0% interest on 36 months on E Class and other Mercedes
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From: Austin TX Area
2020 E450 Wagon
I have heard the same from my cousin who also lives in Texas. He advises, that in Texas, at least with General Motors (he has a Corvette) they have programs that are like leases, but avoid the double taxation problem.
Here in New York we only pay sales taxes on the total of the lease payments not on the purchase price. My tax rate is 8.625% and the tax savings on a lease are substantial: My MSRP was over $72,000, selling price about $64,000 - the sales tax is based on the $64,000. The tax if I had bought would have been $5,520. My lease payments, without taxes $814 a month, total with NY State Sales tax included, $896, which means sales tax of $82 a month, 36 months $2,952 a savings of $2,568 vs. buying.
In New York we are able to roll everything into the lease: acquisition fee (bank fee) and New York State sales tax. The dealer pays the NY State taxes on lease inception. As the taxes are rolled into the lease, and it becomes part of the purchase price, there is a tax on the tax! But this still comes out much cheaper than buying.
Here in New York we only pay sales taxes on the total of the lease payments not on the purchase price. My tax rate is 8.625% and the tax savings on a lease are substantial: My MSRP was over $72,000, selling price about $64,000 - the sales tax is based on the $64,000. The tax if I had bought would have been $5,520. My lease payments, without taxes $814 a month, total with NY State Sales tax included, $896, which means sales tax of $82 a month, 36 months $2,952 a savings of $2,568 vs. buying.
In New York we are able to roll everything into the lease: acquisition fee (bank fee) and New York State sales tax. The dealer pays the NY State taxes on lease inception. As the taxes are rolled into the lease, and it becomes part of the purchase price, there is a tax on the tax! But this still comes out much cheaper than buying.
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No more MB:(
We're talking about a luxury product, 100% discretionary purchase. None of this makes sense, if you want to count beans then buy a Camry and drive it to death. All these analysis are great but at the end of the day we're talking lots of money paid for sheer enjoyment.
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 567
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From: Austin TX Area
2020 E450 Wagon
Obviously all here who drive luxury vehicles agree overall with that statement but I for one, don't want to throw money away so I still shop and compare for the best deal, lowest sale price etc. I like the analysis as it illuminates just how much we're spending and how to get the best value for my money.
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Actually I purchase vehicles based on safety ratings before I consider convenience and comfort features. MB cars have saved my life and that of my wife on many occasions where neither of us would have survived in a lesser car such as when two trucks from opposing directions both ran red lights and crushed a W202 (C36) to a width of 18". My wife survived unscathed.
Safety is not a luxury!
Safety is not a luxury!
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From: Washington DC
No more MB:(
Originally Posted by ua549
Actually I purchase vehicles based on safety ratings before I consider convenience and comfort features. MB cars have saved my life and that of my wife on many occasions where neither of us would have survived in a lesser car such as when two trucks from opposing directions both ran red lights and crushed a W202 (C36) to a width of 18". My wife survived unscathed.
Safety is not a luxury!
Safety is not a luxury!
Thread Starter
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From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
This is just plain silly: Cars are continually being tested and receive crash ratings. A 5 star rating whether it is a Honda or a Mercedes, in a crash, you have the same survivability - with one caveat: If two cars crash head on, and one weighs 6000 lbs. while the other weighs 4000 lbs. I rather be in the car that weighs 6000 lbs.
In the past, Mercedes and Volvo lead the way in safety: ABS, seat belts, air bags, etc. Those safety features are now ubiquitous. What is truly shocking is that many safety features that are no extra cost standard items on Honda, Toyota, Ford and GM, to name a few, cars that cost tens of thousands less than a Mercedes, are often extra cost items on a Mercedes.
IMO, this is truly outrageous!
As posted a Mercedes is a luxury item that no one needs. It is something that we want and hopefully gives us pleasure. But I agree, I have worked hard for my money and the ability to afford a Mercedes, does not mean I do not look for the best price when buying.
As a wise old rich man once said: "I did not get to be rich by throwing away my money."
In the past, Mercedes and Volvo lead the way in safety: ABS, seat belts, air bags, etc. Those safety features are now ubiquitous. What is truly shocking is that many safety features that are no extra cost standard items on Honda, Toyota, Ford and GM, to name a few, cars that cost tens of thousands less than a Mercedes, are often extra cost items on a Mercedes.
IMO, this is truly outrageous!
As posted a Mercedes is a luxury item that no one needs. It is something that we want and hopefully gives us pleasure. But I agree, I have worked hard for my money and the ability to afford a Mercedes, does not mean I do not look for the best price when buying.
As a wise old rich man once said: "I did not get to be rich by throwing away my money."
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The last time I was shopping for cars (2018) there were only 15 models from 8 manufacturers that earned marks in the highest rating category - Top Safety Pick +. Ford, GM and Honda models were not among them.
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Thread Starter
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From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Dear UA529: My information is different than yours.
Here are the top safety picks for 2020:
Notably absent: Mercedes E class:
The only Mercedes to make the list were the C class and the GLE
Lot of Hondas, Toyotas, Mazdas, Audis and Kia did make the list.
see: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/top-safety-picks
For 2018 you are wrong: There were Honda's, GM and Ford (Lincoln) on the top safety picks. Additionally, there were nearly 90 vehicles, not 15, on top safety picks.
see: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/top-safety-picks/2018
Here are the top safety picks for 2020:
Notably absent: Mercedes E class:
The only Mercedes to make the list were the C class and the GLE
Lot of Hondas, Toyotas, Mazdas, Audis and Kia did make the list.
see: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/top-safety-picks
For 2018 you are wrong: There were Honda's, GM and Ford (Lincoln) on the top safety picks. Additionally, there were nearly 90 vehicles, not 15, on top safety picks.
see: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/top-safety-picks/2018
Last edited by JTK44; Jun 1, 2020 at 01:55 PM.
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The category was not top safety picks. It was top safety picks plus. I indicated 15 models; from where did you pull the number 18?
https://www.consumerreports.org/car-...ck-plus-rating
The reason many models fail to achieve the "plus" rating is due to poor headlights, a key safety feature.
https://www.consumerreports.org/car-...ck-plus-rating
The reason many models fail to achieve the "plus" rating is due to poor headlights, a key safety feature.
