My wife wants a Mercedes to replace her Audi so we’re going to the Mercedes dealership in Mississauga on Thursday. We were ignored for 20mins at the Downtown Mercedes back in February so I won’t go back……they blew their shot at selling her a vehicle. Can you haggle some on price like a Ford, Honda, or GM? It’s been quite a while since either of us bought a new car so with everything that’s been going on the last 6 months, I’m just trying to get information to help us get the best deal. Can part of the negotiation be for a lower interest rate (never tried it in the past). She’s looking at 3.99% but will pay off the loan in three years or less. Thanks.
Buying a Mercedes
- Thread starter bigcanadian
- Start date
Don’t buy a Mercedes. That would be my advice. Unless you know a good mechanic who works on them. The dealers are crazy expensive.
My close friend has had his Mercedes less than 1 year and the injectors have needed replacing 2 x and he was without his vehicle for weeks both times. I agree with Old Guy. Its not Europe cars for NA market are far less reliable and have ridiculous emission guidleines making them a poor value.
Everybody who sells anything will haggle - discuss prices. I could give a shit if I am buying a Honda or Porsche, it is a big investment and some dealerships state up front their price is their price. I respect those who put their best price on and won't haggle, but if they are higher there always others who will. Many reps will, some won't, but I am not a huge Mercedes fan. I know a lot of friends with BMW's who love them, decided to try Mercedes and they were no more luxurious/slower/more maintenance/and it had to be done at the dealership and if you didn't it voided the warranty. They were not a better vehicle and yes it was sedan to a sedan and a SUV to SUV.
I, like you, am looking at at high performance cars and there seems to be this concept that if you can afford an expensive performance/luxury vehicle - then it is embarrassing to haggle or discuss price and just pay what they ask. The guys who work their have a name for people who do not offer less - the 'lay down people'. I have friends who sell Cadillac's and BMW's and they get a clientele who have more money, but many people with more money have it because they are frugal and refused to pay more. There is a thought process that if you can buy a Mercedes, you don't have to discuss prices - again I think that is ridiculous. If you ask and they say no - walk away and check another dealership, chances are the salesperson will call you back after they got your info - they all get paid on commission or salary/commission.
Ever wonder why a vehicle that costs twice as much doesn't have a better warranty? If it doesn't - I ask.
It is not the most luxurious, but mods are not expensive and it turned the car into a legit super car. A stock KIA Stinger GT (no longer made) which I own is 0-60 4.4 seconds, an adjustable suspension, Brembo breakes, differential, top speed of 170 mpg, with great Michelin tires which are almost impossible to spin even in sport mode which sends 80% to the rear. Spend $2-5,000 and your car will easily go past 180 mph, 0-30 in just over 3 seconds and already had Brembo breaks, soft tires, and a sport tuned suspension made by Audi and a BMW engineer. Why they stopped making that car I will never know. I still have mine and love it. It smokes a Ford Mustang GT in the 0-60 and 1/4 mile. Getting off base, but my point is there are a lot of great sports / luxury cars that are no luxury brands and if you are willing to mod them - many can compete with the much higher price / maintenance happy 'luxury' brands.
For every Mercedes hater - you will also find one that loves them or they wouldn't be in business.
I agree the @The Old Guy but I doubt you can buy a new one and have any work done (unless non warranty) and then send it for approval, unless the dealership gets to tell you to touch your toes. They know they will make an incredible amount in the service as the whole vehicle cost. In the closest area that sells Mercedes it is 160 per hour for service. The best mechanics/friends of mine here - two I trust who have been doing it since 16 and are licensed change 80 and can work on any vehicle. They have two large service shops with 8-10 bays and have some of the best mechanics around. Ask if you have to get your service done at Mercedes or can you send in receipts from the mechanic who did it.
Sorry for getting off topic. I hope you enjoy whatever you buy.
I've owned them, they are beautiful but they are junk.
Electrical Gremlins like crazy, leaks, its always something.
If you like them then in my opinion the only way to own them is on 2 year leases. Well to be honest I wouldn't buy any manufactures vehicles now. They are all horribly unreliable. We only lease now. You won't want to be holding onto any of these vehicles in 4 or 5 years unless you love constantly being at the mechanic.
Between all the electrical stuff and ridiculous emissions shit they just dont last
Electrical Gremlins like crazy, leaks, its always something.
If you like them then in my opinion the only way to own them is on 2 year leases. Well to be honest I wouldn't buy any manufactures vehicles now. They are all horribly unreliable. We only lease now. You won't want to be holding onto any of these vehicles in 4 or 5 years unless you love constantly being at the mechanic.
Between all the electrical stuff and ridiculous emissions shit they just dont last
You have two of the worst car manufacturers out there. What happened with your Audi will happen to the Benz as well- tons of problems and expensive fixes. They are commonly leased for the reasons mentioned above.
1.5yrs ago I looked at a 2014 Civic. It had 130k kilometres on it $8000. Behind it was an E400 2017 with 120k kilometres on it $16k. It was $90k in its day. Less than 20% residual value in 7yrs.
My last 4 cars are Toyota’s in 21yrs. Two Echo’s and two Corollas. About 1 million kilometres driven. Total cost of vehicle purchases was about $18k. Opens up a lot of funds for me for experiences instead like this 3mth trip I’m on in Southeast Asia and the trip around the world last year.
1.5yrs ago I looked at a 2014 Civic. It had 130k kilometres on it $8000. Behind it was an E400 2017 with 120k kilometres on it $16k. It was $90k in its day. Less than 20% residual value in 7yrs.
My last 4 cars are Toyota’s in 21yrs. Two Echo’s and two Corollas. About 1 million kilometres driven. Total cost of vehicle purchases was about $18k. Opens up a lot of funds for me for experiences instead like this 3mth trip I’m on in Southeast Asia and the trip around the world last year.
Depending on how long you are going to keep it Mercedes in my professional opinion is fine.
Not a fan of any Volkswagen product (from a professional standpoint), so if you're used to the up keep of the Audi you'll be fine with the Mercedes.
I have not seen as many issues with Mercedes as I do BMW and Audi even in some older models. But just like any car they will have their issues.
Quality is in the toilet for most companies these days and I honestly wouldn't want a new car. My E90 hit 20 years old this year and is still running strong.
Not a fan of any Volkswagen product (from a professional standpoint), so if you're used to the up keep of the Audi you'll be fine with the Mercedes.
I have not seen as many issues with Mercedes as I do BMW and Audi even in some older models. But just like any car they will have their issues.
Quality is in the toilet for most companies these days and I honestly wouldn't want a new car. My E90 hit 20 years old this year and is still running strong.
I doubt stock for stock it "smokes" a 10spd mustang gt. My buddy went 11.80s stock and 10.90s with tires, tune and headers. The mustang also makes 100hp more stock. I understand your point, but think you picked on the wrong car..lol the new auto mustangs are no joke in the 1/4. A heavy tune and good fuel might beat a stock 5.0
Could be, being a car lover I watch videos of the Kia Stinger GT stock vs. a stock mustang GT. and there was no questions over and over again 0-60 or 1/4 mile who won. Same against the the less expensive rally cars that are a blast to drive like the Subaru WRX STI - no comparison when you hit 60 MPH.
The new Mustang automatic is impressive and it's numbers are better than the 6 cyllinder Stinger - more torque/more HP/faster 0-60.
I am going by videos I watched and the reviews of the Stinger which I can drive year round with good winter tires as it is AWD -
- there is one race with a 5.0 gt.
I am sure there are other videos that show the opposite. I could never drive a 700 HP RWD mustang where I live, AWD and good winter tires and it is as good as any 'sedan' (not truck) in the snow.
Nothing compares to the sound of a natural aspirated V8, and the new 10 speed auto no doubt would beat a stock Stinger. I was impressed at the time to be able to buy a car new in 2019, can't recall but believe it was low 40's as I did not buy the one with digital read out on the windshield and a few other amenities that mean nothing to me. Almost 170 MPH and under 5 seconds 0-60, drive year round and a lot of fun to drive. It does not turn heads and is a bit of a sleeper/stock it is not loud which I prefer. Change the intake/muffler/chip and you have a car that is not a 200 mph supercar but getting close. So it the new mustang GT.
I won't argue with you, but it was one of their selling points - different 3rd party recognized companies comparing stock vs. stock with the 8 cyllinder GT mustang. Smoke is the wrong terminology - it was faster 0-60 and in the 1/4 mile or it was propaghanda. Either way - it is a fun car especially if you want to spend a little money on the Stinger.
As much as I love the car, I am moving to a truck again anyway - one that can tow my side by side, fit more dogs in it without the dogs getting pissed at each other, and surprisingly fast.
No arguement - I saw a vid on the new 10 speed auto Mustang GT and it is an impressive car and would be a lot more fun to drive in the summer - not in the winter in this Province lol.
I wouldn't give a Volkswagen for free to my worst enemy, Its just too cruel. Hitler definitely got his revenge by leaving us those pieces of junk.
SteaknPotatoes
New member
I would go with Lexus, my uncle has owned two and both lasted 10+ years...
I've been a Toyota/ Lexus guy most of my life. They're great cars, but they usually fall short in terms of the experience you would get from a European premium brand IMO. Especially the performance stuff.