I have a question about price... when's usually the best time to buy a car?
- I've heard end of month when dealers need sale figures, they'll usually be more willing to give the most price cuts.
- I've also heard first year of major change, i.e. new generation or facelift, but i've also heard right before major change, i.e. right now to buy 2008 models.
- I've also heard you should buy, for example, last years model when there's no major changes, i.e. buy a 2007 model right before 2008 models comes out. But I've also heard the other way, i.e. buy a 2008 model when it first comes out...
don't know if there's a best time to buy car where you will have the best value.
also, I'm like the ML alot, but I'm still hoping in near future, ML will come with 3rd row seat, do you think that's a possibility (W163 was like that). I know people keep saying ML doesn't have enough space in the back or W163's 3rd row seat is very tight, but I've sat in the W163 3rd row for 1-2 hours trip and I actually find it pretty comfortable. And please don't tell me to go to GL or R, I hate (HATE) both cars/trucks, GL is too big and long and looked ugly and boxy, while the R looks like a one of those funeral cars.
There's no reason for me to buy an expensive mid size SUV which only sits 5. I mind as well go for C or some thing else...
There's no reason for me to buy an expensive mid size SUV which only sits 5. I mind as well go for C or some thing else...
Thanks a lot...
It sounds like you are looking for a minivan that looks cool. I don't think you will see third row seats coming in any of the new MLs. That market is serviced by the GL if you need SUV capabilities and by the R if you are looking for a minivan like vehicle with regular doors.
I too personally prefer the ML looks. 5 passengers, or really 4, is pleanty for my purposes. If you were to somehow fill the back with two seats there would be no space for luggage. And I don't want to be toting around more than 4 people in my vehicle - it's too noisy, etc.
It sounds like you are looking for a minivan that looks cool. I don't think you will see third row seats coming in any of the new MLs. That market is serviced by the GL if you need SUV capabilities and by the R if you are looking for a minivan like vehicle with regular doors.
I too personally prefer the ML looks. 5 passengers, or really 4, is pleanty for my purposes. If you were to somehow fill the back with two seats there would be no space for luggage. And I don't want to be toting around more than 4 people in my vehicle - it's too noisy, etc.
Actually I don't need the 3rd row seat full time, I might only need it for maybe 20-30% of the time... Most of the time I'll only have 3 people in the car, my wife, me and our baby... but 20-30% of the time, I do have a few extra people to carry and don't want to drive 2 cars... NY City is not a easy/cheap place to find parking... so storage space when 3rd row seat is up is not an issue...
I've actually raised this question in this site a few times and I did see others that had similar feelings... but since we have someone closer to MB... maybe they have some insights that no one else do...
If you think about it... if MB really wants to add 3rd row seat, they can do it... and since many competitors now have 3rd row seat (comfortable or not, that's not the point), ML might eventually catch up... ML and GL and R are in totally different market... ML is the only Midsize SUV. GL is a large size SUV and R is a minivan... you can't tell someone to go buy a large size suv or minivan just because they want 3rd row seat in a midsize... if there's no midsize suv out in the market that has 3rd row then I can understand that more...
If you think about it... if MB really wants to add 3rd row seat, they can do it... and since many competitors now have 3rd row seat (comfortable or not, that's not the point ML is the only Midsize SUV. ..
Valid point, having an uncomfortable 3rd row seat that leaves no luggage space when in use and is difficult to enter/exit would not be that unusual in a mid-sized SUV, many manufacturers offer this.
But maybe MB feels that significant ML sales are not being lost due to lack of this questionable option. Maybe the crush space in the rear luggage area is not appropriate for carrying passenges (possible safety concern).
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2006 ML350 white/ash
2008 C300 Sport mars red/black
2004 986S seal gray metallic/black/black
Actually I don't need the 3rd row seat full time, I might only need it for maybe 20-30% of the time... Most of the time I'll only have 3 people in the car, my wife, me and our baby... but 20-30% of the time, I do have a few extra people to carry and don't want to drive 2 cars... NY City is not a easy/cheap place to find parking... so storage space when 3rd row seat is up is not an issue...
I've actually raised this question in this site a few times and I did see others that had similar feelings... but since we have someone closer to MB... maybe they have some insights that no one else do...
If you think about it... if MB really wants to add 3rd row seat, they can do it... and since many competitors now have 3rd row seat (comfortable or not, that's not the point), ML might eventually catch up... ML and GL and R are in totally different market... ML is the only Midsize SUV. GL is a large size SUV and R is a minivan... you can't tell someone to go buy a large size suv or minivan just because they want 3rd row seat in a midsize... if there's no midsize suv out in the market that has 3rd row then I can understand that more...
You can, but it will almost be guaranteed useless.
That's sort of how I see it. I had a guy come up and ask me about my ML a few weeks ago and he kept saying that he had to have 3rd row seating. Finally the truth came out...he couldn't accept the fact that he needed a minivan. We will do just about anything to avoid the dreaded minivan!
I suppose if MB offered it, I'd buy it cause I'm a sucker for the extras. But I suspect those seats would spend their entire life sitting at home taking up more space. There isn't alot of room in the back and at random times I can fill the whole cargo bay with "stuff". The extra seats would get in the way if I left them in. The few times I could use a vehicle to carry six people, I would also need to carry luggage, so it just wouldn't be a practical vehicle for me. I'd opt for the GL if it was that necessary. I'm also not a fan of carrying alot of people in my vehicle - I've never been much of a bus driver. I tend to be more of a race car driver who likes his peace and quiet.
..also, I'm like the ML alot, but I'm still hoping in near future, ML will come with 3rd row seat, do you think that's a possibility (W163 was like that). ..There's no reason for me to buy an expensive mid size SUV which only sits 5. I mind as well go for C or some thing else...
I don't think there will ever be a third row seat for this edition (W164) as it will need a redesign to accommodate a 3rd row. MBz will not consider the option as the current ML configuration is still selling strong. Maybe, the future W165?? Just to let you know, we also wanted 3rd row seating which almost got us buying an Acura MDX. In the end, we still chose the ML as we can live without a 3rd row but not without a MBz in the garage.
Hi AZ Benz,
I have heard from my Benz dealer that they "used" to take brand new vehicles out for a test drive themselves and then would clock the speedos back to 'normal'. Is this practive normal?
Also when a brand new car that has been ordered, do you guys delay delivery and leave it around the showrroom for show and tell in the hope that someone will buy another one with rare upgrades or specs?
How long does it take to clean up a brand new car like detailing etc, before its ready for delivery?
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