Home and Auto Is there any reason I shouldn't buy this car? - Page 2

**Bugeater** · 08-11-2011, 09:51 PM

So some big shot at my wife's company is selling this car, and my wife is creaming in her jeans over it. I know Dodges, Toyotas and Chevys, I don't know anything about freaking Mercedes-Benzs. But it looks like a bitchin' ride.

http://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/2542460085.html

2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Coupe

Brand new rubber, maybe 2,000 miles on the tires
19.5" chrome wheels
Bose sound system
Auto rain-sense wipers
Auto lighting all around
AM/FM/Cassette/6-CD Changer
Heated seats in front
Auto and manual heating/cooling environmental controls
4-Position memory seat, mirror and telescoping steering-wheel driver side -- 4-position memory seat for passenger
Awesome front-to-back sun roof with shade
Airbags, both front and side curtain impact
All leather interior
Brand new battery
Much more, but here are the official specifications:

Powertrain

Engine: 4-Cyl, Supercharged
Horsepower: 192 @ 5500 RPM
Torque: 200 @ 2500 RPM
Gas Mileage: City 19/Hwy 26
Bore x Stroke: 3.58 x 3.48
Compression Ratio: 9.0
Fuel Type: Gas
Fuel Induction: Sequential Fuel Induction
Valve Train: Dual Overhead Cam
Valves Per Cylinder: 4
Total Number Valves: 16
Transmission: Automatic
Drivetrain: RWD

I guess my only real concern is maintenance costs.

Any thoughts?

Bewbies · 08-11-2011, 10:40 PM

German cars, if properly maintained, run forever. I wouldn't be worried about it at all.

**CrazyPhuD** · 08-11-2011, 10:41 PM

So also look at the second picture. One thing that we refer to when adding + sized rims is the tendency to make the car "4x4" in a sense you make the rim to wheel well gap look to big so it looks like you jacked the car up. Which is why people often will lower a car when adding rims.

So looking at the side profile picture it does look like the front tire is 4x4ing. HOWEVER it looks like there is NO gap in the rear tire. Why? Did he blow the rear suspension? Did he install a lowering suspension? Or is it just an optical effect. It's definitely something I would want to know to make sure there are no other problems.

**Bugeater** · 08-11-2011, 10:52 PM

Huh, I never gave the wheels/tires a second thought. He's not the original owner so I have no idea if he put those wheels on or not. But you're right about the odd size tires, I remember back in the 80s Ford put some bullshit metric tires on some Mustangs and Escorts, only Michelin made them and they were ridiculously expensive. He says it has new tires so that's a plus I guess.

**BossChief** · 08-11-2011, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Not yet, but I will be tomorrow. The book value of the car is actually a bit lower than what we have now so I can't imagine collision would be much different. And it also has less horsepower, and we're old with good driving records.

It is likely listed as a "luxury car" and therefore, more expensive.

**007** · 08-11-2011, 11:09 PM

Nah don't do it. It's a POS.

**Bugeater** · 08-11-2011, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

Nah don't do it. It's a POS.

It's definitely one of situations where my common sense is saying "hell no". But at the same time the car guy in me is also screaming "hell yes". We've talked about getting something more fun since we're not going to be hauling kids around much longer, but I was hoping to put it off for at least another year or two.

**Bugeater** · 08-11-2011, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

It is likely listed as a "luxury car" and therefore, more expensive.

True, more likely to get stolen, etc.

KurtCobain · 08-11-2011, 11:18 PM

You can do it, Bug!

**CrazyPhuD** · 08-11-2011, 11:22 PM

Random review I found of the old 2002 C230...now the nice bit is looking at the pictures the car does tend to squat over it's rear tires so it looks like naturally there is less gap in the rear(i.e. probably not modified suspension or blow suspension).

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take_road_test

**CrazyPhuD** · 08-11-2011, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

True, more likely to get stolen, etc.

Yes that may be true but it's also more likely to break down before the thief gets 4 blocks. You can think of it like a built in security system!

KurtCobain · 08-11-2011, 11:23 PM

If you get this car I want a ride.

**CrazyPhuD** · 08-11-2011, 11:25 PM

another short drive reveiw

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t_drive_review

D-Train6906 · 08-11-2011, 11:26 PM

Stupid expensive to fix. Oil changes have to be done at the dealership. Looks like a great car on paper, its almost 10 years old, just pass bro.

**Bwana** · 08-11-2011, 11:55 PM

If you have a sack of money for future repairs, go for it, if not, pass.

Tytanium · 08-11-2011, 11:55 PM

For that price, I'd rather buy a nice, low mile Miata and save on maintenance and gas. Miata. You'll easily match the price of the car in maintenance by the time the 120k is due.

If I were going to buy a used Merc, I'd stay away from most things made after about 1995. It was about then that their customer satisfaction ratings plummeted from first place every year to near dead last.

08-11-2011, 09:51 PM
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	Is there any reason I shouldn't buy this car? So some big shot at my wife's company is selling this car, and my wife is creaming in her jeans over it. I know Dodges, Toyotas and Chevys, I don't know anything about freaking Mercedes-Benzs. But it looks like a bitchin' ride. http://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/2542460085.html 2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Coupe Brand new rubber, maybe 2,000 miles on the tires 19.5" chrome wheels Bose sound system Auto rain-sense wipers Auto lighting all around AM/FM/Cassette/6-CD Changer Heated seats in front Auto and manual heating/cooling environmental controls 4-Position memory seat, mirror and telescoping steering-wheel driver side -- 4-position memory seat for passenger Awesome front-to-back sun roof with shade Airbags, both front and side curtain impact All leather interior Brand new battery Much more, but here are the official specifications: Powertrain Engine: 4-Cyl, Supercharged Horsepower: 192 @ 5500 RPM Torque: 200 @ 2500 RPM Gas Mileage: City 19/Hwy 26 Bore x Stroke: 3.58 x 3.48 Compression Ratio: 9.0 Fuel Type: Gas Fuel Induction: Sequential Fuel Induction Valve Train: Dual Overhead Cam Valves Per Cylinder: 4 Total Number Valves: 16 Transmission: Automatic Drivetrain: RWD I guess my only real concern is maintenance costs. Any thoughts?
Posts: 70,443

08-11-2011, 10:40 PM	#16
Bewbies Ith Fuhtbawl Time Join Date: Apr 2010 Casino cash: $9999900	German cars, if properly maintained, run forever. I wouldn't be worried about it at all.
Posts: 10,085

08-11-2011, 10:41 PM	#17
CrazyPhuD Meow Join Date: Jun 2005 Casino cash: $10005050	So also look at the second picture. One thing that we refer to when adding + sized rims is the tendency to make the car "4x4" in a sense you make the rim to wheel well gap look to big so it looks like you jacked the car up. Which is why people often will lower a car when adding rims. So looking at the side profile picture it does look like the front tire is 4x4ing. HOWEVER it looks like there is NO gap in the rear tire. Why? Did he blow the rear suspension? Did he install a lowering suspension? Or is it just an optical effect. It's definitely something I would want to know to make sure there are no other problems. __________________ "Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t*rd by the clean end"
Posts: 8,523

08-11-2011, 10:52 PM	#18
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	Huh, I never gave the wheels/tires a second thought. He's not the original owner so I have no idea if he put those wheels on or not. But you're right about the odd size tires, I remember back in the 80s Ford put some bullshit metric tires on some Mustangs and Escorts, only Michelin made them and they were ridiculously expensive. He says it has new tires so that's a plus I guess.
Posts: 70,443

08-11-2011, 11:09 PM	#20
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $13810126 VARSITY	Nah don't do it. It's a POS. __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Posts: 65,560

08-11-2011, 11:18 PM	#23
KurtCobain legend Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Independence, MO Casino cash: $-1977903	You can do it, Bug!
Posts: 28,426

08-11-2011, 11:22 PM	#24
CrazyPhuD Meow Join Date: Jun 2005 Casino cash: $10005050	Random review I found of the old 2002 C230...now the nice bit is looking at the pictures the car does tend to squat over it's rear tires so it looks like naturally there is less gap in the rear(i.e. probably not modified suspension or blow suspension). http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take_road_test __________________ "Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t*rd by the clean end"
Posts: 8,523

08-11-2011, 11:23 PM	#26
KurtCobain legend Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Independence, MO Casino cash: $-1977903	If you get this car I want a ride.
Posts: 28,426

08-11-2011, 11:25 PM	#27
CrazyPhuD Meow Join Date: Jun 2005 Casino cash: $10005050	another short drive reveiw http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t_drive_review __________________ "Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t*rd by the clean end"
Posts: 8,523

08-11-2011, 11:26 PM	#28
D-Train6906 Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Casino cash: $10004900	Stupid expensive to fix. Oil changes have to be done at the dealership. Looks like a great car on paper, its almost 10 years old, just pass bro.
Posts: 165

08-11-2011, 11:55 PM	#29
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2139003647	If you have a sack of money for future repairs, go for it, if not, pass. __________________ Adventure is dangerous....but monotony can kill you.
Posts: 69,829

08-11-2011, 11:55 PM	#30
Tytanium Starter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lawrence Casino cash: $10007108	For that price, I'd rather buy a nice, low mile Miata and save on maintenance and gas. Miata. You'll easily match the price of the car in maintenance by the time the 120k is due. If I were going to buy a used Merc, I'd stay away from most things made after about 1995. It was about then that their customer satisfaction ratings plummeted from first place every year to near dead last.
Posts: 324