vivianlove

They gave/offer me $34000 for the CLK and $21000 for the Bimmer

I know the CLK is selling about $42k-$46K and the Bimmer is around $28k

Both cars are low mileage, the CLK with 13K and the Bimmer with 19k

So Mad and ****!

I got my deposit back!

vivianlove

The other thing I was so angry about is my salesperson and his manager keep saying that I could use the trade to save on tax. They're say $34k is like $37K. Of course you can, do they think i'm stupid for something?

$34k + $3k save on tax = $37000
$21K + $2K save on tax = $23000
$60K


I can sell it very cheap, like $39 for the CLK and $26K for the Bimmer. It still be better off selling it myself.

They wasted two month of my time. Perhaps I was the one who wasted my own time. I should shop around first. D@mn, I have find another dealer, that means much more longer wait.

likuidM5

I'm not really following you.. you put a deposit down on the CLK500 with the assumption that they'd buy your 2001 CLK and your 2002 M3 and give you that dollar amount off of the price of the CLK500?

Clifflee

Dealers are known to rip you off when it comes to trade in. When i went to the merecedes dealer to trade in my lexus gs300 for the clk430 i was offered something ridiculous like 24k i think. they gave me the same bull**** about saving tax and crap. and i told them no ****, but that is my money to save and not money for you to make on. im aware i can save on tax because i paid for it already it doesnt mean you can take that and use it as part of the trade in price. but i wanted the clk430 so bad i went to lexus and they ended up giving me like 29k for it. i ended up saving something like 3 k which was better but the hassle of it all pissed me off. to top it off i was paying the people that were giving me all that crap. i was mad but took the car nevertheless cause i wanted it so bad and didnt want to wait elsewhere for months.

u should have looked for a private sale viv. you had a long time to put ads and sales out on your clk. it could go for 40+ no problem but you need to take your time and spend the energy and go through the hassle. in the end its whether or not you want to save that money or not. i did but didnt want to go through all that so i settled for less. try selling it to someone privately you may not have the exact timing right since u might have to sell your current car earlier or later but it will save you the money if a clk500 is waiting for u.

it sucks that these dealers are such *******s. they know its a new model there will be high demand for them so they do anything they can do get the most out of it. unfortunately for u they have the trade in price as leverage. your car is clearly worth alot more, u just wont be getting it from them.

good luck

vivianlove

you can use your old car as trade.

Let's say you own a 2001CLK430 and the resale value is $42-$46K.

The dealership gave you $34k Trade Allowance and you owe $30K to your bank.

It means your CLK430 has $4k value to it.

CLK500 = $58000
without trade: tax @ 8.7 % = $5075 on Sales Tax
CLK500 Total Sales Price: $63075

With Trade
CLK500 = $58000
Salex Tax: $5075 (CLK430 resale value) $34000 = Credit of $2975
New Sales Tax: $2100
Credit of $4000 Net Trade
CLK500 Total Sales Price: $56100


If my CLK430 resale vaule is $42-$46K and the dealer offer me a reasonable value of $38K
CLK500 = $58000
New Sales Tax: $1750 (Credit of $3325 on $38 Resale value)
Credit of $8000 Net Trade
CLK500 Total Sales Price:$51750

Do you see the different?

likuidM5

Vivian -

I do see the difference. With the car in high demand and time not being on your side, they really do have you by the ***** (err... yeah..). I think its incredible how little credit you get on your 430.. I don't blame you from ducking out of the deal. If you could get even $35,000 cash for the car, its a no brainer that that's the way to go.

Is it really true that the CLK500 price will be $63075 (US$) after sales tax?!? That figure looks really high..

vivianlove

base: $52000 give or take $500
K3: $1000
K4: $1000
Command:$2100
Keyless Go: $1000

Total: $57100

$900 for Misc

Grand Total: $58000

vivianlove

I couldn't agree with you more, those guys ripping you off and pretend they're on your side. I got really **** when they think they giving me a deal that no one can beat.

Safet

Funny, I heard the "save on tax" story when I asked about trading in my 430. Cmon, you are dealing with people smart enough to drive Mercedes, not pickup trucks, and who can figure their after-tax benefit to the price offered by the dealership.

Good going vivianlove.

vivianlove

One offer me $32500 for the CLK

The other MB dealer offer me $31500. PLUS! $2000 discount off for the new CLK.... WOW! WOW!

He's so clever and funny. I said, I'll take the car without a trade.... you know what?... as I expected NO MORE $2000 discount.

I GIVE UP!

Safet

So he was really giving you 33.5k figure after tax benefit, just sell it yourself...screw him

vivianlove

You are right, screw him......do it myself.

I'm sure I can get min. of $41k for the CLK430 and $29K for BMW328

compare to

Trade in:
CLK430 - $34K+$3K=$37K
BMW328 - $21+$2K=$23K

$70K
versus
MB trade in $60K

That's $10K extra I save

LILRAJA

Oh man, i am sorry to hear this. I know you can get a lot more that for your car. My friend just got a clk320 for 41k plus tax tags used. So i know that u can def. get 43k for the clk430. As for the bmw you should easily get in the high 20s. u should have kept your deposit at the dealer, sell the car privately and then go back and get the clk500. Oh well, these car dealers are nothing but stinking *******.

LIL Raja

Mr. Xristo

when you are negotiating the price of a vehicle NEVER, EVER, EVER bring up the fact that you will be trading in another vehicle.

Dealers will use this to their advantage, and make you feel like you are receiving a "good deal" on the new vehicle, when in fact you are being ripped from both ends to THEIR ADVANTAGE!!

The only person you should bring up the trade-in to is the finance geek, WHEN, and ONLY WHEN you are closing on the new vehicle. The sales person should, and must never know about the trade-in.

Once he has a contract on the vehicle, and you go to purchase, you will be dealing with the finance person.
Steps:

1) Pick the vehicle you want, and negotiate a price.

2) Once you have a SIGNED CONTRACT, and are speaking to the finance person when you are at the dealer to pick up, and pay for it, THEN you mention, "I would like to trade in my vehicle"...

They will be pissed, but this is how I have done it..

Once a dealer knows you are trading it, he will lower the price of your new vehicle to make you think you are receiving a great deal, then he will make up for that by giving you nothing for your trade-in.

LILRAJA

but will that not be a bad idea. if you signed a contract and they don't give you what u want for your trade, aren't you still under the contract to buy their car?? i hope this does not become a two sided sword and whiplash at you. I thought about it but don't know if this is a good idea. Advise me ..

LIL Raja

Brian_R170

vivianlove, it's hard to believe you have all those cars and don't really know anything about buying a car.

Clifflee

Hahaha Brian:

The guys in alot of stress already. Way to rub it in. Lol. funny tho.

sungulent

this is excatly why i like leasing cars

no headaches in seeling just give the car back to them and if umade alll ur payment on time u become dealers god they will do anything possible too make u happy

one advise after buying a car build a relantionship with ur dealer

anytime when u go for check ups oil change etc stop by nad see the salesman

if thinking bout new clk500 kinda let him know and let him know how much u willing to spend

i guarantee u that the salesman will sleep on it

next time u there slightly ask him kinda give give false info bout the competition tell em how much ur friend is happy with the compettion

anyways fellas good luck with new car

let me know how it turns out

and if in cali i can help
house of imports do anything to keep me happy took em 14 clients

thanks

g

"The Don"

I don't mean to be rude, but if you own a ****ing 360 modena, what is the ****ing point of how much they're giving you for the clk 430? You must be bull****ting over the Internet or are a cheap mother****er! Just kidding, I love ya! But seriously, why would you care? Isn't money no object here? I got an awsome deal on mine, 637 a month and $8000.00 down.

Ciao,

"The Don"

vivianlove

Brian_R170:

Never sold a car or trade in before, first timer. That's what I"m lack of.



The Don:

I'm not wealthy as you might think. I would think I'm living comfortably. Even if I'm wealthy as you stated, it doesn't mean they can take advantage of me.

"The Don"

I honestly and perfectly understand that because I am the same way! I own over $100,000 in watches and you would think that I wouldn't care about a deal, but no way! I get all of them dirt cheap from my personal friend who's a jeweler! However, if the tables turned and there was a watch or car that I wanted sooo bad, it's going to be mine no matter what the cost. Now, being that you have a Ferrari 360 Modena (is it red, I envy you!) It's an expensive car, so if you really want the CLK 500 (Which I've now seen at a "New York" dealer) you shouldn't let a trade in bother you, PLUS you should know that you always get screwed on a trade in, remember this simpy, the dealer has to make some money on the car when he sells it!

So, when you go and sell him the car, the profit that he makes on the car when he sells it is what you lost, unless you sold it yourslef. Just a TIP.

Let me know if you get the CLK though, we will meet at Neptunes in the Hamptons and show 'em off!!

Ciao,

"The Don"

sungulent

new mafioso has arrived

welcome to the family!!!!

Benzo

Vivianlove:
Have you considered selling th ecar on yur own and asking the dealer to take the trade. In other words, you find a buyer, and sell them the car at the dealership so they are effectively buying it from the dealership and you get the sales price as the trade in. Most dealers will do this and charge you about $500. This is what I am planning on doing for my 2002 CLK430. I only have 4,500 miles and am now looking for buyers for when my 2003 arrives. If you sell it ahead of time, the dealer will hold your credit on the car until your arrives. That way you get higher dollars for your car and you still get the tax break... Hope that helps. Benzo

cani

What is so special about the clk500? Oh...it must have the big boy v8 in it? I think the clk430 looks nicer. Of course I do own one....I just could never see myself financing that much money.....I wouldnt care if i had 5 million. I paid 36,400 for my 99 clk with 23k miles on it 8 months ago of course ...my step father is the number one sales person at crown jaguar/mercedes in st pete and he has some connections.

If you want to be treated RIGHT go see Mike Ford at crown jaguar in st pete. He can locate any car that you may want and he's good at moving trade ins for what they're worth as well.

Tell him that his step son Kyle sent you.

Benzo

I BELIEVE THAT I HAVE DEALT WITH YOUR STEP-FATHER IN THE PAST. CROWN IS WHERE I HAVE MY CLK55 ON ORDER- I DEAL DIRECTLY WITH THE MANAGER B/C I THE PERSON THAT USED TO SELL TO ME THERE LEFT. I COULDN'T REMEMBER THE GUY WHO HAD HELPED ME (THIS WAS '99) BUT I BELIEVE IT MAY BE HIM. HAS HE BEEN THERE FOR QUITE SOME TIME? (ON THE BENZ SIDE) I MAY BE THINKING OF LOKEY.