So my girlfriends uncle is an older guy. He's owned a 2007 C Class 280 4matic since it was new, and it's flawless. It has almost 80,000 miles on it and looks like it's barely been driven. He gave me an offer for the car with an extra set of winter tires to go with it for $7000. It's definitely lower than the value but not enough to run for the car. I am in the market for another vehicle, and have an excel spreadsheet with all the "potential buys." Thing is, I keep coming back thinking this is the best deal.

I'm 28 years old, have been working on my own Cadillac Deville for awhile (oil changes, brakes, changed power steering pump and cruise control modules, etc.) I'm not an EXPERT, by any means, but I can do a fair bit of stuff. Fixing comes naturally. The problem is EVERYONE is telling me it's a maintenance nightmare. Between friends and Reddit I'm assuming I'm going to have to spend $4000 a year just to keep this thing driving on the road. It's freaking me out, and on top of that I don't know what to do. This car is almost perfect condition (I know that doesn't mean it can't have internal flaws) and I absolutely LOVE it. Every car I have test drove after seeing the Mercedes has felt like complete garbage. It has ruined other vehicles for me, there really is no comparing a Mazda 3 and a MB for example.

I know I'm coming here to have you guys tell me it isn't that bad and I should buy it, but I can't afford to buy a car that will cost $4000 a year to keep up with. I don't want the engine to blow up in 10k miles and have the engine issues commonly spoke of pop up. Anyways, would I be an idiot to buy this? Is it possible to mitigate maintenance costs just buying parts on RockAuto and doing much of the service myself? I REALLY love this vehicle, just being scared off by everyone around me.

 

Not worth 7000. does your uncle like you.

 

Buy it for $5000 that’s a fair price

 

Agreed , 7K is too high.
However, if the car has been treated the way it looks all its life and has a decent maintenance history, I find the 4k a year to maintain it number too high.

Furthermore, I always say that I will only drive what I love, and I prefer FPG (fun per gallon) compared to MPG any day.

I am sorry, I am born and raised in Germany and would NEVER drive a Japanese car rather than a Mercedes. I drive what I love and spend a bit more on maintenance.

So for me, if the price is lowered a bit and the car is as nice as you describe, and you sound like you love it, ...... What are you waiting for?

 

$7k is too much. First of all have you checked that the engine serial number is outside the balance shaft issue range?

 

I have an older C240 that wasn't maintained so I've put money into it. More than I had too but I enjoy working on my vehicles.
7K isn't that far out of line from the way you describe it. You would think family would give it to you for 5K. Just buy it, your already in love with it.

 

^^^ THIS!