Hi! I'm new to this forum and not quite familiar with MB cars.

Anyways, I'm trying to help my sis out in her planned purchase of a C230. I just want to help her get a good if not fair deal. As far as options are concerned, the only thing essential that she wants is a Navi. Of course, I tried to convince her to get more options such as the bi-xenon headlights and upgraded audio system but adding all those goodies comes at a steep price.

So, I would appreciate it if anyone could give me suggestions, tips and advise on this purchase. I'm mostly familiar with Acura where there's not a lot of options (most items are standard).

Also, she's living in the Bay Area, so please recommend good dealers if you know of one.

Thanks a lot.

 

One thing you might think of doing is going to www.edmunds.com and typing in the information about the car you wish to purchase, be it used OR new. This gives you the MSRP and the invoice price of the base vehicle and the same for all the options. You should think about negotiating the price UP from the dealer cost, and not DOWN from the MSRP. Knowledge is power when it comes to buying cars. The more you have, the better deal you can make. Your job is to get the car at a fair price and not overpay. With a little homework beforehand, you will be better suited to get a good deal. Even if the dealer sold you the car at his invoice, he would still be making dealer holdback and other monies for selling that car, so don't hesitate to bargain. It depends on many things, but I'm sure you will benefit from at least doing some homework beforehand. If you are buying new, remember they will typically try to sell you the farm in the "back end", or after the sale in the finance office when you sign the contract. Undercoating, Lojack, lifetime paint sealants, pinstriping, window tinting, EXTENDED WARRANTIES, etc. etc. and so on and the list is endless. Decide what you really need before you get that speech from them. They sometimes and many times make more money here than on the actual car. There are books written about this....If you are buying a low mileage used vehicle with everything you want and the car has the factory warranty, that's also another option. Many people elect to do this and avoid the initial depreciation hit as soon as you drive the new car off the lot. Just a few thoughts.

 

Thanks for your input mrcoyote. I will check edmunds.com.

We're trying to learn as much about the car so that we won't be taken in by the dealer....

 

Mercedes typically doesn't discount that much on the car, but they will discount on the paint protection type options. paint protection probably costs them $100 in labor and chemicals, if that. :-)

If you want to save the most, get one that has low mileage and within the warranty period and get an extended warranty (maybe you can get them to discount the warranty).

As far as getting "taken" by the dealer, they are pretty much the same unless you get a "friendly relationship" with one of the more experienced sales people. Go to the local dealer and get to know the sales people, pay attention to who you talk to and who you think you can deal with and that has knowledge of the products. Some are experienced and some haven't a clue. Also, they are usually hungrier at the end of the month, especially if they haven't sold too many cars. :-)

Also, don't pay attention to the extra markup decal unless it is a rare AMG model. They usually markup AMGs as they availability is different.

I think they are fairly hungry right now as the 2007's are starting to roll in soon and they want to get rid of the '06's and any 05's that might be laying around.

 

i'm selling my 2002 c230k 2 door. navi, automatic, bose sound, power seats, and buying a 4 door sedan. will give a great deal but i'm in MA.