Might soon be a Mercedes owner - CL600
Discussion
I've been to this place before a few years back when I was looking at a Boxster
Their business model is high volume, low margin - you can't expect a prestige sales experience I'm afraid! I'd persist, the owner is a decent guy - can't remember his name, but I remember he was wearing a nice Rolex Explorer 2 and he offered me decent money on a trade in.
You've driven the car? They'll sit in the car while you whip it round the block - offer them some cash to take it to the specialist - they need to know you're serious in this game, they get lots of tyre kickers
Their business model is high volume, low margin - you can't expect a prestige sales experience I'm afraid! I'd persist, the owner is a decent guy - can't remember his name, but I remember he was wearing a nice Rolex Explorer 2 and he offered me decent money on a trade in.
You've driven the car? They'll sit in the car while you whip it round the block - offer them some cash to take it to the specialist - they need to know you're serious in this game, they get lots of tyre kickers
I would also be tempted to ask to root through the service history and forensically piece together a picture of its service history. Get the phone number of the last place it was serviced and ask questions, if possible contact the last owner. There should be no objections for this to take place on the part of the seller in fact when I've been to look at cars I do it as a matter of course. Things like MOT advisories are the first place I start then go from there.
BIRMA said:
I would also be tempted to ask to root through the service history and forensically piece together a picture of its service history. Get the phone number of the last place it was serviced and ask questions, if possible contact the last owner. There should be no objections for this to take place on the part of the seller in fact when I've been to look at cars I do it as a matter of course. Things like MOT advisories are the first place I start then go from there.
I've seen the whole history and past MOTs and it all seems to stack up. I haven't got any particular concerns, but given the complexity of the car I want a report on the condition of the car as it sits today.I'll try and call again tomorrow and see if I can't work something out. I want a proper test drive, but assuming that's OK I'll leave a deposit there and then subject to an inspection being done and OK.
Animal said:
BIRMA said:
I would also be tempted to ask to root through the service history and forensically piece together a picture of its service history. Get the phone number of the last place it was serviced and ask questions, if possible contact the last owner. There should be no objections for this to take place on the part of the seller in fact when I've been to look at cars I do it as a matter of course. Things like MOT advisories are the first place I start then go from there.
I've seen the whole history and past MOTs and it all seems to stack up. I haven't got any particular concerns, but given the complexity of the car I want a report on the condition of the car as it sits today.I'll try and call again tomorrow and see if I can't work something out. I want a proper test drive, but assuming that's OK I'll leave a deposit there and then subject to an inspection being done and OK.
BIRMA said:
Sounds good, sorry if it read like I was stating the bl**dy obvious regarding the service history. Just one other pearl of obvious wisdom regarding the deposit. I lost a deposit on an CLS55 ages ago because I didn't make it clear to the dealer that if it failed in any respect I would not go ahead with the deal, due to this misunderstanding I lost my deposit when I was not satisfied with every detail of the report. It was a long time ago so punter protection has moved on a bit since then but it's made me never leave deposits since.
No, you're right. I'd only leave a deposit on the agreement that it was to be returned if the car wasn't up to scratch. I wouldn't agree a price until I'd seen the inspection report either. One last try in the morning!Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff