Is the Benz in Trouble.
 

Has anybody seen the MB ad on the tube that is advertising "Certified Preowned" cars for 1.9% financing? Guess they have a few of em just off lease. Somehow I think this smells of trouble ahead.

hasn't BMW been doing that for years?

Manufacturers selling their own cars at low interest rates just allows them to move more product. There's more money in sales markups than financing. Taking the financing piece of the pie is just gravy.

Ummmm....actually, I went and test drove an 06 E350 yesterday. Fantastic car. All indications are that they got their electronics sorted out with the updates in 06. The 3.5 engine really makes nice power. The seven speed gear box is like butta.

Of course, if I buy an MB, the amount of crow I am going to have to eat will be huge. I have given Z-man oceans of grief about MB, and blathered on about the superiority of Lexus for years now.

They are hawking their USED CARS...not new and at 1.9%...

I still don't get what the problem with that is.

These are cars that they have already made a ton of money on (through the lease). Now they come off the lease, and MB probably makes even MORE money on them, the second time around, selling them as used cars.

Seems smart to me - a recognition of the modern world where even high end cars are nothing more than rented commodities.

I have a 97 C230 as a daily driver till I get off my arse and get the 80SC FMC. The C230 is such a great commuter car.. AC that WORKS... sunroof....smooth in stop/go traffic... don't have to blip the throttle.. and gets high 20's mpg in traffic ...

yeah > the C230 is no screamer .... but at the end of the day > I just want to get home..

My wife's 05 C230 Kompressor is due to be turned in in July this year. I think we are just going to buy it. (not financed through MBZ though) Its been a great car. Good gas mileage, safe, and nice for the occasional road trip.
You are right though Tabs, from what I have heard at the dealer, they are getting lease returns through the WAZOO this year! Should be interesting to see how this one plays out.