Dsurr

What happened?

johnadams

Drive out price was firm at $39400

No extended warranty thrown in. Warranty would be another $3k

Dsurr

Yes, I don't think you can get into a 2012 low miles for less than that out the door. Taxes alone on 37k is just over 2k. Add the other fees and your over 39,500. I still think that is a very good buy. Remember that car lists for what 65? To get a 2012 CPO out the door will be close to 42. There does not seem to be a lot of them. If you drop down to 2011 I would try and get an E550 which will be about the price of the 2012 E350.

johnadams

thanks Dsurr, I made an offer for 33,900 but they thought I was joking
Anyway, it is a very good deal considering all other similar coupes with CPO are in the $42k range as you said. maybe someone with skill would be able to negotiate the price down to $35k. the consultants at the dealership said they were going to buy it at $37k but that could just be good sales technique at play.

dkchip, dsurr, you guys rock - thanks for the tips

Dsurr

I don't think so, no one buys that car for $35k. At 37k before ttl great buy.

mercedes4ever

Love it when a used car salesman says...we are loosing money on this car[the oldest trick in the book]!!

johnadams

that's what I thought! I once had a salesman wager with me that if he could show proof that they're losing money on the car, I must buy the car.

dudley07726

You wanted $39k drive out price and you are $400 apart. Is $400 that big of a deal when your spending $39k?

johnadams

Tha'ts what I said to the dealer! Is $400 that big of a deal??? c'mon!
to answer your question, I'll pull the "it's the principle of the matter" expression.

dudley07726

I'm not criticizing you. If you really what the car, then what's $400?
If not, then I have no problem with your decision.

johnadams

ive read somewhere that when it comes to buying a used car, negotiate down by 10% and have them meet halfway. dealers make the most profit selling used cars. in this case the dealer probably got the benz traded in for $32k and is now selling it for $37k making a tidy profit. this is not a CPO so not much work has been done to it.

lets see how long the benz continues to remain on their lot unsold. according to carguru its been sitting on their lot for over 130days! (since october 2013)

Dsurr

Looks like to sold, if it is the one at the Porsche dealer

Dsurr

http://www.ecarone.com/web/used/Merc...exas/11850549/

Check this one out.

BBowles

More stuff......more money. Offer them $40k and have them pay to deliver....

http://www.mypreownedmercedes.com/us...kj7db3cf172573

johnadams

people must be monitoring this thread and buying the ones dkchip/dsurr recommends

johnadams

maybe they sold it to the mercedes benz store next door.

Dsurr

For what it is worth I think the price they offered was very good.

johnadams

yeah. don't think it will sell for another month with the MB CPO sales event this year being so attractive - 2 prepaid maintenance, 2 payment credits, unlimited miles warranty

johnadams

I've noticed that dealers buy and sell cars from each other and when they list it again they mark the price back up. if this car comes out on the market again, I bet it will be at the original selling price of $44000.

dkchips

John,

Dsurr and others are providing you with great advice. Just be patient - the value of 2012 and 2011 E350's is going down - not up -the fact that the black E at the Porsche dealer was on the lot of over 3 months is proof enough of just how soft the market is.

Here in Southern California - with 30 Mercedes dealers in a 100 mile radius your offer of $33,900 would have been countered with $34,900 and you'd have driven home with the car. Just be patient - if you see an E low enough in price without all the CPO incentives jump on it - Dsurr will be on the look out for you - [I] suggest you search Car Gurus for 2012 E350's within 200 miles radius of Los Angles - if you see one at a Mercedes Dealer give them a call - speak to the internet sales manager - also send an email to the internet manager - the cost to professionally transport to you would be less than $1,000 or you could fly out and drive your beauty back to Texas in 2 days and make an adventure out of all of this.

CPO E's are flush in LA AREA - and prices for 2010 Sport Sedans are in the $27,000 to $30,000 range - it's very reasonable to assume that $33,900 to $34,900 would snag a 2012 Coupe.

Again - if you can find a non CPO at the right price - and the right price equates to the value of the incentives subtracted from the highest available CPO price - the end price result should equal what you should pay for the non CPO car.

Your frustration is understandable as my search for a CPO CLS 550 took a while but in the end the purchase was wholesale with CPO - low miles and 3.5 years left on the warranty.

Dsurr - My lease on a 2014 E350 Coupe with all options except Distonic - MSRP at $63,000 - discount of $10,000 - 2 year lease - servicing included - drive off of $1,135 - monthly at $629 including taxes.

Hopefully John will make the best choice and all of here on the forum can feel good in helping someone find the right car at the right price.

hillcreative

I hope you guys are around when I need to buy a new car in 4 years!

Dsurr

Dkchips agreed. Unfortunately, here in Texas there are very few Ecoupes available. $37k for a 2012 is the best one can do here. Buying from CA might make sense if indeed you can get a 2012 for $35k and add shipping of $1k. Typically, I would want to drive before purchase. That might bring the cost up to the equivalent of local price. Like you I would hold out for 2012 over eArlier models. In the next few months we will see more 2012 models as they come off lease.

johnadams

thanks dkchips. maybe mercedes benz would offer even better CPO incentives in the summer when new models come out

mercedes4ever

LOL!!

Here are some extracts from The Car Salesman's Guide 101;

Used Car Saleman: Worth Every Penny!
Translation: Every penny is one cent, that is what it's worth.

Used Car Saleman: Garage Kept!
Translation: The garage kept this car while the owner got a loan for repairs.

Used Car Saleman: The Car of Your Dreams!
Translation: You remember these dreams, waking up with your heart racing, don't you?

Used Car Saleman: Everybody Wants One of These!
Translation: This is one of the most frequently stolen cars.

Used Car Saleman: Driver's Side Airbag!
Translation: Get your auto insurance to pay for your spouses much needed plasic surgery.

Used Car Saleman: Last Years Model!
Translation: Everyone else found it's faults, can you?

Used Car Saleman: Great Gas Mileage!
Translation: You'll have a hard enough time getting it started, let alone burn gas.

Used Car Saleman: Dealer Demo!
Translation: We tried it, we're unloading it.

Used Car Saleman: You Can Aford It!
Translation: Our bank likes you/your co-signers collateral.

Used Car Saleman: Easy Payments!
Translation: EASY ( Expect About Seven Years) Payments.

Used Car Saleman: Low Mileage!
Translation: Odometer broken.

Used Car Saleman: New Tires!
Translation: Bad Front end alignment destroyed the old tires.

Used Car Saleman: These are Getting Hard To Find!
Translation: Scrap metal prices keep going up.

Used Car Saleman: Owned by a Little Old Lady!
Translation: She's selling it 'cause her grandkids use it so much, she never gets to.

Used Car Saleman: Let me show you something else you might like!
Translation: Let me show you what makes me the most commission.
Used Car Saleman: Let me talk to my manager about what we can do!
Translation: Let's see if you'll fall for this figure.

Used Car Saleman: That's our Rock Bottom Price!
Translation: I'll eat Steak and Lobster for a month.

Used Car Saleman: You made the right choice!
Translation: You made us a lot of money.

Used Car Saleman: Better not wait too long, this one will not last!
Translation: The bank is repo'ing our cars on Saturday.

Benzcrazy23

Hello Fellas, I am new to the forum. I have been lurking for many years but never created an account until this morning...sorry to thread jack, but I been reading this thread since last night and it is full of wonderful information.

rather than starting a new thread I would like to ask how you guys feel about purchasing a car from a private party from Craigslist or Autotrader ?

I am in the market for a 2010-2012 E350 Coupe and my budget is $30-35K
I found some low mile vehicles in craigslist, but before I pull the trigger I would like some of your expert opinions on purchasing a vehicle from a private party.

also is there a huge difference in the E350's from 2010 to 2012 ?

Thanks so much in advance for any and all suggestions.

My name is Cesar , I live in Santa Clarita CA near Magic Mt.