@abacomike said:Subtract, on average $2500 for the USAA fleet incentive that Mercedes Benz Sponsors and another $500 for the Mercedes Benz Club of America incentive, or at total of $3000, and you end up with an even trade, give or take $500.
>
Hey Mike, you could be driving a new car every year from now on...just have to keep trading down.
10 years from now we'll see what kind of a deal you get on a Smart Car.
Mike, I need you to set me up on the first one. After that maybe I can handle it.
Kills me after selling the Solara, the only car in my fleet that has under 100K on it to my daughter's boyfriend they broke up. That whole thing was a bad idea from the moment I lent him the car but I could turn around and but the same car in a better color if I wanted but I think I'm kind of looking out for an old, well kept Miata.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
My credit union will lend me car money for 5 years @ 1.99%. The 5 year treasury is paying about 1.6%.
How can they make any money?
You should be worried. These auto loans are sold and then repackaged into other securities similar to the mortgage backed securities of a decade ago. In that pool are risky loans of up to 25% interest rate.
Don't know how the Fed is going to handle it but that trillion dollar auto loan bubble is about to burst. I believe they have already called GM's Ally to task for making risky and usurious loans.
In the used car market the problem is even worse as consumers are trapped in high interest loans that they cannot repay. If you haven't already done so, now is the time to immunize your 401(k) against the next crash.
Trade-In Private Party Dealer Retail
$13,543 $15,326 $17,337
How do I tell the dealer to stop blowing smoke and get real or at least in line with Edmunds pricing? Or should I demand $5k more for my Denali since his is so badly inflated?
_immunize your 401(k) _ bwia, if you still have a 401k you may get out and maybe not.
Take the money...pay the taxes and put it where noone can find it is your only hope or as you call it "immunization".
@bwia said:
These auto loans are sold and then repackaged into other securities similar to the mortgage backed securities of a decade ago. In that pool are risky loans of up to 25% interest rate.
That may be the case with traditional banks, but credit unions rarely sell their loans. Since they are non-profit and member owned, they keep their loans in their own portfolio.
@fezo said:
Mike, I need you to set me up on the first one. After that maybe I can handle it.
Kills me after selling the Solara, the only car in my fleet that has under 100K on it to my daughter's boyfriend they broke up. That whole thing was a bad idea from the moment I lent him the car but I could turn around and but the same car in a better color if I wanted but I think I'm kind of looking out for an old, well kept Miata.
Maybe he was just dating her for dad's car. Once he had it...
Better to be shed of him.
Did you look at that CL Miata I posted? You are in NJ right? Or am I having memory problems again?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Getting time to think about replacing the heating system. I was in Lowes yesterday and see they have 'partnered' with Trane. That's one of the brands I'm considering.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
How do I tell the dealer to stop blowing smoke and get real or at least in line with Edmunds pricing? Or should I demand $5k more for my Denali since his is so badly inflated?
How do I tell the dealer to stop blowing smoke and get real or at least in line with Edmunds pricing? Or should I demand $5k more for my Denali since his is so badly inflated?
Boy, that's a lot of money for a car with 114,000 miles. How many miles would you expect that vehicle to go?
My rule of thumb is I expect 10,000 miles of use for every $1000 I pay. You'd have to drive that to the moon to get your money's worth.
Consider that I am OCD over low milage.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
The dealer is off the mark here because the car is miled up. He's asking 75,000 mile money for 114K miles.
Thank you MrShiftright, that's what I was thinking. Local dealers get a little more here due to being small town and lack of competition, but when you tell them they're $5-7k too high they run back into their cubby hole and refuse to talk. Yet they'll make your trade next to worthless.
@mako1a said:How do I tell the dealer to stop blowing smoke and get real or at least in line with Edmunds pricing?
Mako, some people think their car is worth a lot more than it is. I know I am leary of high mileage, but at 114K miles, the car has lived the best part of it's life, but he still thinks it is worth half of it's original price.
My famous S-I-L (the one that would rather borrow a lawn mower than buy one) gave his kid their 25 year old Volvo with over 350K miles on it to their son to get to work. He landed a great job and is paid well. Once again, I think if you have a good responsible job you should have a good reliable car that can get you to work and meetings on time. The car has had numerous repairs including a $4000 transmission repair about a year ago. This time it stalled out on the way to the airport where his girlfriend was trying to make a flight. He had to get her a cab, cost $150. The car was towed to the garage. Diagnosis, motor is shot, would cost $2000 to fix.
Those are just the repairs I know about.
After the 1st large repair I would have advised my grandson to lease a Honda, Toyota - Fusion or similar car, with an option to buy. For the cost of repairs he could have been driving a nwer, reliable, warrantied car and he would learn a valuable lesson about false economizing.
@mako1a said:
_immunize your 401(k) _ bwia, if you still have a 401k you may get out and maybe not.
Take the money...pay the taxes and put it where noone can find it is your only hope or as you call it "immunization".
Bwia.......you would have lost out on a 1% increase today. Most predict the market should do well in the near future, if things settle down in the world.
"Most predict the market should do well in the near future, if things settle down in the world."
IF THINGS SETTLE DOWN IN THE WORLD? Let's dissect that "IF", from a non- political stance :
*If Hamas stops sending rockets into Israel; *If ISIS is destroyed in Iraq and Syria; *If Turkey changes their hatred of Israel: *If Libya can control the spread of Islamic Terrorists; *If Mali can stop the Islamic Terrorists from kidnapping female teenage students; *If China stops edging toward a takeover of disputed islands in the North China Sea with Japan; *If North Korea stops it's proliferation of Atomic Weapons; *If Iran stops trying to develop nuclear weapons( *If the American and European economies can recover from 7 years of stagnation and long term unemployment; *If Argentina can pay back it's creditors instead of defaulting on its multi-billion dollar debt; *If, if, if, if.........!
I think chances are slim to none than things will calm down in the world.
Your SIL gave 'his' kid a car? Must be a Canadian thing.
Be a good uncle and tell him to get a new car. Either that, or tell his GF to tell him to get a new car.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
driver, I am with you on a young person needing to be reliable with getting to work, meaning a solid, trustworthy car. Which is why when my just out of college son started working FT (even if not at big money) we decided he should lease his VW. Instead of driving the 175K TL indefinitely (which was mine anyway). Worked out when he got on short notice a new, better job 4 hours away. No way being out on his own he needed to be dealing with an old car like that. Yes it costs a few $100/month, but reliability is worth something.
IF THINGS SETTLE DOWN IN THE WORLD? Let's dissect that "IF", from a non- political stance :
All of those things have gone on before, and sometimes even worse than now, and with only a few exceptions, the markets keep advancing....over time.
This is my observation: Nay sayers are negative and are too cautious. The positive people do well over the long term. At least there is a chance things will continue to do well, over time. As bad as 2008 was, we have advanced since then. When the market was at it's lowest point I said if I had the guts to do it I would invest $100,000 in an indexed fund. My negative feelings took hold....I thought it would hurt to lose another $100K more than it would feel good to gain $100K.
@explorerx4 said:Be a good uncle and tell him to get a new car. Either that, or tell his GF to tell him to get a new car.
My wife said my grandson was interested in leasing Nissan Leaf. I checked quickly and it can only go 80 miles and will need a 240 volt charger.
I wouldn't get one. I think his best bet is to lease a Honda, Toyota, Fusion, Focus, or Cruze. There's others, just something reliable, that will hold it''s value, and one he may want to buy back at the end of the lease. Electric cars only make up less than 3% of total car sales, I would go with what is tried and tested and we know will work,,,,especially for a first car.
"....I thought it would hurt to lose another $100K more than it would feel good to gain $100K."
Extremely well stated, my friend!!!
What I was trying to say is that the market is well overdo for a major readjustment/correction considering the fact that the market is really the only major success in growth/expansion in the last 2 years with the exception of automobile sales.
Employment continues to be a major problem with a participation rate in the labor force at the lowest levels in many decades. U.S. budget deficits, accumulated, are out of control. The Fed is on the precipice of increasing rates which will eat up even larger expenditures to pay higher interest on the deficit which will cause even greater deficits. Defense expenditures for what is now happening in the Middle East will grow in order to replace arms, ammunition, tanks, aircraft, bombs, drones, etc .
I am pessimistic about the future. I lost over $250,000 in 2008 which is gone forever. My entire retirement savings gone in a matter of days/weeks/months. So I stay out of the market because there isn't much left to invest.
I am not crying poverty here - I have a nice income from pension and social security to provide me with the funds to buy cars and send my kids the money they need.
But truly I believe there is going to be a major correction in the market - sooner rather than later.
You guys got me looking at M-B Canada's website and pricing out E-series coupes.
They still only show the 2014s but even though the E550 lists at about $10K more than the E350, the lease payments are about the same.
I built an E550 coupe just for kicks in the same Diamond Silver but with what appears to be (according to the pics) a gorgeous blue and beige interior. Man, that would be a sweet car. And I could afford it. I just don't know if I would ever drive it enough to justify the cost.
"You will still wait for the 2016. You just happened to get another car while you were waiting."
That's funny Verdugo. I saw pictures of the. 2016 E Sedan and frankly, I don't like the looks of it. It resembles a larger CLA, and I don't like the CLA looks.
But that being said, I also said I didn't like the looks of the 2010-2014 E Class either, but I sure bought them.
At least for the time being, I'll take a chance on the E400 (replacing the E550 in the US). They are still going to have the E350 here in the US, remember.
darn, all you people getting cars. making me antsy.
Driver, if he is looking at a Nissan, consider a sentra. A respectable, basic, cheap car. I was in NY this past weekend, and the local Nissan dealer was advertising a 24 mo. lease for $99. and no big down in the fine print. Probably about $1k for bank fee, first payment, and doc fees. Plus tax so payment a whopping $107. Even I can afford that. If I had more time there, I was seriously considering going over to look. and I don't even want a Sentra!
@stickguy said:
darn, all you people getting cars. making me antsy.
Driver, if he is looking at a Nissan, consider a sentra. A respectable, basic, cheap car. I was in NY this past weekend, and the local Nissan dealer was advertising a 24 mo. lease for $99. and no big down in the fine print. Probably about $1k for bank fee, first payment, and doc fees. Plus tax so payment a whopping $107. Even I can afford that. If I had more time there, I was seriously considering going over to look. and I don't even want a Sentra!
The Sentra is a good choice for dependable transportation. Nothing exciting about them, but they get you where you're going.
I bought my son a Sentra when he started college at Penn State. He drove it for 5 years to college then moved to eastern PA and drove it to work for a while before trading it on his BMW. Only thing we did, other than regular maintenance, was tires.
"Excellent question, and one that I was wondering about as well.
I wonder what the answer is."
My point was that when you buy a Mercedes, you are always trading up.
My CLS MSRP'd for $82,000. The E400 MSRP's for $70,000. If I trade even from a 2014 to a 2015, that's a step up.
But in reality, the CLS is a far superior product, however the negatives of having almost no room in the back seat and being so very low to the center of gravity for an old fart like me, it is a step up on comfort and convenience.
superior product actually depends on what you need it to do. The CLS is faster, and more stylish. But with all the limitations you found (the stuff you rationalize/live with because of the feature you like), the 400 is just better for you, and your needs, at this time.
heck, from what you have said about them both, I would have no interest in buying a CLS over the E400!
"heck, from what you have said about them both, I would have no interest in buying a CLS over the E400!"
My thinking exactly. What I did was price out and build two 2015 E Class Sport Sedans - an E 400 and an E 350 - to determine which was a better car for me.
The E 400 comes "standard" with Premium Package, Keyless Go, Lane Tracking and Blind Spot Monitors, Heated and Ventilated Seats, Leather Seats, Fold-Down Rear Seats, 18" AMG Wheels and All Season Tires, to name a few, all of which are "Optional" on the E 350. When I built them both, the E 400 MSRP'd at $69,450 and an identically equipped E 350 MSRP'd at $67,940. So for a difference of about $1600 more, I also get the new 330 hp 3.0 L v6 twin turbo engine with 350 lb ft of torque and 5 mpg avg more economy. The E350 3.5 L, 302 hp V6 has 268 lb ft of torque.
So I feel the new E400 is a better value on the long run.
Do you think there are still many E350 coupes in inventory? I would suspect that choice of colors and options would have shrunk down by now.
@ab348 said:
You guys got me looking at M-B Canada's website and pricing out E-series coupes.
They still only show the 2014s but even though the E550 lists at about $10K more than the E350, the lease payments are about the same.
I built an E550 coupe just for kicks in the same Diamond Silver but with what appears to be (according to the pics) a gorgeous blue and beige interior. Man, that would be a sweet car. And I could afford it. I just don't know if I would ever drive it enough to justify the cost.
"They still only show the 2014s but even though the E550 lists at about $10K more than the E350, the lease payments are about the same."
In the US, there is a significant difference in pricing between the E550 and the E350 due mainly to the cost of the V8 twin turbo engine. They lease quite closely to to the higher residual on the E550.
In the US, next model year (2015), there is less of a difference in pricing between the E400 and the E350 because both engines are V 6's. I think the difference in MSRP for the base models, without options, is $7500 - but remember, the base E 400 (E 550 in Canada) has a ton of standard features that are all optional on the E 350 (E400 in Canada ). There will not be an E350 in Canada next model year - the E400 takes it's place.
In the US, the E 400 takes the place of the E 550 and they will still build the E 350. In the 2016 model year on the US, the E350 will be dropped in favor of the E400 and I believe they will add a 4 cylinder to the line.
I saw a new 2015 C300 here in Palm Springs yesterday - wow - they sure are gorgeous. A complete departure from the old body style.
We just had a long discussion and we decided I am going to fly home to Florida Friday morning (the day after my son sees the neurosurgeon) because the feedback we received is that before they do anything, the are going to try to determine if the tumor is operable and if it's benign or malignant. That will involve more tests and probably a biopsy.
So they won't be doing anything for a couple of weeks. I need to get back to take care of my Dad for a while. I'll fly back to California the following week, but he'll be well taken care of by his SO. I am sort of in the way now since their lives go on.
I suspect they will be doing something by the beginning of next month. So at least I'll get to handle things better back home in Florida, even if it's just for a week or two. I just want to wait to hear what the neurosurgeon has to say before going home for a week or two.
My famous S-I-L (the one that would rather borrow a lawn mower than buy one) gave his kid their 25 year old Volvo with over 350K miles on it to their son to get to work. He landed a great job and is paid well. Once again, I think if you have a good responsible job you should have a good reliable car that can get you to work and meetings on time. The car has had numerous repairs including a $4000 transmission repair about a year ago. This time it stalled out on the way to the airport where his girlfriend was trying to make a flight. He had to get her a cab, cost $150. The car was towed to the garage. Diagnosis, motor is shot, would cost $2000 to fix.
Those are just the repairs I know about.
After the 1st large repair I would have advised my grandson to lease a Honda, Toyota - Fusion or similar car, with an option to buy. For the cost of repairs he could have been driving a nwer, reliable, warrantied car and he would learn a valuable lesson about false economizing.
Yeah, even I wouldn't try to run a car to 350k miles. That transmission job would send most of my cars to the crusher.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Of course you never know whether you'll achieve that.
I've put about 12k miles on my $900 farm van so that one worked out.
I've put 10k on the $3200 Lincoln so the jury is still out.
I got 100k out of my $7000 Chrysler which made it a winner.
But I only got 10k out of another Chrysler which cost $6850 before my kid totaled it.
If I bought one of Mike's $70k cars I'd have to drive it for the next three generations.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
@ab348 said:I built an E550 coupe just for kicks in the same Diamond Silver but with what appears to be (according to the pics) a gorgeous blue and beige interior
You may consider going with a 2014 E350 or 2015 E400. I think the cost would be less, and it might be more practical, as Mike found out. I appreciate the comfort of the MB compared to the handling and performance of the BMW, as I get older.
I think that interior is actually beige and black, or in the case of the car I got it is Crystal Grey (very light gray, almost white) with black trim. We did get Crystal Blue exterior.
If you really like the car just go to a dealer and sit in it.....my wife and I couldn't believe how beautiful and comfortable the car is. If you do drive it you will know it feels solid, yet the steering and handling are superb.
Like I say, it will probably cost the same as a mainstream car, plus a package of cigarettes a day, bottle of wine a day, one or two games of golf a week, etc
Also, a Mercedes lasts a long time and if you do low miles, it will last that much longer....I think this is a car you could keep for a long time, and it may even get better with age.
At least sit in it and then decide....even if you don't buy one, it is worth the experience.
@stickguy said:Driver, if he is looking at a Nissan, consider a sentra. A respectable, basic, cheap car.
I'll check the Sentra too....but, only if I can convince him to go with a gas engine. I think he likes the Leaf because it is electric. Young people get me...they buy an electric car to save the planet but they leave lights and their computers on all day.
I always liked the Sentra. I think that segment is so crowded now that manufacturers are falling over each other to get the best deal. I see Jettas for $200 a month too......but, I would only suggest a Jetta to a person who is prepared to spend on maintenance when the warranty is up. Besides, if he is looking at a Leaf and he drives a 25 year old Volvo, he doesn't need the "feel of the road".
@abacomike said:
ab348 said:
I saw a new 2015 C300 here in Palm Springs yesterday - wow - they sure are gorgeous. A complete departure from the old body style.
Mike, I read where the new C class has a longer wheelbase than the E class. Could this be true?
@houdini1 said:Mike, I read where the new C class has a longer wheelbase than the E class. Could this be true?
New C Class is about 3 1/2 inches longer, 1 1/2 inches wider. Interior is supposed to be gorgeous with larger back seat. It takes styling cues from S Class.
>@mako1a: >How do I tell the dealer to stop blowing smoke and get real or at least in line with Edmunds pricing? Or should I demand $5k more for my Denali since his is so badly inflated?
I've done that before. One of my favorite stories was from a volvo dealer I once visited. SM was using 2 different books: 1 to appraise my trade and a different one to appraise the used one I wanted to buy. He showed me his car in the Black Book to point out how low my offer was. I took the book and flipped to my trade, which was $2k more in this BB compared to my Galves. So I let him know I would have no problem paying his price if he gave me the BB number for my trade. I was shown the door. haha.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
@qbrozen said:
I've done that before. One of my favorite stories was from a volvo dealer I once visited. SM was using 2 different books: 1 to appraise my trade and a different one to appraise the used one I wanted to buy. He showed me his car in the Black Book to point out how low my offer was. I took the book and flipped to my trade, which was $2k more in this BB compared to my Galves. So I let him know I would have no problem paying his price if he gave me the BB number for my trade. I was shown the door. haha.
While I've never been shown the door, I have been ignored until I left. I had a new Toyota Avalon Limited maybe 2 or 3 k miles and 2 months old. News on TV said all Toyotas have runaway acceleration. I was fine with the Avalon, but my wife refused to go anywhere in the car. I took it to a MB dealer where he showed me a C class which I found underpowered and basically junk compared to the Avalon. For some reason he had it in his mind that it was the C or nothing. They never gave me a trade value, kept asking what I owed on the Avalon (nothing-I'm a cash buyer) and pretty much waited for me to like their car. I looked around the lot, found an S class that seemed to be my speed, but for some reason they didn't want to tell me a price difference
Remember, price was never mentioned. There was zero hostility, I just wanted to see a car I liked and some semblance of a semi-fair trade deal and I would have been a MB owner, As it is now, I wouldn't give 10 cents for a MB since my only experience was just that pitiful.
Comments
>
Hey Mike, you could be driving a new car every year from now on...just have to keep trading down.
10 years from now we'll see what kind of a deal you get on a Smart Car.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
"Hey Mike, you could be driving a new car every year from now on...just have to keep trading down."
When you buy a Mercedes, you "never" trade down - always UP! LOL!
Look at you - you're trading up - aren't you?
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
How is going from a car with an $80K MSRP to a car with a $65K MSRP "up", other than it being 1 or 2 model years newer?
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Mike, I need you to set me up on the first one. After that maybe I can handle it.
Kills me after selling the Solara, the only car in my fleet that has under 100K on it to my daughter's boyfriend they broke up. That whole thing was a bad idea from the moment I lent him the car but I could turn around and but the same car in a better color if I wanted but I think I'm kind of looking out for an old, well kept Miata.
Mike, is this the car you ordered with no intention of buying ? If it is, I'm proud of you and like your style.
You should be worried. These auto loans are sold and then repackaged into other securities similar to the mortgage backed securities of a decade ago. In that pool are risky loans of up to 25% interest rate.
Don't know how the Fed is going to handle it but that trillion dollar auto loan bubble is about to burst. I believe they have already called GM's Ally to task for making risky and usurious loans.
In the used car market the problem is even worse as consumers are trapped in high interest loans that they cannot repay. If you haven't already done so, now is the time to immunize your 401(k) against the next crash.
Been keeping a lookout for a replacement for my wife's 2001 Denali (just in case we need it).
Here's what I found> http://www.ebay.com/itm/GMC-Yukon-Denali-Denali-6-2L-NAV-AWD-Anti-Theft-Device-s-Side-Air-Bag-System-Airbag-Deactivation-/261537618072?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3ce4db5898&item=261537618072&pt=US_Cars_Trucks
They're at US $23,995.00
Edmunds says>
2007 GMC Denali with 114,000 miles
How do I tell the dealer to stop blowing smoke and get real or at least in line with Edmunds pricing? Or should I demand $5k more for my Denali since his is so badly inflated?
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
_immunize your 401(k) _ bwia, if you still have a 401k you may get out and maybe not.
Take the money...pay the taxes and put it where noone can find it is your only hope or as you call it "immunization".
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
That may be the case with traditional banks, but credit unions rarely sell their loans. Since they are non-profit and member owned, they keep their loans in their own portfolio.
Yeah, I figured that but still, that's a low risk premium. The government won't default on the loan (I hope).
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Maybe he was just dating her for dad's car. Once he had it...
Better to be shed of him.
Did you look at that CL Miata I posted? You are in NJ right? Or am I having memory problems again?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I like the style of the salesperson who knew what Mike wanted before Mike did.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
"Mike, is this the car you ordered with no intention of buying ? If it is, I'm proud of you and like your style."
Yep, that's the one they asked me to order if I was going to buy one. I did such a good job creating my car I had to move on it. What can I say?
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Getting time to think about replacing the heating system. I was in Lowes yesterday and see they have 'partnered' with Trane. That's one of the brands I'm considering.
I'm seeing these in real nice shape with lower miles in the $17.5K - $20K range in the SF Bay Area.
And that's asking prices. The dealer is off the mark here because the car is miled up. He's asking 75,000 mile money for 114K miles.
Boy, that's a lot of money for a car with 114,000 miles. How many miles would you expect that vehicle to go?
My rule of thumb is I expect 10,000 miles of use for every $1000 I pay. You'd have to drive that to the moon to get your money's worth.
Consider that I am OCD over low milage.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
The dealer is off the mark here because the car is miled up. He's asking 75,000 mile money for 114K miles.
Thank you MrShiftright, that's what I was thinking. Local dealers get a little more here due to being small town and lack of competition, but when you tell them they're $5-7k too high they run back into their cubby hole and refuse to talk. Yet they'll make your trade next to worthless.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Mako, some people think their car is worth a lot more than it is. I know I am leary of high mileage, but at 114K miles, the car has lived the best part of it's life, but he still thinks it is worth half of it's original price.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
My famous S-I-L (the one that would rather borrow a lawn mower than buy one) gave his kid their 25 year old Volvo with over 350K miles on it to their son to get to work. He landed a great job and is paid well. Once again, I think if you have a good responsible job you should have a good reliable car that can get you to work and meetings on time. The car has had numerous repairs including a $4000 transmission repair about a year ago. This time it stalled out on the way to the airport where his girlfriend was trying to make a flight. He had to get her a cab, cost $150. The car was towed to the garage. Diagnosis, motor is shot, would cost $2000 to fix.
Those are just the repairs I know about.
After the 1st large repair I would have advised my grandson to lease a Honda, Toyota - Fusion or similar car, with an option to buy. For the cost of repairs he could have been driving a nwer, reliable, warrantied car and he would learn a valuable lesson about false economizing.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Bwia.......you would have lost out on a 1% increase today. Most predict the market should do well in the near future, if things settle down in the world.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That sounds like a good rule of thumb. That would make my grandsons Volvo worth about $7.68.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
"Most predict the market should do well in the near future, if things settle down in the world."
IF THINGS SETTLE DOWN IN THE WORLD? Let's dissect that "IF", from a non- political stance :
*If Hamas stops sending rockets into Israel;
*If ISIS is destroyed in Iraq and Syria;
*If Turkey changes their hatred of Israel:
*If Libya can control the spread of Islamic Terrorists;
*If Mali can stop the Islamic Terrorists from kidnapping female teenage students;
*If China stops edging toward a takeover of disputed islands in the North China Sea with Japan;
*If North Korea stops it's proliferation of Atomic Weapons;
*If Iran stops trying to develop nuclear weapons(
*If the American and European economies can recover from 7 years of stagnation and long term unemployment;
*If Argentina can pay back it's creditors instead of defaulting on its multi-billion dollar debt;
*If, if, if, if.........!
I think chances are slim to none than things will calm down in the world.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Your SIL gave 'his' kid a car? Must be a Canadian thing.
Be a good uncle and tell him to get a new car. Either that, or tell his GF to tell him to get a new car.
driver, I am with you on a young person needing to be reliable with getting to work, meaning a solid, trustworthy car. Which is why when my just out of college son started working FT (even if not at big money) we decided he should lease his VW. Instead of driving the 175K TL indefinitely (which was mine anyway). Worked out when he got on short notice a new, better job 4 hours away. No way being out on his own he needed to be dealing with an old car like that. Yes it costs a few $100/month, but reliability is worth something.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Farmer, yes Fezo lives in Jersey too. I believe that Miata (which I actually liked) was fairly close to him.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
IF THINGS SETTLE DOWN IN THE WORLD? Let's dissect that "IF", from a non- political stance :
All of those things have gone on before, and sometimes even worse than now, and with only a few exceptions, the markets keep advancing....over time.
This is my observation: Nay sayers are negative and are too cautious. The positive people do well over the long term. At least there is a chance things will continue to do well, over time. As bad as 2008 was, we have advanced since then. When the market was at it's lowest point I said if I had the guts to do it I would invest $100,000 in an indexed fund. My negative feelings took hold....I thought it would hurt to lose another $100K more than it would feel good to gain $100K.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
My wife said my grandson was interested in leasing Nissan Leaf. I checked quickly and it can only go 80 miles and will need a 240 volt charger.
I wouldn't get one. I think his best bet is to lease a Honda, Toyota, Fusion, Focus, or Cruze. There's others, just something reliable, that will hold it''s value, and one he may want to buy back at the end of the lease. Electric cars only make up less than 3% of total car sales, I would go with what is tried and tested and we know will work,,,,especially for a first car.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
"....I thought it would hurt to lose another $100K more than it would feel good to gain $100K."
Extremely well stated, my friend!!!
What I was trying to say is that the market is well overdo for a major readjustment/correction considering the fact that the market is really the only major success in growth/expansion in the last 2 years with the exception of automobile sales.
Employment continues to be a major problem with a participation rate in the labor force at the lowest levels in many decades. U.S. budget deficits, accumulated, are out of control. The Fed is on the precipice of increasing rates which will eat up even larger expenditures to pay higher interest on the deficit which will cause even greater deficits. Defense expenditures for what is now happening in the Middle East will grow in order to replace arms, ammunition, tanks, aircraft, bombs, drones, etc .
I am pessimistic about the future. I lost over $250,000 in 2008 which is gone forever. My entire retirement savings gone in a matter of days/weeks/months. So I stay out of the market because there isn't much left to invest.
I am not crying poverty here - I have a nice income from pension and social security to provide me with the funds to buy cars and send my kids the money they need.
But truly I believe there is going to be a major correction in the market - sooner rather than later.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
You guys got me looking at M-B Canada's website and pricing out E-series coupes.
They still only show the 2014s but even though the E550 lists at about $10K more than the E350, the lease payments are about the same.
I built an E550 coupe just for kicks in the same Diamond Silver but with what appears to be (according to the pics) a gorgeous blue and beige interior. Man, that would be a sweet car. And I could afford it. I just don't know if I would ever drive it enough to justify the cost.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
You will still wait for the 2016. You just happened to get another car while you were waiting.
"You will still wait for the 2016. You just happened to get another car while you were waiting."
That's funny Verdugo. I saw pictures of the. 2016 E Sedan and frankly, I don't like the looks of it. It resembles a larger CLA, and I don't like the CLA looks.
But that being said, I also said I didn't like the looks of the 2010-2014 E Class either, but I sure bought them.
At least for the time being, I'll take a chance on the E400 (replacing the E550 in the US). They are still going to have the E350 here in the US, remember.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
darn, all you people getting cars. making me antsy.
Driver, if he is looking at a Nissan, consider a sentra. A respectable, basic, cheap car. I was in NY this past weekend, and the local Nissan dealer was advertising a 24 mo. lease for $99. and no big down in the fine print. Probably about $1k for bank fee, first payment, and doc fees. Plus tax so payment a whopping $107. Even I can afford that. If I had more time there, I was seriously considering going over to look. and I don't even want a Sentra!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Excellent question, and one that I was wondering about as well.
I wonder what the answer is.
The Sentra is a good choice for dependable transportation. Nothing exciting about them, but they get you where you're going.
I bought my son a Sentra when he started college at Penn State. He drove it for 5 years to college then moved to eastern PA and drove it to work for a while before trading it on his BMW. Only thing we did, other than regular maintenance, was tires.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
well, it is newer model, and no miles.
original sticker doesn't really matter once a car is used.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
"Excellent question, and one that I was wondering about as well.
I wonder what the answer is."
My point was that when you buy a Mercedes, you are always trading up.
My CLS MSRP'd for $82,000. The E400 MSRP's for $70,000. If I trade even from a 2014 to a 2015, that's a step up.
But in reality, the CLS is a far superior product, however the negatives of having almost no room in the back seat and being so very low to the center of gravity for an old fart like me, it is a step up on comfort and convenience.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
superior product actually depends on what you need it to do. The CLS is faster, and more stylish. But with all the limitations you found (the stuff you rationalize/live with because of the feature you like), the 400 is just better for you, and your needs, at this time.
heck, from what you have said about them both, I would have no interest in buying a CLS over the E400!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
"heck, from what you have said about them both, I would have no interest in buying a CLS over the E400!"
My thinking exactly. What I did was price out and build two 2015 E Class Sport Sedans - an E 400 and an E 350 - to determine which was a better car for me.
The E 400 comes "standard" with Premium Package, Keyless Go, Lane Tracking and Blind Spot Monitors, Heated and Ventilated Seats, Leather Seats, Fold-Down Rear Seats, 18" AMG Wheels and All Season Tires, to name a few, all of which are "Optional" on the E 350. When I built them both, the E 400 MSRP'd at $69,450 and an identically equipped E 350 MSRP'd at $67,940. So for a difference of about $1600 more, I also get the new 330 hp 3.0 L v6 twin turbo engine with 350 lb ft of torque and 5 mpg avg more economy. The E350 3.5 L, 302 hp V6 has 268 lb ft of torque.
So I feel the new E400 is a better value on the long run.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Do you think there are still many E350 coupes in inventory? I would suspect that choice of colors and options would have shrunk down by now.
"They still only show the 2014s but even though the E550 lists at about $10K more than the E350, the lease payments are about the same."
In the US, there is a significant difference in pricing between the E550 and the E350 due mainly to the cost of the V8 twin turbo engine. They lease quite closely to to the higher residual on the E550.
In the US, next model year (2015), there is less of a difference in pricing between the E400 and the E350 because both engines are V 6's. I think the difference in MSRP for the base models, without options, is $7500 - but remember, the base E 400 (E 550 in Canada) has a ton of standard features that are all optional on the E 350 (E400 in Canada ). There will not be an E350 in Canada next model year - the E400 takes it's place.
In the US, the E 400 takes the place of the E 550 and they will still build the E 350. In the 2016 model year on the US, the E350 will be dropped in favor of the E400 and I believe they will add a 4 cylinder to the line.
I saw a new 2015 C300 here in Palm Springs yesterday - wow - they sure are gorgeous. A complete departure from the old body style.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
We just had a long discussion and we decided I am going to fly home to Florida Friday morning (the day after my son sees the neurosurgeon) because the feedback we received is that before they do anything, the are going to try to determine if the tumor is operable and if it's benign or malignant. That will involve more tests and probably a biopsy.
So they won't be doing anything for a couple of weeks. I need to get back to take care of my Dad for a while. I'll fly back to California the following week, but he'll be well taken care of by his SO. I am sort of in the way now since their lives go on.
I suspect they will be doing something by the beginning of next month. So at least I'll get to handle things better back home in Florida, even if it's just for a week or two. I just want to wait to hear what the neurosurgeon has to say before going home for a week or two.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Yeah, even I wouldn't try to run a car to 350k miles. That transmission job would send most of my cars to the crusher.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Of course you never know whether you'll achieve that.
I've put about 12k miles on my $900 farm van so that one worked out.
I've put 10k on the $3200 Lincoln so the jury is still out.
I got 100k out of my $7000 Chrysler which made it a winner.
But I only got 10k out of another Chrysler which cost $6850 before my kid totaled it.
If I bought one of Mike's $70k cars I'd have to drive it for the next three generations.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
You may consider going with a 2014 E350 or 2015 E400. I think the cost would be less, and it might be more practical, as Mike found out. I appreciate the comfort of the MB compared to the handling and performance of the BMW, as I get older.
I think that interior is actually beige and black, or in the case of the car I got it is Crystal Grey (very light gray, almost white) with black trim. We did get Crystal Blue exterior.
If you really like the car just go to a dealer and sit in it.....my wife and I couldn't believe how beautiful and comfortable the car is. If you do drive it you will know it feels solid, yet the steering and handling are superb.
Like I say, it will probably cost the same as a mainstream car, plus a package of cigarettes a day, bottle of wine a day, one or two games of golf a week, etc
Also, a Mercedes lasts a long time and if you do low miles, it will last that much longer....I think this is a car you could keep for a long time, and it may even get better with age.
At least sit in it and then decide....even if you don't buy one, it is worth the experience.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I'll check the Sentra too....but, only if I can convince him to go with a gas engine. I think he likes the Leaf because it is electric. Young people get me...they buy an electric car to save the planet but they leave lights and their computers on all day.
I always liked the Sentra. I think that segment is so crowded now that manufacturers are falling over each other to get the best deal. I see Jettas for $200 a month too......but, I would only suggest a Jetta to a person who is prepared to spend on maintenance when the warranty is up. Besides, if he is looking at a Leaf and he drives a 25 year old Volvo, he doesn't need the "feel of the road".
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Mike, I read where the new C class has a longer wheelbase than the E class. Could this be true?
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
New C Class is about 3 1/2 inches longer, 1 1/2 inches wider. Interior is supposed to be gorgeous with larger back seat. It takes styling cues from S Class.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
>How do I tell the dealer to stop blowing smoke and get real or at least in line with Edmunds pricing? Or should I demand $5k more for my Denali since his is so badly inflated?
I've done that before. One of my favorite stories was from a volvo dealer I once visited. SM was using 2 different books: 1 to appraise my trade and a different one to appraise the used one I wanted to buy. He showed me his car in the Black Book to point out how low my offer was. I took the book and flipped to my trade, which was $2k more in this BB compared to my Galves. So I let him know I would have no problem paying his price if he gave me the BB number for my trade. I was shown the door. haha.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
You are so good at posting pictures could you post the 2014 Chrysler 300 grill versus the 2015 Genesis sedan. Is it my imagination?
To me they look the same
While I've never been shown the door, I have been ignored until I left. I had a new Toyota Avalon Limited maybe 2 or 3 k miles and 2 months old. News on TV said all Toyotas have runaway acceleration. I was fine with the Avalon, but my wife refused to go anywhere in the car. I took it to a MB dealer where he showed me a C class which I found underpowered and basically junk compared to the Avalon. For some reason he had it in his mind that it was the C or nothing. They never gave me a trade value, kept asking what I owed on the Avalon (nothing-I'm a cash buyer) and pretty much waited for me to like their car. I looked around the lot, found an S class that seemed to be my speed, but for some reason they didn't want to tell me a price difference
Remember, price was never mentioned. There was zero hostility, I just wanted to see a car I liked and some semblance of a semi-fair trade deal and I would have been a MB owner, As it is now, I wouldn't give 10 cents for a MB since my only experience was just that pitiful.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali