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Mercedes Benz C-Class Prices Paid and Buying Experience

1295 messages,  Last post on Nov 25, 2012 at 7:37 AM

You are in the Prices Paid - Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 106 of 131

#1044 of 1295 Re: 2010 C300 sport [rach4] by storm10

Jan 21, 2010 (10:17 am)

Replying to: rach4 (Jan 20, 2010 7:50 pm)
I suggest to know your exact and total drive-off, so you can compare to other dealers, because: Drive off: $1030 (ttl + first month) can be misleading. Is $1,030 - cap reduction? Just get the total figure - how much is out of pocket.
 
You can save a little more if you pay Acquisition fee upfront, instead of including in financing. Because it is a fee - you don't pay a tax on it. But if you finance it - it will become a part of the selling price, so you will be charged tax and bank interest on $795. Just make sure that aq fee is included in your drive-off total amount. This will give you a little saving on the overall deal.
 
The selling price is very good - $2,300 below invoice. You are probably in California.
The Invoice amount is correct. By the way, you can always check the exact invoice of any Mercedes-Benz here: Mercedes-Benz Invoice Calculator. You need to enter MSRP and enter 0 in Gas Guzzler tax, because C-Class does not have it. This way you can always double-check, if dealer gives you the real or fake Invoice figure.

#1045 of 1295 Re: Mercedes C3004matic gas mileage [rxke] by storm10

Jan 21, 2010 (10:50 am)

Replying to: rxke (Jan 20, 2010 4:08 pm)
C300 4 Matic averages 17 mpg in City drive and 25 mpg on the highway. It can vary depending on your driving habits, but very close to reality. There is a trip computer on board inside the speedometer, which shows your current fuel consumption, while you drive, so you can change your driving habits based on what it shows, while you drive. You can take notes while you test drive the car.
 
One thing for sure - mpg can be much better on highway, especially during long trips. When I drove from LA to Las Vegas using cruise control - my average mpg was 34, but it was not 4 Matic.
 
Also, make sure that you really need 4 Matic. If you get just Rear Wheel Drive - it will give you a little better performance, saves you a little money on gas and insurance will be a little less expensive. Also - you'll probably get a better deal on RWD.
 
RWD has plenty of safety features including ESP(Stability control), Brake Assist and lots of other features even if you drive on really bad road or weather conditions.

#1046 of 1295 signed a deal for C300 AWD sport by bergen

Jan 21, 2010 (12:20 pm)

white exterior , black mbtex interior + P1 package
C300 sport AWD, NJ (Bergen)
3300 down (including tax/lic,acq,1st month)
451/month (35 months left)
10K/year, 3 years
 
Jan 12 and beyond, I was told the regular maintanence included with the lease.
I initially reduced to 420/month, but later added tire/wheel multishield insurance that jacked up to 451/month. I think I could have skipped the insurance and stayed with 420, but that even looked good to me. How did I fare?

#1047 of 1295 Re: 2010 C300 sport [storm10] by kyfdx HOST

Jan 21, 2010 (8:39 pm)

Replying to: storm10 (Jan 21, 2010 10:17 am)
Taxation of the acquisition fee depends on your state of residence.
 
Most states charge tax on it, even if paid upfront..

#1048 of 1295 C300 by rach4

Jan 21, 2010 (9:58 pm)

Hey Storm,
 
You have really been so helpful. I ended up signing today:
C300 sport - white (black interior)
Premium package 1
ipod integration
Down payment $1,913: includes tax, title, license, and wear & tear, which allows up to $5000 in damages upon return - definitely worth it for me!!!)
$460 a month
10k/36 months
 
I didn't pay the aquisition fee upfront cause I didn't see this until I had already signed everything. Oh well, I guess I know for next lease! Thanks again for all your help!

#1049 of 1295 Re: 2010 C300 sport [kyfdx] by storm10

Jan 22, 2010 (10:23 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Jan 21, 2010 8:39 pm)
Since you don't SELL Acquisition fee, and because you CHARGE Acquisition fee for services - you can not charge SALES tax on it - in any State. The same as you can not charge SALES tax for any LABOR services, as long as there is no SALE of goods involved.
When acquisition fee is paid upfront - it is not a part of Cap Reduction, it is part of Drive-Off amount, therefore it's not taxable.
Some Dealers structure deals, where they roll Acquisition fee as part of cap reduction in their computer, which is illegal. But technically it is not, because the contract will state, that acquisition fee was financed - meaning it was not paid upfront. They just show bigger cap reduction.
For example: I want to put $3,000 down toward the car and finance the bank fee. Or: I want to put $2,100 + $900 aq fee upfront. Both examples you have to put $3,000 down.
However the difference is: first example you have to pay sales tax on $3,000 and second example you pay tax on $2,100.
Any dealers financial software like ADP, R&R, Advent etc... will NOT calculate tax, if you move acq fee upfront, instead of increasing the cap cost...

#1050 of 1295 Re: C300 [rach4] by storm10

Jan 22, 2010 (10:43 am)

Replying to: rach4 (Jan 21, 2010 9:58 pm)
Congrats,
Give some details on your purchase experience. How many Dealers did you contact? Did you call, e-mail or requested quotes before the visit? Just share the process....

#1051 of 1295 Re: C300 [rach4] by rxke

Jan 22, 2010 (1:55 pm)

Replying to: rach4 (Jan 21, 2010 9:58 pm)
Congrats on the deal. What city are you in and what dealer did you use?
Thanks

#1052 of 1295 Re: 2010 C300 sport [storm10] by kyfdx HOST

Jan 22, 2010 (5:13 pm)

Replying to: storm10 (Jan 22, 2010 10:23 am)
Plenty of states charge sales tax on services and labor..
 
Most states will charge sales tax on any amount paid upfront on a lease, including acquistion and document fees, unless the money is specifically for a government agency fee..
 
That may not be the case in your state, wherever that might be... but, it is in KY, OH, and many, many other states.
 
Most states recognize the acquistion fees aren't really for any service rendered... they are just a way to pad the leasinig bank's profits.
 
regards,
kyfdx

#1053 of 1295 Re: 2010 C300 sport [kyfdx] by rach4

Jan 22, 2010 (11:36 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx (Jan 22, 2010 5:13 pm)
I am in California. The dealer definitely did do the second scenario you mentioned. They dropped the cap cost and put the acquisition fee in the financing. Oh well, at least I know for next time!
 
In regards to the questions about how I did it and where I got it. The way I did it is I sent out requests and put please email me only (some people didn't respect that at all!). In the request I stated what I wanted and asked them to tell me what sale price they would lease it to me for. I asked for them to also tell me the residual and money factor for 10,000 miles. Only two dealers would do it. So I started by trying to get each one to go lower. Once I had got them both to change their price I asked them to give me the breakdown of drive off and monthly payment to make sure they weren't throwing things in. Then I again negotiated and got them to lower a tiny bit and match. I was fairly satisfied with the price, but then I emailed all the other dealers that called me or emailed but wouldn't give me a price and I said that I was going to be getting the lease tomorrow for xxxx price and if they could go lower I would go their instead but that they had to actually state all the details over email so I had it in writing. I ended up with almost all of them emailing back offering less. I finally got the $460 and while I was there another dealer offered $455 , but I was so exhausted from the process it wasn't worth the $175. The reason I actually did it all over email is I back down when confronted in person or over the phone; however, it worked out to my advantage! Thanks for the feedback everyone. Good luck to you! Oh and it was the Los Angeles area! Oddly enough I ended up at the one I thought would always have the highest quote, which was Beverly Hills.

Messages Page 106 of 131

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