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Trapped Between High Depreciation, and Expensive Maintenance and Repairs - READ ONLY

30 messages,  Last post on Jun 23, 2010 at 9:49 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Values

Messages Page 2 of 3

#11 of 30 the German cars by nippononly

May 27, 2010 (6:32 pm)

seem to lose like 1/4 of their value going from 49K to 50,001 on the clock, because their warranties end there.
 
I have never done it but I have been tempted to buy a Mercedes or perhaps a BMW at 50,001, as I would imagine you can still get a couple of years' good service out of it at that point before the expensive repairs begin.
 
And then again I am someone who maintains my car religiously, so given what has been written above, perhaps I wouldn't have to worry too much about expensive repairs. I know I wouldn't buy one without a CPO warranty though.
 
And they can be really cheap after that 50K mark, I have a co-worker that just picked up an ('06/'07?) C230 with 70K miles a few months back for $12K. That's a beautiful car that I would rather have with all its potential problems than a brand new Versa with air for the same price.
 
But you can't be spending every last penny on that car payment. If you are doing that you need to buy the new car with a warranty (or better yet, NOT do that at all!). I would think that with a German car I would set aside 50% of the car payment as savings against those future repair costs.

#12 of 30 Re: Trapped Between High Depreciation, and Expensive Maintenance and Repairs [andys120] by fintail

May 27, 2010 (6:38 pm)

Replying to: andys120 (May 27, 2010 5:04 pm)
I shopped like you. In 06 I bought my 02 E55 with ~27K on it for $28K - the same price as a nicely equipped Camcord. The car would have stickered for around $75K new. It was just out of warranty, but I bought a 4 year aftermarket warranty for about $2K, I've had to make 2 claims and never had a problem. The running costs are more than the 'normal' car, but I enjoy driving it more than I would something more usual, that's for sure.
 
See more Car Pictures at CarSpace.com

#14 of 30 I disagree that cars cost more to operate by jeff71

May 28, 2010 (7:04 am)

Cars are so much better made these days and last twice as long so depreciation is less. And with today's electronics, if you get a check engine light you go to the auto parts store and they plug in the analyzer and it tells you what is wrong. Then you go on the internet and search the code and find out what it means and how to fix it.

#15 of 30 How do Audis tend to hold up... by andre1969

May 28, 2010 (10:08 am)

as they age? I always liked the A8, but I've heard that's the kind of car you only get when you're rich, and even then, you lease it and turn it in before the warranty is up!
 
I think the smaller Audis are attractive looking too, though. An A4 might be too small for my tastes, although with a 110.6" wheelbase, that's not exactly a compact car (unless you're talking a 1970's compact )

#16 of 30 Re: How do Audis tend to hold up... [andre1969] by fintail

May 28, 2010 (10:38 am)

Replying to: andre1969 (May 28, 2010 10:08 am)
I think Audis since 2005 or so are much improved, but before that they can really be a game of Russian roulette. Old A8s have to be huge money pits, worse than their German counterparts - early A8s are already becoming kind of scarce on the road. I think older Audi parts support is weaker than MB and BMW, which hurts things too. They are beautifully finished cars...but I'd still feel like I was a risk-taker if I went that route.
 
The new style A4 is larger than old ones, looking to me not much smaller than the original mid 90s 100/A6.

#17 of 30 That's what is so cool about Mercs by anythngbutgm

May 28, 2010 (12:15 pm)

Is it really true that they still manufacture and stock every single part they have ever made? I don't know where I read this before but if it's true that is really neat.

#18 of 30 Re: That's what is so cool about Mercs [anythngbutgm] by steve_ HOST

May 28, 2010 (12:44 pm)

Replying to: anythngbutgm (May 28, 2010 12:15 pm)
Sounds like a bit of an urban legend to me.
 
Found this in a quick search, but maybe the Cougar owner just didn't know how to look for parts on the net. It's the "My 2nd Baby" review.
 
Maybe on the outboards?

#19 of 30 Re: That's what is so cool about Mercs [steve_] by anythngbutgm

May 28, 2010 (1:07 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (May 28, 2010 12:44 pm)
Sorry, I abbreviated my question. I was talking about Mercedes. I usally refer them as "Mercs" even though I could see how one would think Mercury.

#20 of 30 Re: That's what is so cool about Mercs [anythngbutgm] by fintail

May 28, 2010 (1:13 pm)

Replying to: anythngbutgm (May 28, 2010 12:15 pm)
I think you mean Mercedes, not Mercury
 
But anyway, yes, you can get pretty much any mechanical part for a MB made in the last 50+ years right from the dealer. You'll sometimes pay dearly for it, but you can get it. In 1997 my fintail broke a little FI line...I got a replacement from the local dealer, not too shabby for a car that went out of production in 1965. However, not every part is available - I don't think the MB parts source stocks little interior shiny bits and the like for cars over 20 or so years old - but I do think they can source anything mechanical and many body parts. There are also some good independent MB parts sources out there - MB people are maintenance enthusiasts, so the demand there to be filled.

Messages Page 2 of 3

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