So I was helping my friend today to look for a car. He was looking at cars such as used Mazda's, etc... something sporty but still nice... for around $10-$12K... so how do I end up here on the W210 forums you must be wondering.

Well, I told him lets go check out the Pontiac dealer just down the street from his house on our way back to his place, and we drop in. We tell the guy what he's looking for. One of the requirements are manual tranny - not to mention looking for $12K max. But there's a car he's INSISTING we look at, and says forget the manual, how about this.

He walks us over to a black 2000 E55 AMG. Loaded except the small nav screen I think was available (not 100% positive) back then. 45K miles, one owner, never smoked in, 100% clean carfax. They insist we drive it.

Well, my friend and I being two hot-blooded young guys (22 yrs old for me, he just turned 21) of course say yes. He's hooked. But the price unhooked him - $23K for the car itself. Over $10K more than he wanted to spend.

So two hrs of negotiations led us to this:
$0 down
$2K sight-unseen for his old beater Saturn that's gonna die within about a month and worth about $200
Under $19K
$309.99/month for 84 months.

He walked after about 45-60 min of arguing with himself. His problem: College and trying to move out. Bills, bills, bills.

So tomorrow before going back he's going to try and figure out what to do.

Now, my questions are these so I can get this info to him:
What are your favorite things? Worst things?
How's the gas mileage?
$309.99/month with nothing down for 84 months a good deal for what the car is? Seems like an AMAZING deal for me, but you guys are the ones that own the car... if you were him, would you buy it if you had the $$?
REMEMBER: 45K miles, single owner, no pets, no smoking, perfect carfax, seems to be in absolutely AMAZING shape, physically and mechanically.

So, thoughts?

Thanks guys!!

*NOTE: He's grown up w/ Audi's and loves em but swore he'd never go German again til he was older due to bad experiences with reliability so he could lease on brand new... never had a RWD vehicle (I can help teach him - my last two cars were G35's and GTO's so I know how they work)...

Now remember, this is assuming he has the available $$...

EDIT: Oh ya, almost forgot...
While he doesn't plan to - at this point anyway - do much in the way of mods except maybe wheels and exhaust, how DOES the engine respond to mods? Does it seem to do best turbo, S/C, or N/A? Non-gov'd rough top speed? And best exhaust brands? Also, whats the wheel specs so if he buys he can find wheels that will install on the car?

Thanks again guys!

 

Parts cost on this car.....get it inspected by Mercedes Benz prior to the purchase. THIS IS A MUST...spend the money...or you might be sorry. The car is great...but for a college student, upkeep is gonna be hard. As far as the loan....I wouldn't get anything for 84 months unless it was interest free. Your friend is gonna be in the hole for the first 4 years before he can get close to breaking even. The mods these cars respond to...start at 3 grand for headers...then 10 for an HPS S/C and 15G's for Kleeman. The exhaust is already pretty much straight through, nothing you can do to the intakes...they are set up perfect. This car is awesome, bulletproof if it was taken care of...but it is a used car...get it inspected, inspected, inspected!!

Jim

 

Thanks man.

Any other input?

Assuming the car checks out at a mechanic, is the price good?

 

For that price it should come with a warranty.

 

I have seen W210 E55s in the $11 to $13k

84 months is just wrong, bad move.

 

he cannot afford the car. anything over 36 months for a used car is wrong.

 

If the car check's out mechanically with the dealer's sales pitch - 19K is a bit high for the market but not unreasonable. The cars are reliable, fun and avg 18mpg. Routine costs...tires are probably the biggest issue, long as you go DIY for the oil change; another consideration is that it's probably coming due for the "B" service which can be a bit expensive unless DIY.
The real stopper is the 84-month loan...just too long (and the interest rate looks pretty steep).
As far as mods go...the car responds well; you'll find lots of posts re Kleenman, Renntech, et cetera ad nauseum...but they are not cheap (read they are engineered to fit the beast).
Recommend return to plan "A"...let the fever wear off....

 

Thank you guys alot for the info. Looks like we'll be going back to looking at used Mazda3's and the like for under $12K. lol

And to think, the sales person was upset at US for leaving last night because my friend wanted to figure out his finances when he KNEW the limitations and still pressured us for hours. *rolls eyes* (I used to be a car salesperson, and he was a bad one... rude and had a "You wasted my time" attitude he shouldn't have had at the end when HE was the one pressuring my friend into a MB when he needed something less)

 

Good Move.. on skipping could have turned really ugly. Tell your friend he has something to look forward to when he graduates college.

 

Yup..nothing sucks more than graduating and having a lousy credit rating...your behind the 8 ball even before your actually start your life...

 

My advice....take advantage of VW's "sign and drive" lease program! Your friend can drive a fine VW product, covered by a full warranty....for 36 mos and pay next to nothing to be in a safe, reliable, brand new car!

Anything used for 84 mos is insanity. Even a really nice E55. Also....if he were still seriously considering buying it....offer $17 grand (FIRM) and go get himself a low interest, "credit union" loan.

Again...the 2.0 turbo engine in a VW Jetta, GTI is fantastic and economical. I had a new '04 GLI Jetta with the 2.0 turbo and the DSG tranny....averaged 25 mpg city/highway combined. Not one single repair issue....

 

its quite a ride for a 21 year old, i should know since im 21 but 84 months on a used car.