reuben.ahmed

Hi,

I need a winter vehicle pretty quickly (I live in Cleveland). It looks like the temperatures are about to drop.

I picked up a 2008 Accord for the last few years, but the car is boring (yet reliable) - and it did have some minor trouble in some of the larger blizzards. So I sold it this summer.

I own a 2005 BMW 330CIC that I've paid off, but it's getting higher up in miles (85K), and there's no way I can drive that in winter when the Accord failed sometimes.

Anyway a dealer close to me has a 2011 C300 4-matic (Sports/automatic/moonroof/heated seats, 9.5K miles) for 33K + tax/title. Carfax is clean, but it looks like it was probably used as a courtesy car because the title never left the dealer's hands? It's CPO'd for 100K:




Is this an OK deal, should I be looking for new (although those are nearly 10K more), or an older model?

Sorry if there is a better sub-forum for this, please let me know.

Thanks!
ELmO

BauerR

You should be able to find brand new 2011's on the lot with P1 + heated seats + wood grain for $33,500 +Tax & Tags
To be honest, I would avoid courtesy vehicles because chances are they've been abused by whoever was using them.

reuben.ahmed

Thanks for that information. Yes, I'm guessing it's a courtesy car - I did ask.

All I'm looking for is white, automatic, 4m, and heated seats.

Other than autotrader.com and cars.com, do you have any other sites I can use to find new cars sitting on the lot?

Also this may be naive, but I have abused my BMW after it was broken in (1500 miles or so, if anyone even believes in that) and it still runs great today! I think German engineering is going to get abused no matter what. Though, is this one even manufactured in Germany? lol

Thanks!

BauerR

If you're willing to travel, to say...Prinston NJ then I can get you in contact with the dealer who quoted me an awesome price on a 2011, brand new.

reuben.ahmed

Sure, why not. Well, if it's new, maybe I can just see pictures of it and have it shipped?

Please PM me some information.

Thanks!

BauerR

Shoot me your email and I'll send you the quote.

Sportstick

Go to Mercedes of North Olmstead. Start on the Saab side just to ask for Jim Levine, who's a very good guy and moved from Benz sales to manage what's left of Saab. Tell him Josh Z. sent you and he'll get you set up with the MB side.

reuben.ahmed

What's up with all the salesman being named Jim? This is the 4th dealership who's salesman or service department is Jim. Hah! OK I'll try. Also how many of you are getting kick backs here? HAHA!

Sportstick

I'll take that one on directly. Zero kickback. I don't know Jim. Josh is my son who lives in Cleveland (Shaker area) who got to know Jim through servicing his Saab, and Jim hopes to move Josh into a MB one day. Jim has been very kind, bringing loaners to Josh's house to pick up his Saab for service, as they live near each other. He is a nice guy, working hard, but not a dollar is involved for Josh or me...just trying for a WIN-WIN for you guys, since you're both in the same town. Good luck with your new Benz!

reuben.ahmed

Thanks friend.

BTW that car is a courtesy car (dealer replied just now). He still wants to sell it for 35K after tax/etc. Heh. I wonder what I should respond back with (in case I can't get hooked up with a new one for cheap?).

reuben.ahmed

FYI I contacted the dealer in princeton (didn't hear back yet). They have new 2011s on the lot.

I contacted my courtesy car 9.5K mile dealer, and he wants 35K after tax. I told him since it's a courtesy car and we can find the same car new for the same price, I'd do 30K after tax.

Is that a bad idea?

Thanks,
Reuben

BauerR

That dealer is out of his mind. I got my 2011 4matic for $35,500 with P1, MM, wood, rear spoiler, Ipod and heated seats. BRAND NEW!

reuben.ahmed

He isn't out of his mind he's jsut trying to jip, lol. They all try to jip initially. I was straight up and just said it'll have to be 30K after tax because there are new cars at the same price (hah).

When I was shopping used BMWs it had a sticker of 38, the guy said "If you buy today, I can let it go for 33", but the KBB was 29.

I ended up goign new on the BMW, and although I love it - I said I would never do that again because of how quickly it depreciated. But the 2011s are a good price, already took a depreciation hit!

reuben.ahmed

If I can get the courtesy for 30K, is it a bad deal? I know the 5K is a piece of mind, but this is unfortunately my second car and I was trying to keep my monthly reasonable around $450-500.

I could down 5K on teh new car to get the payment relatively the same I guess...

levale

BauerR

If you keep it for the long run, buying new is a good option. if you're the type to flip vehicles after a few years then used is probably best.

reuben.ahmed

OK I'll see if it can give me the new 7 year CPO, pretty nice. I'd feel kind of safe then I guess! It is already marked CPO'd but I wonder if that means it's the 7 year.

BTW I saw in the pictures thread international buyers get a hatchback choice - I think I'd probably spring for that instead of the C300 because I need trunk space for landscaping/gardening! My BMW has no space, and the C300 doesn't appear to have a ton of room either LOL. I wonder if I could import their car?

reuben.ahmed

UPDATE: Guy in princeton has no cars left except one 2011 silver. Argh, you snooze you lose, but in this case I didn't even get a chance to snooze.

I'm going to put on a hoodie and start driving to dealerships to start inquiring what they have. Now I'm looking for 30K total, 1.9% financing. I'll pay more if it's new.

reuben.ahmed

LAST UPDATE: Dealer said 30K was "not close", lol! Someone else can buy it then.