Anyone purchased their vehicle out of state\online?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 2
2005 E500
Anyone purchased their vehicle out of state\online?
I'm just curious if anyone here has purchased their car(s) using an online marketplace like carsdirect.com\eBay or has purchased it out of state and had it shipped. The prices in my locale are atrocious and the 3 dealers I went to are only offering incentives on leases or a couple hundred off of MSRP. Looking on carsdirect for my zip shows a base '05 E500 for $53k for zip code 33139, it is $48k.
Just curious what the buying experience was like.
Just curious what the buying experience was like.
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles / Orange County
2005 E500 / 1993 MR2 Turbo
I didn't purchase my car online but I did use the information provided on cars.com to negotiate with my dealer. The website lists the invoice prices as well as the msrp for the car and all the options.
I was able to get my 2005 E500 heavily loaded for about $3500 under invoice (almost $6000 off msrp sticker price) here in southern california.
You might want to contact the fleet manager at an out of state (maybe California) dealership. You can negotiate the price over the phone or via email. They might be able to ship to your location and you can register it there.
I knew exactly what I wanted down to the last detail. When I bought my car I never visited the dealer's lot until the price was finalized and I had to go down to do the paperwork. I contacted the fleet manager/internet sales and got a great deal without having to haggle with a salesman on-site. On-site salesmen try to squeeze every last penny out of you.
I was able to get my 2005 E500 heavily loaded for about $3500 under invoice (almost $6000 off msrp sticker price) here in southern california.
You might want to contact the fleet manager at an out of state (maybe California) dealership. You can negotiate the price over the phone or via email. They might be able to ship to your location and you can register it there.
I knew exactly what I wanted down to the last detail. When I bought my car I never visited the dealer's lot until the price was finalized and I had to go down to do the paperwork. I contacted the fleet manager/internet sales and got a great deal without having to haggle with a salesman on-site. On-site salesmen try to squeeze every last penny out of you.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
I had the same thoughts about buying out of town. Miami would be cheaper than my home of Atlanta. But, after the Atlanta dealer claiming they didn't negotiate that hard, they did. I said I would pay invoice (as shown on carsdirect.com) less 4k. After 15 minutes, they called back and did the deal. As long as you are looking for a 2005 E-500, you can get a deal. If not, find a cheap air ticket, buy out of town and enjoy the ride back home!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
I live in NY and bought (ordered a car) over the phone. An out of state dealer will most likely give you a rock bottom price because the sale is basically "free money" for the House. Its a sale that would never be made by them anyway if you haddn't called, so they might as well grab it. They know they only have one shot at the sale. You have to know exactly what you want, and costs, so if they give you the right price, you are ready to go. They hate tire kickers, and wasting time. They will believe you are serious if you have completed an MB credit app already.
