im a newb here, so take it easy on me. anyway, both my folks got benzs, 2004 S430 and 04 CLK320, and my first car was a 95 C280 so im pretty fond of them. anyway, i got a vw gti, 2001, black on black with like 50k miles on it. now i want a benz, C240 or C320. I was interested in leasing, as I can handle anywhere from nothing to bout 300 a month payment. For the new models, it was hard trying to price them and get the options wanted, so i gave up and started looking at the used cars on the site. I found quite a few models, 01, 02 etc. for around like 25,26 and after using the calculators on the site, it looks like i can get a damn good deal for one. Id probably put 1,000 down, then trade in my car as I have no desire at all to keep it, which is worth about 10gs KBB and NADA trade in value. After doing some math, and looking at various models, I was able to find one for $56 a month!! It sounds ridiculously cheap, but I wanted to make sure it was possible and if anyone has done it. I also had selected a 24month, 15k annual mileage lease as well. If this is true and can be done, you will all start seeing much more of me around. Also, could someone tell me if its ok if I put new rims on it, and possibly a tint, but no other upgrades or aftermarket parts without voiding the warranty or lease? BTW, does anyone know when the new body C class is coming out, cuz if i get one and they come out with a newer model next year, ill be pretty pissed. anyway, thanks guys. late

your post doesnt make much sense.... would u put the 10k trade in value (highly doubt they'd give u 10k) toward the lease? Then yes your payment might be around 56 dollars. I think it is stupid to put high down payments on a lease for various reasons. Might as well purchase the vehicle. Typically money factors are better on new cars and you are usually better off leasing a brand new vehicle.

They may come out with a new C, the W204 next year or the year after at worst. Like mentioned above, you may get a better deal on a new one. The Starmark cars are overrated and a few people on the various forums complained of paying too much and getting a car that was previously in an accident. When I looked at getting the sedan, I compared it to 2 year old use Starmarked cars that they were asking more than I paid on a brand new one. I've seen the C230K Sport Sedan advertised for 299/mo lease brand new. The C230K sport sedan would be a nicer car than an old C240/C320 because it's already lowered 1" from the C240/C320, is faster than the C240, it has nice 17" wheels with AMG style brakes with drilled rotors, has a chrome muffler tip, nicer sportier seats, blue tinted windows and the AMG style bumpers from the C32. The 2005 has a new instrument cluster and console but if you can find a new 2004 leftover it comes with 4 years free maintenance. Also you would get a new 50K mile warranty, that has to be worth something. If you have 10K to put down, get a new one with less options, maybe a black 6-spd and you can probably get one for $30K out the door, with $10K down you can probably get close to $300/mo and own it.

10k financed or leased? In all honesty, i dont plan on keeping the car for that long, let alone spend that much financing it. Anyway, do a lot of dealerships still have 04 models? Even around you buellwinkle? My uncle has a good friend at fletcher jones(my mom got her clk from there) and I could ask to see but the dealerships around me arent that great when it comes to customer service alltogether. And I've heard some questionable ride quality with the kompressor models, though I can't vouch for that personally, yet It'd be hard to compare it to my parents' cars.

MB's lose more value in years 3-6 than in years 1-3, so it's a toss up on the lease deal you are going to get and it may cost more to lease a used MB vs. new as the rates will be higher and the residual percentage will be much lower. It's just that if you go to the used car lot they are not going to tell you that, they want to make a sale.

No, you will not find a new 2004 C230 in O.C., you didn't say where you lived. But you will find a new 2004 C240 as they are much harder to sell for them. And yes, the 2005 C230 is a harsher ride, harsher than previous C230 models.

leasing a used car is a bad idea IMO...benz has lease specials now on new c230 for 329/month with a couple thousand down...your best bet is to sell your vw privately and use some of the money you get as a down payment for the lease. you can also lease a new e320 for 529/month