mookie

Just as a reminder, if u have a car be delivered now and u wait till Jan 1, 2003 u will save the luxury tax of 3% over $40,000. On a $100,000 car that amounts to $1,800. The luxury tax is no more for 2003

absent

After a long delay, my car is coming this weekend.
Any advice how to avoid this tax???

northbenz

Seriously, since the dealer is responsible for the delay the least they can do is knock off $1800 on the price to deliver it now (so they can get another car slotted into next month's allocation) or agree to hold it in their showroom as a demo until after the 1st of the year (it would serve as good advertising for them to have one for other customers to see and have the added benefit to the dealer of stimulating showroom traffic - they use such models to then steer customers to something else on the lot.)

internet_mafia

The only problem is that you run the risk of some "customer" damaging the car. People who have no intention on buying a car always seem to migrate to the most expensive car (looking at what they can't afford). Anyway, my point is that it doesn't take too long before the increased traffic of people in and out of the car leads to something being damaged before you pick it up. When I order my SL, I am demanding that my car be held in the rear until I take delivery.

northbenz

How about spending the saved $1800 to buy tickets to some far off vacation spot and then send a telegram to your dealer advising that due to someone's generosity you are enjoying an unexpected Christmas present and will be back on January 1st to take care of the title transfer. Thank them for safeguarding your car in the interim. [No need to mention that the "someone" whose generosity made the trip possible was them.]

northbenz

When the PT Cruisers first came out one of the dealers here where I live required the buyer to leave the car in the showroom until the next one arrived when he would repeat the same arrangement with the next buyer. To safeguard the car he kept it locked and had it circled with a roped off arrangement from which hung signs saying do not touch. That dealer ended up selling twice as many PT Cruisers as his competitor across town because buyers actually could see that he was getting inventory in while his competitor never had one on the lot or in the showroom and customers began to doubt his ability to get the car.

internet_mafia

That is a very clever tactic. That sounds like a Wharton School of Business tactic. However, I'd hate having to wait until another car comes in before I could drive mine.

Mr. Xristo

Dont you have 30 days to pick up the vehicle once it arrives at the dealership?

absent

I'm driving a loaner(new E320),so I suspect dealer will want it back as soon my car is in,MSRP at $138k the lux tax is $3k!!

OtisSL55AMG

I asked the dealer to postpone deliver until Jan 2nd and he agreed. just tell your dealer that you want to pick up your car on Jan 2nd to save the lux tax. I don't see why he woudln't agree. I saved $3,400 on my car. yeah

mookie

to save $3,400 on lux tax the sticker must be $153,000. 3% tax over $40,000. Either way u save big, for me its $1,800 on a S500-4-matic

OtisSL55AMG

Yeah, Mookie, my premium is $30,000 and I can't do any better anywhere, and the luxury tax i'm saving is $3,400, so I'm $159,000 with tax and plates out the door. It'll take it. I could have paid less, but my car is fully loaded with every option. I think my options come to like $10,000.

mookie

Were are u getting the car from that they are charging u such a premium? Sounds like u are paying the going rate right now. At that price it sounds like u got a Designo option because my car with all options except distronic goes for 124.735 not including taxes and regs. No average guy! to bad u cant get on liscence plates, great handle

OtisSL55AMG

I'm in NY and the dealer is called Lakeview Mercedes on Long Island. I've asked around and one dealer is even asking for a premium of $50,000; my sl was initially $35,000 over and he dropped the premium $5,000 and let me pick up the car on Jan 2nd so I don't have to pay the $3,400 luxury tax. I don't think I can do any better right now, it's very hard to do better. I've tried and it's so hard for me to walk away from this deal. if you have any dealers I can talk to, let me know.

OtisSL55AMG

by the way, my sticker is $123,000. The dealer told me the Lux tax came up to $3,400, that's what they told me, but I'll double check. But I know for sure my sticker is $124,000 with all options except distronic.

bimmerlover

if you have it like that then do it.

but personally spending 30 over sticker for such a common car seems sort of a bad decision. i say this because with a little search you can find one somewhere for a lot less. they will depreciate fast and that 30k premium goes out the window. modenas that typically go for over sticker are just retailing under sticker used, and this is over 2 yrs into production. i dont think the same thing will be said for the sl55.

but hey you gotta pay to be the boss, and you will have it without all the travel. at any rate i would still do some searching and make some calls, you could save some serious dough with a little elbow grease.

OtisSL55AMG

thanks, I'll definitely make some calls today and try to get a better deal on a car. thanks for everyone's help, esp bimmerlova

mookie

point out all the cars on e-bay and were they are selling and have them match it not to lose a sale, could save u some money