Wow thats a steal at 36K, go for the TBSS

 

Update: Drove a TBSS on Sat. Nice, good power, feels tight, quiet, no rattles (while it's new anyway lol)...not as fast feeling as the Cherokee, definitely not as luxurious..the Cherokee is in a whole separate class as far as that goes..but for $10K less the TBSS is nice enough & fast enough for me. So I'm 95% there. It would probably end up as a factory order for me since I don't want to layout the $ unless I'm getting exactly what I want..Also, I'm gonna just rethink the GTO idea one more time since there are brand new '05's sitting on lots around here with $33,xxx stickers, and at this point, they've got to let them go in the $20's, and if I found an auto the right color for mid $20's brand new, that would be a deal I might not be able to pass up...no AWD/4 doors/NAV, but easing up on the cash flow would be nice...we will see!

 

You should be able to buy one of the $33k+ stickered '05 leftover GTO cars for high 23--low $24k range, but then you're right back into another LSX hotrod that's gonna drive you nuts driving it as a daily commuter when the snow, slush, icy conditions finally arrive....truck or suv for the winter, or even the awd sedan route makes the most sense to this old guy..... WJ

 

Your right Warren, AWD def the way to go around here, no argument there...it's just that if I could save another $10K or so from what the TBSS would cost...granted an additional $1K would have to go into snowtires and another $1K or something for NAV & Sat...it would just make the payments easier.....I'm actually trying to buy a condo and a DD at sort of the same time...need some changes in my life...after looking at condos yesterday I'm feeling the $ squeeze a little more than I did at first.

 

Honestly, look at the Mercedes AWD sedan and Lexus AWD suv (RX330-350) lease turn-ins. There are a ton of them around in the $22-24k range, most w/residual factory warranties, '03 vintage. Most have Nav systems and killer sound systems and REALLY go down the road nice..... WJ

 

Good idea, I'll look around.

 

These cars are both really solid.....drive them and you'll be impressed....we both know what a poor investment a NEW car is these days. Mass excise and sales tax alone is totally insane....put the extra $ into your home purchase.... WJ

 

Err...forgot you're in R.I.....sales and excise tax there?? WJ

 

absolutely

 

I'm talking E320-350 series 4-Matic Mercedes cars, not the M series suv Benz's. The Lexus RX suv's are way better than the M Benz cars in the '02-'04 vintage years...Awsome fuel economy and great power from the Benz E3 series V6's. WJ

 

Most well kept and low mileage E320-350 4 matic sedans are more expensive than the ML SUV's. My girlfriends cousin is a buyer for his own dealership as well as for other luxury dealerships and when i was looking at the ML it was def cheaper than the e320 4matics. I could have bought an 02 ML320 with 38K miles in mint condition with prety much all the options for $19K. I agree though the lexus suv's are nicer overall.

 

The early ML series Benz suv's had many handling and braking issues. In fact, Benz had a big buy-back on these models. Supposedly they've straightened the ML series out w/a complete re-design, but they've got a bad reputation for their early flaws. A low mile, well kept, un-hit E320-350 is a perfect DD, IMO. WJ

 

GTO! You could mod it and i think it has one of the best interiors out there! Also the dealerships by me are basically trying to move all they have in stock!

 

Hmmm never heard of those issues as my Aunt has an 01 ML 320 and my girlfriends Uncle has a 02 ML 430 and no issues whatsoever...any idea what years they had those problems or were they all years prior to this past years new ML? I agree the e320-350 are great cars, I just think they, along with the BMW XI series, carry way too high of a price tag used.

 

I was in the same boat as Matt months ago.I just went out and bought a brand new 07 Hyndia Sonota,V6,fully loaded for $20k. Has a 10yr,100k mile warrenty and does real good on gas. If it gets scratched or anything I don't care. Daily driver that reliable.

 

I know Benz bought back a large # of '99 and '00 ML cars. A salvage yard near here ended up w/over 25 of them that were whole, but could not be re-titled. Sold for parts only. Most of the crashed ML cars I see in yards are upside-down flippers. I'm sure that had something to do w/all the buybacks by MB. You've got to find a nice 1 owner E series benz from a private party. The MB dealers are rapists. WJ

 

I don't drive my GTO in the snow, so I don't know for sure, but I doubt it's much good in it, even with snow tires....


How about a Cobalt SS,, I hear they're fun little rides!! FWD and Torque steer for those snowy days....

 

Oh wow thats insane! Haha that must have looked rediculous, 25 merc mls in the junk yard lol. Yea they handle fairly well but I could see one flipping if pushing it too hard. Yea the MB dealers have some pretty high prices but people are willing to pay them, thats why I get all my cars from my GF's cousin who goes all the way to pennsylvaina for the car auctions and finds me rediculous deals. Thats how I got my g35x and x type.

 

Yea I still keep my 99 expedition around if im taking my car anywhere where it could get hit/dented/scratch as the thing is on 31 inch tires and is a monster. Hell if anyone hit me they would be fucked and I wouldnt care lol.

 

Manhiem FTW!