Info on the C300?

Question

Hi, I currently own a 2006 scion tC and am thinking about purchasing a mercedes C300. The C300 has a special lease offer right now: 27 months - $399/mo - about $4500 down.

I would like to know the difference in gas prices, insurance, and an the actual car payments.

I bought my tC for about $19,000.

Answer 1

3-4 difference in gas price, and $500 above your tC per year for insurance.

Answer 2

Gas prices? Well the car uses only premium fuel, and goes about 18 city/25 highway. An 07 tC is estimated at 21 city/29 highway. So your looking at about 3-4 mpg difference either way. You'll feel the difference though since you'll be having to pump premium fuel in it.

Insurance? well you're going to need full and comprehensive coverage, i'd say no more than $500 above your tC per year. Your payments on a lease are $399, if you bought the car, id estimate payments would be at least $550 for a 5 year plan, or at least $700 for a 4 year plan. So $399 lease isn't that bad, but keep in mind you only have it for 27 months, so will you purchase it after that or just turn it back in?

The one thing that's going to be a lot more expensive though than your tC is service. You'll probably have to do maintenance at the dealer with a lease vehicle to avoid any problems (on a Benz you should have it dealer done anyways) and that can get pretty expensive.

Also, since it is a lease vehicle, you'll have to return it in excellent working condition and have any issues/damage repaired before turning it in, or pay the fee for it when turning it in. Other than that, its not ALL that more expensive if your leasing it, it would be a lot more expensive if you owned it though.

The C300 is a great car, if you can afford to lease it, go for it! Keep in mind if your still paying off your tC, you might be losing some money on it if your trading it in.