My 2011 C63 depreciated 42% in 1 year
Just because you bought it a year ago doesn't matter.
I have one of the first 2011s and it will be 2 years old in a week. That's why I always laugh when people buy late in the model year or buy leftovers and they think they save a little up front. I always try to buy as early in the model year as possible, so I get to use the car for the longest period for that year.
When the time comes to trade in, the dealers go by model year, whether it was one of the first or last cars made for that model year doesn't matter. Always factor this in when you buy a car, it can save you thousands of dollars later. My car is worth the same as yours, but I've enjoyed mine for twice as long! Either way, trading in after such a short time is not easy on the wallet.
. I lost $500 (plus taxes) on my first C63 (bought brand new) after driving it for 8 months. I won't be as lucky on my 2011 as it is maxed out on options, but I will do a lot better than I would if I had bought it at the beginning of the model year. The discount I got was simply not possible at the beginning of the model year, even if you adjust for the depreciation because I bought it a model year and a half later (albeit new with 65 miles on it).Also, while the points you make are correct about dealers going by model year, the trade in value that the OP got was way below what I would consider to be fair. That is what this thread is about, as that is what he can maximize right now.
We get no tax advantage in Cali for trading in cars, so I always prefer to sell mine to a private buyer.
Definitely agree with the above post about tax saving when traded in in certain location. The extra tax indeed negates the additional amount you can get from a private sale, not to mention the time and effort in doing a private sale.
It looks like you folks in Cali and Illi are just getting taxed into oblivison. That's the reason I choose not to live at those places.
IMHO, I believe C63 is the best handling AMG (besides SLS) there is. Thus, I also don't think the SL has the feeling you described. Just remember the SL is really a GT car for comfortable, highly cruising.
. I lost $500 (plus taxes) on my first C63 (bought brand new) after driving it for 8 months. I won't be as lucky on my 2011 as it is maxed out on options, but I will do a lot better than I would if I had bought it at the beginning of the model year. The discount I got was simply not possible at the beginning of the model year, even if you adjust for the depreciation because I bought it a model year and a half later (albeit new with 65 miles on it).Also, while the points you make are correct about dealers going by model year, the trade in value that the OP got was way below what I would consider to be fair. That is what this thread is about, as that is what he can maximize right now.
For the record, I got a very aggressive deal on my car when I bought it (albeit for a brand new, early MY edition). I got a bit more than 7% off MSRP (MB has about 10% markup) for an ordered car that came straight to me off the truck from the VPC. I'm more than happy to pay the extra 3% or roughly $2500 profit on my car if that means I get to enjoy it a year longer than some guy who buys a year old leftover that's been rotting on some dealer lot and test drove by guys like me

Whatever, I've been buying cars for myself and family for a long long time and I also buy tons of trucks every year for my business--I think I know what I'm doing when it comes to buying and selling cars
Obviously, all of this hinges on getting a very aggressive deal and being a good negotiator with the dealership and not becoming emotional or attached to the car. Don't forget the trade, many people forget there's two ways for them to pork you, three if you finance it!I actually walked on the first car I ordered from another dealer because they tried to pump me when it came in.
If you're happy with your deal that's all that matters!
I was just trying to open some peoples eyes about why cars are priced the way they are at the dealerships. The "trunk money" deals that were around for 2009-2010 were an exception to the rule and I almost bought a leftover 2010 E63 when I was shopping for my car two years ago. I know others here got in on those trunk money deals and that is the only time leftovers are a better buy.
Last edited by black-clk500; Aug 24, 2012 at 07:19 PM.
For the record, I got a very aggressive deal on my car when I bought it (albeit for a brand new, early MY edition). I got a bit more than 7% off MSRP (MB has about 10% markup) for an ordered car that came straight to me off the truck from the VPC. I'm more than happy to pay the extra 3% or roughly $2500 profit on my car if that means I get to enjoy it a year longer than some guy who buys a year old leftover that's been rotting on some dealer lot and test drove by guys like me

If you're happy with your deal that's all that matters!
I was just trying to open some peoples eyes about why cars are priced the way they are at the dealerships. The "trunk money" deals that were around for 2009-2010 were an exception to the rule and I almost bought a leftover 2010 E63 when I was shopping for my car two years ago. I know others here got in on those trunk money deals and that is the only time leftovers are a better buy.

But I agree, all that matters in the end is whether you are happy with what you got.
But I agree, all that matters in the end is whether you are happy with what you got.



Again, each their own, you did really well to get those deals (assuming trunk money was involved), I'd be willing to bet 75% of the people who bought their cars didn't get 20+% off their cars, leftover or not!
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
I had mine for almost 3 years, I had fun and I lefts it before I had to do breaks or any other Sevice, tires, etc.
Like someone was saying, it is better to buy it used a lot of times and save a lot that way but you can also get it very cheap like I did and don't have much to lose.






Again, each their own, you did really well to get those deals (assuming trunk money was involved), I'd be willing to bet 75% of the people who bought their cars didn't get 20+% off their cars, leftover or not!
+1. You can keep your savings. For those who can afford the luxury of new car get a whole other feeling buying (not leasing) a BRAND NEW car with miles in the double digits.
With a used car you get a beat up interior, nicks and scratches, smells, swirls, and cars that have been beat on. Its a trade off. If you don't mind that stuff, you can save a lot. But if saving is not a big deal...then no worries. I like being the first. Brand new is sooooo amazing.
I'll take a new car in an AMG anyday...I'll pay, no problem.
Last edited by ZephyrAMG; Aug 25, 2012 at 12:35 PM.
Pop the cherry yourself and you know what you are getting, how many miles she has on her and you can be pretty sure she won't have any nasty surprises that will make your life miserable and require penicillin.
Comparing retail price of a new car vs wholesale price of a used car is like comparing apples to oranges.
A) don't care and just deal with it
B) get a smoking deal when new (like the trunk money in 09)
C) keep the car longer than 3 years to spread out depreciation and get more time in your "incremental loss" periods (as the guy mentions above about how depreciation slows)
D) lease the car and roll the dice on what it will ultimately be worth in 3 years. If you buy a 75k c63 now, pay 1k a month for 33 months, you're betting the car is worth $42k in 3 years. In reality it will probably be a bit more, but not by much, especially with 40k miles. And for the benefits associated with a lease, this may be a good option for you.
Either way you slice it....buying an AMG new and selling it in a year is nearly always going to be more than a bad idea, it's a REALLY bad idea.



No matter how much value your trade in is here in CA, you still pay tax on the selling price, not final amount owed and/or finance total.
