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Buying Used & CPOQuestionCommunity Starter

2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 — would you buy an ex-rental car at the right price?

CanyonMiles540Community StarterJun 22, 20262023 Mercedes-AMG C43Columbus
A former rental is cheaper than privately owned examples and has frequent service records. Cosmetics show normal wear. What extra inspection points matter because of rental use?
apr
2.97
location
Columbus
ppi planned
term months
36
asking price
65000
dealer doc fee
199
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20 replies

PistonCamper189Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 22, 2026permalink
I'd slow the salesperson down here. In Columbus, insurance quotes flipped a 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 comparison for me more than the sale price did. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. I'm keeping receipts and dates in one folder.
EVHaulerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterJun 24, 2026permalink
Agree — and I'd add this: Call your insurer in Columbus before you fall in love with the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. This is from a 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 in Columbus. That's the whole play. I'll post OTD once I have two apples-to-apples sheets.
ManualDad711Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 25, 2026permalink
Fair point. Counterpoint: I would not wire money until I've seen the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. I've seen both outcomes, which is why I'd test instead of assume. Doing the boring step first on purpose.
PistonCamper189Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 22, 2026permalink
Hard-won lesson from my last deal: GAP, paint, and nitrogen are optional until you run the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 numbers without them. Do that before you talk monthly again. On “amg c43 — would you buy an,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Just my two cents from doing this recently. This is the filter I use when the thread starts repeating itself. If GAP is bundled I'm making them unbundle it.
ColdStartCommuterCommunity StarterCommunity StarterJun 23, 2026permalink
Fair point. Counterpoint: If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 price probably got worse. That's the part that actually changes the decision. That's the whole play. Doing the boring step first on purpose.
TireHauler985Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 24, 2026permalink
Fair point. Counterpoint: If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 price probably got worse. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. Doing the boring step first on purpose.
WeekendEnthusiast189Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 23, 2026permalink
Get the messy numbers in writing first. A written buyer’s order on the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” Do that before you talk monthly again. On “amg c43 — would you buy an,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 in Columbus. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. If your situation is the opposite, ignore me. That's my plan before I call anyone.
TireHauler985Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 23, 2026permalink
Walk if they won't put it on a buyer’s order. In Columbus, insurance quotes flipped a 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 comparison for me more than the sale price did. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. I've seen both outcomes, which is why I'd test instead of assume. Going to compare one more dealer before I decide.
SunBeltTuner903Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 23, 2026permalink
I would not stare at the monthly. Two 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 quotes only help if both include tax, title, and the same options. Then the comparison gets honest. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. I'm keeping receipts and dates in one folder.
RotorHunter493Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 23, 2026permalink
Don't send a deposit on a phone quote. In Columbus, insurance quotes flipped a 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 comparison for me more than the sale price did. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. This is from a 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 in Columbus. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. Not wiring anything in the meantime.
RoadHaulerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterJun 24, 2026permalink
Same neighborhood, different next step: Ask for out-the-door on the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. If they balk, that's your answer. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. I'd sleep better after that step, even if it finds nothing. Might be overthinking it, but I'd rather overthink than overspend.
EVHaulerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterJun 23, 2026permalink
Hard-won lesson from my last deal: Ask for out-the-door on the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “amg c43 — would you buy an,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Stop there until you know. If your situation is the opposite, ignore me. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
ColdStartCommuterCommunity StarterCommunity StarterJun 23, 2026permalink
Get the messy numbers in writing first. Ask for out-the-door on the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. If they balk, that's your answer. On “amg c43 — would you buy an,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Stop there until you know. If your situation is the opposite, ignore me. If GAP is bundled I'm making them unbundle it.
RotorHunter493Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 23, 2026permalink
Hard-won lesson from my last deal: Ask for out-the-door on the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. Do that before you talk monthly again. On “amg c43 — would you buy an,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. If they get vague again I'm shopping the deal elsewhere.
CanyonMiles540Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 23, 2026permalink
Update from me: I finally have sale price, fees, and trade on separate lines for the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43. Going to re-read the worksheet tonight.
TireHauler985Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 23, 2026permalink
If I were shopping this, if they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 price probably got worse. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. If they can't show the line item, I assume it's hiding. Worth doing even if the car feels fine right now. I'll update if anything new shows up.
OldSchoolCommuter974Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 24, 2026permalink
Yes, with one caveat: Call your insurer in Columbus before you fall in love with the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. This is from a 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 in Columbus. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. Might be overthinking it, but I'd rather overthink than overspend.
TireHauler985Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 24, 2026permalink
If I were shopping this, in Columbus, insurance quotes flipped a 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 comparison for me more than the sale price did. Then the comparison gets honest. If they can't show the line item, I assume it's hiding. Going to compare one more dealer before I decide.
CanyonMiles540Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 24, 2026permalink
Update from me: I finally have sale price, fees, and trade on separate lines for the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
RotorHunter493Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 24, 2026permalink
Don't send a deposit on a phone quote. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 price probably got worse. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. If the story changes I'll post the new data.
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