tivoboy

just remember, ALL of that is tax deductible assuming your can itemize.

skullboy

Since when is the sales tax (about $5k) is deductable on a tax return ?

tivoboy

I believe it began back in 2004..it all depends on how much your other state and local taxes are, but depending on the state you live in and your regular tax amount it could be a large deduction.

Check out large purchase tax deductions.

skullboy

I am in southern CA and I believe the only time you can deduct car sales tax is if the car is for business use.

tivoboy

Well thank God I live in Northern CA (and like most other states) where it's deductible regardless of business use or otherwise.

Again, it DEPENDS on your tax situation if your calculated state SALES TAX PLUS A large purchase item (like a car, boat, etc.) is going to be a better deduction than your OTHER state taxes like INCOME TAX, Property TAX, local taxes, etc..

In a state where there is NO state income tax, this is a great deduction as you get to take a calculated sales tax deduction PLUS a large item purchase amount. In a state like CA with relatively high state income taxes, one's tax situation might result it higher itemized deductions with their income taxes vs. the calculated sales tax PLUS the large item purchase.

I personally, try and buy cars in years when I know my STATE income taxes are going to be artificially lower (like when I'm on sabbatical or a LOA or focussing more on investment returns rather than wages and personal income). So this year, I'm buying two cars and should have over $12K+ in deductions because of it.


again, google is your friend.

netboy

I always do my taxes with Turbotax, I will know on April 15 if it deductible or not.

tivoboy

TT will do ALL this for you automagically.

donocar

Is this only for purchase I'm assuming, "Large purchase", and not leasing? Thanks

YPD485

Some states base the dmv fees on the weight of a vehicle vs price. In other words if a $250,000 Rolls Royce weighed 5,000 lbs and a $50,000 BMW X5 also weighed 5,000 lbs., the DMV fees in those states would be the same for both vehicles. In California and other states, the DMV uses the value of the vehicle for the DMV fees. But don't feel bad, the states that initially charge lower fees get it back in other fees/taxes, such as personal property tax, millage tax, etc. In the end, it usually comes out pretty close.

tivoboy

I'm not sure if the taxes on a lease are deductible, that would most likely only come in to tax deductions if they were associated with a business use of the vehicle. As all of it would be deductible..

chiefnwa

Do you guys think this is possible?


I've got a 14 C250 (as base as base gets) that I'm paying $338/month for (put 2K down on it).


They say there's a 3 month lease pull ahead right now so come March I'll be able to get in to a new car. Is $350/$400 a month outlandish for a base C300 with nothing down (1st month's payment)? I haven't started running any numbers yet with dealers since I'm trying to get my side straightened out first as to what to shoot for.


Looking at 10-12K a year and 36 months.

Mr. J

New c450 on order. Our dealer is MB of Wilsonville, Oregon. They offered us a best price of 8% below MSRP. This was the best price offered within 300 miles of us. I did not search any further since this was a substantially higher discount than all the other dealerships in the region. They were also fair with the trade in valuation on my wife's Subaru. They provided a written quote along with the build sheet.

Two other dealers in the area actually tried to convince me that I should pay them MSRP since the vehicle is less common than a std C300.

So far, I am very happy with MB of Wilsonville. I'll update once the car arrives and the transaction is completed.

sadpanda

When leasing mine, I found that MSRP/100 was a reasonable estimate for C300 leases at the low end of options. My $46k model came to $451 per month with 0 down, but I didn't aim for a specific monthly figure in my negotiations until the end. My target was 15% off MSRP, which seemed reasonable based on my online research.

Assuming your base C300 is 2WD, let's imagine you also want 15% off the $38,950 MSRP for a no-option base model (which probably can't be found anywhere, but that's a separate challenge). 15% off brings you to $33,108. Add the $795 acquisition fee, other fees, etc. and you're at about $35,000. Edmunds' forum puts the current base money factor at 0.00152 and residual for 10k miles at 63% (subtract 1% for 12k). With, say, 6% sales tax, that gives you a zero-down monthly lease payment of $407.30. If you can decrease the fees by $500, you'd be down to $392 per month.

Honestly, though, at that price, you might be better off with a decently-optioned CLA or GLA that could easily stay under $400 a month. My C300 is pretty bare bones even with $6k in options. If I had to stay under $400, I'd consider the GLA or just switch brands for now. $400 will get you an AWD Ford Fusion Titanium with every option. Or many other excellent cars with great amenities.

Dr Chill

Are there any mfr to dealer or mfr to consumer incentives right now on a C450? Picking car up at dealership tomorrow.

Our deal is for a cash purchase at dealer cost minus AMA $2000 and MBUSA $2000 good will discount for f'ing up original order. MSRP $65,145.

sadpanda

AMA is probably the best you'll get, and you just missed the holiday ones that might stack. USAA fleet discounts is the same as AMA right now for 2016s.

apolloman

Can anyone tell me what the money factor is in this deal? Is it a good deal?

C300 Sport Package, Premium 2, Multimedia, etc

MSRP: 53,185
Discount: 6383
Prepaid Maintenance: 975
Bank Acq Fee: 1095
Title/Reg: 110
Registration Fee: 200
Trip Permit: 30
Total Price 49,212
Cash out: 878
Net Residual: 34120

Lease rate 36/12,000 = 537.55

ddeliber

Using my handy android lease calculator app, plugging in .00173 gets $537.48/mo assuming sales tax is not included.

apolloman

Thanks ddeliber! Do you happen to know what the base money factor is for Feb? I also had the dealer told me they are no longer doing a discount for auto pay?

The bank acquisition fee is larger than I am seeing on some deals. Can I negotiate this?

ddeliber

Edmunds car forum puts the buy rate MF in Jan at .00129. This is very low for Mercedes but they confirmed it from their sources (don't know where they get it). You should expect some mark up but I think to .00173 is a lot.

see for yourself here: http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion...asing-question

The acq fee is negotiable but it all depends on the dealer and the deal, I think yours is marked up $300.

tivoboy

7-9ish % off retail seems to be in the markets, so I would push for that on the dealer discount and then ADD (subtract actually) any other deals that you may have access to, the AMA, USAA, MileagePlus, for this car and vintage that's 2000$ off.. I do NOT think these things will stack as they are in the fleet discount category and so only one can be used.

In the end you should end up around 12-13% off retail which is nice.

Here is a graph of the data. I think that one on the left is ours, and that outlier data point in early Jan on the graph (above/below invoice)

BigDeeLA

He gave you the money Factor for C450 you said you got a C300 Sport..

The base money factor for C300 this month is .00152 with 62% residual for 36 months /12k miles

chiefnwa

I'm in talks with MB of Sarasota now. Been using the calculator I found on this forum from another member. Both vehicles I've been negotiating on have been loaner/dealer cars so both have about 3500 miles. I've attached both calculators for reference. The second I don't have full details on yet so I don't have an original MSRP (which should be mostly irrelevant)


36 months/10K a year and this is what they came up with.


What should I be aiming for? Per the calculator I should be looking at $333 if I don't negotiate any more off of the car from what he's offering. He said he'd be able to work the deal for $340 on that one (of which I haven't responded to yet).


To be honest, $333 a month would be fine with me if he gets it to work, even if the car is a base model.


The other model is a 2016 loaner C300 with blind spot, backup camera, and keyless with 3000 miles. They want 35,949 for it after their discount which comes out to 385/month. Think I can get that down to 350?

tmoneyC450amg

Just saw mbusa advertise c450 lease numbers on their website and it's not bad! $559/mo 36mo 10k miles/yr 5k down. seems alot better than what it was 2 months ago when ppl here were stating 750-900/mo.

I financed mine back in sept 48mo 1100/mo after 8k down. I paid 54k with every option but multimedia and distronic

NYbenzzz

just had a intense back and forth between 2 benz dealers in NY.

zip 11377.

2016 c300 /w sport package
premium 2
panorama sunroof
rearview camera
wood trim
3 year maintenance free
LED light package
$53.9K MSRP

0 down lease 36 months @ $499. 12K miles a year

was this a good deal?

chiefnwa

Well, may not have been the best out there but it's something I'm happy with considering I have no intentions of keeping it past the 36 months.


Traded in my '14 C250 (base everything) for a '15 C300. Has significantly more features than my last one!


Iridium Silver w/Black MB-Tex
Black Ash Wood
18" 5 Spoke Rims
Panorama Sunroof
Prem. 2 Package (Keyless, LED Headlamps, Burmester)
Heated Front Seats
Blind Spot Assist
Rear View Camera


MSRP was ~$46,500 and it was an ex-dealer car so it has 8,500 miles. They included service A which I'll be having done soon.


Paying $340/month nothing down, 10K/yr and 36 months. Sent the offer to two other dealers to see if they could beat and both called me back 20 minutes later saying no so I guess I did something right.


I'm sure the pros out there could have done better but I'm happy with it!