vo'sC300

Hi all,

This is my first time to the forum and I hope someone could help on a possible purchase.

So I've been looking around for the C300 for 2 weeks. I finally came across a 2008 C300 base model with 13k miles and the dealer offered 26K for it. I was inform that it was the dealership's Loaner car. The pricing seem really great but I'm not sure about the fact that its a loaner? Should I be concern that the car is a loaner? What are the drawbacks? Is this a good deal?

Also, what is the going rate for a base 2008 C300? In located in NC, US.
Any advices would be great. Thanks.

MB300AMG

I wouldn't go for it considering that it's a loaner. According to the loaners i've rented and my service advisor the loaners are the cars that everyone abuses and they generally aren't looked after very well. I'd pass on it if I were you.

That said, I did have a C230 as a loaner for 2 months, 3 days (special circumstance not related to my car) and that car was pretty solid - did 7,707 miles without a hitch.

I'd keep looking and take that as a last resort if I were you.

justthinking

what options does this particular c300 has?? how is the reputation of the dealership??
is the car been sold as MB certified pre-owned??

dalazernet

Loaners are always beat to heck... People abuse them, and you can probably be guaranteed that it has had some level of body work (whether to remove dings, repaint small areas, etc)... Do you really want to deal with so many unknowns from a vehicle driven by hundreds (if not more) people?

Don't mean to be blunt, but you can probably do a LOT better.

- Eric

CrAZyVeGAsBoY

sorry have to agree with the masses on this one, yes its most likely that this car was probably beat up and for that price im sure u can find another, sounds like a decent deal but nothing amazing or something that would make me want to pick it up, but just my .02 cents.

München

how many miles do you approximate one person drives the loaner car for? Then divide that by the total mileage and you'll see how many different people drove that car....

vo'sC300

The options are standard w/ 7speed and cd changer. Its a pretty large MB Deadership and it is sold as MB certified.

Man, I guess according to everyone I should keep looking. Its so difficult to find a good deal around NC, US. Used 2008 C-class are listed around 28-31K around here. Anyone willing to help me find a deal on a C300 or C350? ... I'm willing pay $100 or so to anyone that can help me successfully buy the car! Its a small incentive but some assistant would be great. I'll even buy it out of state and have it shipped. I just love the car!

tanktube67

Ask them for the extended warranty as part of the deal.

kaku

+1

if you can get the ext warr included, it would be a superb deal..

Blk04cobra1

Loaner or not, $26k on a 2008 C300 that is CPO'd is a good deal. Wish I could help you out more, but that pricing is very very competitive, if not the lowest I have seen.

vo'sC300

A 1 year extented warranty of 100,000 is included in the certification. As of this moment thats the best deal I can find.

justthinking

What's your budget?? You are aware this c300 you asked about is a plain car w/o any options other than the cd changer right??

vo'sC300

I always thought the 7speed trans. was an option...

But my budget is $28K. Navigation and options are not that important, but it would be a plus. Whatever can get me the best value. Im looking mostly at white.

I've also came across a 2008, 15K miles with Nav and 17 AMG listed for $29,950. What kind of negotiation should I offer the dealer?... it's not in NC, so i would probably have to ship it too.

tivoboy

the 7 speed is an option, I think my tag listed it at 1400$, but I of course didn't pay for it.

CinciTom

I bought a 2008 c300 sport 4matic, 7 speed, P1 service loaner with 9k miles a few months ago for $29+. It was CPO'ed so I'm covered for 4 more years up to 100k miles. They also did the A service and even the replacement rear brake pads. The car is in great shape- not beat up at all.
You should consider this option compared to what else is available for the price. I think most people pick up the service loaner in the morning, drive it to work and bring it back at the end of the day in pretty much the same shape.

Just my opinion. I'm very happy with mine!

justthinking

I would suggest you get a C300 w/ at least P1..it will help a lot with your resale value down the road..
Shouldn't be hard to find a CPO C300 w/ Auto, P1 and around 12k - 15k miles for $28k..
Also, there must be other loaners from the same dealer that's due to retire in near future..
My dealer has a huge loaner fleet and they retire on average..2 c-class a month..

HBC350

I got a new 2008 C350 with no options other than the 18" AMG's for $31K plus t&l. That makes me think your number is too high for that car, unless it's pretty optioned-up.

f00b4r

You must be a great negotiator. Invoice on that car must have been over $36k how did you get them down to $31k?

HBC350

Actually, it took almost no negotiation. It was September 2008 and I stopped in to see what C350's they had in red with few or no options. They had one with NO options with a sticker of $37,7xx. The sales guy said throw us a number that is so crazy you'd have to be an idiot not to take it if we agreed. I said $30K. He said OK. I said I need the 18's and he said add another (I think) $1200 or so. Deal. I did have a trade in, though. I gave them a 2004 Mini Cooper S with 55K miles on it and they allowed $15K for it. A hell of a trade in value in my opinion. I bought the Mini used almost three years earlier for $19K.

m!ck3y

I would jump on that deal if it was not a loaner.. but the fact that it is would keep me away.

I got my 350 brand new out the door with P2 ( nav, 17 amg, etc) no pano. black for 35,700.

vo'sC300

So, I finally pull the trigger on the C300.

I was in negotiation stage for a C350, but the car has been purchased already. So this was the best deal that I could find. Got it down a little bit to $25,500, so I'm happy.

Hopefully this was a good decision.

LewFX

where did u purchase it from?

vo'sC300

I purchase it from a MB dealership in Florida.

ANy recommendation for a shipping company? I need to ship the car for FL to NC. Any estimate on how much this would be? Closed vs Open truck shipping?

Blk04cobra1

Depends on what part of Florida. I would say open truck your $650-$750. Closed is probably close to $1000.

dalazernet

Silly thought -- but ever consider flying down and picking it up and having a nice initial road trip home? Thats what I would do... :-)

- Eric