W203/CL203 Car Buyer's Guide - All you want to know and consider
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Stamford, CT
2003 C230
Dealer's don't buy the cars out right
While the car is in the lot ir's leased. Usually the manufacturer subsidizes the lease payments with what's called a holdback. The quicker the car moves off the lot, the more of the holdback the dealer will keep. Also, when there's an inventory of cars at the factory, the manufacturer will pay the dealer hidden incentives (not consumer incentives). If you know about these you can haggle better since the dealer even at invoice is making a few thousand dollars. Best time to buy german cars is July preferably before July 31st. If the dealer is being an **** you're better off going to another, don't even bother with them. Be upfront with them on what you want to pay and be prepared to walk out if they are not negotiating to your liking. Have more than 1 car in mind. There are so many out there, don't get stuck on 1 model/make. When the rime is near when you'll need a new car, keep your eyes/ears open for those incentives, they may be available a bit sooner than your timeframe but be ready to jump on them.
CZ
CZ
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dealer's don't buy the cars out right
Originally posted by czachari
While the car is in the lot ir's leased. Usually the manufacturer subsidizes the lease payments with what's called a holdback. The quicker the car moves off the lot, the more of the holdback the dealer will keep. Also, when there's an inventory of cars at the factory, the manufacturer will pay the dealer hidden incentives (not consumer incentives). If you know about these you can haggle better since the dealer even at invoice is making a few thousand dollars. Best time to buy german cars is July preferably before July 31st. If the dealer is being an **** you're better off going to another, don't even bother with them. Be upfront with them on what you want to pay and be prepared to walk out if they are not negotiating to your liking. Have more than 1 car in mind. There are so many out there, don't get stuck on 1 model/make. When the rime is near when you'll need a new car, keep your eyes/ears open for those incentives, they may be available a bit sooner than your timeframe but be ready to jump on them.
CZ
While the car is in the lot ir's leased. Usually the manufacturer subsidizes the lease payments with what's called a holdback. The quicker the car moves off the lot, the more of the holdback the dealer will keep. Also, when there's an inventory of cars at the factory, the manufacturer will pay the dealer hidden incentives (not consumer incentives). If you know about these you can haggle better since the dealer even at invoice is making a few thousand dollars. Best time to buy german cars is July preferably before July 31st. If the dealer is being an **** you're better off going to another, don't even bother with them. Be upfront with them on what you want to pay and be prepared to walk out if they are not negotiating to your liking. Have more than 1 car in mind. There are so many out there, don't get stuck on 1 model/make. When the rime is near when you'll need a new car, keep your eyes/ears open for those incentives, they may be available a bit sooner than your timeframe but be ready to jump on them.
CZ
good info. thanks
i bought my car at the end of december and it was an 03 model. they had some 02 left and i could have gotten a better deal but chose the 03 for its slightly minor upgrades in the interior buttons and what not. i know there are lot of discounts for the 230s and 240s but i have not heard of too many about 320 sedans.
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 824
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From: Southern California
Originally posted by noblert10
1. your friend drives a camry?
2.your friend payed 4k above msrp for a camry?
3. your friend has problems
4k above msrp for a camry lol
xpeed you made my day bro. you are the funny one. and yes you can get massive discounts on civics and corollas etc
1. your friend drives a camry?
2.your friend payed 4k above msrp for a camry?
3. your friend has problems
4k above msrp for a camry lol
xpeed you made my day bro. you are the funny one. and yes you can get massive discounts on civics and corollas etc
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by Xpeed
my friend dosent drive a camry he drives a 2003 E 500 and he is on this forum and the carwas for his sister and no he didnt pay 4000 over msrp he got it invoice price. just telling you that you cant buy a camry for 6000 of msrp.
my friend dosent drive a camry he drives a 2003 E 500 and he is on this forum and the carwas for his sister and no he didnt pay 4000 over msrp he got it invoice price. just telling you that you cant buy a camry for 6000 of msrp.
scared me for a minute
E500 is sweet
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 792
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
2003 C230 K , 2001 ML320
I should mention that when I got 6000 off list price I had quote from 6 dealers in my hand. There is close to a dozen MB dealers in LA and Orange counties. I called every one, and looked at all their websites. I was fortunate that two of them had cars advertised on their web site at great prices. A 2003 C230K Coupe with auto for $21,999, MB of Laguna sold 13 at that price the previous weekend. Downtown Motors of LA had a black coupe with auto listed on the web site, but they quoted a red and a white coupe for the same money. Penske Motors came in at $22,900 for the same cars. I wanted the orion blue, called Laguna, they did not have one. Called Fletcher Jones, they had several Orion blue coupes. ( Most were stick) We started negoations at $21,900 with auto. They made me pay full price for the metallic paint, Orion blue. After waiting 15 minutes (they gave me coffee etc) they came back with an auto with C7 wheels and sunroof packages. I really, really wanted the C7 wheels, but never never mentioned that to anyone. Not even to other buyers, I still believe all waiting rooms are bugged? Bottom line $23,900 for exactly what I wanted in the first place. I was prepared to pay at least a thousand more, which would have been what the list of a coupe with stick and no options is listed at.
Since getting the car, Armin (#1 salesman) sent me a free car blanket (worth $20 probably cost $5) and a certificate for a $500 family protrait. Combined with lifetime roadside service, free maintenance for 40,000 miles, all at a Toyota Camry price, I am a happy camper.
Since getting the car, Armin (#1 salesman) sent me a free car blanket (worth $20 probably cost $5) and a certificate for a $500 family protrait. Combined with lifetime roadside service, free maintenance for 40,000 miles, all at a Toyota Camry price, I am a happy camper.
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9
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mueller_jack, can you post the contact info for the person you ended up working with? I'm hoping to be in the market for a new 230k sedan in the next 1-2 months and it sounds lke you got a smokin deal. I realize that I may or may not get the same deal that you got, but it can't hurt to deal with the same person....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 1
From: stix of florida
Honda Grom
Originally posted by Xpeed
LOL my friend bought a toyot camry it was priced $4000 over not invoice but over MSRP not that he payed for it but good luck geting a honda or a toyota for 6k less on invoice your funny
LOL my friend bought a toyot camry it was priced $4000 over not invoice but over MSRP not that he payed for it but good luck geting a honda or a toyota for 6k less on invoice your funny
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 10
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C230 Sport Saden
Originally posted by boozer472
mueller_jack, can you post the contact info for the person you ended up working with? I'm hoping to be in the market for a new 230k sedan in the next 1-2 months and it sounds lke you got a smokin deal. I realize that I may or may not get the same deal that you got, but it can't hurt to deal with the same person....
mueller_jack, can you post the contact info for the person you ended up working with? I'm hoping to be in the market for a new 230k sedan in the next 1-2 months and it sounds lke you got a smokin deal. I realize that I may or may not get the same deal that you got, but it can't hurt to deal with the same person....
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 824
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From: Southern California
Originally posted by electromethod
maybe not 6K but I have seen them go for LESS than invoice.... substantially less too.
maybe not 6K but I have seen them go for LESS than invoice.... substantially less too.
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 81
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From: Central US of A
2003 C 230K Sedan
Invoice or Sticker?
Just to get this right...
Are you guys with "such good deals" saying that you got these great discounts off INVOICE price, or off STICKER price?
I have seen this confusion A LOT here on this forum, so I wanted to see if I could get it right from you guys.
INVOICE is the price the dealer "paid."
STICKER is the price on the window.
So... Was it $1800 off STICKER price, or was it $1800 below the dealer INVOICE price.
$1800 below INVOICE price would be like $4000 off of the STICKER price ya know.
Exceptional deal if that is the case.
Are you guys with "such good deals" saying that you got these great discounts off INVOICE price, or off STICKER price?
I have seen this confusion A LOT here on this forum, so I wanted to see if I could get it right from you guys.
INVOICE is the price the dealer "paid."
STICKER is the price on the window.
So... Was it $1800 off STICKER price, or was it $1800 below the dealer INVOICE price.
$1800 below INVOICE price would be like $4000 off of the STICKER price ya know.
Exceptional deal if that is the case.
Administrator
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: www.Traben-Trarbach.de
MPG+ ROLFCOPTER
Re: Invoice or Sticker?
Originally posted by M-B-Michael
Just to get this right...Exceptional deal if that is the case.
Just to get this right...Exceptional deal if that is the case.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,744
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And some people persist in posting irrelevant, meaningless out the door prices. I don't give a damn about your taxes, title fees, license fees etc. Yours is different than mine and just confuses the issue.
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Originally posted by Lynn
And some people persist in posting irrelevant, meaningless out the door prices. I don't give a damn about your taxes, title fees, license fees etc. Yours is different than mine and just confuses the issue.
And some people persist in posting irrelevant, meaningless out the door prices. I don't give a damn about your taxes, title fees, license fees etc. Yours is different than mine and just confuses the issue.
i say i bought my car for 44 grand "out the door" and that is what it took to take it out the dealership for me to drive it
i can say i got my car for 40k(minus tax,license etc) but that would be decieving because i would not be driving the car if i hadnt pay the 4k
people should post there out the door prices because thats how much they had to pay in order to take it off the lot.
the best way to do it is to say for example:
"i got my car for 40,000+ taxes,licence etc, so final price was around 44,00"
Last edited by Guest0001; Jul 19, 2003 at 04:09 AM.
Administrator
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 15,769
Likes: 37
From: www.Traben-Trarbach.de
MPG+ ROLFCOPTER
Originally posted by noblert10
why is it irrelevent?
i say i bought my car for 44 grand "out the door" and that is what it took to take it out the dealership for me to drive it
i can say i got my car for 40k(minus tax,license etc) but that would be decieving because i would not be driving the car if i hadnt pay the 4k
people should post there out the door prices because thats how much they had to pay in order to take it off the lot.
the best way to do it is to say for example:
"i got my car for 40,000+ taxes,licence etc, so final price was around 44,00"
why is it irrelevent?
i say i bought my car for 44 grand "out the door" and that is what it took to take it out the dealership for me to drive it
i can say i got my car for 40k(minus tax,license etc) but that would be decieving because i would not be driving the car if i hadnt pay the 4k
people should post there out the door prices because thats how much they had to pay in order to take it off the lot.
the best way to do it is to say for example:
"i got my car for 40,000+ taxes,licence etc, so final price was around 44,00"
you do not pay all your tax, license, fees, etc at the dealership in a lot of states. In some cases you just pay a salestax, some other purchase tax, trade-in credit, etc. You then wind up paying the rest of your fees; license, some form of tax, etc at the DMV when you go to register your new vehicle. And even then it is possible that you do not pay for a full year because of the states particular system. In my state its system is based on the first letter of your last name. Do you see now why Lynn's request? Does it make more sense now?
But it was nice of you to be honest and not try to
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 792
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
2003 C230 K , 2001 ML320
California is a mess, buy some places and you pay ONLY 7.75% sales tax, others 8.25%. That's still $2,000 to $2,600 depending on what you paid. I saved close to $500 on tax alone by getting a lower initial price.
The license fee was only $200, but that is scheduled to tripple in September because the state governor has single handed bank- rupted the state in the tune of $38 BILLION dollars.
There is even a $5 used tire fee FOR A NEW CAR!!!!!
The license fee was only $200, but that is scheduled to tripple in September because the state governor has single handed bank- rupted the state in the tune of $38 BILLION dollars.
There is even a $5 used tire fee FOR A NEW CAR!!!!!
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
'03 c320wz
Originally posted by noblert10
wtf is wrong with the government man
first increase the tuition in school and now registration on cars? just pathetic!
wtf is wrong with the government man
first increase the tuition in school and now registration on cars?
just pathetic!
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
'14 A6 3.0 TFSI
Originally posted by intakex
dont forget the high electricity bills. governor gray davis is f***in wonderful no?
dont forget the high electricity bills. governor gray davis is f***in wonderful no?
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Car buying opinions
My son is getting ready to leave for college very soon and I am looking for a new vehicle for him. Right now I'm mainly considering a 2002-2003 Jaguar X-Type 3.0, a 2002 C320, or a 2002 Lexus IS300. All the cars are within a similar price and have similar mileage. I know everyone on this site will be a little bias, but why should I choose the C320 over the others? I currently drive a '99 E430 that has 119,000 miles on it and I'm very pleased with it, and plan on upgrading to a new S500 in the spring. Give me some words of wisdom or something to help make up my mind before I go to the dealer and spend another 3 hours gazing at the 3 cars.
