Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

Ditto. Stick with comfort level. I made hot misake once (overlooking a bad feeling) and regretted it.

Only way I might change if something special about the car, but if that is the same, tide it out.

28firefighter

Agree with the other guys. Go with the dealer that you already came to an agreement with - going with the other guy rewards bad behavior. For $200 on a $40k lease it's not worth it. 

pensfan83

Thanks everyone for confirming what I already know. The SM sounded genuine enough in his response to my frustration and his updated offer that I let my guard down for no other reason than my own self-doubt and pondering, even briefly, that I misjudged that dealer and didn't give them a fair shake.

Again, many thanks for the reassurances gentleman.

qbrozen

A deal is a deal

pensfan83

It is....called him 45 minutes ago and told him I can't accept.

One of my worst flaws is being too empathetic to the plight of others and unfortunately it doesn't take much. A few years ago we were renovating the bathroom in the basement and the contractor we selected was late to the estimate appointment (claimed he got lost), delayed our given start date by a month (carryover from other jobs), and finally he forgot to order all of the materials (blamed his office staff). I fired him and he was extremely apologetic blamed his divorce from the prior year, only sees his kids a few times per month due to his schedule and custody, etc. I felt bad and was ready to give him another shot before my dad convinced me that if he was this unorganized BEFORE the job then he's probably going to be the same way DURING the job.

xwesx

pensfan83 said:

Someone else tell me I am doing the right thing sticking with the dealer I agreed with....

Steve

You're doing the right thing to stick! In the end, you get the same car, but I think you'll feel better about your choice over the long haul.

xwesx

pensfan83 said:

I felt bad and was ready to give him another shot before my dad convinced me that if he was this unorganized BEFORE the job then he's probably going to be the same way DURING the job.

And, he is most likely right, too! As well, you are doing the contractor a favor by giving him a sobering reality check. Hopefully, it will be a lesson learned.

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

A deal is a deal

Yep, do unto others holds true even in the sometimes-slime-pit of the auto biz!

And $200? What's that these days? Dinner and a movie for family of 4?

Sandman6472

Will go check out the Hyundai and on one of those, would just buy new. For some reason, getting a CPO BMW is alright with me but with a Hyundai/Kia or most other vehicles, getting new is the best for me.
Have to go get some estimates on the Golf. Pulled out of the garage and hit the wall damaging the side view mirror. Glass is fine and electrics still working but have to replace the outside cover...it's duct taped on now. Stupid mistake as I had pulled in at an angle and with all the fuss over Irma, I f'ed up! So went to VW and got a crazy estimate. So need to get a few more and then get it fixed. Hoping to do it while we're in Chicago if the body shop will keep it till we return.
Am still a bit pissed off about it all but hey, [non-permissible content removed] happens in life. Big reason why I like a small vehicle is that my side of the garage is a bit tight. Life will return to normal but still, this sucks!!

The Sandman :@

graphicguy

I’m with everyone else....a deal is a deal. Even if the other guy offered $500 less, I would have stuck with the original deal. We shake hands......deal is final.

About the 2.0 in the BMW. Haven’t driven one in awhile. But, the twin scroll turbo I6 I had with a performance tune was just so much fun, I can’t get it out of my thought process. No slight meant to the 2.0.

suydam

sandman_6472 said:

Will go check out the Hyundai and on one of those, would just buy new. For some reason, getting a CPO BMW is alright with me but with a Hyundai/Kia or most other vehicles, getting new is the best for me.
Have to go get some estimates on the Golf. Pulled out of the garage and hit the wall damaging the side view mirror. Glass is fine and electrics still working but have to replace the outside cover...it's duct taped on now. Stupid mistake as I had pulled in at an angle and with all the fuss over Irma, I f'ed up! So went to VW and got a crazy estimate. So need to get a few more and then get it fixed. Hoping to do it while we're in Chicago if the body shop will keep it till we return.
Am still a bit pissed off about it all but hey, [non-permissible content removed] happens in life. Big reason why I like a small vehicle is that my side of the garage is a bit tight. Life will return to normal but still, this sucks!!

The Sandman :@

I did that once. Our garage was a little tight on the right side, and I just wasn't paying attention. I just lived with it. It was an '01 Maxima and I kept it 12 years so I knew it wasn't worth fixing. I think it had a crack in it but it worked.

nyccarguy

I agree with the guys. "A Deal is a deal."

nyccarguy

@qbrozen - what's the latest with the Coronet?

andres3

Mr_Shiftright said:

qbrozen said:

A deal is a deal

Yep, do unto others holds true even in the sometimes-slime-pit of the auto biz!

And $200? What's that these days? Dinner and a movie for family of 4?

And who knows, after you rejected his offer, he might lose sleep at night, and offer you $400 or $600 more off to buy your soul in a few days.



I'd probably sell out at $600.

xwesx

suydam said:

I did that once. Our garage was a little tight on the right side, and I just wasn't paying attention. I just lived with it. It was an '01 Maxima and I kept it 12 years so I knew it wasn't worth fixing. I think it had a crack in it but it worked.

Yeah, I don't want to discuss my stupid backing antics last year. But, Sandy, if it makes you feel better about your tiny little oops, I will.

stickguy

Both the RDX mirrors had paint scrapes. I just touch them up. Really tight clearance on that door frame

stickguy

Drove some cars today, at local used lot (such friendly people). 1st a 2014 C class. Felt old fashioned, and way down on features. Just can't do it. I'm spoiled, and wife would get grumpy!

Then drove a gorgeous dark blue over beige 2016 C300 sport. Now we are talking. The interior was phenomenal, and had all the modern goodies. Great seats. Drove so nice (even with baby 4!). My wife would love it. Her favorite dark blue. Might take some waiting or seriously looking, since my heart wants that, my budget says get the 2014!

Though the one I drove was not even in service a year yet, so lots of warranty, and only 10k miles. No need for CPO.

Need to take her to dealer to try some out. Wonder if they do service loaner leases?

benjaminh

stickguy said:

Drove some cars today, at local used lot (such friendly people). 1st a 2014 C class. Felt old fashioned, and way down on features. Just can't do it. I'm spoiled, and wife would get grumpy!

Then drove a gorgeous dark blue over beige 2016 C300 sport. Now we are talking. The interior was phenomenal, and had all the modern goodies. Great seats. Drove so nice (even with baby 4!). My wife would love it. Her favorite dark blue. Might take some waiting or seriously looking, since my heart wants that, my budget says get the 2014!

Though the one I drove was not even in service a year yet, so lots of warranty, and only 10k miles. No need for CPO.

Need to take her to dealer to try some out. Wonder if they do service loaner leases?

stickguy said:

Drove some cars today, at local used lot (such friendly people). 1st a 2014 C class. Felt old fashioned, and way down on features. Just can't do it. I'm spoiled, and wife would get grumpy!

Then drove a gorgeous dark blue over beige 2016 C300 sport. Now we are talking. The interior was phenomenal, and had all the modern goodies. Great seats. Drove so nice (even with baby 4!). My wife would love it. Her favorite dark blue. Might take some waiting or seriously looking, since my heart wants that, my budget says get the 2014!

Though the one I drove was not even in service a year yet, so lots of warranty, and only 10k miles. No need for CPO.

Need to take her to dealer to try some out. Wonder if they do service loaner leases?

If I may ask, what was the asking price for the C300?

stickguy

2014 was $24k, with 22,000 miles. The 2016 was listed at $34,999. Original MSRP over $47k

pensfan83

andres3 said:

And who knows, after you rejected his offer, he might lose sleep at night, and offer you $400 or $600 more off to buy your soul in a few days.



I'd probably sell out at $600.

I chatted with him briefly before going to lunch and he's disappointed because he "hates to lose" but respected my decision.

benjaminh

stickguy said:

2014 was $24k, with 22,000 miles. The 2016 was listed at $34,999. Original MSRP over $47k

Considering it's a nearly new car, that's a nice discount on the 2016. And perhaps could go lower? A Mercedes could be an amazing car...++I'm looking at the interior pix of a 2016 C300 at my local MB dealer. Wow. Looks very nice. I like the textures and designs. Even nicer than BMW it seems like to me, at least from the pix.

stickguy

I just poked around on cars.com. Local dealer has some apparent leftover, with no miles, listed at that price but CPO. Odd

Will swing by and show the wife!

28firefighter

Mercedes does do service loaner leases - no more support for 2016, but you could still lease a 2017 service loaner.

A couple recent posts on a leasing board that @pensfan83 and I frequent are showing that folks have been getting in the low-mid 300s on a 2017 C300 service loaner if you're willing to put down max MSDs (10 I believe with MBFS). MSRPs range from upper 40s to upper 50s.

stickguy

I could handle that. I assume each SD is = to one payment? Or how do they calculate that?

benjaminh

KBB reviews the C300....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cYQ5TJcJDM

28firefighter

Yup - one security deposit is one payment rounded up to the nearest $50 mark.

Seems as though you should be shooting for 20+% off on those cars. Stick with lower mileage loaners though as you can get into residual adjustments, etc.

stickguy

Might work. Have to go look, but I do still have a month before time to do it.

28firefighter

Personally, I'm not a big fan of the C300. I just don't see the value proposition. For me it would be an E250 BlueTec like @fintail's or an E63 AMG wagon. Otherwise I'm standing pat with the GTI.

benjaminh

Alex on Autos gives the front seats on the C300 10 out of 10 for comfort....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxlEy7psPIU

stickguy

looks exactly like the one I drove. Same blue. and the seats were fabulous. The power extended seat cushion extender were enough to hook me. The E class is just too big for me to be comfortable with. The C, for us, is the perfect size.

Michaell

28firefighter said:

Mercedes does do service loaner leases - no more support for 2016, but you could still lease a 2017 service loaner.

A couple recent posts on a leasing board that @pensfan83 and I frequent are showing that folks have been getting in the low-mid 300s on a 2017 C300 service loaner if you're willing to put down max MSDs (10 I believe with MBFS). MSRPs range from upper 40s to upper 50s.

Remember, however, to get a bigger discount on the service loaner, as the residual will be adjusted downward for the miles already on the car.

tifighter

28firefighter said:

Personally, I'm not a big fan of the C300. I just don't see the value proposition. For me it would be an E250 BlueTec like @fintail's or an E63 AMG wagon. Otherwise I'm standing pat with the GTI.

Agreed. We had a C wagon for a rental in Portugal last year and while it was okay, I'd go E every time. The C interior looks nice, but the E interior feels nice, if you know what I mean.

andres3

2.0T refinement. I love the special one with forged parts and internals in my TTS.

Really, when it comes down to it, my complaints about the short gearing and lack of 7th gear comes down to a mental issue (maybe some lost MPG). Noise, vibration, or isolation issues are not present, even at high RPM's. Very balanced and refined. I have to look at the tachometer in order to mentally notice the high RPM's at my preferred high freeway cruising speeds.

Doctor's prescription: Stop looking at the Tach!

benjaminh

I think the C-Class is a great size. The previous generations were a little small. But this one seems just right. The interior design is very impressive imho. What's the long-term reliability of a Mercedes C-Class likely to be?

In that review above, Alex on Autos said the the interior of the C-Class "Looks and feels $2000 nicer than a BMW."

stickguy

just watched that review. Impressive. He certainly liked this car. Might be worth getting to keep for the long run!

stickguy

long term reliability? Probably fine. but of course, could get pricey. this one is not too complicated. 4 cyl engine, nothing really exotic. And lots of warranty time to work out any bugs.

benjaminh

Did the 2016 C300 have the "Bermester Premium Sound System"? Here's the one that might be similar to the one you saw that's at my local dealer....The interior details on this one really impress.

Does the C300 have blind spot monitoring?

Just looked it up. Yes, blis is included. And MB offers financing for cpo vehicles...

"3.99 percent APR for 72 months"

http://www.tafelmotors.com/inventory/certified-used-2016-mercedes-benz-c-class-c-300-4matic®-sedan-awd-4matic-4dr-car-55swf4kb0gu174420

stickguy

yup, looked just like that. No premium stereo though. I am not sure what is standard and what optional, but it had blind spot.

http://www.aviautosales.com/2016_MercedesBenz_CClass_Magnolia_NJ_13005674.veh

benjaminh

stickguy said:

yup, looked just like that. No premium stereo though. I am not sure what is standard and what optional, but it had blind spot.

http://www.aviautosales.com/2016_MercedesBenz_CClass_Magnolia_NJ_13005674.veh

Only 10k miles. Almost new. I bet the standard sound system on the C300 is better than the Accord's Premium sound system.

That is a very nice looking car. Every time driving it would be something special imho.

ab348

Here in Canada, M-B has just introduced the C-class wagon. Seems a bargain at $46K CDN but they make you add a pair of packages at over $7K to get stuff you'd expect to be standard.

http://www.mercedes-benz.ca/content/canada/mpc/mpc_canada_website/en/home_mpc/passengercars/home/new_cars/models/c-class/s205/configurator/configurator_s205_300.html#/p3501

tbirdmarco

@benjaminh like the derection Honda has bin going the past 5 years on the stiling! Toyota is slolly cumming along to about time so happy!

tbirdmarco

@stickguy nice on the cars you did drive today at that small local dealer! yes take the wife back to look and testdrive! you never no!

tbirdmarco

@pensfan83 Steve! keep the deal you did agree on forget that other dealer! he should have made you that deal from day one you are doing the rite thing! so what color combo and options are you going to be getting?

fintail

I think the C is definitely something you buy as a late model CPO, or lease it. Loaded up, an E isn't much more expensive, and it is a lot more car.

It'll be interesting to see what happens at the end of my lease - not much is exciting to me out there right now. I don't know if I'd find another similar car (I'd want a legit all options car, and truly loaded diesels are insanely rare), play the game of buying this car, lease something else, or buy an older car.

28firefighter said:

Personally, I'm not a big fan of the C300. I just don't see the value proposition. For me it would be an E250 BlueTec like @fintail's or an E63 AMG wagon. Otherwise I'm standing pat with the GTI.

corvette

roadburner said: 

The basic CPO warranty is now 1 year from the end of the new car warranty with unlimited miles and no deductible. Most all of the drivetrain and HVAC parts are covered. You can pay extra for an additional year. And I'd take a one or two hour ride in the base seats before deciding you can tolerate them. The base seats in my son's previous generation 3er are awful.

The CPO warranty is only a year longer and isn’t bumper to bumper?!? They’ve gotten pretty stingy. 

pensfan83 said:

I chatted with him briefly before going to lunch and he's disappointed because he "hates to lose" but respected my decision.

You did the right thing. I hope you let them know that if they'd played fair with you from the beginning, they'd have gotten your business. 

gg, I’ve always referred to the CLA as the Mercedes Jetta, because I couldn't justify paying more for one than the equivalent Jetta. I even think some of the interior trim pieces on the Jetta are nicer! 

roadburner

The CPO warranty was never B2B.

benjaminh

Here's a CPO 2015 E350 with only 7k miles (a little old lady from Pasadena who moved to Louisville?). Original msrp $63k, now offered for $41k, although it's been for sale for a few months, and so they might entertain significantly lower offers...

http://www.tafelmotors.com/used-vehicles/certified-pre-owned-vehicles/#action=im_ajax_call&perform=get_results&_post_id=1244&model[]=E-Class&page=1&show_all_filters=false

stickguy

nice car, but I actually prefer the C class because it is smaller. I don't need or want something as big as that. Happy to get a very similar car, with the 2l engine, for less money, in a size I prefer.

fintail

I like the white 10K mile 2016 model on that site. More expensive, but a nearly fully loaded example. I want the toys.

stickguy

the C I drove i am sure was missing some options, but had everything I wanted.

was embarrassing trying to figure out how to do stuff while driving by myself. took forever to figure out the radio. turned out that the volume was just all the way down!

The saleswoman had to show me the shifter. Why they had to mess with the old fashioned PRNDL lever is a mystery to me.