Smythe European in San Jose
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From: SF Bay Area
2005 c230 Sport Sedan
Smythe European in San Jose
For those of you in the San Francisco Bay Area looking to buy a new Mercedes, I highly recommend Charles Bayard at Smythe European. My situation: I just turned 25 and for the most part I have a limited credit history. I could not get financed through MB credit or its partner lenders. Charles said no problem, so he took me to his credit union personally and explained my story to them. Within 20 minutes of getting my loan approved, the credit union had bought my car. I can't speak for anybody else, but my experience with Smythe and Charles are hands down the best treatment I have ever heard of with any dealership. I hope the rest of you have a good car buying experience as well.
Car info: 2005 c230 SS, Granite Grey Metallic, Auto Tranny, Lighting package, Entertainment Package, Sunroof Package, Heated Seats.
Car info: 2005 c230 SS, Granite Grey Metallic, Auto Tranny, Lighting package, Entertainment Package, Sunroof Package, Heated Seats.
Last edited by SFBayDave; Sep 20, 2004 at 11:01 PM.
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From: SF Bay Area
2005 c230 Sport Sedan
Car. $33,000. Interest rate of 6.2% for 60 Months as opposed to a 16% APR and a co-signer from a different lender. As for as Im concerned I lucked out otherwise I would not have been able to purchase the car or at least until I have established a long credit history.
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From: Left Coast, USA
'05 C230K SS
33K is about $800 under invoice for that config, so that's pretty decent.
As for the 6.2% financing, I've heard offers of 1.9%, but given you have no credit history, you wouldn't expect to get the best rate. Certainly much better than 16%. But seriously, who in their right mind would take 16% financing on a car. That should be illegal!
I'm happy for you, I'm just skeptical of salespeople. You never know, his "own personal" credit union might be giving him a kickback for driving credit-history-less buyers like yourself over there.
But, if you feel like you got a good deal, it doesn't really matter whether he or the dealership made an extra buck for the referral.
Enjoy! (granite grey...much more stylish than the overdone silver!)
As for the 6.2% financing, I've heard offers of 1.9%, but given you have no credit history, you wouldn't expect to get the best rate. Certainly much better than 16%. But seriously, who in their right mind would take 16% financing on a car. That should be illegal!
I'm happy for you, I'm just skeptical of salespeople. You never know, his "own personal" credit union might be giving him a kickback for driving credit-history-less buyers like yourself over there.
But, if you feel like you got a good deal, it doesn't really matter whether he or the dealership made an extra buck for the referral.
Enjoy! (granite grey...much more stylish than the overdone silver!)
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From: Augusta, GA
'05 SS Brillant Silver
Originally Posted by DiamondNoir2K5
As for the 6.2% financing, I've heard offers of 1.9%, but given you have no credit history, you wouldn't expect to get the best rate.
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From: Left Coast, USA
'05 C230K SS
Originally Posted by SFBayDave
at least until I have established a long credit history.
If not, get thee some.
But don't forget to make your credit card payments, otherwise then you're really f*cked!
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
Originally Posted by jan ken po
Yeah I got 2.9 for 60 through MB, CU was only offering 3.29...but I'm older than him & have perfect credit. Damn 16%, I'd have a heart attack if I heard that.
MB Credit can go as low as 1.9% and even offer up to 72 months payment plans, but they hardly ever advertise that. I think it comes down to a hard-up dealer sale, where the pressure is great, and a sale is a sale. Would be nice, but don't see it too often.
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From: CA
Boxster987 C230KSS M3
Dave, it's nice of you to show appreciation of his work after the deal. I myself bought 05 2 mos ago from there, and my sales person, Kenny, was great too. I would definately go back to him for new SLK. Their sales AND service department are great(even though my loaner was c240 
), and they definately deserve high praise.
Disclaimer:
The comment above does not apply to Part department, whose virtue is being slow as possible, ignoring customers for their personal phone conversations.
), and they definately deserve high praise. Disclaimer:
The comment above does not apply to Part department, whose virtue is being slow as possible, ignoring customers for their personal phone conversations.
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From: SF Bay Area
2005 c230 Sport Sedan
Jinijazz they have a nice selection of the new 05 SLK's if they are not sold by now. My goal is to establish a credit history where I can qualify for a low rate. I plan on promoting to the C55 AMG in a two or three years. For my first brand new car, I am fortuntate and I appreciate it is a Mercedes. Most people in their lifetime will only see the "Star" as it speeds by them. They will never drive or own one of their own. I hope everyone remebers that. Enough said. Cheers!
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From: Left Coast, USA
'05 C230K SS
Originally Posted by SFBayDave
I plan on promoting to the C55 AMG in a two or three years.
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
yeah, i figure already on my next MB being an AMG model... but since that's at least 5-8 years away, no sense on drooling over the C55, by then they'll probably have a C85 ! 
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2005 C320wz
Originally Posted by Saprissa
yeah, i figure already on my next MB being an AMG model... but since that's at least 5-8 years away, no sense on drooling over the C55, by then they'll probably have a C85 !
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From: CA
Boxster987 C230KSS M3
Originally Posted by SFBayDave
Jinijazz they have a nice selection of the new 05 SLK's if they are not sold by now. My goal is to establish a credit history where I can qualify for a low rate. I plan on promoting to the C55 AMG in a two or three years. For my first brand new car, I am fortuntate and I appreciate it is a Mercedes. Most people in their lifetime will only see the "Star" as it speeds by them. They will never drive or own one of their own. I hope everyone remebers that. Enough said. Cheers!
I will take time to find a replacement of my Boxster.It has been my favorite last several years, new SLK is only alternative I can think of. I always try to avoid first production of new model, want to test drive several times. No matter which one I go by, I will remember your post. Thanks for the great post.
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2005 C320wz
Originally Posted by jinijazz
I will take time to find a replacement of my Boxster.It has been my favorite last several years, new SLK is only alternative I can think of.
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From: Left Coast, USA
'05 C230K SS
Originally Posted by mick1
I don't know if i like the new SLK or the new boxster coupe more
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From: CA
Boxster987 C230KSS M3
Originally Posted by mick1
I don't know if i like the new SLK or the new boxster coupe more
Last edited by jinijazz; Mar 31, 2007 at 08:07 PM.
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Originally Posted by SFBayDave
For those of you in the San Francisco Bay Area looking to buy a new Mercedes, I highly recommend Charles Bayard at Smythe European. My situation: I just turned 25 and for the most part I have a limited credit history. I could not get financed through MB credit or its partner lenders. Charles said no problem, so he took me to his credit union personally and explained my story to them. Within 20 minutes of getting my loan approved, the credit union had bought my car. I can't speak for anybody else, but my experience with Smythe and Charles are hands down the best treatment I have ever heard of with any dealership. I hope the rest of you have a good car buying experience as well.
Car info: 2005 c230 SS, Granite Grey Metallic, Auto Tranny, Lighting package, Entertainment Package, Sunroof Package, Heated Seats.
Car info: 2005 c230 SS, Granite Grey Metallic, Auto Tranny, Lighting package, Entertainment Package, Sunroof Package, Heated Seats.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 63
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From: SF Bay Area
2005 c230 Sport Sedan
Remmib. I got a silver Smythe key chain and floormats. The funny thing about it all is my dad was skeptical about me spending a good amount on a car. Once he saw it and seen all of it's features, I can assume his next car will also be a Mercedes. Congrats on your recent purchase as well Remmib.
