View Poll Results: Did you purchase or leased your 2008 c-class?
Purchased
35
76.09%
Leased
11
23.91%
Voters: 46. You may not vote on this poll
Did you leased or purchased 2008 c-lass?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
From: nyc
528i, GLK
Did you leased or purchased 2008 c-lass?
Just out of curiosity... Did you purchase or lease your c300/c350?
In my opinion, purchasing puts the consumer confidence of MB reliability and resale value up on the chart. With the negativity of JD powers rating and Consumer report, I am wondering how MB owners are taking it.
In my opinion, purchasing puts the consumer confidence of MB reliability and resale value up on the chart. With the negativity of JD powers rating and Consumer report, I am wondering how MB owners are taking it.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
From: nyc
528i, GLK
Considering the leasing promotion that's going on with the c-class, I'm surprised at the majority purchased! Good for you all and a vote to MB's reliability!
congrats to you all MB owners!
congrats to you all MB owners!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
From: Kirkland, WA
c300
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
From: Kirkland, WA
c300
Hey, so I've always wanted to ask somebody who does that ... how exactly do you afford 40+k in cash for a car?
I'm not poor ... not rich either ... but it'd take me, at our current investment rate + scrimping and saving pennies about 27 months to save up 40k in cash. And that's if we didn't do any house remodeling, took very low key vacations, didn't buy much in the way of clothes etc.
I'm pretty sure by the time I had 40k in cash saved up I probably wouldn't want to spend it on a car. I'd turn into 'millionaire next door' that drove a clapped out subbie and never spent a dime. Or I'd get it in my head to just buy a used Porsche and put the extra away for repairs.
Or do you just buy down market from what you could really be affording? Eg. pay 40k in cash for a C, but if you were in payments you could be driving an S?
I'm not poor ... not rich either ... but it'd take me, at our current investment rate + scrimping and saving pennies about 27 months to save up 40k in cash. And that's if we didn't do any house remodeling, took very low key vacations, didn't buy much in the way of clothes etc.
I'm pretty sure by the time I had 40k in cash saved up I probably wouldn't want to spend it on a car. I'd turn into 'millionaire next door' that drove a clapped out subbie and never spent a dime. Or I'd get it in my head to just buy a used Porsche and put the extra away for repairs.
Or do you just buy down market from what you could really be affording? Eg. pay 40k in cash for a C, but if you were in payments you could be driving an S?
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
So many questions
<<Hey, so I've always wanted to ask somebody who does that ... how exactly do you afford 40+k in cash for a car?>>
The car was about 45K and I had a trade-in. That plus a 28K check.
<<I'm pretty sure by the time I had 40k in cash saved up I probably wouldn't want to spend it on a car. Or I'd get it in my head to just buy a used Porsche and put the extra away for repairs.>>
I knew the new car was coming since I put a deposit down last January and I've been very careful about spending since then. And I already have a used Porsche.
<<Or do you just buy down market from what you could really be affording?>>
Not at all. The new C was exactly what I wanted since it would have all the newest technology in a small package. The E-Class is in it's sixth and probably last year of production before the W212 shows up. And, it's much more costly to buy and it's too large. The only new thing about it is the diesel engine which is very desirable but not for the price. And of course the S-Class while wonderful is way out of my price range and besides, no car hobbyist would ever buy one because they are too large and complicated to do any maintenance yourself. And I think too embarrassing to be seen in. I'd probably have to buy a whole new wardrobe and such.
As to who pays cash vs leasing or financing. my sales guy told me that the majority of the high end buyers pay cash and the prices are not the deciding factor.
The car was about 45K and I had a trade-in. That plus a 28K check.
<<I'm pretty sure by the time I had 40k in cash saved up I probably wouldn't want to spend it on a car. Or I'd get it in my head to just buy a used Porsche and put the extra away for repairs.>>
I knew the new car was coming since I put a deposit down last January and I've been very careful about spending since then. And I already have a used Porsche.
<<Or do you just buy down market from what you could really be affording?>>
Not at all. The new C was exactly what I wanted since it would have all the newest technology in a small package. The E-Class is in it's sixth and probably last year of production before the W212 shows up. And, it's much more costly to buy and it's too large. The only new thing about it is the diesel engine which is very desirable but not for the price. And of course the S-Class while wonderful is way out of my price range and besides, no car hobbyist would ever buy one because they are too large and complicated to do any maintenance yourself. And I think too embarrassing to be seen in. I'd probably have to buy a whole new wardrobe and such.
As to who pays cash vs leasing or financing. my sales guy told me that the majority of the high end buyers pay cash and the prices are not the deciding factor.
Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: MIAMI VICE CITY
I own 2008 C-350 2008 E-350 2005 C -230 Kompressor 2006 FORd F-350 6.0
I had 40k in cash thought of a porshe but then again how uncomfortable it is for me to get in and out. Second no room for anyone in the back.. and third seen many car accidents in my town with porches they all end up like a tin can. So i decided to stick to a high safety rating car the c350. At the end of the day put only 16k down.. save the money for a rainy day
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 5
From: SFV CA
2008 Black Out C350 Saks Edition / 87 VW GTI
I had 40k in cash thought of a porshe but then again how uncomfortable it is for me to get in and out. Second no room for anyone in the back.. and third seen many car accidents in my town with porches they all end up like a tin can. So i decided to stick to a high safety rating car the c350. At the end of the day put only 16k down.. save the money for a rainy day
smart move 
unless you have a ton of money is worth to pay it cash, what it really matter is how much$$$$$ you have in the bank 
" thats my opinion"
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
2014 Ghibli S Q4 & 2008 C350
I've always wondered why people decide to pay cash for cars today when money is so cheap to borrow. I understand it for older people like my parents or the uber rich, but for someone in their 20-40's, IMHO it would be cheaper to put down just enough to get your payments where you feel comfortable and invest the rest. If you can avg 10% in the market, and borrow at ~5%, it seems to me you'd be better off. But hey, what the heck to I know... Props to everyone who can be in a position to get a new car and not have payments, I hope to be there someday too! Probably not until the kids are out of college though... 
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
2006 CLK350
OBLU, it depends what kinda of person you are. person 1 drives a 99 camry, is ok with his current car. he wants a C300, but doesnt want to do payments. he saves up his money for 5 years, and buys one. Person 2 drives a camry, really hates his car, goes to the bank and get a 5 year plan. I think person 1 has patience, and stays on the safe side, just in case something comes up.
