For $2250, Is This a Good Deal?

"JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!" (jqj213) 09/26/2013 at 12:06 • Filed to: NPOCP, 1st car, advice, Mercedes, C280

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As many of my readers will know, I am looking for a first car still. It is not easy. The ones you like (Nissan 300ZX) the parents hate. The ones they like (Toyota Camry) you hate. The ones you both agree on (Honda Passport) grandma won't drive. It is like finding a needle in a haystack. The challenge is harder also with a $6000 budget and a mileage cap of around 150,000. This Mercedes I found last night may work, and I want your opinions.

The vehicle is a 1996 Mercedes Benz C280 Sport. It has just over 110,000 miles on it. The spark plugs and coils were just replaced.

The interior was just cleaned and detailed and really looks brand new.

The owner changed out the radio unit for an aftermarket Sony last year. He left the Bose speakers and six disk changer in the trunk. Otherwise it is completely stock.

Being a C280, it has the 2.8 litre 6 cylinder engine making 194 HP. It is mated to a four speed automatic transmission. Since its a Mercedes, it is very safe. It has driver and passenger front airbags, ABS, traction control, power steering, cruise control, and power windows and locks. This bit my parents like. Which always helps.

Now the ad, although full of pictures, had very little wording. I contacted the owner and found out some more information. He seemed real; just an older man selling his car.

He is the original owner; bought it new in 1996 at the local Mercedes dealer.

The car has never left Florida

Always serviced at Mercedes dealer

Never in any accidents

Garage kept

All electronics work

New Bridgestone tires 5 months ago

New brakes 5 months ago

Needs windshield and headlight wipers

Air conditioning works great

Just had whole car detailed

Bought a new Mercedes so doesn't need this one anymore

Now the asking price on the Mercedes is $2250. When I first saw this, I thought it was a scam. But, after looking a Kelly Blue Book, he is just a few hundred under (this is for a car with all the options checked, only because I am not 100% what is does and doesn't have)

Now, I know that some Mercedes can cost a lost to work on. But, are these ones very problematic? Will I end up spending more on repairs than the value of the car? Will it be expensive to insure? Is it a good deal and worth looking at?

Thanks for reading and for your help!

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (this is an older one before he edited the title)

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 09/26/2013 at 12:13

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Old M/Bs are great cars, especially in the reliability area. His Stigness owns a C280, you could ask him on specific ownership details.

dieselwagon > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 09/26/2013 at 12:16

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Not sure on the specifics of reliability on this one. Does look good all round though, being one owner, looks well maintained, mileage is in a decent place. Price is right, for your market. I'd certainly be seriously looking at it if I was you, probably not going to find much, if any better options in that price range.

505Turbeaux > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 09/26/2013 at 12:34

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I would take my 2 grand and get a w124 sedan or wagon, before 94-95 when they had the biodegradeable wiring harnesses (get a 12V). Get it with an MB tex interior and that will be a great car. That c class bodystyle was not particularly bad, just want one of the great ones. Better than a W210 at least