The E-class is in the sweet spot for Mercedes. Not nearly as much cutting edge technology which isn’t reliable like the S-class, nor the built-with-plastic-at-a-much-lower-price-point like every MB below it.
In particular the W211 is a really good platform after the first couple years’ teething issues (post SBC brakes and that stuff). Our family had a 2009 for ~9 years (almost 5 post warranty). Scheduled maintenance done on time, only thing it needed after warranty was a $990 AC system overhaul (new condenser, etc).
If someone wanted a luxury car below 10k, knowing that maintenance would obviously cost more than a Toyota, I’d recommend an E350 gasoline engine or E320 CDI diesel. Solid core to these platforms (engines and transmissions etc) and fewer breakable items like air suspension like on the V8 models.
They can if the poster of the ad chooses to. If not you gotta ask or run an auto check and carfax for the vin - and a ppi is almost guaranteed to sort that out.
If the goal here was just get cheap transportation for a year or so til chip shortage is over I would just get a GoCar subscription which you get a new car and just pay month month to month and if you want to turn it in early (once chip shortage is over with) it is a relatively small fee and no further obligation
Right around the time I sold my leased 2021 ‘rolla to Carmax for a chunky little profit about 6 months ago, I bought my previously owned 2011 Audi A4 Quattro from my mom, to whom I sold it in 2015. She wanted a new 2021 A4 and I found her one at MSRP. She then sold me the 2011 A4 for the family price of $5k with 113k miles. The car is well maintained with no major issues. Figured it should hold me over for at least a year or until the car market improves for lease deals again. Pic included.
