Another possible car for daughter - 2008 MBZ E350

jyl · jyl's Garage

Still looking for a car for daughter. Not been a high priority since she still didn't have her license.

Family member offered us her 2008 MBZ E350 4Matic with 78K miles, car has been impeccably cared for. $13K.

What do you guys think?

Edit: I see blue book at this mileage is $12.8K. So not a great deal. And not the ideal car for the purpose.

jhynesrockmtn · 02-12-2016, 08:54 AM

I can tell you my experience with my daughter. She's 26 now. I bought her my Dad's 98 Camry when she was 17 for about $5,000. It was in good mechanical shape but had its share of old man pulling out of the garage scratches. She's still driving it. No tickets or accidents but she's put her share of new driver minor dings in it and has a propensity to knock the passenger side rear view mirror off. I think it's at around 170k in mileage. Second timing belt, normal wear and tear, I put new shocks/struts and a few other things on it for her college graduation. She'll eventually buy something newer but it's been a great car for her.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-12-2016, 10:07 AM

I wouldn't recommend a German car with nearly 100k to ANYONE that isn't either mechanically savvy or has a substantial bank account balance.

MRM · 02-12-2016, 11:07 AM

Super awesome car. Can't recommend it highly enough. My wife bought that car in 2011 and has been driving it ever since. It has been extremely reliable, it's like a mountain goat on the road when the weather gets bad, it's solid as a tank, comfortable, and safe. It's easy to drive, not too much power, just enough for what you need for safe driving. If she drives a car like this that is comfortable, safe and reliable, she'll keep it a long time without feeling like she is sacrificing something to keep the same car. I highly recommend it.

JD159 · 02-12-2016, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I wouldn't recommend a German car with nearly 100k to ANYONE that isn't either mechanically savvy or has a substantial bank account balance.

My "new" dd is my dads 05 c230. I'm at 490k (KM). Been very reliable. Sooooo.....

MRM · 02-12-2016, 01:25 PM

This vintage of E-350 began production in 2002 with a minor (but very attractive) facelift in 2007, so the bugs in that car were worked out several years earlier. It's a pretty reliable car. It's been flawless for us. I wouldn't hesitate to get one for my boys. Maintenance is more expensive when you do need wear items replaced.

WPOZZZ · 02-12-2016, 02:09 PM

Beware of leaky fuel pumps.

look 171 · 02-12-2016, 02:17 PM

Buy here a Japanese car like a Camry or Accord or even some of the newer Korean cars are fine.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by look 171

Buy here a Japanese car like a Camry or Accord or even some of the newer Korean cars are fine.

Whats wrong with a few year old Corolla! I put 60k miles on one in college with 0 issues....

Daves911L · Daves911L's Garage

Bought my daughter a Boxster when she turned 16. A 1998 with a bit over 100K on it. Was owned by a good Porsche friend and I knew it was well cared for. A lot of car for $7500. Of course she is the envy of her school. but it also makes me proud to see her enjoying it. She drives a manual, unlike most other kids today (bonus: none of her friends can borrow her car

). She cares for it like she should. She drives it very well; quick, smooth, and precise. She puts the top down darn near every day, even when its seriously cold out. Makes my heart glad to see her learning to enjoy life, and not needing to be cocooned in a climate controlled glass box. She's put 20Kmiles on it the last 18 months. I've had to fix a few things. She bumped a parking curb and cracked a radiator. The fuel pump died. Neither were difficult repairs. Clutch feels a little weak to me now (my friend Bill tracked the daylights out of it when he had it!) so that will likely be next. I like the car too. Never paid any attention to Boxsters before, but its really a nice little car. Fun to drive. Almost like a modern 914. Its been a good experience all the way around.

look 171 · 02-13-2016, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Whats wrong with a few year old Corolla! I put 60k miles on one in college with 0 issues....

Nothing. I should have stated used. Those boring Camry, Corolla, of lil' Honda go a long way without any trouble. I say a CRV or Rav4 are good choices. Whey its time to part with it, someone will buy it from her in a heart beat. A lil' Ford or Chevy, not so much or fast.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 02-13-2016, 04:48 AM

I don't think you can go wrong with the E350 and the price is low compared to my local CL.

If you can get it for $11K+, it would be a good deal on a good safe car.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-13-2016, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD159

My "new" dd is my dads 05 c230. I'm at 490k (KM). Been very reliable. Sooooo.....

You are on a car forum, meaning you are at least interested in cars. The average teenage girl could care less about cars or proper maintenance practices. German cars are not a good fit for someone that just turns up the radio because the car is making a funny noise.

JD159 · 02-13-2016, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

You are on a car forum, meaning you are at least interested in cars. The average teenage girl could care less about cars or proper maintenance practices. German cars are not a good fit for someone that just turns up the radio because the car is making a funny noise.

If the individual who is owning the car will not follow proper maintainence, then ya your right, a corolla would be best...

But we're all car guys here, I'm sure the OP will teach his daughter well!!

Shaun @ Tru6 · 02-13-2016, 08:40 AM

I cam confident in John's having raised his daughter well and this is a good growth experience for her as well. Everyone has to start somewhere in responsible car ownership.

Don Ro · 02-13-2016, 08:52 AM

Rav4!!!...

Seahawk · 02-13-2016, 11:49 AM

Good lord. Let's just stipulate that John and his daughter are the best people on the planet. Let us also recognize that the daughter still doesn't have a driver's license.

He thought 13K was a good deal for the MBZ, so let's peg his budget at $13K USD.

There are only two avenues of redress in my mind. One, have her take a look by looking at any one of a thousand sources. Here is one:

Used Cars Under $13,000: 611,870 Cars from $300 | iSeeCars.com

Here is another: Car Finder by Zip Code at carmax.com There is a 2014 Ford Fiesta with 9k miles for $11,500.

Ask her what she likes. She will not pick a MBZ, trust me.

Two, save the $13k and have her use Uber until she really wants to drive. Factor in insurance and it will be cheaper.

scottmandue · 02-13-2016, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

German cars are not a good fit for someone that just turns up the radio because the car is making a funny noise.

When my wife lived in Portland OR. and we were doing the long distance thing her Nissan pickup started overheating... she just kept putting water in it.
I insisted she take it to the mechanic before it (literally) blew a head gasket ($$$$).

Turned out it was a bad O2 sensor ($).