clk 320 vs430...also about trading in vehicle...
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2001
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clk 320 vs430...also about trading in vehicle...
hi. i wanted to trade in my 99 clk430 for a clk55. i went to a local dealer(not mercedes) which sells lots of used luxury cars as well as a host of economy, compact etc....they have porsche, sc430, m3....but marked up prices. anywyas, the dealer looked at my car and said 'your car is basically a 320 with a v8 because you have no sunroof. they are supposed to come stock. plus you have no xenons which is not too good either'. so i was thinking, a 430 without a sunroof is a 320body, then whats a 320 with a sunroof? a 430??? damn he pissed me off. so it got me thinkin, how else can i tell if my car is a 430? i heard 430's have chrome rings around the headlights. mine doesnt. did i get ripped off when i bought it? what else can show me that my car is a 430? it does have a bodykit and amg wheels on it. even the doorsills say'mercedes v8' on it.
im trying to get a 2002 clk 430conv, clk 55 or maybe lexus sc430. they are all very nice cars. the dealer offered me approx 32000$ for my clk and it has 35k miles. its pretty much fully loaded except sunroof and xenons. where can i find xenons? i really want them.
and about buying a new car. where i live there is 14% tax+ 3% luxury tax. when i trade in my car, what happens? say the new car i want is 85000+17% tax=pretty much 100000$. what happens when i trade in my car for lets just say, 32000$ what is taxable and what is not? do i take 85000$-32000=43000$+17%tax=50000$? or is it 100000$(incl tax)-32000=68000? cause thats a big difference. or does it just depend on where i live? thanks.
im trying to get a 2002 clk 430conv, clk 55 or maybe lexus sc430. they are all very nice cars. the dealer offered me approx 32000$ for my clk and it has 35k miles. its pretty much fully loaded except sunroof and xenons. where can i find xenons? i really want them.
and about buying a new car. where i live there is 14% tax+ 3% luxury tax. when i trade in my car, what happens? say the new car i want is 85000+17% tax=pretty much 100000$. what happens when i trade in my car for lets just say, 32000$ what is taxable and what is not? do i take 85000$-32000=43000$+17%tax=50000$? or is it 100000$(incl tax)-32000=68000? cause thats a big difference. or does it just depend on where i live? thanks.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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Err go to a new dealer. I really don't understand the "'your car is basically a 320 with a v8 because you have no sunroof" that the dealer made because it makes no sense. The clk430's is the w208 model with a v8 engine. He's making it sound like its a bad thing. Cosmetically, the 430 has the amg sculpted front/rear and side skirts. The HID lights and sunroofs are both options for all clk430's. However, I know for a fact that not having a sunroof does hurt resale value. So does not having HID Lights.
If your car has a v8, then it is a 430 (or even a 55). I believe you can check the VIN number and/or the car information on the drivers side door.
From what you describe, your car is a clk430. The dealer was giving you some serious misinformation.
If your car has a v8, then it is a 430 (or even a 55). I believe you can check the VIN number and/or the car information on the drivers side door.
From what you describe, your car is a clk430. The dealer was giving you some serious misinformation.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,065
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From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupe ;)
No misinformation. Just typical dealer-speak. He is trying to make you feel that he is doing you a favor, - by taking the car off your hands.
(Some) car dealers make (some) lawyers look like saints. :o
Check with Edmunds and/or or Kelley Blue BEFORE you talk to anyone! Know your facts.
Both car info. services list your car between $34-36K for a trade-in transaction.
http://www.edmunds.com/used/1999/mer...pe/prices.html
http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/kw.kc.u...Class&4;MB;CK&
Try several MB dealerships and look for a used 2001 with your trade-in. Don't just go to one MB dealership.
Good luck!
(Some) car dealers make (some) lawyers look like saints. :o
Check with Edmunds and/or or Kelley Blue BEFORE you talk to anyone! Know your facts.
Both car info. services list your car between $34-36K for a trade-in transaction.
http://www.edmunds.com/used/1999/mer...pe/prices.html
http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/kw.kc.u...Class&4;MB;CK&
Try several MB dealerships and look for a used 2001 with your trade-in. Don't just go to one MB dealership.
Good luck!
Last edited by karl k; Jan 10, 2002 at 10:24 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3
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From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S430 Sport/Brilliant Silver
As I just recently traded in my clk cab, I know that the sales tax is calculated based on the difference between the purchase price (say $85K in this case) and the trade-in value ($32K in this case); therefore, you'll pay 14% on $53K. On the other hand, luxury tax is 3?% (I don't remember the exact percentage as I think it just went down on 1/1) on purchase price over $38K (luxury tax is thus 3?% of $85K-$38K=$47K). Hope this helps. Good luck on your decision.
