New Car Shopping - Buy the last of the old, or the first of the new? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mölyapina · #16 05-22-2013, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUVMBDiesels

My family bought three first year cars. One was awesome and went on to be a model that was built from '77 to '92, one was OK and one sucked.
From that time on we have bought cars that have been established. I also like shopping for end of model year leftovers. Love getting the last of last year's car for much less than the new model year costs.

Reckon that first car was a Volvo 240, no? They were built 'til '93.

MBeige · #17 05-23-2013, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

While I came rather close to picking up a W108 a few years ago, I'm more partial to the W116 S-Class.

Those have already been previous models for quite some time when you were deciding a few years ago

If the W116 just came out (without being partial to the W116 yet), would you have chosen the same?

Jim B. · #18 05-23-2013, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

Those have already been previous models for quite some time when you were deciding a few years ago

If the W116 just came out (without being partial to the W116 yet), would you have chosen the same?

Sure - I'd grab a newly introduced S class in a heartbeat.

But I'd LEASE one for a company car, and let the onus of any new teething problems with it fall elsewhere - ie, on the warranty, then IMMEDIATELY dump it at lease's end. Then get another one on a new lease (ie, rinse and repeat).

In fact, the vast majority of new S-class Mercedes Benz S class automobiles delivered brand new at dealers in the USA and Great Britain are in fact leased, and not sold. Always have been, and probably always will be...

t walgamuth · #19 05-23-2013, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

While I came rather close to picking up a W108 a few years ago, I'm more partial to the W116 S-Class.

Skippy · #20 05-23-2013, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

Those have already been previous models for quite some time when you were deciding a few years ago

If the W116 just came out (without being partial to the W116 yet), would you have chosen the same?

Probably not. I like the looks of the 108 interior a lot more than that of the 116, and the exterior styling is about even to me. My preference for the W116 at present is because of the available turbo-diesel in the 116, as well as somewhat better parts availability these days. The diesel option for the 116 wasn't available until midway through the 116 production run.

LUVMBDiesels · #21 05-23-2013, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jooseppi Luna

Reckon that first car was a Volvo 240, no? They were built 'til '93.

Actually it was the New 1977 Chevrolet Impala that was bulletproof.

SwampYankee · #22 05-23-2013, 08:47 AM

Never the first.

Mölyapina · #23 05-23-2013, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUVMBDiesels

Actually it was the New 1977 Chevrolet Impala that was bulletproof.

Oh wow! Live & learn...

bhatt · #24 05-23-2013, 12:59 PM

I always do the opposite of what you guys are suggesting. I used to recommend buying the last or second-last model year to people, but I have had great experiences buying the first model year so I don't recommend buying later models to people any more.

I have had a 1990 R129, 2003 R230, 2001 W220 (2nd model year) and 1992 W140.

In all cases, I could have bought a model year earlier, but wouldn't have saved a lot of money. What would I have got? OLDer technology with all of the bugs worked out.

For example, the R129 is WAY more appealing to me than the last of the R107's (I had a late R107). Better repairability, easier to find parts, many new standard features (power convertible top, rollbar, etc.)

Drive the model you're thinking of buying, then drive the next model year (newer style). Yes, all of the bugs are worked out of the old one, but you must admit that all Mercedes have bugs of some kind. So it's not like they are releasing brand new models with huge huge problems that are fixed later. It's more minor stuff.

Lots of the problems I had with the W140 weren't fixed the next year. It was 5 years or more, if they were even fixed at all! Any W140 I bought would most likely have had the same problems..

Seriously consider the better fuel economy, advancements, improvements, and overall better resale value of buying the newer model style.

I would never go back to a W140 after buying my '2nd year' W220. Could never have been able to afford a newer W220, and I would be really upset right now if I bought the final year W140 (bugs worked out) and then driven a W220 later on and saw what I had missed out on!