Hi, I'm new here, and I'm doing some research on a 2002 C240 that I'm interested in buying. A couple people have told me that mercedes c class is the "cheapest" of the line, even tho no benz is cheap! Is this true? The benz I want is a 2002, almost 70,000 miles. The dealer offered me $19500. Is this a good offer or is he jerking me because I'm a female? Its in great condition, no scratches. Should I invest in this? I'm looking for a sporty/sedan look. I really love this car. Any suggestions to any other models I should consider? Thanks

 

Istead of cheap I prefer entry level. Do a Kelly blue book to check out the value.

 

I recently bought a 2002 C240 with 40,000 miles on it. The car is exceptional and I couldn't be happier. As for the price, I think it's in the ball park. As for those who say the C class is the cheapest, Do they actually own a Mercedes? A Mercedes is a Mercedes. PERIOD!

I don't think you'll be disappointed with that purchase decision, provided that car is in good mechaincal order and has not be in a major accident.

 

FYI, there's a decent article explaining what the Kelly Blue Book price really is here

For those who'd prefer a synopsis, the KBB price is an *estimate* of what dealers are *asking* for a given car. For instance, the KBB price for a 2002 C240 with 70,000 miles in excellent shape would have an estimated asking price in my area (Denver) of around $18,175. That numer is from www.kbb.com, which also lets you look at the estimated trade-in value. Turns out that the same car being traded in would earn you around $12,400. So there seems to about about a 50% markup on what they paid for it compared to what they want to sell it to you. Some of that is legitimate expense, covering a portion of ownership/overhead/depreciation, but a chunk of it is profit, and there's no gaurentee that the seller was able to bargin them up to the $12k amount in the first place. Having just recently traded in a vehicle to a dealer ('cause I'm *lazy*), I can relate that I was unable to push my dealer up to the kbb trade-in value. They insisted on not paying more than what make/models of that type were going for at auto auctions, which makes a certain degree of sense. But just another instance that hints that your dealer probably didn't even pay $12k for the car you're interested in.

Just like house prices, hardly anyone ever pays asking price. If you're really interested in the car, then kick the tires (and check the tread depth, btw; most tires last around 40k on average, and you might be due for a new set). Drop the price for each and every item that you think you're going to have to address within the next year yourself. Then begin haggling, offering a price lower than you expect to end up paying, and for sure less than what they're asking. Be prepared to walk and find another opportunity another day. Visit the dealer a week later, and reiterate your lower offer. Let them know you're serious about buying the car, but not at their initial price. Every month it sits on their lot, it drops in value.

Be sure that you understand: for $20k, you're in the price range of a new car with a 4-10 year full warrenty; they might not be Benzes, but that's what the dealer has to compete against. MB maintenance isn't cheap, and a car with 70,000 miles on it is probably going to end up with an issue or two.

 

I have a 02 c240 6 speed. The car its self is a rather good car. Its a little bit slow for my taste, non the less it is a great car. If your looking for an entry level mercedes its a good car. Now my father has a new S55, and I have to disagree with someone on the board where he said " a Mercedes is a Mercedes" My c class drives NOTHING like his s55. So please note that your car will drive very similar to a sporty buick.

As for the price, that does seem a bit much. Mine has 63k on it and I got it for $16,500 The car is full loaded. Window shades,Leather ..etc... what are the options? ..Run a car fax to make sure everything ok. If you need help I can run a vin check for you!


Either way $19k isn't horrible... but its not the BEST deal around.


Good luck!

 

Just my first post as I browse the forums here...

I got my wife a 2004 Merc C230 Komp Sport a few weeks back in Denver for $18,670 with 48K on the dial. I love it! HUGE difference between the S-Class and her C! It's like comparing a fire axe to a razor in my opinion. Good luck with the car, and I can tell you for sure, you'll love it until the wheels fall off!

 

I just bought my wife a 2004 240 4matic. I like the car a lot. Living in Chicago, 4matic was well worth it. Bought it with 19k miles for 21,500 out the door. Not bad.

I've already ordered the flat hood badge, clear side markers and I am thinking about the 230k wheels.

 

I have a 2003 C230 Kompressor with 45k miles now, about 40k when bought. It was purchased for 18,500 so... I don't know how much of a difference there is between the C240 and the C230, except the engine. (6 cyl vs. 4 cyl supercharged) 70k miles and a year older though?? I don't know about that one. Of course we could have just gotten an amazing deal on my C230K, considering we bought a IS300 on the same day, from the same dealer, who we had also purchased an S500 from recently... That dealer probably loves us lmao.