Good afternoon guys!
I currently own a 2012 C300 4matic with multimedia package and heated seats. I happened to find a 2006 CLS500 with only 8k miles. The company selling the car is a one-man operationg company and he has 100% positive feedback on ebay.
The list price is 33500(not including tax) for this car. The car is fully loaded with everything possible back to that year. Babied during the break-in period.
Here is the deal. He will give me the cls and 2000cash, and I trade in my C300. I really love the CLS and I have some confidence in it since it is only driven 8k miles. And the company offered a legal contract saying the car has a 12 month unlimited mileage warrenty.
My friends, please please help me decide wether or not this is a good deal. since I have made an appointment with his tomorrow and it is a 3 hours drive.
Thank you very much!
Oh I forget to mention, the man just installed all new 4 tires. But I check online it seems that the 06 cls has some powertrain problem? Is it gonna be very expensive to maintain? But it only has 8k miles and is driven by one old man only used as a holiday car.

 

Can't offer any advice other than you can't go buying into the claims of the ad. You said "Babied during the break-in period". That is not a fact, that is a salesperson's claim. And "is driven by one old man only used as a holiday car" is also sales pitch. What does it matter if it was one old man, three middle aged women, or whatever? I have a friend with a '69 Z28 with very low miles. But nealy ALL of those miles are done at the track at 1/4 mile races.

Anyhow, just trying to help you divorce yourself from the emotional attachment that you seem to have already made. Try to keep your head clear before making any rash decisions.

 

If you don't have the CARFAX, get it. Don't take their word for anything!

Regards,
Don

 

Find out where it was purchased, where it has been dealer serviced. Meet him at that dealer. Review the service history and have the service department do a once over. Get a CarFax. Check Consumer Reports and JDPower VDS (Vehicle Durability Survey - issued after 3 years in service) for the 06 model year for problem areas. Get a bodyshop expert to go over the body. Assume the aftermarket warranty won't provide great coverage in assessing the deal and think if you would buy the car "as is". If all of the preceding still makes you think "GO!", then.....maybe. Yes, it will cost more to maintain.

 

I really like that advice. In reading your post you are already emotionally attached to the car.

I cannot offer more advice than what has been said. But just for the hell of it, I tried to see what price Edmunds.com appraises the car; for a "clean condition" with most of the option listed, the highest retail clocked in at about $28,000. I did not check kbb.com.

Are you able to see the car? Test drive it, and probably have a good mechanic look it over, or even an MB dealer put on their computer and see if it has any issues? It may cost you now, but it is worth it if you're gonna spend that much on it.

Hey, good luck, and keep us posted

 

I will take the 2012 C class anyday! Man, it 2012! and 2013 is coming up. Can you imagine if you drive that car for 5 more years? The CLS is already 7 years old :S

 

The CLS is so hot... Damn, and it will always be...

 

And it's still comtemporary. They made the same body style until 2011, so who cares if it's late late model? The C is a nice car, but I've one as a loaner and I can't wait to get back in my CLS, even if that might offend some. It's jut no cls, 2012 or no. If the CLS was a 2011, it would look pretty much the same as the 06. But, the 550 motor is worth the extra coin. If someone wants a used CLS, go for the 550.

 

I will take the cls any day, just those eBay’s deals sometimes sound too good to be true.