Should I keep my C230 once the extended warranty expires?
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Should I keep my C230 once the extended warranty expires?
I have a a 2003 C230(all paid off), with 2 years left on the extended warranty. I'm thinking about taking the cash that is left in the car(plus the cash that is still in the extended warranty) and leasing a C300 Sport, putting the rest in the bank to use for future lease payments. But I hate wasting money on an asset that depreciates. And I don't know if I want to become a "leaser", I would rather own.
So, my question is, do any current C230 owners plan to keep their car for 6+ years once it's out of warranty? Or is it not worth it considering the cost to repair a MB?
So, my question is, do any current C230 owners plan to keep their car for 6+ years once it's out of warranty? Or is it not worth it considering the cost to repair a MB?
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
Oh man, I am in the EXACT same boat. Same car too, even considered the same "trade in and lease a C300" option!
Personally I'm going to drive mine into the ground. Aren't MBs supposed to be bulletproof?
Personally I'm going to drive mine into the ground. Aren't MBs supposed to be bulletproof?
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From: Sacramento/San Gabriel/Riverside
01' C32o
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C230 Sportcoupe
I think that decision has a lot to do with how much work you're willing to do yourself. My '03 C230 was near flawless under warranty, but now just 6 months out on my second large repair. A month ago I had to tear into the engine to repair a $15 hose that the deal wanted several hundred for. And now I find out that I have a defective radiator that can/will cause a complete transmission failure if not fixed. If the trans fails, that repair alone will cost 80% of the vehicles value. So to say that I'm debating if it's worth keeping this car out of warranty is an understatement. There's a few other vehicles out there that I've been eyeing up, but never really had a reason to unload the Coupe until now. However, I still like the Coupe, and if swapping the rad solves my problem, I'm sure I'll keep it....atleast until I find the right Boxster. 
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From: pcola fl
04 c230 coupe
2000 mi out of warranty
Well I had a wierd deal, just 2K out of warranty the door lock actuator went bad. $135 for parts, and $282 for labor. Thought I could fix it myself but got spooked by the air bag in the door. $100/hr is the going rate for most dealers, chevy/ toyota.
But my loves her car and so I'll just wait and see, if it gets too crazy then I'll try to talk her out of it.
They usually say it's better to repair a paid off car, vs replacing it.
But my loves her car and so I'll just wait and see, if it gets too crazy then I'll try to talk her out of it.
They usually say it's better to repair a paid off car, vs replacing it.
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From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
I know most people take a loan for a car, or lease it. I hate to say it, but doing that makes you just another sheep lining up to be sheared by the financial industry.
A home loan makes sense. You control an appreciating asset (long term, I know the current market is exhaling) that gives significant tax advantage. A good financial planner will show you how to get a greater return on you cash, rather than reducing the principal on your home loan.
If your current car is paid off, why not save the $ 500 a month you would usually spend on a payment for the next six years? You then will have a $40,000 fund to pay cash for a new car. You just earned interest from the other sheep who borrow money. Paying cash will save you $ 5,000 to $ 8,000 before you get the keys. Follow this route, take European deivery (7% discount from MSRP) and you will be driving a much nicer car.
A home loan makes sense. You control an appreciating asset (long term, I know the current market is exhaling) that gives significant tax advantage. A good financial planner will show you how to get a greater return on you cash, rather than reducing the principal on your home loan.
If your current car is paid off, why not save the $ 500 a month you would usually spend on a payment for the next six years? You then will have a $40,000 fund to pay cash for a new car. You just earned interest from the other sheep who borrow money. Paying cash will save you $ 5,000 to $ 8,000 before you get the keys. Follow this route, take European deivery (7% discount from MSRP) and you will be driving a much nicer car.
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'07 C230 SS
that makes sense the in a perfect world.. i believe whats he's worried about is that these $500 bucks are gonna end up going towards repairs on the car, therefore he won't be actually saving any money and if its a real serious repair it could cost like 2000 dollars or worse, which could directly affect the trade-in or resale value of the car. Just a thought but I do understand what your saying and i also think leasing a car is kinda a waste of money
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From: Brooklyn, NY
Mine 2005 C230 Kompressor, Dad's 2005 ML350
I honestly prefer the leasing route, I know the pride of ownership that comes with owning and the sense of throwing money away when your leasing, but for me paying 380 a month for the lease and then in 3 years getting a brand new car makes sense. The car is on warranty the whole time, I dont worry about selling it or trade ins, I can afford much more than what I could afford to buy, and I get a new car every 3 years to keep things fresh. Leasing just makes sense to me, especially with the W204 out and the 203s already starting to look dated as 204s replace them on the streets. The only car I would spring to buy is a C55 and thats only because everytime I start thinking that its dated or Im getting bored, I just fully employ the V8 to leave those feelings behind.
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'07 C230 SS
I can understand where your coming from since thats the same view my gf has and she is doing that with her bmw, but the way i see it is your just paying about 14,000 to rent a car for 3 years not to mention when you turn it back in you have to pay for putting too many miles on it or other random things. With owning to me at least it just seems like i'm getting my moneys worth since when i trade it in, in a few years, the money i'm paying doesn't just go into MB's pocket but its recycled and put toward my next car
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From: Charlotte, NC
2013 S550, CLS500, ‘03 SL500, “92 190E Sportline
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
I'm considering purchasing, or leasing a lesser car and keeping the coupe,
but not beating it up all day long back and forth to work.
My SO has a new Saturn Aura...it's an suprisingly nice car, and apparently they have a lease for like 135 a month?
In my case, my car's working great, I've got a lot of mods, and plan on doing the maint. to keep it pristine. But the day in day out grind takes it toll on a car that needs a new set of $500-$800 tires every 15-20K miles and $300 oil changes.
But yeh, I can do most things myself. I'm not afraid to turn a screw.
I don't think I'll ever buy another benz, and especially without
free maint. If I get a lease, I don't want to pay for anything else.
And the weak dollar makes maintaining a german car really expensive for little things!
I love my car, it's paid for...I want to keep it.
If I stop putting 20K miles a year on it, maybe it'll last a while.
but not beating it up all day long back and forth to work.
My SO has a new Saturn Aura...it's an suprisingly nice car, and apparently they have a lease for like 135 a month?
In my case, my car's working great, I've got a lot of mods, and plan on doing the maint. to keep it pristine. But the day in day out grind takes it toll on a car that needs a new set of $500-$800 tires every 15-20K miles and $300 oil changes.
But yeh, I can do most things myself. I'm not afraid to turn a screw.
I don't think I'll ever buy another benz, and especially without
free maint. If I get a lease, I don't want to pay for anything else.
And the weak dollar makes maintaining a german car really expensive for little things!
I love my car, it's paid for...I want to keep it.
If I stop putting 20K miles a year on it, maybe it'll last a while.
I honestly prefer the leasing route, I know the pride of ownership that comes with owning and the sense of throwing money away when your leasing, but for me paying 380 a month for the lease and then in 3 years getting a brand new car makes sense. The car is on warranty the whole time, I dont worry about selling it or trade ins, I can afford much more than what I could afford to buy, and I get a new car every 3 years to keep things fresh. Leasing just makes sense to me, especially with the W204 out and the 203s already starting to look dated as 204s replace them on the streets. The only car I would spring to buy is a C55 and thats only because everytime I start thinking that its dated or Im getting bored, I just fully employ the V8 to leave those feelings behind.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Feb 23, 2008 at 07:40 PM.
