W203/CL203 Car Buyer's Guide - All you want to know and consider
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 603
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From: Irvine, California
C32 AMG
Originally Posted by jmartinacevedo
Hi guys,
I'm looking to trade from my current 2003 C240 4Matic to a 2005 C320 4Matic (my C240 4matic is a nice little car, except it is simply too sluggish and I'm getting kind of sick of the lack of power - only 168HP!).
The MSRP for a "plain" 2005 C320 4Matic with the sunroof package and destination charges is $41,660. The invoice is $38,795.
What do you guys think is a fair price for me to pay for this car? Anyone know of any special incentives or deals on this model? A dealer told me that, for some reason, they are selling "tons" of C240 4Matics but very few C320 4Matics. Assuming this is true, one would think a dealer would be able to negotiate a good deal on a C320 4 Matic? Also, what's the best time to buy? End of the month? Later in the year?
Thanks in advance,
Martin-
I'm looking to trade from my current 2003 C240 4Matic to a 2005 C320 4Matic (my C240 4matic is a nice little car, except it is simply too sluggish and I'm getting kind of sick of the lack of power - only 168HP!).
The MSRP for a "plain" 2005 C320 4Matic with the sunroof package and destination charges is $41,660. The invoice is $38,795.
What do you guys think is a fair price for me to pay for this car? Anyone know of any special incentives or deals on this model? A dealer told me that, for some reason, they are selling "tons" of C240 4Matics but very few C320 4Matics. Assuming this is true, one would think a dealer would be able to negotiate a good deal on a C320 4 Matic? Also, what's the best time to buy? End of the month? Later in the year?
Thanks in advance,
Martin-
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Anaheim California
2001 C320ss, 2005 Ford F150 Supercrew, GSXR,
THIS IS SPECIFIC TO SO CALIFORNIA ONLY. If you live in another state this does not apply!!!!
$38,000 max once you find a car with the msrp and destination charge of $41,600.
But remember, negotiate the price at $38,000 first. Then tell them you have a trade. Clean it up, and let them give you their offer. In your head you know what your car is worth because you have checked KBB, Edmunds, etc.
The offer will be low, to try and make up for the $38k. Say thanks anyway I will think about it and start to leave. Salesman rule #1 those who don't buy then rarely come back to that location! Your goal is to get the C240 paid off.
There are other ways to get more off your purchase price if you need the info.
$38,000 max once you find a car with the msrp and destination charge of $41,600.
But remember, negotiate the price at $38,000 first. Then tell them you have a trade. Clean it up, and let them give you their offer. In your head you know what your car is worth because you have checked KBB, Edmunds, etc.
The offer will be low, to try and make up for the $38k. Say thanks anyway I will think about it and start to leave. Salesman rule #1 those who don't buy then rarely come back to that location! Your goal is to get the C240 paid off.
There are other ways to get more off your purchase price if you need the info.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 260
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From: Connecticut
2009 C300 SPORT 4MATIC
C320 Four Matic
Citron:
I live in New England so AWD is a must for me. Hence the 4Matic requirement.
Drew:
Thanks for the tip. I definitely believe I can get my 2003 C240 paid off. ( I owe about 26K on it). I noticed they have "plain" used 2002s and 2003s C240s on the lot for $28,5K -- I know, its overinflated). Nevetheless, my car is in great shape and, of course, it's a 4Matic also.
We'll see.
Martin-
I live in New England so AWD is a must for me. Hence the 4Matic requirement.
Drew:
Thanks for the tip. I definitely believe I can get my 2003 C240 paid off. ( I owe about 26K on it). I noticed they have "plain" used 2002s and 2003s C240s on the lot for $28,5K -- I know, its overinflated). Nevetheless, my car is in great shape and, of course, it's a 4Matic also.
We'll see.
Martin-
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,777
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From: Philadelphia
BANNED
Buy a Ford Mustang GT. They are great in the snow!! 260 HP, rear wheel drive and light weight! PLUS! You get super wide ultra high performance summer tires at no additional charge.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: El Pueblo de la Reyna de los Angeles
The True OG Modded out W203
Originally Posted by tyro
Buy a Ford Mustang GT. They are great in the snow!! 260 HP, rear wheel drive and light weight! PLUS! You get super wide ultra high performance summer tires at no additional charge.
hey tyro were you really banned over 'there'??
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Almost a Member!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 63
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From: Boston
Buying 2005 C230WZ (help)
Hey,
I am gonna be going back to college in Boston and will be purchasing a car. I have kinda discussed kind of car/budget with my mother and i think the max i can get is about 35-36k. For that price i think the C230K sedan is the best buy.
I am in the process of contacting dealers in MA and Florida to get numbers in order to make a detailed and informed presentation to my parents for final approval.
the specs that im looking for is
exterior: black (non-metallic)
interior : charcoal leather
Navigation system
heated seats
Automatic transimmsion
Lighting package
AMG STYLE III wheels (same as on CLK500) :p
When i enter this data into the "build your benz" on the MBUSA website, the car was quoted at $38,420. But witht the MSRP at $29,000 approx. So since a lot of people in this forum bought their cars at invoice or a max of $500 over invoice, the car should be approx $36,000 with all options.
One dealer (Chamber Motors) said that the car will cost me around $38,000 PLUS the cost of the AMG wheels.
Are they trying to rip me off?? :v
(p.s- im contacting dealers in miami cuz i have a 97' Lincoln town car in Miami which i want to trade in for the C230)
I am gonna be going back to college in Boston and will be purchasing a car. I have kinda discussed kind of car/budget with my mother and i think the max i can get is about 35-36k. For that price i think the C230K sedan is the best buy.
I am in the process of contacting dealers in MA and Florida to get numbers in order to make a detailed and informed presentation to my parents for final approval.
the specs that im looking for is
exterior: black (non-metallic)
interior : charcoal leather
Navigation system
heated seats
Automatic transimmsion
Lighting package
AMG STYLE III wheels (same as on CLK500) :p
When i enter this data into the "build your benz" on the MBUSA website, the car was quoted at $38,420. But witht the MSRP at $29,000 approx. So since a lot of people in this forum bought their cars at invoice or a max of $500 over invoice, the car should be approx $36,000 with all options.
One dealer (Chamber Motors) said that the car will cost me around $38,000 PLUS the cost of the AMG wheels.
Are they trying to rip me off?? :v
(p.s- im contacting dealers in miami cuz i have a 97' Lincoln town car in Miami which i want to trade in for the C230)
Last edited by B. Datwani PMA; Aug 5, 2004 at 06:47 PM.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Emeryville, CA
2005 C230WZ
just wanted to share
The C230 Sport Sedan is actually C230WZ, not C230K... I only bring this up when I was looking for my car i emailed a friend of a friend who works at Fletcher Jones and asked him about the price of a "C230K Sport Sedan" <-- this is what i wrote in the subject of the email, so he quotes me a price of $28,500 with lighting, entertainment, auto and sunroof....i thought this was too good 2 b true so i emailed him back double checking that this price was for a Sport Sedan and he writes back saying I "misled him" and lectures me about how i wrote C230K and that C230K is the model number for the coupe, blah blah blah...so I emailed him back very politely and asked him if he could give me a quote based on a C230WZ, and he never wrote back
ok, so maybe I was wrong in saying C230K, but it does say Sport Sedan right after C230K, can u not read?!?!
nice guys over at FJM...
anywayz, just thought i'd share with you in case u run into some dudes like the guy i dealt wit at FJM
ok, so maybe I was wrong in saying C230K, but it does say Sport Sedan right after C230K, can u not read?!?!
nice guys over at FJM...
anywayz, just thought i'd share with you in case u run into some dudes like the guy i dealt wit at FJM
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 58
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From: Emeryville, CA
2005 C230WZ
btw
I bought my for $1,300 below invoice. Black 2005 with auto, lighting, cd changer and sunroof. Keep in mind that this was in the good old Bay Area of California...
Good luck!
-Jack
Good luck!
-Jack
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,737
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
what options are on it. depends on what you want on the car and what you are willing to spend. my coupe was $36,8k OTD for an '03, and i had alot of options exclud. COMAND, tele-aid, and V60, auto trans.
Banned
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 389
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From: Dewey Beach, Delaware
Missing my beloved Benz
me here
Check around.... alot of car companies have pretty nice sporty cars below/or around the same price. BMW is one I would look at. They changed a few things from time to time. They currently also offer a free schedule-maintance program that includes wear/tear issues that benz stopped doing last year. My advice, coming from a recent college gradate, look around and experiment with different cars. One may have some of what you are looking for, while another could have less. Car shopping isn't the easiest thing in life. You just need to be open minded and adore different elements of life.
When you find “that” car you would like to have, then that’s when you need some research behind you from sources like www.kbb.com. Finding the MSRP price, how much the dealership has hold on it, how long the car has been on the lot (cars that were on the lot longer, can be discounted more), and what is your bottom dollar that you will not go over.
After you find all of that information, then I usually become nice and friendly to the salesman. Trying to show them that you really care what him or his family is doing.
They give you a price. Then I would say, hmmm…. Look, here’s all the research I did before I came in.
They usually stop being nice, but oh well. They are there to make money. We are there to buy a car. Just be respectful. Go down to the bottom line, and if they don’t. Then there is always another dealership.
When you find “that” car you would like to have, then that’s when you need some research behind you from sources like www.kbb.com. Finding the MSRP price, how much the dealership has hold on it, how long the car has been on the lot (cars that were on the lot longer, can be discounted more), and what is your bottom dollar that you will not go over.
After you find all of that information, then I usually become nice and friendly to the salesman. Trying to show them that you really care what him or his family is doing.
They give you a price. Then I would say, hmmm…. Look, here’s all the research I did before I came in.
They usually stop being nice, but oh well. They are there to make money. We are there to buy a car. Just be respectful. Go down to the bottom line, and if they don’t. Then there is always another dealership.
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Joined: Jul 2004
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I just bought my '05 c230 Sports Sedan 10 days ago from Herb Chambers Flagship Motors on Route 1. Look at my sig... I paid invoice for the car (well actually like $50 over invoice)... I just sent them an email of the car I wanted (options, etc)... and within 1 more email and 2 phone calls I got the price I wanted. I can forward the email of the guy/kid I bought it from if you want.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11
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Planning to purchase 05' C230 sports seden
My girlfriend is planning to purchase a 05' C230 sports seden. Do you guys know any good dealers around LA area? What price is resonable for 05' model? I heard the price has gone up a bit. Is there anyway we can find any dealers selling under MSRP? Another concern is for the maintenance. Do the MB still cover the maintenance cost? Any input will be greatly appreciate!!
Dennis
Dennis
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 391
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From: West Covina, CA
2004 C230k (SOLD), 2005 C230k (Lease ended), 2004 Carrera 4 Cab, 2007 530i
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/81330-finally-took-pic-my-lady-s-05-a.html
South Bay Mercedes in Torrance, definetly the cheapest...only if you go straight to their Internet Sales Manager and skip all the idiot salesperson.
My gf's car MSRP $37,500, our price $34,000 -$1500 C spot coupon = $32,500.
South Bay Mercedes in Torrance, definetly the cheapest...only if you go straight to their Internet Sales Manager and skip all the idiot salesperson.
My gf's car MSRP $37,500, our price $34,000 -$1500 C spot coupon = $32,500.
Last edited by I KOMPRZ; Sep 7, 2004 at 11:50 PM.
