I would like advice on purchasing my first Benz
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2
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From: Northern VA
04 Mustang GT
I would like advice on purchasing my first Benz
Hello there! I'm new! My name is Lindsey. I'm 24 years old and live in Northern Virginia.
I think I'm about ready to take the plunge into purchasing a used Mercedes. Currently, I drive a sports car (2004 Mustang GT), and due to the amount of miles I put on it (like I said-its an 04, and I have 71K miles on it!) I think I'm ready to take the step up. I'm pretty much done with the not so wonderful ride quality, and getting about 15 miles per gallon.
I'm very new to Mercedes- I only recently decided it was the car for me, when I let my best friend borrow my truck to haul her stuff to college. While she was gone, she lent me her 2001 CLK320. It was the first time I've driven a car and liked it so much, that I would not change a thing about it. It really got me thinking about what I would like in a car.
As I said previously, I do a lot of driving (I go to a lot of track events, and I show horses for fun). I am looking for a 4 or 6 cyl, 2001+ going for about 25K. That's not hard to find in my area, however, given that I don't know much about Mercedes, it seems to be a tough call on what to pick. Preferably, it would get better gas milage than my mustang, and still be fun to drive (I am truly a car enthusiast- I have 2 other mustangs I drag race on the weekend) and mod-friendly, if I feel like doing the basic mods. I really don't have a preference as to a coupe or a sedan although I'm not too much of a fan of the hatchback style. I'm open to pretty much anything.
I'd love to have advice or opinions.
Thanks
I think I'm about ready to take the plunge into purchasing a used Mercedes. Currently, I drive a sports car (2004 Mustang GT), and due to the amount of miles I put on it (like I said-its an 04, and I have 71K miles on it!) I think I'm ready to take the step up. I'm pretty much done with the not so wonderful ride quality, and getting about 15 miles per gallon.
I'm very new to Mercedes- I only recently decided it was the car for me, when I let my best friend borrow my truck to haul her stuff to college. While she was gone, she lent me her 2001 CLK320. It was the first time I've driven a car and liked it so much, that I would not change a thing about it. It really got me thinking about what I would like in a car.
As I said previously, I do a lot of driving (I go to a lot of track events, and I show horses for fun). I am looking for a 4 or 6 cyl, 2001+ going for about 25K. That's not hard to find in my area, however, given that I don't know much about Mercedes, it seems to be a tough call on what to pick. Preferably, it would get better gas milage than my mustang, and still be fun to drive (I am truly a car enthusiast- I have 2 other mustangs I drag race on the weekend) and mod-friendly, if I feel like doing the basic mods. I really don't have a preference as to a coupe or a sedan although I'm not too much of a fan of the hatchback style. I'm open to pretty much anything.
I'd love to have advice or opinions.
Thanks
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From: www.Traben-Trarbach.de
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Welcome to the forum 
.
What you are looking at would most likely be a C-class, W203. You might be able to step up to a W208, CLK-class, but that is iffy. Check on those forums and read up. Thereafter the membership will be more than helpful when you ask detailed questions.
.What you are looking at would most likely be a C-class, W203. You might be able to step up to a W208, CLK-class, but that is iffy. Check on those forums and read up. Thereafter the membership will be more than helpful when you ask detailed questions.
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 178
Likes: 1
From: Philly
2003 Pewter C32
best choice is C-class
your best bet in my opinion would be a 2006 C280 4matic (228hp) or a 2006 C350 4matic (268hp). The reason I think these would be the best choices for you are as follows:
a) Every mercedes carries a 4year/50,000miles bumper to bumper warranty starting from the in-service date. So a 2006 model with an in-service date of March'2006 would be covered thru March'2010 or up to 50,000 miles.
b) Since you are in Northern VA, an all wheel drive (4matic) would be perfect for your driving conditions all year around (especially in the winter).
c) One important point is that mercedes had a model change-over in 2008, which dropped the price for 2006 & 2007 models somewhat.
d) A lot of MB dealers use these cars as loaner cars & sell them with around 10K miles at very reasonable prices, and usually also extend the 4yr warranty to 5yrs/100,000miles.
e) The new cars are getting a much better gas mileage than the older ones.
The C280 4matic & C350 4matic are generally getting above 20miles/gal in mixed city/hwy driving and well above 20miles/gal on the hwy.
Example: I purchased this past February'07 an '06 C350 4matic with 9Kmiles 5yr/100k miles warranty from a mercedes dealer near me for $30K (orig sticker was $44K).
I have seen 2006 C280's on Autotrader.com for less than $26K. Both of these cars have more hp than your girlfriends car (CLK320 = 215hp) and are much quicker & more responsive.
Bottomline is that you want to purchase is peace of mind by getting the orig. mercedes warranty with no repair costs to you at all, other than maybe a set of brakes & oil changes (oil changes on mercedes is about every 10K - 13K miles).
Good Luck, I hope you find a good deal, look at Autotrader.com; ebay; etc.
a) Every mercedes carries a 4year/50,000miles bumper to bumper warranty starting from the in-service date. So a 2006 model with an in-service date of March'2006 would be covered thru March'2010 or up to 50,000 miles.
b) Since you are in Northern VA, an all wheel drive (4matic) would be perfect for your driving conditions all year around (especially in the winter).
c) One important point is that mercedes had a model change-over in 2008, which dropped the price for 2006 & 2007 models somewhat.
d) A lot of MB dealers use these cars as loaner cars & sell them with around 10K miles at very reasonable prices, and usually also extend the 4yr warranty to 5yrs/100,000miles.
e) The new cars are getting a much better gas mileage than the older ones.
The C280 4matic & C350 4matic are generally getting above 20miles/gal in mixed city/hwy driving and well above 20miles/gal on the hwy.
Example: I purchased this past February'07 an '06 C350 4matic with 9Kmiles 5yr/100k miles warranty from a mercedes dealer near me for $30K (orig sticker was $44K).
I have seen 2006 C280's on Autotrader.com for less than $26K. Both of these cars have more hp than your girlfriends car (CLK320 = 215hp) and are much quicker & more responsive.
Bottomline is that you want to purchase is peace of mind by getting the orig. mercedes warranty with no repair costs to you at all, other than maybe a set of brakes & oil changes (oil changes on mercedes is about every 10K - 13K miles).
Good Luck, I hope you find a good deal, look at Autotrader.com; ebay; etc.
Last edited by PBenz32; Aug 29, 2007 at 12:58 PM.
