Hi,

I just test drove a 2007 C280 4Matic and I'm interested in leasing one. I understand the difference between purchasing and leasing and I have decided that leasing is the best option for me.

1) Is there any option that I have to get? Currently, I'm just thinking stock with the leather seats. The dealer is telling me the MB Tex is more common and the full leather may be hard to find. I have no idea what MB Tex even looks like as none of the cars in the showroom had it. This makes me wonder how it's more common yet he can't show me a car with it.

2) I researched the invoice price on 3 different sites: edmunds, autobytel, and cars.com. They all have different values. What is the value I should use? What is the typical over invoice % to pay on a new car?

3) Any other advice?

I live in NJ and want Black/Stone if that makes a difference.

 

1 - MB-Tex looks, feels like real leather. Your salesman didn't know - but almost all C-Class cars have MB-Tex. I'm not so sure Leather is worth it for the price.

I would get the options that are important to you, and that you can afford. Make sure you get the dealer to walk you through each package and what is included. Also check the MBUSA website on the option packages.
Most of the cars probably will come with the Sunroof package, and if you like Xenon lights, the Lighting package may be worth a look as well.


2 - This could be due to the model year change and slight price differences but they shouldn't be far apart from each other. I would get a general idea from the sites and try to go for that figure.

 

Thanks. I will ask the dealer to walk me through option for option.

What % over invoice should I target?

 

This being the last model year, I don't think you should have to pay a high % over the dealer's invoice.

I would be firm, offer what you want to pay. Say, $200 over the dealer invoice that includes the options the car has. Be wary of dealer installed options as these are cash cows for the dealer. If they don't go for it, come up a tad, but only make two offers, then leave. Insure you leave your card to show you are serious. But simply leave. You'll figure out what its worth quite quickly.

Does anyone know the name of the website that shows the kick backs the dealers get?

E

 

I was wrong. Cars.com and Edmunds both list the invoice as 33,511 (destination included) for the car with the options I want.

That means 33,711 is my starting offer. If anyone else has anything to add please do.

 

Dealer threw a monkey wrench in my negotiations. He told me that a car without the Sunroof package is difficult to get. He did offer me a 2007 c280 4matic w/ sunroof package for 34,966. 34,966 is less than edmund's invoice of 35,176.

He may try to make up lost profits during lease negotiations though.

 

yeah - should be hard to locate a car without the sunroof package

 

what the hell is the sunroof package?...

 

a sunroof

 

whoa, pay over invoice?????? Don't be a barefoot pilgrim. Holdback is 3% of MSRP, plus an additional 2% if the dealer gets an excellent review from you. He can live on that 2%. The dealer can also make the "destination charge" go away. That is really an "At destination charge." The price of delivering the car to the dealer from Europe (in most cases) is included in the price of the car.

Subtract 3% of MSRP from invoice, and that is your top offer. Look for dealer incentives at Edmunds, and if there is any direct to dealer money, explain that you will have all of that too. There are often other incentives too. Ask the dealer. If he is not talking, you should be walking.

There are about 300 US dealers, if one won't another one will.

 

Interesting. This is all good advice. I'll try this and see what happens.

 

This is exactly what I was talking about, but I guess I forgot the term. Holdback. Now, how can Scientific verify this to show that he is in the know?

I have never seen a dealer do away with a destination charge.

I hope you get the best deal possible. Stick to your guns, and do let us know the particulars.

E

 

I will keep everyone updated with the details. As consumers our best weapon is information. I'm also looking up incentives and rebates on Edmunds. It looks like they have a $3000 Manufatuer-to-Dealer rebate.

 

Got the deal done.

2007 c280 4matic with the sunroof package.

Car: $34,000
Residual: $20,771
Money Factor: 2.0
Cap Cost Red: 500

Payment at Conception: 3500
-----------------------------
1st payment: 434.95
Sales Tax: 1288.17
Bank Fee: 895
Doc Fee: 45
Plates: 337.50
Cap Reduction: 500

I'm not sure what the money factor of 2 is though. Seems kinda high

 

On a lease, I always negotiate the payment after I pick out the car I like. I've had them come down nearly $200/month on payments from original quotes. Also if a 39month lease is offered the rate maybe worth it over the 36month.