Changes in 04, or grab 2003 deal ?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: New York
2001 CLK 320
Changes in 04, or grab 2003 deal ?
My dealer says the 2004s will be out in Sept. Any word on changes? They have a 2003 320 coupe in stock, with roof, auto, leather,& 6CD. I can get it in white[prefer blue] for $4300.00 off sticker. I wanted heated seats, and the wood trim. Then I thought this savings will be eaten in four months with the increased value of having an 04, plus I could order it with the options I wanted. I'm inclined to wait, but the 03 deal sure is tempting. I hear of mods to the roof for squeaks, I'll want the climate control swap.
Thanks,
Jerry
Thanks,
Jerry
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
If you keep cars for 4 or more years get the '03 and negogiate a better price, $4,000 is just the current incentive from MB, you should be able to get it for $6,000 off. What's missleading in resale value is that you don't just lose a years depreciation just because you bought last years model because you get the low mileage add on. So if the 2003 in 3 years may be worth 3,000 less than a 2004, maybe you'll get half that back because of 1 year less miles so the difference might only be $1,500. In some cases I've seen the older car with less mileage be worth as much or more than the newer car with the same mileage. Do some research on KBB.com and see what the loss actually is in the timeframe you are looking at keeping it and the anticipated mileage.
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From: Ohio
2010 C300 4matic
I think the $4000 incentive was in March or April and is over now. Of course, most dealers still really want to move the cars, so you should still be able to work out a really good deal.
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
There is no 'incentive' other than the 'unofficial' 1500 rebate...everything else is moving out an 03 car before the 04 arrives. Don't forget, a new 03 already has nearly 1 years worth of depreciation on it- and its not even sold yet- but that's the way it works. The dealer knows that- and you can use that to get a great deal on a car. Unfortunately, most the cars that the dealers are willing to dicker on are automatic 1.8L 03's. Sticks are a hard find. If you like the car, and want to save some bucks, go find out what the first year depreciation is- I'll bet its at least 5K, typical for any new car once you drive it off the lot, so negotiate for a bit more.
You can also tell the salesman that if he's unwilling to deal, you can get 6K, yeah, 6000 bucks, off a Saab 9-3, 4000 bucks off any Audi(even the A4 now), and as much as 7K off a Lexus IS300...he'll already know about these deals...his attitude should change quickly. The slow economy, and the flood of incentives have driven ALL the car prices down- now is a great time to buy a car.
You can also tell the salesman that if he's unwilling to deal, you can get 6K, yeah, 6000 bucks, off a Saab 9-3, 4000 bucks off any Audi(even the A4 now), and as much as 7K off a Lexus IS300...he'll already know about these deals...his attitude should change quickly. The slow economy, and the flood of incentives have driven ALL the car prices down- now is a great time to buy a car.
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Member
Joined: May 2003
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From: ny
demo benz
all and every dealer rebate or incentive is on the last page of the automotive news. a publication you can find at any good mag rack
as far as telling a dealer" X manufacturer is offering a X discount what are you going to do?" is not going to help you. this isnt any of those cars it a mercedes-benz.
dont try to kill a market you are about to enter.
as far as telling a dealer" X manufacturer is offering a X discount what are you going to do?" is not going to help you. this isnt any of those cars it a mercedes-benz.
dont try to kill a market you are about to enter.
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Battle Creek, Michigan
1988 560SL (Sold)
jermar
I don't know if it helps but I purchased my 230K Coupe for $6000 below sticker on April 30. This represents a 20% discount. The explanation from the dealer was consistent with what others have said above in that the dealer got a $3-4K allowance for each car in inventory (if they placed an order for X-number of new MB's). Also, they made no mention that I had to decide by the end of the month or the deal was off, so I don't believe this incentive was time sensitive.
If you were to decide on the 2003, you probably could make them come down quite a bit from where they are. I know waiting has it's advantages, but if it meant going all summer without your dream wheels, then...
Good luck with your decision.
If you were to decide on the 2003, you probably could make them come down quite a bit from where they are. I know waiting has it's advantages, but if it meant going all summer without your dream wheels, then...
Good luck with your decision.
Newbie
Joined: May 2003
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Originally posted by Damian L
as far as telling a dealer" X manufacturer is offering a X discount what are you going to do?" is not going to help you. this isnt any of those cars it a mercedes-benz.
as far as telling a dealer" X manufacturer is offering a X discount what are you going to do?" is not going to help you. this isnt any of those cars it a mercedes-benz.
However, an unsold '03 benz is an unsold benz - a costly liability. Brand image does not insulate the company from the laws of economics, especially in the high-volume C class. You can't play like Sony and destroy / throw-away all the left-over inventory (consumer electronics) every year.
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally posted by Elendil
I don't think that his is the approach being suggested, rather a more honest "hey, there are a lot of good cars out there that aren't selling. I like this car best, but the alternatives are pretty darn good - let's see if we can do something." I agree, being a jerk about it is less than ideal.
I don't think that his is the approach being suggested, rather a more honest "hey, there are a lot of good cars out there that aren't selling. I like this car best, but the alternatives are pretty darn good - let's see if we can do something." I agree, being a jerk about it is less than ideal.
However, that said, MB, Lexus, Audi, etc, have all opened the incentive floodgates, which has seriously hurt everyone's resale value- so I'd say 'Killing the market' is MB's problem, not mine. Perhaps they should have forecasted a little better, and not overbuilt so many 03 automatic 1.8L Coupes.
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From: Ohio
2010 C300 4matic
Originally posted by Outland
Precisely. Some salesmen will stoneface you...and say there is no room to wiggle- which isn't true. Unlike many people, I expect and want the dealer and salesman to make some money on the deal. They should- otherwise why would they be in business? I have no remorse on the price I paid, it was fair to the salesman, and plenty aggressive for me, especially so considering this was for a fresh 02, not a leftover or incentive laden 03 'loaner'.
Precisely. Some salesmen will stoneface you...and say there is no room to wiggle- which isn't true. Unlike many people, I expect and want the dealer and salesman to make some money on the deal. They should- otherwise why would they be in business? I have no remorse on the price I paid, it was fair to the salesman, and plenty aggressive for me, especially so considering this was for a fresh 02, not a leftover or incentive laden 03 'loaner'.
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Originally posted by Outland
You can also tell the salesman that if he's unwilling to deal, you can get 6K, yeah, 6000 bucks, off a Saab 9-3, 4000 bucks off any Audi(even the A4 now), and as much as 7K off a Lexus IS300...he'll already know about these deals...his attitude should change quickly. The slow economy, and the flood of incentives have driven ALL the car prices down- now is a great time to buy a car.
You can also tell the salesman that if he's unwilling to deal, you can get 6K, yeah, 6000 bucks, off a Saab 9-3, 4000 bucks off any Audi(even the A4 now), and as much as 7K off a Lexus IS300...he'll already know about these deals...his attitude should change quickly. The slow economy, and the flood of incentives have driven ALL the car prices down- now is a great time to buy a car.
I'm planning to get another Benz for my girlfriend. Is there any source I can print or dowload of these incentives. I live in CA.
I'm trying to bring all the print out of "6000 bucks, off a Saab 9-3, 4000 bucks off any Audi(even the A4 now), and as much as 7K off a Lexus IS300...he'll already know about these deals...his attitude should change quickly. The slow economy, and the flood of incentives have driven ALL the car prices down". Cause they usually ask for the proof and I wanna to be ready and show them all my research.
Thank you
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 19
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From: New York
2001 CLK 320
Thanks for all the interesting responses. I agree with the comments about the discount being eaten up when the 04s are due in Sept. You guys are right; I won't settle. I'm going to order an 04 the way I want it.
Jerry
Jerry
