I spoke to my dad today and he told me that he went to the Benz dealer at home to check out and test drive a new MB CLS. I absolutely love that car, so I was obviously very excited about it, and he loved the car, but couldn't justify giving up his car for it, here's how it broke down:
-he drove a CLS500, because they only had a 500 on the lot, however he priced out a CLS55 with his salesperson. He really liked the 500, and he definitely said that he could see himself in the CLS55, and I was obviously very supportive.
-however, he currently is still in his 2000 S430 with about 63,xxx miles, and the dealer quoted him $25,000 for it. Now, he was shocked that they gave him such a low quote on his car, but to be completely honest I think it was pretty average for his car b/c its not in excellent condition. They quoted him I think $80,xxx MSRP for the CLS55, and for him the trade wasn't justified b/c he knew he'd have to pay over MSRP (a guy picked up a new 55 on Saturday while he was there and the salesperson said he paid $105,xxx) and he likes his S-Class so much. I had to respect him for that decision, but damn would I like to have that car!

Overall, he said he's still in love with the CLS and his car, and he's going to hang onto his S-Class for a few more years I think.

 

I just saw one on the street. SOO much nicer in person than in pictures.

 

I've never seen one on the street before, just in pictures

 

tell him to sell it privatly prolly could get more $$$ for it

 

2 things:

1) Any MB dealer will mark a car like the CLS55 when it comes out, so unless he orders it or gets lucky, he will pay over MSRP. If he orders it they cannot charge him over MSRP or MBUSA will no longer recognize the dealership.

2) I dont know about what is on your dads S430 but one that is loaded and is in "good" condition goes for $26,500 trade in value. S and CL classes take major hits.

If it were me and he really likes the 55, I would order it and trade his car in when the car gets here, because more than likely its a year wait.

 

1). Yeah, that's what we were talking about, however I was unaware of the fact that the dealer can't charge over MSRP for cars that are ordered.

2). His S-Class isn't that optioned out (no rear-climate control, etc) but does have the phone package, which I guess that most of them have. He also has a set of aftermarket Lorinser LM5's on it that I guess he'd take off and sell separately. I figured that $25K was pretty standard b/c I know MB has a new S-Class in the works. I didn't hoever know that the S and CL classes took the biggest hits, anyone know why?

Yeah, I definitely agree that probabaly ordering and getting exactly what he wanted would be the best option, and I'm still working on him.

 

Tell your dad to get an S500 Sport or a used S55

 

Beautiful car. When I took my benz in to get Sirius installed last week, they had a black on black CLS55 at the delivery area waiting for its new owner. The next day, I picked up my car after the install was done and to my surprise the same CLS55 was still there. I asked my sales dude what happened and he said the guy cancelled and bought a CL55 instead. Apparently, the guy went for the CL55 over the CLS55 because it had more leg room despite having less doors. WTF?!? odd decisions people make. Anyhow, my salesdude half-jokingly offered to trade-in my SLK55 for the CLS55 at MSRP (I simply pay the difference) since he knew of someone that was interested in my car as spec'd. I was quited tempted after seeing the beauty before me but spring is in the air and I want a convertible this summer so no deal. Besides, better to wait for either an E60 M5 or an RS4.

 

^^^^

You have a nice array of cars!!