Decisions Decisions ?? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tarheel75 · #1 09-11-2009, 03:31 PM

I'm currently trying to decide which car should I choose.
1) 2003 E320 with 30,100 miles one owner and came off of lease. Clean CARFAX report.
2) 2005 E320 with 54,000 miles one owner and also with a clean CARFAX report.
Both vehicles are in excellent/pristine condition. They are both the same price except that the KKB has the 2005 priced below the book value.
I have been told that MB made no big changes between 2003-05. My gut feeling is to go with the 2003 and yet several friends say otherwise.
Please HELP!!

TylerH860 · #2 09-11-2009, 05:18 PM

Its common knowledge that the first year of the W211 chassis was the most troublesome. Do they both have the same options? Can I ask what the price is?

Fulcrum525 · #3 09-11-2009, 06:20 PM

I've been told to avoid the 2003 models and my boss has one that is constantly giving him trouble. Latest symptom...the radio flashes the Mercedes star but won't actually engage.

tarheel75 · #4 09-11-2009, 06:45 PM

They both appear to have standard options/accessories. Neither has a premium sound system.
The ASKING price of the 2003 is $20,000.00 and the 2005 is $19,995. The 2005 is low as per KBB.
I was told by my independent MB shop that the 2003 had early problems with premature wearing of front suspension items and some minor electrical.
I appreciate the forth coming comments on both sides.

tarheel75

TylerH860 · #5 09-11-2009, 07:26 PM

I would probably go for the one I can get the best deal on, since you haven't haggled yet. Its a coin flip on either of them.

Price on both seems high... Heck, I'd sell you my 2004 E500 4-maitc wagon with every optional goodie and only 55k for the same price. I bought it back in May with 47k, and its minty, and carfax one owner lease.

Look at ebay completed listing and craigslist ads; there are plenty of comparable E320s going for thousands less than their asking prices.

brucem105 · #6 09-11-2009, 08:01 PM

Those cars are roughly the same price at the dealer auction. I'd pay about $16.5K for either one assuming they are both in very nice shape.

If you need help getting one, let me know.

Bruce

tarheel75 · #7 09-14-2009, 02:06 PM

Would it be an insult to the dealer if I offered only $17,500 for either vehicle?
I have yet to inspect/drive either car even though they are only about 100 miles away. The only description of either car is from a salesman's viewpoint after telling them that I'm after one in pristine condition. I'm beginning to consider the 2005 over the 2003 even if it has 20k more miles.

tarheel75

TylerH860 · #8 09-14-2009, 05:26 PM

I've sold more than 100 cars privately and working for dealerships over the years, and I would not recommend offering 25% less unless you are there in person ready to pay. Most dealers will refuse to seriously haggle over the phone because they have a much higher chance of making the sale if they can get you in the door.

If you favor the 2005, go look at it, drive it, find something to take issue with, and start haggling. The average dealer markup on used cars is 30-40%. I have never seen a dealership "insulted" by an offer; that is normal with private sellers. These guys only care about one thing, making the sale for as much money as possible.

My guess is if you make the offer in person for $17,500 they will counter with somewhere in the upper middle, like 18,990 with some platitude like, "I'm sorry, but this is the best my manager can do." Most of the time they are lying. Stand firm at your original offer or something slightly higher and tell them that's all you're prepared to spend and if they can't match it there's another one down the street to look at. You can make a decision based on their counter, and be sure to throw in that you refuse to pay those stupid dealer documentation fees, even if they claim "everybody has to." Its another way to save a couple hundred bucks.

Don't be a "lay down" .

sd300td · #9 09-14-2009, 06:38 PM

Insulting a used car dealer is the least of your worries. Besides, I'm not sure that's even possible.

tarheel75 · #10 09-14-2009, 10:20 PM

Considering the 2005 is priced under the KBB is it still a safe bet to offer about 30% under their asking price. I appreciate the information y'all are giving me. You give me great needed encouragement.

tarheel75

TylerH860 · #11 09-14-2009, 10:25 PM

Its a safe bet they will counter. Are you financing or paying cash?

tarheel75 · #12 09-15-2009, 06:53 PM

Its strictly CASH with all dealers. That is why I'm hoping to have more leverage power to make a deal more to my liking.

tarheel75

TylerH860 · #13 09-15-2009, 08:06 PM

Let us know how it goes. If they let you walk out the door, then they're probably close to the lowest they can go. Standing up and trying to leave can make the price drop faster sometimes.

Graplr · #14 09-15-2009, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

I would not recommend offering 25% less unless you are there in person ready to pay.

I'm no math major, but 25% of 20k is 5k. His initial total of 17.5k was 12.5% below what the were asking.

On to your other question...I never worry about "insulting" someone with an offer, especially a used car salesman. I am simply telling them what I would pay for the said item. If they think they can sell it for more to someone else....then so be it. But then again, not everybody is a cheap bastard like me.

TylerH860 · #15 09-15-2009, 08:46 PM

Thanks for the correction. My math was off, but no that far off. I was thinking 25% off of 20k was 17.5. I got 10 grand and 20 mixed up.

I hope I can still do basic math.

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