Ordered 2003 C320 today!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 337
Likes: 20
From: Dallas, TX
2017 AMG C63S Coupe
Ordered 2003 C320 today!
I ordered a 2003 C320 sedan today. This is my dream car! I thought I got a really good deal as well....
I first went to Park Place Motorcars in Dallas. The MSRP quoted was $46K with all the options. I talked him down to $45,000, but he said my $1,000 deposit would have to be non-refundable. (They were concerned about being able to sell a C-class with COMMAND from dealer inventory.)
I then went up the highway to Ewing Autohaus. They told me they'd beat Park Place and quoted me a sales price of $44,600 and a refundable deposit.
I actually wanted to buy from Park Place based on their reputation and proximity to my home and office. So...I went back to Park Place with Ewing's counteroffer. With not much hesitation, they said they'd match the $44,600, but would still require a non-refundable deposit. After some haggling, I got them to make the deposit refundable. Overall, I think I got a pretty good deal. I didn't think either dealer would budge much off the MSRP, based on what I'd read on this forum and elsewhere for a new 2003.
I should take delivery of the car by mid-December. Do you guys think I got a good deal?
P.S.: Now I've got to worry about financing. They quoted me like $580/month for a 36 month balloon with $8,000 down. That seemed way to high!! I had calculated something in the range of $500. ??
I first went to Park Place Motorcars in Dallas. The MSRP quoted was $46K with all the options. I talked him down to $45,000, but he said my $1,000 deposit would have to be non-refundable. (They were concerned about being able to sell a C-class with COMMAND from dealer inventory.)
I then went up the highway to Ewing Autohaus. They told me they'd beat Park Place and quoted me a sales price of $44,600 and a refundable deposit.
I actually wanted to buy from Park Place based on their reputation and proximity to my home and office. So...I went back to Park Place with Ewing's counteroffer. With not much hesitation, they said they'd match the $44,600, but would still require a non-refundable deposit. After some haggling, I got them to make the deposit refundable. Overall, I think I got a pretty good deal. I didn't think either dealer would budge much off the MSRP, based on what I'd read on this forum and elsewhere for a new 2003.
I should take delivery of the car by mid-December. Do you guys think I got a good deal?
P.S.: Now I've got to worry about financing. They quoted me like $580/month for a 36 month balloon with $8,000 down. That seemed way to high!! I had calculated something in the range of $500. ??
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 294
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Buick Park Avenue Ultra
Congratulations!
You must be very excited!
Congratulations on a beautiful car!
By the way, you must be leasing your car, judging by the $580/month for 36 months, plus $8000 down. I'm not sure where you got the $500 from? Were you hoping for a lower interest rate, or a different residual value? I'm not sure!
Tim
Congratulations on a beautiful car!
By the way, you must be leasing your car, judging by the $580/month for 36 months, plus $8000 down. I'm not sure where you got the $500 from? Were you hoping for a lower interest rate, or a different residual value? I'm not sure!
Tim
Last edited by timorgan; Oct 12, 2002 at 07:05 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Gaithersburg, MD
2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
I'll add my congratulations. I ordered my '02 C240 last June (delivery 8/01), and there's nothing like the anticipation of waiting for your first Mercedes to arrive.
As far as price, I didn't take the time to check all the numbers, but according to 2002 C320 base prices alone, there's about a $2700 difference between MSRP and invoice. So, you pushed for a deal they could live with plus you got something off. When I bought my '02, there was no discount whatsoever.
One thing, looks like you got almost everything. Sure you don't want Xenons? My brother-in-law convinced me I should get them and I'm glad I did. In a few more years, almost all high-end cars will be "expected" to have them if you're planning on resale -- just my $.02. (Edit - or, does C4 now include Xenons?)
Good luck, and hope the wait doesn't kill you!!
As far as price, I didn't take the time to check all the numbers, but according to 2002 C320 base prices alone, there's about a $2700 difference between MSRP and invoice. So, you pushed for a deal they could live with plus you got something off. When I bought my '02, there was no discount whatsoever.
One thing, looks like you got almost everything. Sure you don't want Xenons? My brother-in-law convinced me I should get them and I'm glad I did. In a few more years, almost all high-end cars will be "expected" to have them if you're planning on resale -- just my $.02. (Edit - or, does C4 now include Xenons?)
Good luck, and hope the wait doesn't kill you!!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 337
Likes: 20
From: Dallas, TX
2017 AMG C63S Coupe
Yeah, Tim, I heard that money factors for leases and interest rates for balloons were in the currently in 6.75-7.25% range for MBCC. Using these values, I was estimating around $500 per month using a 62% residual for a 36 month balloon.
Also, according to CME4BNZ...
quote:
MBCC lease "money factor" is running about .00354 on new cars and purchase/balloon rates about 5.99-6.99%.
Also, according to CME4BNZ...
quote:
MBCC lease "money factor" is running about .00354 on new cars and purchase/balloon rates about 5.99-6.99%.
Last edited by jhillman; Oct 12, 2002 at 11:31 PM.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 337
Likes: 20
From: Dallas, TX
2017 AMG C63S Coupe
I live in Texas. With the exception of the occasional "ice storm" (maybe 2-3 days out of the year), I don't really have a need for the 4matic. Of course I did consider it. 
Last edited by jhillman; Oct 13, 2002 at 01:45 PM.
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