I'm not a MB owner yet. But I'm considering it.

My wife wants a new car - an Acura or Infiniti -- but I'd like her to consider a 1 or 2 year old MB C240 or C320.

When I went to look at the dealer's stock here in Bethesda, MD I was shocked at the number of low mileage 2004 and 2005 C240's and C320's they have in stock. They must have had 25 of them with 12K miles or 14K miles or even 7K miles. Most are from Maryland, but some started their lives in New Jersey.

How come there are so many of them? Are these the result of a successful lease program that just expired?

I also noticed that MB has a financing program (2.9%) specifically aimed at these pre-owned cars.

Also, the asking prices on these cars seems quite high. For a car I think I can get brand new for $34K, they are asking $32K for a two year old car. How much are they inflating the price to leave room for negotiations? Should a 2 year old MB depreciate 5%? 10?

Any help or observations would be appreciated.

 

Those cars may be loaner cars, as some Mercedes dealers use C240, ML 320/350, as loaners (brand new) and they sell the car after a year or two.
The asking prices are so high because they are leaving room to negociate,
If you decided on a mercedes, then you should be aware of the reliablility, as the german star has become american (remember the old chrysler ?)
Mercedes blames the hi-tech electronic toys they have in their cars, well, I guess the power window/seats, and light bulbs in my car must be hi-tech models that just came on the market this century.
I am so happy so see mercedes to report a loss of 954 million EURO for the first quarter of 2005.
Maybe this is the only for them to understand that they aren't the best anymore.

 

MioClk is quite correct, either loaners or cars off a short lease. I would look up the average retail on these cars on the internet and work from there on price. Also, make sure the car is STARMARKED and perhaps try and get an extra year of STARMARK for free. Especially if the dealers don't want to "horse trade" on the car. The salesperson who sold me my C280 calls me at least twice a month trying to sell me a newer or new C Class. But I am very, very happy with the one I have and it is paid for and it is a 99 with 48K miles on it, so IMHO it is just broken in. My neighbor bought a 2004 loaner ML 350, at first the truck was OK. Sunday she told me she has had it back to the dealer 3 times for a noisy fan, on the third visit the dealer finally decided it the sepentine belt tensioner, the bearings inside were shot.

 

Wow Mercedes is loosing big time I guess in 2005. By the way C240 has a smooth engine however consider C230K if you are looking for more power and also you will save some money.

 

My friend owns an Acura RL 2004, very quick, handling is excellent, and they are reliability is almost 100%, the Acura is an Accord with enhancements. Ditto for the infinite. Infinite and the Maxima are the basically the same car. According to what Infinite is in the picture for you, the Maxima gives you the best bang for the bucks. But if you like Brand Status, I do also, then Infinite or the Acura are good choices. By the way in Japan there is no Acura, just Honda across the brand and there is no Infinite either, an upscale Maxima is the equal to an Infinite in Japan.