"RacecaR" (RacecaR)
05/14/2014 at 10:56 • Filed to: None
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"RacecaR" (RacecaR)
05/14/2014 at 10:56 • Filed to: None | 0
| 8 |
I am still about a year out from picking up a new daily driver, but I keep running through things in my head preparing for the big purchase. My budget will be <$20,000.
I did a quick search for Mercedes C classes last night in my area. Got quite a few hits for under $20k with fairly low miles (a lot of sub 100k). I was surprised.
But what about maintenance? Cost to own? Better options than a used Mercedes?
It will be my daily driver, so mostly to and from work for me. But with a nice car, and as the girls get older, we will probably use it more often, and the minivan less.
photo credit: wikipedia
505Turbeaux
> RacecaR
05/14/2014 at 10:59 |
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I havent seen much good about the C class since it's inception post w201 days. For 20 you could get into the nicest low mileage W124 E class out there and it will be reliable as all get out. Mercedes finally started to go back to making well built cars just a few years back. 96 is my cutoff year
Arben72
> RacecaR
05/14/2014 at 11:01 |
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A sister of mine had a 2010, never had an issue in the time she owned it. Took a hit from a texting teen in a jeep, and no injuries to her. The car was totaled though. That said, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one used.
Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
> RacecaR
05/14/2014 at 11:04 |
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Check the rear arches thoroughly for rust developing. I got offered one for £1'700 the other week and the arches were rotten, I googled it and apparently they're pretty bad for it.
Nibby
> RacecaR
05/14/2014 at 11:06 |
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AVOIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDDDDDDD
My parents had a 2002 C240 from 2002-2005; every month it was in the shop for something.
Jagvar
> RacecaR
05/14/2014 at 11:22 |
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The best thing about it? It was offered in the States in wagon form.
McChiken116 - Patrick H.
> RacecaR
05/14/2014 at 11:38 |
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Cost to own can be a pain. Old German cars break a lot, and in expensive ways. (Former B5 A4 owner)
Volvosaurus-Rex
> Jagvar
05/14/2014 at 13:43 |
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Volvosaurus-Rex
> RacecaR
05/14/2014 at 13:49 |
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Better options than a used Mercedes? A used anything-else. You want something cheap and easy to maintain? Buy an economy car. You want something fun? Used Focus STs and Fiesta STs are already coming in under 20k, and the GTI is a perennial favorite which can easily be picked up used under 20k.
I assume though you are looking for a luxury sport sedan for under 20k based on your selection. 3 Series and C Class are both native RWD cars if that's what you want, but the A4 with quattro isn't a bad choice if you get snow. Either way, you will need to have money set aside for maintenance on a regular basis. The price of car you could afford is not just the laon premium+insurance, but also you have to add a factor of a hundred or two per month for repairs. Maybe nothing will happen for 6 months, but then maybe the VANOS system will crap out and you have a $4000 repair on your hands. Its like playing blackjack. Parts are expensive, labor for people who know how to work on them right is expensive, etc...