Hi, Is it wise to buy a used Benz?
Iam new to cars and wanna try a used benz for just an experience with it for 4 to 5 months, before going for a normal cars. Your thoughts? I am looking to buy this car at this page for example:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=239670793&dealer_id=51169946&car_year=1997&model=&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1997&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&sownerid=47002480&showZipError=n&make=MB&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=3000&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=90802&advanced=&end_year=2007&doors=&transmission=&max_price=5000&cardist=28
I appreciate your inputs.
Thanks
Gar
Posted in 
no. they are very unreliable (Consumer Reports rates them 3rd worst sold in the US, so does JD Powers) and VERY expensive to repair.
If you buy a German car, first you should prepare for expensive parts if it breaks down.Second, you must know a good mechanics for this car. If you buy a used car, expect that you will find some problems and ready to shoulder this expenses.
But after you fix and repair them all , this car will last you that long.If you are close to a junk shop, you can get some parts for your car also.
Yes, but make sure it has been properly maintained by a competent mechanic using only oem parts. These cars do not take kindly to being maintained by a ham-fisted grease-monkey at the local gas-station.
For that vintage and mileage, that’s probably a fair price if it’s in good shape without major problems (engine/drive train, fixed collision or flood damage, etc.)
Be warned, though, that anything you replace on it will cost twice as much as it would for an American luxury car….
Sorry mate…No…I don’t recommend you to buy that C280…I prefer you to check the Mercedes-Benz C240 Avantgarde either 2004 or 2005……That car looks old already and it won’t last long…
all you need to do is make sure it’s either certified-pre owned or has had no mechanical problems. if either of those apply you should be good to go but you never know as mercedes have had bad reliability in the 90′s and early mid 2000′s
The price of the C Class you are interested in is close to retail but not unreasonable and 104,000 miles is nothing for this era car. These were the last of the over-engineered models. It is a very reliable car if properly maintained by the previous owner(s). This is the most critical part of the decision to purchase. Some tell tale signs are oil changes with conventional oil rather than synthetic, cheap/mismatched tires, and other signs of neglect, ignorance or corner cutting by the previous owner. For the safety, durability and enjoyment of driving one of these cars, their price is worth it and their upkeep is not outrageous, again, as long as the car is properly maintained. The repairs are not expensive when they are maintenance issues rather than catastrophic failures. Best of luck!
http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/PricingReport.aspx?YearId=1997&Mileage=104000&VehicleClass=UsedCar&ManufacturerId=31&ModelId=209&PriceType=Private+Party&VehicleId=8070&SelectionHistory=8070%7c29313%7c80121%7c0%7c0%7c&Condition=Good&QuizConditions=
Try kelly blue book value, I used my zip which was high, the cost is okay. I would definitely buy a used Mercedes, I’m actually in the market for the ML class, I’ve chickened out on a few, I would also check the car fax to be sure it’s not a salvage.
good luck – best wishes
Yes it is wise. It is a very sturdy car and it shows social standing. It like having a Honda with diamonds on it for less money.
Personally, myself, I’d never buy a Mercedes any later than 1991. I’ve driven Mercedes diesels for many, many years, and the older ones were perfect cars. My 1984 300SD turned over 658K miles just yesterday, and I still drive it at least 5 days a week. Starts every time, no problems, still going. There’s a snowball’s chance in Purgatory that little C-class will last as long as mine has, but still, with the mileage and the price, it looks like a fairly good deal to me, as long as it doesn’t have any major problems and it has good books & records.
I’ve put over 2 million miles on Mercedes diesels over the years, and I’ll never stop driving them, no matter how old they get. They’re just wonderful cars. I just lost faith in MB after the 1990 350SDL came out, and pretty much every car built afterwards.
Best of wishes for you. For that price, I don’t hardly think you can lose. You’ll drive it a couple or three years, and even then, I would think it would be at least worth what you’d buy it for. It’s awefully cheap, as long as it’s in good mechanical condition. Oh, by the way, I LOVE the burgundy color on that little C car. I used to have a 300SDL that color. Gorgeous!!