To buy, or not to buy, that is the question
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 231
Likes: 1
From: Portland, OR
99 C43 AMG
To buy, or not to buy, that is the question
There's a '99 C43 with 144K on the clock local to me, already had it inspected and it'll need an aux water pump, driver side mirror assembly, probably a wheel speed sensor amongst other things as well.
It runs/drives great, doesn't burn oil, came back with a pretty good autocheck report, but the dealer is asking $7K for it which is way too much. They already know what needs to be done to the car, so, granting I can get it for $5-5.5K, is it worth it to "restore" the car to factory specs?
It's all stock, but will need some body work, probably a new hood, front bumper will need some work, missing the trim piece between the fog lights (dealer quoted me at $300 for the primed part), I think the side bolster air controls are dead (lumbar/seat bottom controls still work), etc etc.
I don't mind a project, but do you think $5K is fair?
It runs/drives great, doesn't burn oil, came back with a pretty good autocheck report, but the dealer is asking $7K for it which is way too much. They already know what needs to be done to the car, so, granting I can get it for $5-5.5K, is it worth it to "restore" the car to factory specs?
It's all stock, but will need some body work, probably a new hood, front bumper will need some work, missing the trim piece between the fog lights (dealer quoted me at $300 for the primed part), I think the side bolster air controls are dead (lumbar/seat bottom controls still work), etc etc.
I don't mind a project, but do you think $5K is fair?
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 424
Likes: 13
From: Grand Rapids, MI
99 C43 AMG, 2001 CLK55 AMG
i think thats still too much for all the things you listed need to be fixed. paint work is really expensive, unless you have a connection. i would say the car is worth 7k if nothing was wrong with it at all at that mileage. so get quotes for everything and subtract that from 7k... thats what i would offer. unless you just have lots of time and money and just want then car, then id say go ahead.
i paid 10.5k for mine and only things wrong was pass side seat switch and stone chips in front bumper with 62000 miles. some small dents and scratches but not worth noting. based on a couple other low mileage cars i may have overpaid by about $500, but it all depends on how bad you want it.
i paid 10.5k for mine and only things wrong was pass side seat switch and stone chips in front bumper with 62000 miles. some small dents and scratches but not worth noting. based on a couple other low mileage cars i may have overpaid by about $500, but it all depends on how bad you want it.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 231
Likes: 1
From: Portland, OR
99 C43 AMG
Thanks for the input Dziner82. I think I'm going to keep looking, it's at a dealer and I'm pretty sure they won't go much lower on the price. I really want one in stock condition, and as pristine as I can find, so I guess I just need to be patient and keep looking.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 424
Likes: 13
From: Grand Rapids, MI
99 C43 AMG, 2001 CLK55 AMG
yea i would. when i looked into getting mine i was almost positive that i would not get another chance to get one with that low miles and in good condition again... its only been about 10 months now and i have seen 3 go up for sale with lower or similar miles than mine on autotrader.
depending on your location if your willing to travel to go get it better ones will pop up. I went from Michigan to Texas to get mine.
depending on your location if your willing to travel to go get it better ones will pop up. I went from Michigan to Texas to get mine.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 231
Likes: 1
From: Portland, OR
99 C43 AMG
I'm more than willing to travel, almost went to TN for one that ended up being a total mess of a car, poor thing.
I'm less enthusiastic about buying from eastern/northern states due to salt/rust, so trying to find southern/western states to buy from.
I'll keep looking.
I'm less enthusiastic about buying from eastern/northern states due to salt/rust, so trying to find southern/western states to buy from.
I'll keep looking.
