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Mercedes-Benz C-Class Lease Questions

1650 messages,  Last post on May 15, 2013 at 1:00 PM

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

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

Messages Page 119 of 166

#1174 of 1650 Re: 2012 C300 4Matic Sport Sedan - Deal Completed!!! [michael829] by soupaman

Nov 25, 2011 (10:19 pm)

Replying to: michael829 (Nov 23, 2011 4:44 pm)
Hi michael829,
 
Firstly, thanks for reaching out. Hope you had a great holiday celebration.
 
With respect to your car needs, I would say that you need to push the dealers as hard as you feel comfortable doing so. A lot of the folks who get the best deals on this forum really push hard, sometimes. It is not easy and can be uncomfortable, especially when sitting in front of them in their office.
 
My philosophy for negotiating with a car dealer is based on being as objective as possible and arming myself with the facts. Yes, there is no way to validate all the information on these forums (which is what the dealer will tell you), but when people are posting deal after deal, you will start to see some patterns.
 
The last week of November is a great time - where you, the customer, has the most leverage. Don't forget this - you have the support of the forum here as well!
 
Okay, so address your immediate needs - here is what I would do if I was in your shoes:
 
1) Check out the most recent deals posted to this forum and find the deal you would be happy with. Look at the MSRP of the car, how much money is required at signing and what the monthly payment is. Also, don't forget to take into account the term of the lease (24 months, 36 months, etc.) and how many miles you plan to drive every year). If you find one that is pretty close to your ideal, then you know what you should be paying.
 
2) Go to MBUSA.com and find all the mercedes dealers in your state. Call each of them and tell them you what you are interested in (in terms of the car specs). Ask for confirmation that it is in stock (get the stock number and the VIN number). For example, I knew that I wanted black on black with P1 and S32 for sure. I didn't want to pay extra for burl walnut, but had to bite the bullet because the deals for cars in inventory are better than custom ordered cars. Ask them for a quote for $0 down ($0 cap cost reduction) and their monthly payments without tax. Tell them you will pay the inception fees and first month up front, but you want them to quote you the total and details of this as well. Do not tell them what you are willing to pay - as you have experienced, they will come in a few dollars below your budget-price.
 
3) Let's say you find two dealers who have the same car in stock. Let's say that they quoted you something ridiculous, like your $2,500 down and $500/month. I would then disclose the deal I found on the forum (Step 1), but disclose it in a way that sounds like your offer. For example, "I am glad to see that you have the car I want. I am very interested in coming in to make a deal this afternoon, but I don't want to go back and forth. Here is my offer ($1,xxx due at signing, including first month payment, all fees, taxes, title, etc., $0 cap cost reduction, 36 months, 12K miles, maintenance, etc., and $400/month including tax). I will only come in if you can offer this deal on the phone. If we agree upon the numbers, I can provide a credit card for the deposit to secure the car. Otherwise, I will work with another dealer."
 
4) Lastly, don't forget that you have more leverage than the dealer. Don't get too bogged down about not knowing about money factors and what not. I would recommend that you learn about it, just google "lease payment calculator" - you should find plenty of sites that will walk you through the math.
 
5) Finally, if you want the same exact deal as mine, and it turns out that you don't qualify for the Conquest (although, I think someone mentioned a loyalty rebate), the additional $2,000 added to your lease would increase your payment by about $60/month. Still way under that $500 mark with $0 down. As you may have read, do not put any money as a down payment, it's not the best strategy for a lease.
 
I know this is a very long post, please feel free to lean on the forum and to ask me for more help!
 
Good luck and keep me posted!
- S

#1175 of 1650 Re: MB lease to get out of negative [shackalackal] by soupaman

Nov 25, 2011 (10:23 pm)

Replying to: shackalackal (Nov 23, 2011 9:32 am)
Hi shackalackal,
 
Sorry to hear about your deal falling through. Hang in there! I am sure you will be behind the wheel of a new car soon enough!
 
Good luck in the meantime and thank you for your service!
- S

#1176 of 1650 Re: 2012 C300 4Matic Sport Sedan - Deal Completed!!! [soupaman] by dl_amg

Nov 26, 2011 (1:02 am)

Replying to: soupaman (Nov 25, 2011 10:19 pm)
I did exactly your #3, except I start with $0 Drive off (not paying a dime when sign) and $350/mo incl tax on a $40k C250 sedan w/24m/24k mi lease. Of course I quote this from talking to other dealer who doesn't want to sell that to me. So I bring the same offer this the dealer I purchased my car. My MUST have is Lighting Pkg+ P1 and the only car my dealer got is $44k but they are welling to deal. End up with $1k drive off and 400/mo. I think I still give in a little too much...I should stick with $400 drive off and $400/mo....

#1177 of 1650 C250 Lease Deal by joebean

Nov 27, 2011 (1:02 pm)

This is an incredibly valuable forum. Thanks to everyone who shares their experience!
 
Just landed a new C250 sedan loaded except the AMG package and the larger sun/moon roof.
 
Sticker was just over $42k
Gross Capitalized cost was $36k
 
The final deal - $2k up front (various fees, first month payment, and $77 in cap cost reduction). $399.66 per month (including CA tax)for 30 months & 12k / year.
 
Perhaps I could have squeezed a bit more here and there - But at the end of the day, I'm thrilled with the purchase - and the car!
 
Thanks again for sharing, folks!

#1178 of 1650 C250 Coupe by richneedsaleas

Nov 27, 2011 (7:10 pm)

$46.K car
Total due at signing $850.
10K miles/yr 36 mo.lease $435/mo including 7% taxes
Ct dealers can't do it, NY and NJ both can. Too bad not AWD though - Happy Hunting y'all.

#1179 of 1650 Re: C250 Lease Deal [joebean] by dl_amg

Nov 27, 2011 (8:16 pm)

Replying to: joebean (Nov 27, 2011 1:02 pm)
Congrat to your new purchase and enjoy it!! $400/mo incl.Tas for 30Mo. is great deal for $42k car!

#1180 of 1650 Re: 2012 C300 4Matic Sport Sedan - Deal Completed!!! [dl_amg] by soupaman

Nov 27, 2011 (9:19 pm)

Replying to: dl_amg (Nov 26, 2011 1:02 am)
Hi dl_amg,
 
Congrats on your deal - I saw your original post and was blown away by how great your deal was! I wish I saw your post before I negotiated my deal!
 
Hope you enjoy your ride, I am picking mine up tomorrow!
- S

#1181 of 1650 Re: 2012 C300 4Matic Sport Sedan - Deal Completed!!! [soupaman] by dl_amg

Nov 27, 2011 (11:30 pm)

Replying to: soupaman (Nov 27, 2011 9:19 pm)
After few days of driving, I wish I went for C350 and willing to pay $10-20 more each month. Too bad there is no C350 sedan with lighting pkg in the dealer I'm dealing. Other then engine and brakes, I do enjoy everything else including handling. It's years ahead of my C32 AMG.
 
Enjoy driving!

#1182 of 1650 Re: Got mine C250 Sport Sedan [dl_amg] by dl_amg

Nov 28, 2011 (11:30 pm)

Replying to: dl_amg (Nov 22, 2011 10:43 pm)
FYI. Sales price on doc shows $36,520 my MSRP$43,890. Arm yourself with this number for your nego.!

#1183 of 1650 Leasing a C300 Mercedes-Benz, Dealer made mistake, What to do? by ack300

Nov 29, 2011 (7:19 pm)

I have been leasing the same C300 twice for the last few years. When I first started the lease, I traded in my Jeep and the monthly payment was $490 for 32 months 7500 miles a year. I am not familiar with leases and all the numbers are still confusing to me. Now yesterday I just leased my 3rd C300 after they sent me the MB Loyalty Program. The dealer gave me a $38000 car (better equipment than the last C300) and monthly payment at $499 per month 30 months, 7500 miles. I returned my car, signed the agreement and left.
 
Today the finance guy called me and said the contract was wrong and want me to re-sign again. I took a look at the contract and here's the info:
 
Gross $37961 cap cost
net $37961 cap cost
residual value: $29593
Depreciation amortize amount: $8367
Rent charge: $2675
Base monthly payment: $11043
monthly payment: $368
 
Is this correct? Just a quick look in the forum and seeing what people are posting looks like $500 for a $38K car is incredibly expensive? Mind you I did not pay any downpayment or tax with the newer car. Is $368 correct? If so, according to the new number what should I do when the dealer calls tomorrow and tries to get me to sign for $500? Thanks for you help on a lease newbie ...

Messages Page 119 of 166

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