Would you take this offer on a Mercedes CLS?
06-21-17, 07:50 AM
#16
This is a very rare occasion where I agree with Jill, financing a car that old for that long isn't a good idea. I would even hesitate to finance a new car for that long.
I also am very concerned about you negotiating using the payment. That's never a good idea, and it's always so easy for the dealer to add profit. You need to negotiate the price, rate, costs and fees individually and the payment just comes out of that.
I also am very concerned about you negotiating using the payment. That's never a good idea, and it's always so easy for the dealer to add profit. You need to negotiate the price, rate, costs and fees individually and the payment just comes out of that.
06-21-17, 08:55 AM
#17
I'd never advocate a 72 month auto loan (depreciating asset and all) unless it was no other option, the average length of an auto loan in the US currently is 61 months. for a pre-owned vehicle I'd do 48 or 60 months; that said the CLS550 is a pretty decent vehicle. My only take is the reliability, the notion that you may face some repair costs while still making payments on the vehicle, especially with a lot of those electronic gremlins on a fully-optioned CLS car. Not saying no, but check out a few MB forums to see what ownership experiences others have had with the 2012-era CLS. Keep in mind it may be an astounding deal but it won't give you joy if it is unreliable; I'm not doubting MB (as far as I'm concerned they have better interiors and technology compared to the Lexus with a superior ride).....you just rarely see us Lexus owners griping on yet another mechanical issue like you would with BMW/MB and some Audi owners.
There is a reason MB CPO's only offer 1 year coverage (almost every other luxury brand offers 5-7 year from in-service date coverage)...
There is a reason MB CPO's only offer 1 year coverage (almost every other luxury brand offers 5-7 year from in-service date coverage)...
72 months on an already 5 year old car??? Man that's kind of extending yourself IMO, how bad are you going to be upside down if you want to sell the car in the next 6 to 24 months???
I'd also read, read, and read in the Benz forum about this car. The CLS is not a turbodiesel German taxi, there is a lot of complex stuff to break, air suspension, twin turbo V8, and 2012 was the first year for the new body style, so it might not have all the kinks worked out yet.
I'd also read, read, and read in the Benz forum about this car. The CLS is not a turbodiesel German taxi, there is a lot of complex stuff to break, air suspension, twin turbo V8, and 2012 was the first year for the new body style, so it might not have all the kinks worked out yet.
This is a very rare occasion where I agree with Jill, financing a car that old for that long isn't a good idea. I would even hesitate to finance a new car for that long.
I also am very concerned about you negotiating using the payment. That's never a good idea, and it's always so easy for the dealer to add profit. You need to negotiate the price, rate, costs and fees individually and the payment just comes out of that.
I also am very concerned about you negotiating using the payment. That's never a good idea, and it's always so easy for the dealer to add profit. You need to negotiate the price, rate, costs and fees individually and the payment just comes out of that.
Make sure you know what's in your purchase contract and look through everything carefully. Negotiating through a payment is definitely precarious and opens you up to dealer tomfoolery.
Auction values on this car will be in the mid to high 20s. Trade in should be right around there. The prices on these cars in my area (with similar or substantially less mileage) range from 31-33 (before any negotiation), with some private sellers listing a couple of grand above that (for higher mile cars) because they probably don't understand the market.
06-21-17, 06:31 PM
#19
Instructor
Thread Starter
Sorry, had a few things come up couldn't get on here today.
So,I guess I confused some with asking about the payment. I of course would not negotiate on payment I know that. I did negotiate on price which was then converted to payments. I told them when looking I usually keep my cars 5-6 years that is why they gave me a 72 month financing. However, after reading your comments I do agree that 72 months of financing is a long time and I don't need to finance, but the rates were kind of low for todays market so that is why I asked...
Good news however, I got the car! I got the car for $32K cash, CPO for a year plus additional 2 years. Got myself a fun car. Will try and get photos up in the next couple days.
Thank you all for the advice and suggestions.
So,I guess I confused some with asking about the payment. I of course would not negotiate on payment I know that. I did negotiate on price which was then converted to payments. I told them when looking I usually keep my cars 5-6 years that is why they gave me a 72 month financing. However, after reading your comments I do agree that 72 months of financing is a long time and I don't need to finance, but the rates were kind of low for todays market so that is why I asked...
Good news however, I got the car! I got the car for $32K cash, CPO for a year plus additional 2 years. Got myself a fun car. Will try and get photos up in the next couple days.
Thank you all for the advice and suggestions.
06-21-17, 08:54 PM
#20
Sorry, had a few things come up couldn't get on here today.
So,I guess I confused some with asking about the payment. I of course would not negotiate on payment I know that. I did negotiate on price which was then converted to payments. I told them when looking I usually keep my cars 5-6 years that is why they gave me a 72 month financing. However, after reading your comments I do agree that 72 months of financing is a long time and I don't need to finance, but the rates were kind of low for todays market so that is why I asked...
Good news however, I got the car! I got the car for $32K cash, CPO for a year plus additional 2 years. Got myself a fun car. Will try and get photos up in the next couple days.
Thank you all for the advice and suggestions.
So,I guess I confused some with asking about the payment. I of course would not negotiate on payment I know that. I did negotiate on price which was then converted to payments. I told them when looking I usually keep my cars 5-6 years that is why they gave me a 72 month financing. However, after reading your comments I do agree that 72 months of financing is a long time and I don't need to finance, but the rates were kind of low for todays market so that is why I asked...
Good news however, I got the car! I got the car for $32K cash, CPO for a year plus additional 2 years. Got myself a fun car. Will try and get photos up in the next couple days.
Thank you all for the advice and suggestions.
now time for some pics!
06-21-17, 09:15 PM
#21
Lexus Fanatic
Yes we need pics!
06-21-17, 10:15 PM
#22
Congrats on the new ride!!!! I kind of see where you are coming from with the "lets finance it" deal, as money is pretty cheap now days. If it was like a new car with 0%, 0.9%, 1,9% type of APR deal, hell yeah finance that thing, you can earn better money over the term just buying a fund that tracks the S&P 500. However, I've never heard of used car loans getting anywhere close to those sort of killer deals you can get on new car financing.
Anyways, enough talk about $$$$. How's the car??? It was the twin turbo V8 model right, I'm sure its stupid fast. Post up some pics as well, always have liked the CLS, way more personality than the standard E-class.
Anyways, enough talk about $$$$. How's the car??? It was the twin turbo V8 model right, I'm sure its stupid fast. Post up some pics as well, always have liked the CLS, way more personality than the standard E-class.
06-22-17, 05:28 AM
#23
Instructor
Thread Starter
I'll get pics up as soon as it gets back from the dealer. Dropped it off yesterday night to get the windows tinted, I had them throw that in too. This car is the V8 twin turbo, fastest stock car I have ever owned. Thing is fast! I love my LS460L for reliability and luxury but its definitely a nice change of pace to hop in this thing and zip around. Drove it at night for the first time last night. One of the coolest things I have seen on a car is the Mercedes night view assist plus. You push a button and a screen comes up on the nav. It uses a camera on the front that is inferred to totally make the view in front of you crystal clear like day time. Pretty cool the gadgets they put in these things(yes I know more to break 
). Ambient lighting like the new S550's have is really nice. I can change between three colors, etc. The active contour seats are really cool too.
Aron9000, I looked at the S class (too much like my LS), I looked at a 2009 maserati quattroporte but was just too worried about issues, and I looked at the E class. The E class was just not sporty enough for me unless I got an AMG but I didn't want to pay the price. The CLS550 is great because its a good compromise between a 4 door which I need and a coupe sports car. I think its got great body lines and styling. Best thing about it is yeah its a 2012, but they are still making the body style so its great.
). Ambient lighting like the new S550's have is really nice. I can change between three colors, etc. The active contour seats are really cool too. Aron9000, I looked at the S class (too much like my LS), I looked at a 2009 maserati quattroporte but was just too worried about issues, and I looked at the E class. The E class was just not sporty enough for me unless I got an AMG but I didn't want to pay the price. The CLS550 is great because its a good compromise between a 4 door which I need and a coupe sports car. I think its got great body lines and styling. Best thing about it is yeah its a 2012, but they are still making the body style so its great.
06-22-17, 08:25 AM
#24
Sorry, had a few things come up couldn't get on here today.
So,I guess I confused some with asking about the payment. I of course would not negotiate on payment I know that. I did negotiate on price which was then converted to payments. I told them when looking I usually keep my cars 5-6 years that is why they gave me a 72 month financing. However, after reading your comments I do agree that 72 months of financing is a long time and I don't need to finance, but the rates were kind of low for todays market so that is why I asked...
Good news however, I got the car! I got the car for $32K cash, CPO for a year plus additional 2 years. Got myself a fun car. Will try and get photos up in the next couple days.
Thank you all for the advice and suggestions.
So,I guess I confused some with asking about the payment. I of course would not negotiate on payment I know that. I did negotiate on price which was then converted to payments. I told them when looking I usually keep my cars 5-6 years that is why they gave me a 72 month financing. However, after reading your comments I do agree that 72 months of financing is a long time and I don't need to finance, but the rates were kind of low for todays market so that is why I asked...
Good news however, I got the car! I got the car for $32K cash, CPO for a year plus additional 2 years. Got myself a fun car. Will try and get photos up in the next couple days.
Thank you all for the advice and suggestions.
06-22-17, 08:32 AM
#25
Congrats.
CLS is a very exciting car, it has it own identify, steering is very sharp and accurate, the driving quality is much better than E class.
Enjoy your car and post some pictures.
CLS is a very exciting car, it has it own identify, steering is very sharp and accurate, the driving quality is much better than E class.
Enjoy your car and post some pictures.
06-22-17, 07:26 PM
#26
Instructor
Thread Starter
Well I didn't get it back until tonight so more pics to come in tomorrow when the sun is out. Did take it for a little cruise tonight to grab some late dinner and snapped a pic of the dash with the orange ambient lighting setting.
Last edited by LS430FL; 06-22-17 at 07:29 PM.
06-22-17, 07:41 PM
#27
Lexus Fanatic
Nice! I really like those cars
06-23-17, 03:56 PM
#28
Instructor
Thread Starter
Here we go...sorry for the crappy quality cell iPhone pics. Hoping to fully detail and wax it if its not too hot this weekend and I'll get some good ones taken. Too busy driving it
06-23-17, 05:29 PM
#30
Two words, tho: FLASH....TUNE. You can really turn those things into ROCKETS...