that he just got two clk55's in and knew that i was looking for one. im going to meet him after work and take a look at the cars but wanted any pointers or things to look at from you guys. heres what he has:

2001 clk55
blk on black
27,000 miles
$39,000

2002 clk55
silver on black
31,500 miles
$43,900

both are going to be starkmark cars and supposedly in great shape. anything i should be aware of? look for? etc...

this deal would also be contigent on what they are willing to give me for my car and also i asked him on the phone if he would take my motorcycle (2003 kawasaki ninja) as well and he said yes.

hes def going to have to do better on the price and im sure he will as my current clk is my 3rd car from this dealer and with family and friends combined they have purchased over 12 mb's from them in the past 4 years.

another thing ive been thinking about alot lately is all the clk55's (and other cars im looking at) on ebay. i see 01's and 02's go for way cheaper but im just not 100% sold on buying a car off ebay or the like even though you could get a great deal. whats everyones thoughts on that?

 

just got off the phone with him and i asked him what was left of the factory warrantys and the 01 has 8 days left and will pretty much have just the 1 year starmark warranty and the 02 has until may 06 with the factory + 1 year starmark after that.

 

Wow! $39000 for the 2001 CLK55 is quite high considering I just got a quote of $28000 trade-in value for my 2001 CLK55 Silver/black with 32000 miles( in excellent condition). I was considering trading for a 2006 ML500. The dealer gave me $2800 discount of MSRP of $62000 but wants to take me to the cleaner on the trade-in. Needless to say I wouldn't be buying the ML500, my wife's top choice, and put down a deposit on a Lexus GX470 today. Now I will be getting a decent vehicle at a reasonable price and I still get to keep my CLK55. Now I just have to go apologize to my CLK55 for dumping her, well almost.

John

 

Not sure if this will help you or not. From the auctions

1) 01

For Week Ending Sep 03
Above Average Below Jul 2005 Mar 2005 Sep 2004
Sale Price $29,218 $26,004 $22,790 $26,004 $28,535 $31,255
Mileage 32,215 50,251 68,287 50,251 48,000 29,118
Total Sold All 6 4 7 10


Average Auction Mileage
Prices are based on more transactions than shown under 'Transactions', above.
Sep 08 - Sep 15 2005
Above Average Below Oct 2005 Sep 2006
Auction $28,600 $26,500 $24,400 $26,000 $22,700
Est. Retail $31,300 $29,100 $26,800 $28,500 $25,000


2) 02

For Week Ending Sep 03
Above Average Below Jul 2005 Mar 2005 Sep 2004
Sale Price $35,097 $30,480 $25,863 $30,480 $32,606 $36,912
Mileage 23,717 39,137 54,557 39,137 39,067 28,405
Total Sold All 8 5 8 6


Average Auction Mileage
Prices are based on more transactions than shown under 'Transactions', above.
Sep 08 - Sep 15 2005
Above Average Below Oct 2005 Sep 2006
Auction $34,100 $31,100 $28,100 $30,400 $26,400
Est. Retail $37,200 $34,000 $30,800 $33,300 $29,000

 

Congrats on both retaining your CLK and the emminent new arrival. I bought an GX470 about 9 months ago. Very nice truck with every option except KDSS. Rides exceptionally well and fuel economy is pretty good for it's size (averages around 18MPG with mixed driving and have gotten as much as 23MPG on a 5 hour trip).

 

thanks for the info amdeutsch! i havent gone to see the cars yet cause when i talked to my sales guy last week he told me that both cars are going thru the starmark certification process and getting detailed and he wants me to see them in the proper condition. he said hopefully today (mon) at least one would be ready to look at.

in a way im kind of glad that hes taking his time getting the cars ready because it allowed me to think about the whole situation and make a quick choice that i might regret later. as it stands, im gonna go down there, check out the cars, see what he will give me for my car and possibly my bike and see what the *real* numbers are on both 55's. ive decided i have no problem walking away from either car if he says some crazy **** or isnt willing to work with me, afterall its basically the same exact car i have now just with the bigger amg engine.

now let me ask you this, he said one of the cars, the 01 was a trade in and the 02 was a return lease. so the auction prices you posted are they still really indicative of how much room the dealer has to work with? if they are asking 39,000 and 43,900 respectively, how much room do you think they have to play with?

 

find out what they are willing to give you the bike. If it is reasonable I'll match it + a bit

 

Hmmmm......I would tend to think the one that was leased might be a bit more abused. Just on average. Of course every situation is unique. Just my thoughts. Might want to stay away from a leased car?

 

I just sold my 01 with 39,000 miles for $36,000. It was super clean with suspension and wheels (about 5k in extras). I would not pay more than 35k for a stock 01/02 w208 55.

 

Condition will be the key...make sure all services have been done and it passes a thorough PPI. Happy hunting!

 

They just oficially announced that th next clk will have the 6.3 ltr motor. Give yourself 6 months before you buy bklyn. You're likely to find a whole bunch of these for sale in the next year at reduced prices.

 

I have to agree.....I would not touch either of them unless it was a stupid deal.

 

Nt

 

Pm