Help me convince my parents to let me buy a Mercedes...
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From: Boston, MA, USA
1995 Infiniti G20tA
Help me convince my parents to let me buy a Mercedes...
Before any of you get outraged and call me some spoiled rich kid, I'm just going to make it clear that I WILL BE PAYING FOR THIS CAR 100% MYSELF FROM SAVING MONEY FROM SUMMER JOBS FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
Now that that's out of the way, I am currently considering a W202 2000 C280 Sport. My parents (I'm a college student and thus everything still has to be run by them) don't want me to get one. They think it's a stuck up, show off thing to do and that Mercedeses are unreliable and expensive to maintain/insure. I counter that it's not stuck up if I'm paying for it by myself from working summers and that the 2000 W202s are listed as being pretty reliable by JD Power.
Any suggestions on arguments I can make in favor of the W202? They want me to get a Honda Accord and might begrudgingly be willing to let me get another Infiniti (I paid for my current car myself from summer job earnings too).
Now that that's out of the way, I am currently considering a W202 2000 C280 Sport. My parents (I'm a college student and thus everything still has to be run by them) don't want me to get one. They think it's a stuck up, show off thing to do and that Mercedeses are unreliable and expensive to maintain/insure. I counter that it's not stuck up if I'm paying for it by myself from working summers and that the 2000 W202s are listed as being pretty reliable by JD Power.
Any suggestions on arguments I can make in favor of the W202? They want me to get a Honda Accord and might begrudgingly be willing to let me get another Infiniti (I paid for my current car myself from summer job earnings too).
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From: Boston, MA, USA
1995 Infiniti G20tA
Originally Posted by BENZBOSS
HONDA????Too much money for nothing.GO for MERCEDES or change the home. 
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06 E-55-95-F355S- 99 Porsche 911 C2 w mods
If its your money then buy whatever you want........but maintenance will be a little bit more than the Honda or Infiniti.
Try telling your parents that Hondas are among the most stolen cars in the US and you want the MB for its superior crash worthiness and resale value.
If that doesn't work then grow some cojones and buy it anyways, I'm sure they'll get over it!
Try telling your parents that Hondas are among the most stolen cars in the US and you want the MB for its superior crash worthiness and resale value.
If that doesn't work then grow some cojones and buy it anyways, I'm sure they'll get over it!
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From: San Diego CA
1999 S420 1994 S320 1994 E320
My twin brother drive Civic 2001 1.7 manual transsmision - 26-30 mpg Market price $7000+,new from the dealer $13000+ He has 98 000 miles
My E320 1994 was $2700 with 93 000 miles,200+ HP - 22-26 mpg.New from the dealer $40 000+
170$- Synthetic engine oil,transmission oil,fuel filters,oil filter,transmission filter + gaskets,windshield wiper,spark plugs,engine belts,coolant.................Original Mercedes parts.Try to do this in some Honda store
First My Mercedes was 1979 240D with 370 000 miles,second one is 1977 300D with 270 000 miles......................Third is E320 1994 with 98 000 miles Looking for S320 1995+
Honda?????What is this HONDA????
My E320 1994 was $2700 with 93 000 miles,200+ HP - 22-26 mpg.New from the dealer $40 000+
170$- Synthetic engine oil,transmission oil,fuel filters,oil filter,transmission filter + gaskets,windshield wiper,spark plugs,engine belts,coolant.................Original Mercedes parts.Try to do this in some Honda store
First My Mercedes was 1979 240D with 370 000 miles,second one is 1977 300D with 270 000 miles......................Third is E320 1994 with 98 000 miles Looking for S320 1995+
Honda?????What is this HONDA????
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From: NJ
2009 SL63 AMG
A C280 Sport a nice sporty Mercedes sedan with stellar reliability and great fuel mileage. Also, it is a much safer car than the Honda or Infiniti. Just be sure the price is right and history is checked out. Have an independant MB specialist examine the car too. Just highlight the key points to your parents and be understanding to their concerns.
Well Engineered
Solid Drivetrain - Excellent Reliability
Fuel Mileage
Safety!
Good Luck
Well Engineered
Solid Drivetrain - Excellent Reliability
Fuel Mileage
Safety!
Good Luck
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From: Boston, MA, USA
1995 Infiniti G20tA
Originally Posted by MercedesFTW
G35 coupe isn't a bad car. Consider it.
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Out Of Control!!
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From: Florida
In the market
When I bought my first mercedes (i too was in college), my parents didn't even know about it until about a month later. they were disgruntled for the same reason as yours, but they got over it
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From: Boston, MA, USA
1995 Infiniti G20tA
Originally Posted by Brunelleschi
When I bought my first mercedes (i too was in college), my parents didn't even know about it until about a month later. they were disgruntled for the same reason as yours, but they got over it
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From: Boston, MA, USA
1995 Infiniti G20tA
Originally Posted by Brunelleschi
that is a good argument to pursue! 
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From: NY/NJ
2012 W212 E350 Bluetec
Originally Posted by MattB
Before any of you get outraged and call me some spoiled rich kid, I'm just going to make it clear that I WILL BE PAYING FOR THIS CAR 100% MYSELF FROM SAVING MONEY FROM SUMMER JOBS FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
Now that that's out of the way, I am currently considering a W202 2000 C280 Sport. My parents (I'm a college student and thus everything still has to be run by them) don't want me to get one. They think it's a stuck up, show off thing to do and that Mercedeses are unreliable and expensive to maintain/insure. I counter that it's not stuck up if I'm paying for it by myself from working summers and that the 2000 W202s are listed as being pretty reliable by JD Power.
Any suggestions on arguments I can make in favor of the W202? They want me to get a Honda Accord and might begrudgingly be willing to let me get another Infiniti (I paid for my current car myself from summer job earnings too).
Now that that's out of the way, I am currently considering a W202 2000 C280 Sport. My parents (I'm a college student and thus everything still has to be run by them) don't want me to get one. They think it's a stuck up, show off thing to do and that Mercedeses are unreliable and expensive to maintain/insure. I counter that it's not stuck up if I'm paying for it by myself from working summers and that the 2000 W202s are listed as being pretty reliable by JD Power.
Any suggestions on arguments I can make in favor of the W202? They want me to get a Honda Accord and might begrudgingly be willing to let me get another Infiniti (I paid for my current car myself from summer job earnings too).
Are your parents paying for or helping pay for college? If they are, then it's worth remembering that that is what gives you the relative luxury of being able to spend your summer earnings on a car.
It's a fine line that most people walk as they grow up. You want to be more assertive and be treated more and more as an adult as you grow up. However, you're still dependent on them (not just financially but in many ways). So you also want to pick your battles.
Whichever way you go, you'll probably get over it (your parents getting over your buying a C280 or your getting over driving an Accord). However, contrary to what some other people are saying, there's nothing wrong with driving a Honda. Especially while you're in college. I would have considered myself lucky to have had an Accord in college. Dissing Honda on a MB forum sounds just a little elitist, at least to me.
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From: Boston, MA, USA
1995 Infiniti G20tA
Originally Posted by 1985MB380SE
Are your parents paying for or helping pay for college? If they are, then it's worth remembering that that is what gives you the relative luxury of being able to spend your summer earnings on a car.
It's a fine line that most people walk as they grow up. You want to be more assertive and be treated more and more as an adult as you grow up. However, you're still dependent on them (not just financially but in many ways). So you also want to pick your battles.
Whichever way you go, you'll probably get over it (your parents getting over your buying a C280 or your getting over driving an Accord). However, contrary to what some other people are saying, there's nothing wrong with driving a Honda. Especially while you're in college. I would have considered myself lucky to have had an Accord in college. Dissing Honda on a MB forum sounds just a little elitist, at least to me.
It's a fine line that most people walk as they grow up. You want to be more assertive and be treated more and more as an adult as you grow up. However, you're still dependent on them (not just financially but in many ways). So you also want to pick your battles.
Whichever way you go, you'll probably get over it (your parents getting over your buying a C280 or your getting over driving an Accord). However, contrary to what some other people are saying, there's nothing wrong with driving a Honda. Especially while you're in college. I would have considered myself lucky to have had an Accord in college. Dissing Honda on a MB forum sounds just a little elitist, at least to me.
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From: Salt Lake City (but not Morm)
2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
I think if you really really want it, make a formal presentation to them just many of us business people do each day. Sit them down and sell them on it. Hand them a typed up proposal and present all the safety information and positive points for why they should agree to this. What you are going after is the "look how much I have researched and worked at this....aren't you proud of your boy" angle. You will not so much be selling the car as you are selling yourself as a responsible young man, or if you've been pretty wild, how much you are growing up. If they are the parents I think they are, they should bite on it. Don't forget.....really sell it... business attire and everything and if they are hammering you during the presentation...don't get pissed. Treat it just like a client. If they are still "absolutely NO WAY" at the end, try to guilt close and just calmly pack up your presentation and tell them it's okay, you just wanted to try and throw the head and shoulders down and walk away real bummed out. They'll feel horrible that they shot you down after you have worked so hard.
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From: NY/NJ
2012 W212 E350 Bluetec
Originally Posted by Jakpro1
What you are going after is the "look how much I have researched and worked at this....aren't you proud of your boy" angle. You will not so much be selling the car as you are selling yourself as a responsible young man, or if you've been pretty wild, how much you are growing up. If they are the parents I think they are, they should bite on it. Don't forget.....really sell it... business attire and everything and if they are hammering you during the presentation...don't get pissed. Treat it just like a client. If they are still "absolutely NO WAY" at the end, try to guilt close and just calmly pack up your presentation and tell them it's okay, you just wanted to try and throw the head and shoulders down and walk away real bummed out. They'll feel horrible that they shot you down after you have worked so hard.
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From: Boston, MA, USA
1995 Infiniti G20tA
Originally Posted by Brunelleschi
I think the new civic looks kinda cool...at least in the commercial where it is hopping from building to building!
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
i'll have to tell ya, that if I were that age and in your position, I'd go for a
Honda or Huyndai Sonata or something. if you get the Benz, it'll only be
luck/chance seperating you from an expensive fix, relative to a well made
Japanese car. Heck, get a Lexus or Acura or something. with the Benz
you may want to consider getting a good extended warranty as insurance.
or sock away extra $ each month into an escrow fund for fixes. then, if
it's not needed, you can roll it over towards school.
sure, they're paying for your school...and all the money you earn is your
own sweat. but as earlier poster stated, it's a numbers game. they *are*
subsidizing your tuition which is the ONLY reason why you even have a
positive balance on your savings right now. do the mature thing and respect
their feelings as well. you are not a wholly owned subsidiary. get muh drift?
having a Benz may not be a snooty thing, but fact is it does have its share
of target practice in terms of attracting keying, scrapes, etc. it'll only take
one occurance to set you back a few $$.
when you get out of college and get a good job, there will be ample time
for you to get a Benz....something you can really enjoy like an AMG.
Honda or Huyndai Sonata or something. if you get the Benz, it'll only be
luck/chance seperating you from an expensive fix, relative to a well made
Japanese car. Heck, get a Lexus or Acura or something. with the Benz
you may want to consider getting a good extended warranty as insurance.
or sock away extra $ each month into an escrow fund for fixes. then, if
it's not needed, you can roll it over towards school.
sure, they're paying for your school...and all the money you earn is your
own sweat. but as earlier poster stated, it's a numbers game. they *are*
subsidizing your tuition which is the ONLY reason why you even have a
positive balance on your savings right now. do the mature thing and respect
their feelings as well. you are not a wholly owned subsidiary. get muh drift?
having a Benz may not be a snooty thing, but fact is it does have its share
of target practice in terms of attracting keying, scrapes, etc. it'll only take
one occurance to set you back a few $$.
when you get out of college and get a good job, there will be ample time
for you to get a Benz....something you can really enjoy like an AMG.
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From: San Antonio, Texas
2016 BMW Z4 sDrive35i M Sport
Just be aware that your repair bills, should it break, will be expensive. There are several little things that go wrong with the w202 that cost a good amt. of money to fix like control arm bushings, MAS, and some tranny isues. I'm not going to tell you not to buy one, cause despite all the problems, I love my car. But I also love my warranty. It's just my policy that I would never buy a German car without a warranty. Keep this in mind.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: West Michigan
2007 E63
They've all covered everything basically.
PROS:
-Safety (Check out the Safety forum here)
-Gas mileage
-Very well engineered
CONS:
-If something does go wrong, it may come out pretty expensive
Good luck on your next car.
PROS:
-Safety (Check out the Safety forum here)
-Gas mileage
-Very well engineered
CONS:
-If something does go wrong, it may come out pretty expensive
Good luck on your next car.
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From: Boston, MA, USA
1995 Infiniti G20tA
Originally Posted by 1985MB380SE
I would think more than $20K....
And as for a warranty, I've got that computed into my budget. I would not buy a Mercedes without a bumper to bumper warranty. Even if I end up going for an Infiniti I'm buying an extended warranty. I want the peace of mind from knowing that if something goes wrong I can drop it off at the dealer and not worry about a huge repair bill.
And weren't the W202 transmission issues '97-'98 or so? I'm only looking at the 2000 C280 Sport.
