C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

New Car Financing (Balloon)

Old Feb 5, 2002 | 10:47 PM
  #1  
chuckd94's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati
2002 C230k
Question New Car Financing (Balloon)

Hi, I am new to the forum. I kinda stumbled across it while researching the C230k, a car I have decided that I need. Anyway, I was wondering whether anyone has any experience with the MB Balloon payment financing option. I am leasing now, and I hate it (June is so far away). I like the idea of the smaller payments, but I worry that I will kick myself in a few years for not paying a little extra now. Thanks for the imput!
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2002 | 12:08 AM
  #2  
revstriker's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,161
Likes: 1
From: Obama Land
K Car
The balloon option from my understanding is much like a lease. The final payment is the balloon. You make an agreement to turn in the car and walk away (I've heard this called something like a walk away loan), or refinance the final payment (or of course, pay in cash). There are advantages and disadvantages over a lease. Some states require additional insurance coverage for a lease. With a balloon loan you are actually financing, so you don't have to get this. One disadvantage would be if you wanted to get rid of the car early. Because you are only paying a small amount of the principle, the car depreciates much faster than you are paying (No Gap Insurance). You would be very upsidedown.

As always, weigh your options carefully for your situation.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2002 | 01:19 AM
  #3  
Ethan's Avatar
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
2002 C240
I looked at the balloon option on my last purchase. It's really not worth it at all. You end up paying interest on interest on the balloon... I suggest talking to your dealer, and after getting all the numbers, sit down and figure how much you're paying lease. vs. financing. vs. balloon.

By the way, those of you who went with MBCC financing, did anyone get lower than 7.5% interest? My dealer insisted this was the lowest they went?
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2002 | 01:56 AM
  #4  
KWiK's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
2002 C230 : 2007 C230
Chuckd94,
Don't do the baloon. Be patient and save until you have a down payment large enough to give you the payments you desire.

Ethan,
I didn't use MBCC, but I did get my financing at the dealer. I got a rate of 5.59% from Chase.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2002 | 09:20 AM
  #5  
revstriker's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,161
Likes: 1
From: Obama Land
K Car
Originally posted by Ethan
I looked at the balloon option on my last purchase. It's really not worth it at all. You end up paying interest on interest on the balloon... I suggest talking to your dealer, and after getting all the numbers, sit down and figure how much you're paying lease. vs. financing. vs. balloon.

By the way, those of you who went with MBCC financing, did anyone get lower than 7.5% interest? My dealer insisted this was the lowest they went?
I'm not disagreeing with you, but I don't understand what you mean by interest on the interest? You would be paying interest on the balance of principle, just like in any other car loan, only your balance would be higher due to the fact that you are paying your principle down at a slower rate.

I agree with you on about sitting down and looking at the numbers. This is always the smart thing to do. And don't take the word of the finance officer either. Make sure everything is in writing.

btw- I do not have a balloon loan, and I'm not trying to recommend, or not recommend one.

7.5 is what MB told me also. I already had a lower rate from outside, so I didn't go with them.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2002 | 09:24 AM
  #6  
revstriker's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,161
Likes: 1
From: Obama Land
K Car
Originally posted by KWiK
Chuckd94,
Don't do the baloon. Be patient and save until you have a down payment large enough to give you the payments you desire.
I think this all depends upon the interest rate. With a lower interest rate, I would be much more willing to put less down. If I can afford to put down say 10K, but I get an nice interest rate of 5.5%, I will only put 3K down (or 10%), and put the remaining 7K in investments. I can easily clear more than 5.5% a year doing this, so I would rather have this money working for me than for them.

--Just a thought.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2002 | 09:32 AM
  #7  
Flashman's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
Take a look at a 72 month (extra year) loan before looking at a balloon payment. There are some good rates online at http://www.peoplefirst.com/
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2002 | 06:44 PM
  #8  
chuckd94's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati
2002 C230k
I didn't realize that 7.5% is the lowest MB would go. That is a tough pill to swallow. I think that I will start looking more closely at the 72 month loans. Thanks everyone.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 6, 2002 | 08:01 PM
  #9  
KWiK's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
2002 C230 : 2007 C230
According to Autosite.com MBCC is currently offering 6.5% on all but a few models.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2002 | 01:47 AM
  #10  
galaxygrrl's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,607
Likes: 0
From: On a hill overlooking San Francisco Bay
c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
Eloan has 5.5% if you have good credit. My last car loan was through them. They're fine.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2002 | 09:38 AM
  #11  
revstriker's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,161
Likes: 1
From: Obama Land
K Car
Originally posted by galaxygrrl
Eloan has 5.5% if you have good credit. My last car loan was through them. They're fine.
I've used eloan as well (not currently). I like the "blank check" idea. You can do this for a used car as well.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:23 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE