I came across this forum, and thought i would see what everyone's input was on me getting an E350 as a first car.

I just turned 16 and I think this is what I want.

I do have a few questions...

Is 4Matic recommended?

And should i get premium package 1 or 2, or is it not worth getting either of them?

Are there any recommendations on any extra things i should get along with it?

Now as far as paying for the car, I am going to lease it but i do not know how that process works.

For a down payment i can put up to $10,000, and i would like to get a 36 or 39 month lease. I would like to be spending anywhere from $550 to $750 per month. Is this possible?

Thanks,

 

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I would recommend to get at least P2. otherwise no reason to take Mercedes. 4matic is valuable if you are going to drive in snow. I would suggest taking also sport package and leather. Since you are not very experienced drive, you may pick parktronic. My daughter took E430 at 16 birthday with all options and it was very wise purchase. Regarding lease, you certainly can afford quite good loaded E350. With this down your monthly payments will be below $400. However check with auto insurance, you can pay high premium. It was reason why my daughter purchased car, because she could pay liability only.

 

1) If it snows where you live, get 4MATIC
2) P1 at a minimum, P2 if you can afford it
3) Rear side airbags would be a good safety feature to order. PARKTRONIC is a must. DISTRONIC is amazing but costly
4) Down payment on a lease is generally a lame move (as long as the interest rate is reasonable) - you're better off keeping your cash invested and paying a higher monthly. Check with your dealer for payment scenarios

 

I appreciate the replies, guys...

I decided if i do get this i will go with the 4matic and P2, along with the ParkTronic.

Now for the sport package your talking about, does that come with the sedan? Im not interested in a coupe.

As far as color... Im thinking im going to get white exterior and black interior.. But it snows up here so im not too sure on the white.

I also just built this on the MB website and they are estimating 59,000. I've read that people were able to get the dealer to lower the price... I am going to a dealer tomorrow so how can i ask for a price reduction?

 

Not sure how rates will vary, depending on where he lives. However, even with 10K down, payments on a Loaded up P2 car will still probably be in the mid-upper $500's right now (before Taxes), unless of course, some killer discounts, etc. are given.

To the O/P, I'd definitely recommend P2, I was gonna pass on the W212 until I really got into a combo I liked, which had the P2. Makes a big difference on this car to me (however to note, I wasn't a fan of the car to begin with, so it had to put in some work to win me over).

My car was $56K and change (sticker), and I got it for $52K and change, with no loyalty discounts, etc. It seems like I did pretty well (I Leased, to note), and I'm in Cali, where it's harder to get some of the deals I'm seeing East Coast guys getting, with loyalty discounts, etc.

2011's are around the corner, and although prices for them will certainly go up a bit, I'm sure 2010's will be easier to pick up for a bit cheaper. I just didn't have the patience to wait a couple of months or so.

 

I strongly suggest that you take your parents with you or at least another adult. You are a minor and legally cannot enter into a contract with the dealer. They most likely will not accept your order without a parent or guardian to sign the order and contract, etc. You may also have difficulty buying insurance.

 

I would not recommend leasing your car for several reasons: your 16 now & you'll be stuck with the same car until your almost 20. The car must be returned at the end of the 39 months in good condition or you pay. Your resticted to how much you can drive it or you'll pay extra. My best friend in high school got a new luxory car at 16 & got ***** for it everday( kids would call it mommys car) & finally got rid of it less that 2 years later. You have a 10k as a down payment which helps you stay ahead of depreciation & allows your payments to be reasonable. Imagine at the age of 16 being stuck with the same girlfriend for 39 months even if you get tired of them & want to date someone else & on their terms! I'm not saying don't buy the car, I'm saying don't lease the car.

 

After giving this more thought I want to say that this is entirely the wrong car for a 16YO. Wrong message sent, wrong price point, wrong style and so on. I would think that if his parents were responsible they would not permit it. In addition he is an inexperienced driver and his thought processes have not matured at all.If this comes to be he can get himself in lots of trouble not to mention the condition the car will be in when he is done with it. It would be one of the worst cases of conspicuous consumption that I have heard of.

 

Sosh, i personally love the style and the price is fine.

And i wouldn't expect my parents to not permit me having the car since i earned this money and i am paying for it myself.

What car would u recommend though? Nothing cheap though

 

I stopped by the dealership today and got in the cars and checked them out in person, and I decided that the C350 is what im going to get.

You guys are right... I dont think that car would be right for me right now.

 

Nice choice man. The C350 is great.
Sosh, wow. Someone is jealous.

 

Jealous?? At over 4 times the OPs age and in a very strong position allowing me to do anything I want to do why on earth would I be jealous?? Get a grip on things. I just do not think its correct for a 16YO to be driving a new Benz. If his parents allow it they are the root cause of the problem.

 

C-class should be getting a face lift for MY2011. I would suggest waiting to see what MB is going to do before pulling the trigger.

 

Sosh, what's so wrong with letting a 16 y/o drive a new E class if he can?
The other posters and I don't see a problem. I would let my kids drive my S class or my new GL. My kid is going to learn how to drive on my GL. There's nothing wrong with letting a kid drive a new car. If you are complaining that a 16 y/o is driving a car that you drive, thats defined as jealousy. I simply don't see why letting a kid drive a new benz is deplorable. If you can do whatever you want, at least take the time and reflect on what you are saying.

 

Well, at least for one thing, the Parents can know that their Son would be in the Safest car on the road (E-Class).

C-Class is a good choice for your age though, plenty of years to get into an E-Class. It's always good to start somewhere, and "build" into something else, makes life more fun (pushing for more), and makes for better stories later on.

 

Sosh, listen... Its my money, I can buy whatever car i want to buy, and not you or anyone else can tell me not to buy a Benz. I simply asked for opinions on this car, or another Mercedes. Recommending me not to buy this model is one thing, but not to buy a Mercedes period because of me being young is another. You don't know who I am, or what I do, so don't be too quick to judge.

And about you saying I'm an inexperienced driver... I have been driving almost daily this past 6 months that I've had my temps. I might not be as experienced as you guys, but I wouldn't say I'm inexperienced.

And to add to your statement about my "thought process not maturing", I am a student pilot and have logged over 30 hours flying, soon to get my private pilots license... I am pretty sure with this experience that I know how to control myself, as its way more dangerous and complicated than driving and that I am very mature. I started flying planes way before I've gotten into the drivers seat of a car.

 

How can it be legal for a minor to drive a car? Or even worse, fly a plane?! I'm starting to get worried here, but maybe it's just because I know how I was at that age...

 

30 hours is leading you into the most dangerous phase of learning to fly. One thinks he knows more than he does. You had to be 16 to solo. I am a retired pilot and retired after 25000 hours of accident incident free flying, most as captain in jet or turbine high performance equipment on international routes. A private ticket is a ticket to learn. I also have owned several corporate aircraft sales organizations buying, selling and demonstrating all types of high performance corporate aircraft. So call me when you earn your ATP maybe I will listen then!

 

Ipp: In America, since i have my temporary license, i can drive with my parents.

And its completely legal to fly a plane with a certified instructor since I'm learning.

Sosh: That's nice, i wouldn't of expected to hear you say that you were a pilot. And i know my solo is going to be dangerous, but I'm sure I'll be okay.

 

Just for your age, I think a C class or SLK might be more fun to drive and more age appropriate.

 

If you think your first solo is dangerous you are far from being ready to solo. By the way most students solo in 8 to 10 hours and earn their private in about 40 to 45 hours. So you are way behind. Most likely age related or a not so good instructor. As for legality your instructor is actually the PIC (pilot in command) and if you do not yet have your student ticket legally you are nothing more than a passenger.

 

I just said i just turned 16... and you said you have to be 16 to solo... Obviously that means I haven't had my solo because I wasn't old enough.

 

No problem with a Benz as a first car, we just purchased a 2010 E350 for our 16y.o. daughter's birthday. Unlike many kids these days she had her license on her birthday and has been driving all over town since! My wife and I feel good knowing she is safe and she loves the car. I personally think it is a great first car and didnt think twice about it once we actually went and looked at them. While the E may not look or feel as sporty as some of the other options available, it performs plenty well.

 

Boy kids have got it pretty good since I was sixteen, my dad wouldn't let me drive till I was eighteen and I could go to Vietnam
But maybe he figured I wasn't a responsible teen ager