F900

This last 3days i spend looking to see what i could get for my 01 CLS. The 1st thing i did was go to the auction ( have a friend that works there) , to see what they are sellling at. Here in S Florida for an 01 CLS with 50,000+ miles, are selling for $10,000 to $12000max , thats why book values are so low.

After talking with 2 Dealer buyers, there well aware of the tranny problems, and the fact the warranty is only good for up to 100K.

I went to 2 Acura Dealers on trade i was offered between $13K to $14,500. What a joke, as my car is in excellent condition

My last stop was a Honda Dealer, for whatever reason they had a 2002 Merc C320 with 25000miles, they where asking $26.9, i felt it was worth them pulling my credit as it was a car i would be interested in.

To cut a long story short i got appoved no problem,on my CLS they started at $14.4 for trade at that point in time i was already walking out the door, there Finance manager comes out after the sales guy ran back to get him, gets me back inside and sits me down, he talks alot of BS, anyways after about 20mins going back in forth, they offered me $16,750 for my 01 CLS with 43000miles. (I only owe about $11K on it ) So i thought to myself thats more like it.

At that point in time i got a call and had to go to the airport, but aleast it gave me time to think about there offer and to do some research on the C320. Considering the fact i have driven 17,000miles in 7months and i paid $18200 for it Cert , I felt $16,750 was a fair offer, and also think this is the best its going to get, if i want out.

Tomorrow when i go back i'll start beating them down on the C320 and see how far i can get them to take off.

I will say its kinda a unique situation here in South Florida, Dealers have lost out in so much business in the last 2months with the Hurricanes Falling on there busiest time (weekends) that they are desparate for sales, so i guess i have that in my favour.

Don't get my wrong guys i love the CLS, but this car has been in the shop 10times in 7months and still having problems (Fuel/MPG, tranny and how leaking headlights) and the fact after 100,000miles i'm on my own, and on top of that i'm problems with the service i'm getting at the Mx dealer who repairs the car.

I will say they have also offered me a Lease either on a TSX or a TL

What i would of really loved to do, is hold on to the CLS for another year or so, and get what i really want, (if the new CLS coupe does not appear) is the New 06 BWM 3series coupe, i like the new body style.

So many options, i don't know what to do, but i'd like you hear your comments as i consider you guys have always been straight with me .....

rezurex

c class merc benz quality issues as well, dont expect to not have problems with them, more problems with them then you would think. smaller car, less power, but i guess it does have a little more status...

i would wait and get a different car, i wouldn't get the c320. back a few months ago i was considering trading in my cls and i test drove the c320. im a big guy and the car was a little too small for me and coming from the cl-s way too underpowered.

but thats just me. if you're really feelin the car then hey, go for it, its gonna be your ride not mine

IMO i would wait for the 3-series. i had a 2001 330xi and it was a blast to drive

good luck

rez

rezurex

and oh yea, they offered me jack shit trade in prices for my car as well... i was tempted to trade it in for a G35c or a e46 m3 but the low trade in value of the cl-s kept me from going through with it. such a big loss for us no matter how we look at it...

RR32CLS

$16,750 is crazy value that they are giving you for trade in. you are right, right now n florida the 01cls are going for almost nothing, i have seen plenty of 01's for $10-12k. you should jusmp on it and try to negotiate the c320 for about $25K.

clsnavi

A good friend of mine has a 2002 MB C240. It spent most of it's first year of life at the dealer for chronic electronic and brake issues. She did purchase the car new.
My ex-girlfriend had Mercedes buy back her 2002 C-class after they were not able to determine why the engine would unexpectantly die while on the highway. She purchased the car new.
A co-worker had the MB SUV and that was a complete nightmare. She purchased the car new. Ironically she used to work for JDPowers and MB still offered very little help with her lemon.
Be careful with late model Mercedes, there is a reason why their quality ratings are so poor.
I paid $29k out the door for a brand-new 2003 CL-S 6 speed with Navi in August 03 (car stickered at $33k). $16k for a trade-in on a 2 door 4 year old model car sounds more than fair figuring the dealer would need to ask at least $18-$19k for it on their lot. I would not want to pay $18-$19k for some elses 4 year old car that only costs $10k more than that when new....would you?
For $26k what about a new Mazda 6, TSX, or Accord Coupe?
I would be very interested in a 2 door TL 6 speed if Acura does ever produce one.

Chaptorial

If a dealer is offering you $16k for an 01 trade, i'd jump on that.

What other cars do they have on the lot?

3.2cl-s

I bet they won't lower the price much on the c320.....your best bet would have been to figure out the rock bottom price you can get for the c320 while telling them you will not trade in, then once you get the price, you tell them that you may want to trade in, then find out what they are willing to give for the cls

RR32CLS

best bet, sell the cl private sale and walk into the dealership with cash in hand> only way to get the best deal...

F900

clsnavi,

I found it interesting that they have a 2000 TL with 40000miles and there asking $19.8 for it, some of there cars where over priced, but my take is that they would price my CLS at around 22K.

03 CL-S 6 speed with Navi, would love to get my hands on one but here in S FL, i have yet to see one on a Lot at the worlds largest Acura Dealer here in Ft.lauderdale

Mazda 6, Don't know too much about them not really a Mazda Fan

TSX, I had a loner for a week, nice car, found it and small and slow too , (probably a good thing so i don't race and get myself into trouble) but good with MPG, I did get approved and the Dealer could get me pushed into a short term lease with AF ( which would be fine) as i would not want to buy it. But i am considering it for a Lease.

"4 year old car that only costs $10k more than that when new....would you?"

Well true, but remember if you buy a Cert CLS car, you get there lowest Rate (4.9%) and not only that you get a futher 12000miles on bumper2b warranty, as with my CLS its good till 62000miles. Plus your payment is alot lower, with me i'm only paying $250 a month, but i know what your saying

Chaptorial

You name it, The Honda dealership is the Largest in the US, they had every Honda Car you could think of x 100s, they have there on Muti story Car park for new Honda Cars, i was told they had over 4000 in stock, With used cars most are trades they had a nice selection.

As for the Accord again no problem gettting one, and i'm sure i can get a nice deal, but just not interested in one.

$16750 on trade is now or never Kinda deal i know i will never get that again, i looked over the the Merc fourm and saw people where having problems the the C320 (problems i dont need )

It just brings me back to when i had a Dodge Avenger ES i racked up 90,000miles before i had a problem

I wait for them to call me so the Games can begin and see how much i can get them down on the C320. KBB had it retail for $31000.