Toog4me

Hey everyone. I've been looking at these forums for a while now and thought you guys could help me here.

I'm looking for a new car. I was originaly interested in the M3, but a friend of mine sold me on the CLK500. I thought that I would take on a 39 month lease on an 06 CLK500. However, with my credit, I'm at Tier 4 and the price is ridiculous. Keys European wants 6500 down and 900 a month. I've shown them my pay stubs and my account balances, and while I have more than enough money to cover the lease at any cost, I'm not stupid. I have money because I'm smart.

I'm trying to see what the bank, US BANK, can do for me with 10k down in terms of a lease price. My salesguy, the internet fleet manager, told me with 10k down they would probably stretch it out to a 5 year lease and the monthly payments would come down. My problem is that Im not going to pay 45k for a 39 month lease on the car. That's just plain stupid.

The other option they gave me is to simply take out a loan-- actually buy the car.

They have an 05 CLK500 w/ lightin, premium, amg, navi, keyless go, etc. Fully loaded with all the options I want. Silver on black. The ONLY problem I see is the mileage. It has 40k on it. For a 1 year old car, that is HIGH. Now it comes with the remaining MB warranty and they would also throw in an extended warranty. They have the car priced at around 40k. Assuming the warranty is good and will actually cover the entire vehicle if anything happens, what are your thoughts? What should I be concerned about? Is it worth it to simply go with a CLK350?

Any help or thoughts would be helpful.

Thank you!

clkcadet

regarding banks im not sure who can help, but do not lease it for 5 years, and do not pay over 700 a month, my friend has a 05 clk500 he got in august for 650 for 27 months!

as for the one they found you, thats a little rediculous 40k in one year.. but they are very easy to locate other used clk's if thats what youll decide on

regarding the 350, it will be cheaper might not be as quick but then again its only missing 35 hp from the 500

i say wait it out and get a 550!

Toog4me

The money issue is not with the dealership. It's with the actual bank, US Bank, formely Firstar. The bank makes the decision in terms of the loan. The dealership just sets the price for the car.

My question was more towards... Is getting an 05 w/ 40k on it a bad idea? Are their typical problems with the car? Or is it just generally BAD?

And with the 350, I know it's only 35 hp less, but theres no AMG sports package on that car. The 350 looks bland to me. No offense to any 350 drivers out there. I dont get why MB put the AMG kit as an option on the 01 CLK320s but not on the new ones.

Chi500

I recommend you go with the used 05 clk500. If it still has the warranty and they're throwing in the extended warranty, you dont have much to worry about. If you think about it, those 40k miles are HIGHWAY miles, a lot better than a lower milage car with a lot of city miles on it. You can probably get them down to at least $35k for that car. Trust me, you will like the CLK500 alot better than the 350. The torque difference is what you really should be looking at, not the horsepower.

Toog4me

Thats what I was thinking. Im trying to compute the mileage and the value of the car in 3 years compared to what I would be paying now.

filip75

get the 350. It's powerfull enough and you can add on any AMG things by yourself, and without paying insane Dealer price for them.

You should get that 500 with 40K miles only if they will extend your warranty to let's say 100K. I don't know how you drive, but I never do less than 15-19K a year (even with never leaving town)

clkcadet

or you can look around for other clk500's?? there r tons of them on the market.. especially since you live in cali...

SoCalBenzLover

Definitely don't lease for longer than 48 months. But unfortunately, with Tier 4 credit, there's not much they can do, regardless of your paycheck stubs etc. Only way they can give you a better rate is if you can clean up your credit score.

Obviously, I don't know your personal situation, and we've all been screwed on our credit report somehow. If you have the money available, then buy the car so you don't get ripped on the rate.

If it's possible for you to improve your credit score, then do it and lease, so you don't take the hit on depreciation.

If you go new, the 350 is noticeably different than the 320, which I drive. But I agree w/ the sport package problem. I have a sport package and it does make a difference. Tough call.

I think the 500 is overpriced for what you get over the 350. How about a 350, but w/ AMG wheels? The difference in the bodysculpting of the sport package is so minor, it's really the wheels that make the difference to me.

Good luck w/ your decision!

Toog4me

I've spoken with another Mercedes Dealership, MB of Beverly Hills. The salesperson I spoke with told me to come in on Saturday with all my info and he would see what he could do. He laughed at the 900 a month and said he would make it right. I'm not really sure what to expect, so I'm just going to go in thinking they're messing with me, and if they can help me out, GREAT!

In terms of financialy, I can pay the 900. But I wont. It's stupid and not a smart choice at all.

I think I am also going to take a look at a 350. Who knows, maybe I'll do a lease on an 06 (which they think they can do), and trade it off in a year or two. The V8 and 360 torque in the 500 is what's eating me alive. And the AMG sports package etc.

I've been looking at some 04 CLK500s, but I'm not a fan. I like the look of the 05 and 06 in terms of interior and combinations. I like the front lip on the 06 as well as the lights, but I realize that I am not in the situation to be so picky.

i will keep everyone updated. Please let me know if you have any other recomendations.

Toog4me

Don't know if I posted this but I ended up with an 06 CLK 350. The original dealership that I went to, Keys European, was trying to make an easy buck off of me and was lying A LOT about my credit score and report. In the end, I did business with W.I. Simonson in Santa Monica.

I chose the 350 b/c I wanted to save the investment for the 08 550. I went with a 24month lease and when that is up, the 550 will be waiting for me.

clkcadet

great! how much did you get it for (per month)