SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: luxury tax
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
2003 S500 4-matic, 2003 SL55
luxury tax
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
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 935
Likes: 0
sl and M-class E320 4Matic SLK350
Don't answer the phone
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.)
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 443
Likes: 0
Re: Don't answer the phone
Originally posted by 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.)
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.)
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 935
Likes: 0
sl and M-class E320 4Matic SLK350
Another thought.
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.]
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 935
Likes: 0
sl and M-class E320 4Matic SLK350
Lock the doors and have it roped off.
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.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 0
From: Sunny South Florida
1995 Jaguar XJS Convertible
Originally posted by absent
After a long delay, my car is coming this weekend.
Any advice how to avoid this tax???
After a long delay, my car is coming this weekend.
Any advice how to avoid this tax???
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,934
Likes: 387
From: Kenilworth, il usa
GT63S ePerformance 4dr, '25 Bentayga Black Ed.(wife), Wrangler and 250 MLB(kids)
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!!
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: NY
BMW 4.6IS, LEXUS GS 400, SL55 AMG
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
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: NY
BMW 4.6IS, LEXUS GS 400, SL55 AMG
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.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
2003 S500 4-matic, 2003 SL55
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
Last edited by mookie; Dec 17, 2002 at 08:56 PM.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: NY
BMW 4.6IS, LEXUS GS 400, SL55 AMG
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.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: NY
BMW 4.6IS, LEXUS GS 400, SL55 AMG
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.
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: nyc
04 BMW m3
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.
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.
