Think about the rebates right now......Your getting a big discount off the remaining 2002s (of course you can only get what they have and can't factory custom order) but your only really getting a 2000 Mercedes as the 02's have no differences than the 2000's except solving some problems. The 2003s are a better deal even at very little discount.


Sean

 

Well, if you keep your car a long, long time you go for the best price. If you trade every year or so you go for the newer model.

My last car (E-Class) was thirteen years old and had nearly a quarter of a million miles when I sold it to someone. Did it make any difference to him if it was an '89 or a '90?

No.

But if I was gonna' sell my S in a year or two, or trade it, I'd want the current model. It would bring more in sale price or trade.

But, I tell you, if you can drive an S430 for only ten percent more than a new E500 (66K vs 60K)....it is awfully hard not to go for the big kahuna and buy the 2002.

 

But the depreciation hit is alsways more on a brand new as opposed to used car.

 

hi everyone,
when comparing the 03 S to the 02 S it is really all about money. do you have it to waste or do you want to use common sense. when it comes to the the 02 vs 03 S500 there is very little difference between the cars. all of the sheet metal is exactly the same and so are the engines. all you get is a more user friendly nav. system and brighter headlights. 99% of the rest of the interior except a stitch here and there is the same.
the only appreciable difference is between the 02 and 03 are the S55 and the S600. mercedes put some considerable serparation between the 02 and the 03 by upping the horsepower substantially.
so imho keep the cash difference in your pocket. run the car for 3 for 4 years and spend it towards a new S that is completely redesigned inside and out.

 

S55,

I totally disagree. The 2003 S Class for someone like me in Toronto has the 4matic feature which means I don't have to spend another $50,000 buying a 4x4. Plus the pre-safe, new features, better interior and even the minor stuff means its worth buying.

I do agree however, that if 4matic was unavailable and could realize significant savings, I would go for a 2002.

 

For the sake of argument is 4matic really so necesarry even in Toronto? I agree that it helps but to the point that you would have to buy an SUV if your S class does not have one? With a little skill, practice, good tires I think it's entirely possible to drive safely in winter. Last year in NY the winter was not bad but one night we really got dumped some serious snow and I was right in the middle of it driving from Yonkers to Brooklyn around midnight. I was driving my 71 280sel 4.5. (Your S class grandmother) and I head so much fun. The car was really, really civil on the higway and on snow covered uphills and that's with out traction control, without ABS and all the goodies.
On the other hand SUV would payoff if you want to protect your S class from salt and snow.

 

This the best time of the year to get a new '02 model car at the lowest price. Just compare how much people paid for it in 2001!
For the same body style, buy smart. I'll go with the 2002.
Now if absolutely, definitely, positively you have to have the latest , its your money after all.

 

With no enhancements on the books for the 04 models, if you want the latest at the lowest prices, why not wait until the fall of 03 to purchase an 03 model?

just an opinion...

 

The 2003 models are really a NEW S! ;The interior, pre-safe, refinements, exterior (lights, lens, wheels,) and 4 matic.

If you want the latest comand, you have to have 4 matic...no question its the 2003.

The problem with the 02s are that 1) they are really a 2000 S Class (a 3/4 year old car) with no refinements except working out most of the bugs, also they say they are giving you a big discount...but the truth is that you can still get around $1600 cdn off a new s (i.e. throw in frieght/pdi) so if thats really the case, getting 8 -10 gs of a car is like 6-8 gs difference and only ON THE REMAINING Inventory. So you may not get the color, selections you want and may have to pay for options that are in the car that you don't even need. The big discounts are really offered when there is only a small selection left.


Sean.

 

I agree with SEAN for all the same reasons

 

Go for the 2003. You won't regret it. The '03 makes the '02 look like old news. Expect the '00-02 cars to depreciate very fast. It happens everytime a facelift is applied to a car.

 

A wise man with even wiser advice ( internet_mafia )get the 03

 

I'm wise too Mookie...I chose the 2003!

 

I do not think that it's problem how long ago the car was designed. It's more important how the car was designed. For example old M5 is still better than new E55 (it's CAR Magazine 12/02 opinion, not mine). I only agree that you deal with limited inventory.