Boom vang

Best time to buy I always think is around the 3rd or 4th year, the monkeys on the assembly line has got the product down pat in putting it together, OEM suppliers have fixed some of the flaws that cropped up. The stealerships know more about the car and can have the various problems solved quickly and effeciently and finally there is usually a mid cycle re-freshening and some of the styling ideas are made better which I am sure will be the hideous front end and rear end of the W204.

I saw a new Chrysler Sebring today and there is a lot of that design in the the new C class...UGLY

Instead of Coyote Ugly it is now C-class Ugly

Buellwinkle

I didn't like the W204 from the pics I've seen but on Motorweek last week they showed it at some car show and it looks great. Sort of the front from the new CL. I like it. But lets talk about the situation at hand. So for about 11.3K plus tax, license and fees (lets say 14k realistically) you get a brand new, never been in an accident, 4 year warranty 2007. The downside is you get a slower car that gets 7 miles per gallon less than the 2005 (at least on the EPA sticker) and has no visual distinction from a 2005.

WWBD (what would Buellwinkle do) - keep the 2005 for 3 more months, see what the 2008 looks like in person and at that time, while the selection will be smaller, so will the prices on the 07's. I got my 2004.5 for $25K under those same circumstance, mid June, 05's just came out, five 2004 C230s left, all manual trans, they were happy to get rid of them. Just about every dealer had a few left so color and option choices were good enough for me. Also, you may love the W204 and hate yourself for being talked into another W203.

Salesmen like to make it sound like this is your last chance to force a decision but there's no such thing, there's always good deals had and the fact that he said MB is not providing incentives this month just means you have to wait until next month to see if they do. Never rush a $30K decision.

Moviela

Sage advice from a moose that knows his way around the dealers' woods above.

There are no coupons these days, but you can save $ 1,500 on a C class (more on other models, all AMG excluded) through a loyalty rewards program from the Mercedes Benz Club of America. You need to be a member for a year to be eligible, and there are other conditions.

What it boils down to is you work your best magic with the selling dealer, and MBUSA cuts you a check two months later.

Full details:

http://www.mbca.org/pages/documents/LoyaltyProgram.pdf

Battery!

Guys, thanks so much for your opinions. I was out traveling all day and just got back to the thread. Salesman was certainly playing his game as strong as possible, but ultimately I'll probably pass on any deal and just shop later on when I have the time and still want to consider other cars. My dad is thinking of getting the W204 with the larger engine, I don't know if that'll be called the 350. I'm sure a W204 new would be out out of my $ range. I really do like the car I currently have and will carefully think out any decision.

Cloudz

get the avangarde onenlooks a bit nicer

MB Nubee

Sorry about that! I just wondered if you got your car fixed there and if you were happy with the experience. I tried working with them but they are very....established (fill in your own word).

You got PM.