Well.. I'll be finding out today or tomorrow how much my car is going to clost, and my dad and I have a bet as to whether or not they're going to charge us over sticker for the car. I spoke to my salesman months ago, and made him assure me that the car won't be over sticker when we purchase it. I asked him to put it in writing for me, but he said "We don't do that.. your deposit is enough". Sooo, I'm curious to see what he does.

Have any of you been forced to pay over sticker for your car?

The sales manager at my dealership explained it to me this way. If one orders a car and puts down the deposit, it's your car and it will be sold to you at no more than sticker price. ...BUT if a person does not accept the car that was ordered for them (or cancels the order before it comes in), the car then becomes a "Market" car. He said that means that the dealership has the option of selling the car for the highest offer. He and I had this conversation in relation to the SL55. I guess in the end, it boils down to whether the dealership wants to create a long-term customer out of you. If the dealership is farsighted, they'll follow a course that does that. If they care only about the fast buck, then get ready to have them put the screw to you. GOOD LUCK. Your dealership will take the farsighted approach, I hope.

Wow, that may mean I'm gonna get screwed. I had a car on order, and it was slated to come in October/November. They offered me one that somebody else had ordered but passed up. Is the car still considered a "Market" car?? I had a deposit down, and never cancelled my order. I simply took somebody else's car that was the same as the one I had been expecting.

I think they will sell the car to you at sticker price. After all, you had a similar car on order and are merely stepping up to the plate to take this one because it's more convenient for you and it accommodates them, as well. It's not like you are a stranger that walked into the showroom off the street yesterday and asked if they had one for sale. That's how I view it, at least. Let us know what happened. (The person who later buys your previously ordered November-delivery car when it comes in will likely be the recepient of the golden screw.)

Mercedes USA does not let a dealer sell new cars over sticker, BMW does. I placed a deposit 5/2001, speced it this May, took delivery 8/14. I paid sticker.

This is why you would see certain dealerships two years ago with many "used" w208's with 200 to 1000 miles. They would take cars allocated to the dealer, sell them to a "friend" of the dealership and buy them back at a slight premium and then sell the car above original sticker.

There is one dealer in Houston that played that game.

Michael T,

I talked to a guy named Mindle at Park Place Greenway on 59 about my Clk and wondering if thats the dealership? I just wouldn't want to give my small business to a shady dealership.

Thanks,
Sonny

Yes, I was on a 2001 CLK 430 list at Greenway and by observation, way too many used CLK 430's with low mileage. Also, my name did not move on their list as fast as they said. I cancelled ultimately.

Their service, while professional, asks for you to take days to make an appointment.

Go to Star Motors, my wife has had problem scheduling service for her E320 wagon.

For a new car see Curt Rich, he has 20 years experience at Star and knows his product. Given that I get five car magazines, that is a statement.

it's my understanding that the car isn't "market," and subject to pricing above MSRP until it's sold; usually happens when someone on the waiting list buys (at MSRP) and turns around and sells it right back to the dealer for a profit (the car may only be off the dealer property for a few seconds). the next guy in line on the "used" car gets hit with market (premium) price, but with luxury tax already having been paid.

WELL, I spoke to my salesman, and found out exactly how much the lease and purchase prices would be.

Silver CLK500
Charcoal Leather with Burl Walnut Trim
K3 Value Package (Sunroof/Back window shade)
COMAND Navigation System
Heated Front Seats
Motorola V60 Phone with Voice Recognition

Lease Price: $979.72 a month (36 months, 15k miles, all taxes and bank fees incl. - no $$ up front)
Purchase Price: $61,065

Needless to say, I'll be purchasing the car


3 MORE DAYS!!!

liquid, does that include sales tax?

well, afaik, technically, mb cannot tell the dealer to sell at a certain price - only suggest a price. that's sort of the problem w/ the lawsuit they're going thru b/c of the no-haggle policy they tried to use. so if a dealership wants to sell at a higher price, they can do that.

you're right, maybe the dealerships plays those kind of games to sell at a higher price. i see a lot of new SL selling over MSRP.

First off, its "LIKUID"!! The "lik" is part of my last name, thus, the cleverness of the name

I believe the lease includes tax, and the sales price doesn't.

That def. doesn't include tax- the sales price...

likuidM5, that's a great price. I'm picking up my '03 CLK 320 on Friday. K3 + CD Changer. Sales Price is about $47,500 + Tax.
<br>Lease Price: 39 Mos., 12K miles : $627/month + approx $3500 Tax,Title, Registration, Bank Fee, etc....