# Used Mercedes or new Honda - Help me decide **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 3, 2002, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-mercedes-or-new-honda-help-me-decide/135115 "2002-11-03T16:23:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2002, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-mercedes-or-new-honda-help-me-decide/135115/21 "2002-11-04T18:17:06Z")
Hmmm, my doorpanel says 4200 and change. Thanks **t**. **astro** , two areas where Benz has traditionally not been as strong are in the radio and AC. This certainly was true in my case, although they might have made ammends since. BTW, I bought mine used as well but from a reputable dealer and I go to a great german mechanic, certainly not a MB dealership. Minor and major preventative maintenance checks are recommended around every 15 and 30,000 miles, running roughly $300 and $600 respectively. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-mercedes-or-new-honda-help-me-decide/135115/22 "2002-11-05T15:56:23Z")
Don’t buy anything until you run the car through [edmunds.com](http://edmunds.com) (for actual price), [carfax.com](http://carfax.com) (vehicle history report) & also read info at [carbuyingtips.com](http://carbuyingtips.com) ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2002, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-mercedes-or-new-honda-help-me-decide/135115/23 "2002-11-06T07:07:08Z")
For the additional 8 grand, you’ll get a hell of a log more car ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2002, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-mercedes-or-new-honda-help-me-decide/135115/24 "2002-11-06T07:11:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by EasyPhil \* > \*\*For the additional 8 grand, you’ll get a hell of a log more car \*\* Ignore the post above… [For info on the Benz](http://www.mercedesshop.com) My belief is that you will get more car for the money if you buy the benz. All of the technological advancements, creature comforts, smooth ride, etc. are all there. It’s really a question of what kind of car you see yourself driving in. Go to the site that I mentioned above and you’ll be able to get a lot more information about the car and what to expect from people that own them. ---
**Author:** ![gouda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2002, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-mercedes-or-new-honda-help-me-decide/135115/25 "2002-11-06T08:56:55Z")
I’m not 100% certain about this, but I don’t think I’d be too far off the mark when I say that the resale value on the Merc will be reasonably higher than what you could expect if you were to sell the Honda. Yes, a 40,000 mile Merc is a baby. You wouldn’t believe the number of Mercs with waaay over 150k on the odometer running around all over the world. Real world advantage to owning a Merc? Better service from the doorman/valet, maybe? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Urban\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2002, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-mercedes-or-new-honda-help-me-decide/135115/26 "2002-11-06T11:14:39Z")
Fuel economy. 'nuff said. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2002, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-mercedes-or-new-honda-help-me-decide/135115/27 "2002-11-06T16:15:54Z")
I can’t find a 1998 Mercedes 420E at [edmunds.com](http://edmunds.com), are you sure this is the specific model? There is a 320 & a 230 & some other ones, so which one is it? List: [http://www.edmunds.com/used/1998/mercedesbenz/index.html](http://www.edmunds.com/used/1998/mercedesbenz/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2002, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-mercedes-or-new-honda-help-me-decide/135115/28 "2002-11-06T17:49:43Z")
My advice: stay AWAY from Used M-B cars-they will suck your wallet dry. in addition, all german cars suffer from electrical problems, which are hard and expensive to diagnose. for example-my brother has a 500 S-class diesel sedan: in three years, he has spent over $8,000 on repairs! The power door locks failed, due to a short circuit in a relay which was buried deep within a door. Cost to repair: $978.00! You can get a good deal on a used M-B, but be sure to have the car checked out by a competent mechanic. If there is ANY indication of a problem (i.e. overheating, electrical problem, then RUN, don’t walk, away from the car! You will also find that M-B airconditioners are very poor-they break a lot and don’t cool the air properly-soif you live in a hot area, this should be a consideration. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2002, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-mercedes-or-new-honda-help-me-decide/135115/29 "2002-11-06T18:13:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \* > **I should point out that I have a grudge against Mercedes. In my observations, at least where I drive, Mercedes seem to be driven by a disproportionate number of people who are either jerks or clueless.** Glad I’m not the only one who [feels this way](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=103706). ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2002, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-mercedes-or-new-honda-help-me-decide/135115/30 "2002-11-06T21:44:12Z")
Repairs are very expensive on nicer cars. If that’s not a problem, then go for the Merc. I drive a rather high end car, and you have to be ready to keep a straight face at the service dept! ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2002, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-mercedes-or-new-honda-help-me-decide/135115/31 "2002-11-06T23:34:26Z")
So buy it with the maintence package & guarantee. Then they have to keep a straight face 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-mercedes-or-new-honda-help-me-decide/135115.md?page=1)