1,000 to $2,000 less for my car than KBB or Edmunds said my trade-in was worth. I decided to keep my vehicle for my son.

My suspicion is your Dealer bought "your" car for less than $12-13K. Your biggest problem is "I am absolutely in love with it" which hurts your ability to negotiate.

I don't think $1,000 off is much, and they may be making it up on your trade-in. You don't mention how much you think it realy is worth as a trade-in. Are they giving you more or less than your car realy is worth as a trade-in?

When all is said and done the most important question to ask yourself is:

"How much is this vehicle worth to me?"

Is it worth $14,600 and your trade-in? Since "I am absolutely in love with it" the answer may be yes.

Good luck with your new car.

nlpamg

If it's starmarked or with a pretty decent warranty then I'd go for it!

DougandhisC280

Don't be too "absolutely in love with it." There are plenty more out there with lower miles and a lower price. Have you checked www.autotrader.com ?

timecop369

I've seen '99 & 00 C280 only asking $11-14K w/ less than 70K miles here in the Bay Area all the time. I'd much rather have a 6 cylinder vs 4 Kompressor. Just my opinion...

Good Luck either way!

timecop369

MrSpace

4 cyl is faster and cheaper on gaz and easier to mod

but it's less smooth

Etienne

eddieo45

averaging about 18 mpg in my 280, I'd tend to agree with you mr space, but what makes 230 easier to mod?

RunInColorado

I paid 15K for a 1998 C230 with 23,000 miles on. The car was barely driven, kept garaged, and had all the options (talk about brand-new) and a gold package. I thought it was worth the price. Instead of trading it in, maybe it would be better to sell your car instead.

mick1

whoa. i'm getting 17 mpg on my new c320wz (6-speed manual). I thought the gas mileage was kinda low but with the information you provided, I guess it's about right.

budgood

i got mine below whole sale for 14,6000 june 03 auto network group in scotsdale, az

nlpamg

On the 99 & 00's, the C230K has almost the same amount of power and is just as quick as the C280. It also uses much less gas. I went from a 97 C280 Sport to an 05 C230K SS and I notice no difference in power, the C230K is actually quicker.

timecop369

Just a matter of opinion on 6 vs. 4 cylinders for a Benz. I like the solid feel of a 6 cylinder engine and really don't care about 0-60. I get about 22-26mpg on my 6 cylinder, w/ 17" wheels and lowered.

timecop369

eddieo45

timecop, you must do a lot of mellow highway miles; my wife can't get over 20 mpg on her 7 mile city/suburb commute.

nlpamg

Seriously, I could never get that on my C280... I get that average on my C230K now, but I still dip down to 18.9 during heavy traffic, and 22 when I'm basically hitting it the entire drive.

eddieo45

I went thru a phase not to long ago where I wanted to get a C230K twin to my C280; just so that I could get the 20+ mpg. Now, since driving the SLK350 at the LMT, I think I want a circa-99 SLK230 (same engine, same mpg, right?)

timecop369

Sorry to hear that Eddie... but seriously, I do get 20-26 mpg (city & highway). I change all the fluids & filters pretty often. I don't think I do anything out of the ordinary from any of you guys:

1) change Mobile 1 super synthetic (0-40W) every 10K miles. Oil filter every 5K miles.
2) air filter every 15K miles
3) acc cabin filter every 20K miles
4) tranny fluid (OEM) every 15K miles

and use Super Unleaded 91 octane.

What does the sticker on these cars say the mpg was anyways?

Timecop369

tnandy

Always a relative question... on AVERAGE though, I wouldn't think you'd be any more shocked by service costs than if you had bought any other luxury marque. Have a kid, wife, and a small consulting biz so this issue was also important to me. Have not had any major surprises or hidden costs with mine (same year and model you're looking at purchasing). Good luck!