…ok so I’m stuck with a decision to make about which vehicle to purchase. Here are the 2 options:
2004 Ford F150 Lariat Crew Cab, fully loaded to the teeth! Very impressive interior!
-OR-
2004 Mercedes C230 Sedan, fully loaded as well and well…it’s a Mercedes!
Granted the f150 is a truck however it has way more room in it than the Mercedes and personally I like the interior better however, the Mercedes is just that, a Mercedes. What kind of impression would you get from both of these if I were your Realtor and pulled up to your property for the first time? Also the Ford has a bonus in that I can advertise my companies logo and information on it as there is more space, as well as on the tailgate where people behind me can see it whereas on the Mercedes space is limited for advertising. What are your opinions?
-Richard
Oh and one other quick item, the Ford gets about 16-17mpg on average with the driving I’d be doing where as the Mercedes upper 20’s to low 30’s.
This question has absolutely no educational benefit to anyone. It’s a lot like asking, “Which shoes should I wear today?” If you can’t decide which vehicle to purchase… flip a coin!
If you’re a landlord, never let the tenants see your Mercedes (or find a good laywer). Buy the truck and Keith’s gun rack. Also, get a bumper sticker that says “DEADBEATS ARE SHOT ON SIGHT.”
A C230 is barely a Mercedes…its as lowgrade as they come. Its not a terrible car but not as plush as the higher end Benzes. Maybe you can go back to like a 2002 and get something like an E320 and get something a little nicer. I’d bet you couldn’t tell the difference (and neither could your clients) between a well maintained 2002 and a 2004. If you are a realtor you should definitely go with the Benz, 4 dr for sure. You are probably going to cart clients around in it so a 4 dr is a necessity. Also, something as high as an F150 is certainly not going to be good for a client to get into, imagine an older person trying to climb into that.
My wife had a C280 when I met her…she wouldn’t let me put a dead deer in the trunk so I’m not sure how well that would work/fit…and that’s how I know MB doesn’t make a rifle rack for the back window (at least not for that model)!
Buy the Mercedes if you think you’ll enjoy the following…
*Water pumps that cost $800 to replace.
*Belt tensioners that fail and cost $500 to replace
*The classic Mercedes head gasket failure due to acidic enviromentally save antifreeze. $1400 to fix
*Check engine lights that require trips to an authorized MB dealer to analize and shut off. Minimum $400
With the F-150, change the tranny fluid once a year and oil every 3000 miles and laugh at every Merceded you pass on a flat bed.
P.S. My neighbors Benz has left his driveway 4 times in a year on a flatbed.
I’ve owned 3 Mercedes, they used to make excellent cars but VERY FEW people can afford to MAINTAIN a Mercedes properly. As a result people lease these cars or buy a new one before they’re out of warranty. Thus, they just drive the wheels off them and do minimal maintanance. Check the consumer reports quality rating for the last few years Mercedes is at the very bottom of the list.