Thinking of Purchasing a C32
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From: Westchester County, NY
Nissan Altima SE-R
Thinking of Purchasing a C32
Hey guys, I'm looking to sell my Altima SE-R and pick up a used C32 in its place. I was just curious as to what I could get with a 22-27k price range. What kinds of options does it have? What are the best years? What should I look out for? (I've heard of 2002 recall issues with the IC pumps and tranny jerks). Any information at all that could help? Thanks in advance. I look forward to becoming part of the MB family!
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From: The Bay
SL55, C63
Hey guys, I'm looking to sell my Altima SE-R and pick up a used C32 in its place. I was just curious as to what I could get with a 22-27k price range. What kinds of options does it have? What are the best years? What should I look out for? (I've heard of 2002 recall issues with the IC pumps and tranny jerks). Any information at all that could help? Thanks in advance. I look forward to becoming part of the MB family!
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2002 C32, 2011 VW GTI
27k would get an excellent '03 or maybe even an '04 if you looked. You could definitely get a mint low mileage '02 in that range. The general rule is to get one as new and as low mileage as you can afford.
There isn't much difference between the years. They all have the same suspensions, brakes and powertrain. The differences are minor. The '03 got different heater buttons and clear Xeons. The '04 got the metal pedals. That's about it as far as I know.
The big advantage to the '03-04 is you can still get them as a CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) with the all-important warranty. I got a CPO '02 in March with 29k on it for 25k but that's not common. I didn't see any '02 CPOs other than that one. This isn't a car I'd recommend buying without a warranty, as it unfortunately has some issues that are costly to fix. Mine's already had the rear suspension bushings and bearings, power steering rack, interior air flap stepper motor, Xeon headlamp ignitor, passenger front power window switch, and bottom seat heaters replaced. This would have all cost a few grand if not for the warranty.
Overall a great car though despite the problems. Good luck!
There isn't much difference between the years. They all have the same suspensions, brakes and powertrain. The differences are minor. The '03 got different heater buttons and clear Xeons. The '04 got the metal pedals. That's about it as far as I know.
The big advantage to the '03-04 is you can still get them as a CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) with the all-important warranty. I got a CPO '02 in March with 29k on it for 25k but that's not common. I didn't see any '02 CPOs other than that one. This isn't a car I'd recommend buying without a warranty, as it unfortunately has some issues that are costly to fix. Mine's already had the rear suspension bushings and bearings, power steering rack, interior air flap stepper motor, Xeon headlamp ignitor, passenger front power window switch, and bottom seat heaters replaced. This would have all cost a few grand if not for the warranty.
Overall a great car though despite the problems. Good luck!
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C32
Selling my C32
I'm trying to sell my C32 (in NH).
It's a 2003 with 32k miles on it, and 1.5 years of extended warranty left. It fits right into your price range as well.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...ag=1&cardist=4
Drop me a message if you're interested.
-- Dave
It's a 2003 with 32k miles on it, and 1.5 years of extended warranty left. It fits right into your price range as well.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...ag=1&cardist=4
Drop me a message if you're interested.
-- Dave
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From: dayton ohio hopefully it will be some place warm and sunny when i finish med school
2002 C32 AMG silver & 2003 Lancer Evolution 8 black very moded
Hey guys, I'm looking to sell my Altima SE-R and pick up a used C32 in its place. I was just curious as to what I could get with a 22-27k price range. What kinds of options does it have? What are the best years? What should I look out for? (I've heard of 2002 recall issues with the IC pumps and tranny jerks). Any information at all that could help? Thanks in advance. I look forward to becoming part of the MB family!
its just a thought though...
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C32 AMG
Hey guys, I'm looking to sell my Altima SE-R and pick up a used C32 in its place. I was just curious as to what I could get with a 22-27k price range. What kinds of options does it have? What are the best years? What should I look out for? (I've heard of 2002 recall issues with the IC pumps and tranny jerks). Any information at all that could help? Thanks in advance. I look forward to becoming part of the MB family!
If you do maintenance and light repairs yourself, you'll be fine. If you can get a good warranty, you'll be fine. Next is to make sure you have a good shop to do maintenance and repairs (making sure that shop will accept whatever warranty company you have).
I hate to see someone buy a $25,000 used Mercedes thinking that it will cost the same to own as a $25,000 new Nissan.
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2002 C32, 2011 VW GTI
He, no kidding. I remember when "Bimmer" magazine was doing these articles a few years ago about how an old E30 3-Series BMW was so much cheaper and enjoyable than a new car. I remember laughing about that because I owned an '87 325is at the time. It racked up over 10k in maintenance costs and parts replacements in like a year. When I calculated the total ownership cost after I sold it, it showed I could have leased a new Audi S4 for pretty much the same money, or paid for about 2/3 of a new Focus SVT. Granted, I was autocrossing it so I probably did a lot more than a standard owner would but still. There's more than meets the eye to the low prices of used German performance cars.
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C32 AMG
He, no kidding. I remember when "Bimmer" magazine was doing these articles a few years ago about how an old E30 3-Series BMW was so much cheaper and enjoyable than a new car. I remember laughing about that because I owned an '87 325is at the time. It racked up over 10k in maintenance costs and parts replacements in like a year. When I calculated the total ownership cost after I sold it, it showed I could have leased a new Audi S4 for pretty much the same money, or paid for about 2/3 of a new Focus SVT. Granted, I was autocrossing it so I probably did a lot more than a standard owner would but still. There's more than meets the eye to the low prices of used German performance cars.
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2002 C32, 2011 VW GTI
Sometimes I wonder why an out-of-warranty European car has ANY value at all! You're buying a rolling container of present and future liabilities. (I just bought a 19 year old Porsche 944 and I fully expect to pay more for maintenance and repair each year than I did for the car!)
Good God man! We'll find your skelton on the side of the road, picked clean to the white shiny bone.
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From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
So, it's CPO or you're on your own.
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From: NJ
2009 SL63 AMG
For that price range, why not look into a CLK55? Not to take anything away from the C32, but the M113 would require less engine maintenance and offer a nice extra chunk of torque.
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C32 AMG
Oh, she's a gem! Only 65K miles. Only $2,500 in repairs so far. At this rate, it works out to no more than $130,000 per year in repairs. Maybe less if I do it myself.
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ML63
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2002 C32, 2011 VW GTI
She sounds like a real peach. Lucky you! You're right, you may be able to drop that down to 110k if you're handy. Let us know when she's all done, or when you become frustrated and blow her up with 5 pounds of C4.
