I wanted to get some feedback from you guys. I am seriously considering trading in my car for a 2007 S550.

Cons :

1 year less warranty

Extend car payment another 16 months.

I think the S550 is an amazing sedan, but I will admit I have never driven one and I am not sure if I will like it or not ( I'm sure it is a night and day difference from the C class )

It looks like I can pick up a 2007 with about the same miles as my car and keep my payment the same.

Thoughts ?

Nick

 

It all depends on your preference. I am driving both cars now. It is completely different
experience. C is more sporty, and I felt like I can throw it around, more road feels. The S is the smooth rider, especially I have the AMG pkg, great for touring, the miles just goes by. Which cars I drive depentent on my mood. Life is good.

 

wait how much will the S550 be? you said same payments whats the millage on the S550?

 

Personally I would stick with the c-class unless you need the extra space. Not only will you be using more gas, but there are many more costs associated with the s-class. For instance, many more headaches (especially for a car out of warranty sooner). Repair costs for s-class are much higher than c-class. On my 2003 SL 500 there are many things that are just a nuissance that don't exist on my c-class. The air suspension ride had to be repaired, more expensive services, problems with sl-class specific things such as vaccum pump for convertible top and doors. The shifter was stuck in park. Yes it is a much cooler and feature oriented ride. But when those things start to go bad it all makes on huge hassle. If I would do it again I would anty up for an extended warranty on the sl or s-class. They have things designed into them and cutting edge electronics that when it makes its way to the c-class, they are well tested and designed simplisticly. All you have to do is literally drive it and do oil changes and brakes.

 

Will you be getting a CPO warranty with that 2007 S550? If so, I would go for the trade. The S550 is such a PIMP ride!

 

My 2008 c350 has 29k miles

This 2007 s550 has 36k miles

jct - yes, space is the issue. But, I do have concerns about gas and repairs / maintenance.

My car is CPO and covered until 2013 ( or 100k miles )

The s550 would also be CPO and would be covered until 2012.

Thanks for the feedback guys !

Nick

 

how much is the S550 going to cost? if its not a secret lol

 

Dealer is asking $43k

 

How do you drive ? If you like to hut gas and her into turns the s is nit going to be too fun coming from the c . If your just going to work and dinners I would say go for the s . If space us an issue why not trade up for a new e class , you get more room and sportier ride than the s class .

 

You also have to look at what you are giving up by extending the payments 16 more months. Yes, it is a clever way to make it sound cheap, but you are forfeiting your current ride. You C-class will not depreciate principal-wise nearly as much as the s-class will. Assume that your c-class now is worth $25,000, in 2 years it will probably still be worth 20,000. So you also lose $5,000 on your investment in 2 years. (Again, these are hypothetical numbers, but in my opinion, not very far off from reality, because I am using trade in value of 2008 c-class, 2007 s-class, 2006 c-class, 2005 s-class).

Now lets say the 2007 s550 is worth $45,000. In the same 2 years, the s550 will probably only be worth $25,000-$30,000. So in 2 years, your c-class would have only lost $5,000 and still be worth $20,000. And your s-class would have lost $15,000 - $20,000 in those same 2 years, and only be worth most likely $28,000.

This is not even taking into account if you invested or saved those extra 16 payments. However, for the added cost you do get to drive yourself around in a 2007 s-class.

I may be one of the only people to analyze whether or not to buy a car so in depth, but thats how I am. Personally, I would keep the c-class. Take a road trip out of your neighborhood, even travel to different states (especially south east). You will soon discover that a majority of the U.S. population drives around is P.O.S. cars and you will be hard pressed to find many luxury vehicles.

My recommendation in short: Keep the c-class, save the money, and buy something nice for your girlfriend/wife, kids, or yourself. The resale value on a 2007 s550 is still pretty high. If you wait another year or two (two would be ideal) the price would be very low (the depreciation hit would be minimized) and you would still have another 2-3 years out of the body style before it was heavily changed.

 

I wouldn't. Don't get me wrong the S is awesome but driving it after the C will feel like you are steering the USS BENZ. If your only reasoning behind this swap is to look more wealthy then by all means go for it. If you need more space I'd look at the E-Class. I have both a C and an E and I personally do not desire to go beyond the E at this point in my life. The S is a really great car but all the luxury and most of the tech can be found in the E class.

 

Personally, I'd be driving the "USS Benz" if it weren't for the fact that the fiance can't drive something so big. That car is like a cruise missile! It is such a nice looking ride with the 19" AMG's. If you're even contemplating upgrading to an S-class, you most likely already know what it feels like to drive and ride in one. With the CPO warranty, you'll be covered for quite some time, while your 2008 c350 should be up in 2012 or 2011 depending on when you purchased it. At the cost of 43k, the car has already taken the 65% hit on depreciation. It all comes down to personal preference, little C350 or the land Yacht S550.

 

Wow..a $100k+ car with low mileage for $43k after 3 years..

Also, I don't think the S-Class is nearly as boring as people are making it out to be. I've driven many and really liked them..especially the S65 haha.

 

jct,

You have pretty much summed up my thoughts exactly !



A 2010 E350 is also something I have been considering, but I hate to spend the extra money and have the exact same engine I have right now - just doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.

( I see 3 E350's for sale, $44k with 17k miles, $45k with 21k miles, and $43k with 8k miles )

 

There is a reason why most ppl don't keep the S-Class past it's warranty period...
If what you want is a bigger car w/ more room and better engine, have you considered the new 5-Series??
On the other hand, you could wait a bit longer and see if MB will bring the direct inject engine to the E350...

 

Yea, Thats why I didn't really even mention the e-class as an option. Unless you would "deal" and by deal it is still a great looking ride, with an old body style e-class, those could be had for peanuts! (Comparatively speaking). If you were going to go for an e-class new body style, I would suggest just stretching for the new 5-series. That thing is beautiful and will definitely be a change from your 350 engine. Mercedes is a great car, but you have to give credit where credit is due.

And stretching further, if you can get passed the whole name and branding issue. The new Hyundai Genesis is a great car. I always used to laugh at the thought of hyundai, until I actually went with my girlfriend to look for new cars. Some cars are still a joke, but the Genesis is on the same level as an e-class for sure, and possibly the in terms of materials and ride quality, and offers even more technology as the s-class, for about the price of that 07 s-class, but brand new... I know I am probably going to get flamed for saying that, but I was genuinely impressed. The sonata isn't bad either, but any other car they offer I wouldn't be caught dead in (besides maybe the genesis coupe).