View Poll Results: Approaching 100k What would you do? And why?
New Lexus IS250/300 F Sport
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Reaching 100k, Ditch the ride or Look into a new car?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
07 tsx, 09 c300
Reaching 100k, Ditch the ride or Look into a new car?
Hey Guys,
I am currently approaching the 100k mark, I have been using this car a lot driving back and forth from work, girlfriend's house and school. This year i am finishing up with school, and looking to settle down.
I was debating between staying with the c300 I have now and rack up the miles, and invest my money into a down payment on a home.
Or.
Purchase the new is250 Fsport or BMW 2 series Coupe
Or.
Purchase the new CLA or C300.
I have had a good experience with Mercedes Benz, the car is paid in full right now, and I wouldn't be financing a hefty amount. I have always been in love with the new BMW 2 series, but never had an experience with them.
What is you take? What would you do?
Past cars iv'e owned :
2009 C300 (current)
2007 Acura TSX
2007 Nissan Murano
2005 Nissan Altima
2002 Honda Civic
2001 Volkswagen Jetta
I am currently approaching the 100k mark, I have been using this car a lot driving back and forth from work, girlfriend's house and school. This year i am finishing up with school, and looking to settle down.
I was debating between staying with the c300 I have now and rack up the miles, and invest my money into a down payment on a home.
Or.
Purchase the new is250 Fsport or BMW 2 series Coupe
Or.
Purchase the new CLA or C300.
I have had a good experience with Mercedes Benz, the car is paid in full right now, and I wouldn't be financing a hefty amount. I have always been in love with the new BMW 2 series, but never had an experience with them.
What is you take? What would you do?
Past cars iv'e owned :
2009 C300 (current)
2007 Acura TSX
2007 Nissan Murano
2005 Nissan Altima
2002 Honda Civic
2001 Volkswagen Jetta
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 413
Likes: 3
17' C43 Sedan
Given that the car is paid off and you are looking into settling down, I would recommend to keep it. With the car payment your are saving it will be enough to make any repairs or maintenance if needed.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 583
Likes: 24
2026 GLC300 4Matic (X254)
I'd keep the C300. If you want a new Japanese car, spring for the IS350 or go back to TSX. Run away from the IS250.
The wisest decision of course is to keep the C300 and pocket the saved cash for house or emergency fund.
The wisest decision of course is to keep the C300 and pocket the saved cash for house or emergency fund.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 929
Likes: 51
From: Silicon Valley, California
Factory ordered 2012 MB C350 w/Dynamic Handling Package
My obvious choice is house. Once you reach the financial capability to not ever need to finance/lease a car you would never want to go back.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,375
Likes: 16
From: Hong Kong
2010 C200 CGI
I don't understand why you would need to ditch the car just because it has 100k. If it's properly maintained then it should last you quite a while aside from the normal wear and tear. Btw, a new or lower mileage car doesn't guarantee that it's trouble free.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
Clearly the most rational life-plan is to invest in an appreciating vs. depreciating asset (housing bubble notwithstanding), so go for the house. When the time eventually comes for a car, well, you can see what I did! 
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
2011 C300 Sport 4Matic, 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro Ultrasport, 2010 Subaru Forester
I would definitely keep your car and put your money towards your home. It's still a great time to purchase a home and as said above, long-term it will appreciate where a car will not. All depends on the home purchase though, if you can afford to get into a new car with a warranty and have the peace of mind why not. If you really want one.
I'd definitely advise you hold off on any major purchase like a car until after you buy your home. It will give you time to adjust to your mortgage and home expenses month to month and see where you come out with a budget for a car.
I was sort of in the same boat. When my wife and I were house hunting my car (secondary car now) was nearing pay off but above the 100k mileage mark. I paid it off and continue to own it today. I waited about 2.5 years of being in our home before buying a newer car in the C300. And in that time of driving my car without a loan it was amazing how much money I was able to put towards other things. I agree, while an old car can still be reliable, at some point you have to draw the line. German cars depreciate just like any other make, the repair bills do not get any smaller.
Question is always, is being committed to a loan (assuming you have a warranty/extended warranty) better than being free with potential uncommon costly repairs out of pocket. If a major part fails and you are stuck with the bill or don't see the point in repair, you're still stuck with a car that may be hard to get rid of without making that repair. My opinion is that you have to really love a car to put up with stuff like that.
I'd definitely advise you hold off on any major purchase like a car until after you buy your home. It will give you time to adjust to your mortgage and home expenses month to month and see where you come out with a budget for a car.
I was sort of in the same boat. When my wife and I were house hunting my car (secondary car now) was nearing pay off but above the 100k mileage mark. I paid it off and continue to own it today. I waited about 2.5 years of being in our home before buying a newer car in the C300. And in that time of driving my car without a loan it was amazing how much money I was able to put towards other things. I agree, while an old car can still be reliable, at some point you have to draw the line. German cars depreciate just like any other make, the repair bills do not get any smaller.
Question is always, is being committed to a loan (assuming you have a warranty/extended warranty) better than being free with potential uncommon costly repairs out of pocket. If a major part fails and you are stuck with the bill or don't see the point in repair, you're still stuck with a car that may be hard to get rid of without making that repair. My opinion is that you have to really love a car to put up with stuff like that.
Last edited by oaybar007; Oct 2, 2014 at 08:48 AM.
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Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
Is your C300 RWD or 4matic? If RWD, I'd keep it. Otherwise, ditch - the AWD transfer case may be a ticking time bomb. We are about to ditch ours since the ext. warranty is about to expire. Ours has had its fair share of issues, and we don't want to be stuck with massive bills post warranty.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
07 tsx, 09 c300
Is your C300 RWD or 4matic? If RWD, I'd keep it. Otherwise, ditch - the AWD transfer case may be a ticking time bomb. We are about to ditch ours since the ext. warranty is about to expire. Ours has had its fair share of issues, and we don't want to be stuck with massive bills post warranty.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
07 tsx, 09 c300
I would definitely keep your car and put your money towards your home. It's still a great time to purchase a home and as said above, long-term it will appreciate where a car will not. All depends on the home purchase though, if you can afford to get into a new car with a warranty and have the peace of mind why not. If you really want one.
I'd definitely advise you hold off on any major purchase like a car until after you buy your home. It will give you time to adjust to your mortgage and home expenses month to month and see where you come out with a budget for a car.
I was sort of in the same boat. When my wife and I were house hunting my car (secondary car now) was nearing pay off but above the 100k mileage mark. I paid it off and continue to own it today. I waited about 2.5 years of being in our home before buying a newer car in the C300. And in that time of driving my car without a loan it was amazing how much money I was able to put towards other things. I agree, while an old car can still be reliable, at some point you have to draw the line. German cars depreciate just like any other make, the repair bills do not get any smaller.
Question is always, is being committed to a loan (assuming you have a warranty/extended warranty) better than being free with potential uncommon costly repairs out of pocket. If a major part fails and you are stuck with the bill or don't see the point in repair, you're still stuck with a car that may be hard to get rid of without making that repair. My opinion is that you have to really love a car to put up with stuff like that.
I'd definitely advise you hold off on any major purchase like a car until after you buy your home. It will give you time to adjust to your mortgage and home expenses month to month and see where you come out with a budget for a car.
I was sort of in the same boat. When my wife and I were house hunting my car (secondary car now) was nearing pay off but above the 100k mileage mark. I paid it off and continue to own it today. I waited about 2.5 years of being in our home before buying a newer car in the C300. And in that time of driving my car without a loan it was amazing how much money I was able to put towards other things. I agree, while an old car can still be reliable, at some point you have to draw the line. German cars depreciate just like any other make, the repair bills do not get any smaller.
Question is always, is being committed to a loan (assuming you have a warranty/extended warranty) better than being free with potential uncommon costly repairs out of pocket. If a major part fails and you are stuck with the bill or don't see the point in repair, you're still stuck with a car that may be hard to get rid of without making that repair. My opinion is that you have to really love a car to put up with stuff like that.
Currently I like my car, but i get tired of them very easily. I have a decent amount to put towards a down payment without paying PMI, my thought was to use that down money and pay another car off in full. But like everyone else said it's a housing market and I should buy a nice house instead of a nice car; since I already have one.
Thank you all.
Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
2017 corvette stingray. 2013 C250 Sport. 04 Volvo XC90
That depends on several factors. All of which, are subjective to you preference :
1. What is your financial means ?
2. What is your definition of 'Value' ? i.e. what do you define as a good buy that is not wasting money ?
3. Do you care about 'value' (as you, yourself, define it) or do you just 'want what you want when you want it' ?
4. Considering the above, which of the choices that you have defined for yourself will most likely result in the feeling of satisfaction (the feeling that you made the right decision).
5. Which of the choices is most likely to result in a feeling of regret that you made the wrong decision.
And, ultimately : It's your $ and you have to live with consequences so, while seeking counsel is a good thing, the final decision is up to you. I could tell you what I would do but I'm a different person (values, opinions, etc) than you so I won't do that. Make the decision that, when both positive and negative consequences of the options are considered, makes 'sense' to you.
1. What is your financial means ?
2. What is your definition of 'Value' ? i.e. what do you define as a good buy that is not wasting money ?
3. Do you care about 'value' (as you, yourself, define it) or do you just 'want what you want when you want it' ?
4. Considering the above, which of the choices that you have defined for yourself will most likely result in the feeling of satisfaction (the feeling that you made the right decision).
5. Which of the choices is most likely to result in a feeling of regret that you made the wrong decision.
And, ultimately : It's your $ and you have to live with consequences so, while seeking counsel is a good thing, the final decision is up to you. I could tell you what I would do but I'm a different person (values, opinions, etc) than you so I won't do that. Make the decision that, when both positive and negative consequences of the options are considered, makes 'sense' to you.
Last edited by C250INLA; Oct 3, 2014 at 12:39 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
The transfer case on our '08 C300 4matic went at 60K miles, which necessitated replacement of the entire transmission. Had we not had an extended warranty, it would have been around $8K out of pocket. Granted, there are many other 4matics that did not fail like this. I'm guessing only MB knows the true statistics around this.
