A brand-new 2012 Mercedes sedan starts at under $40,000. This base price comes with several standard features including anti-lock brakes, keyless entry, leather seats, and a slide sunroof. These standard options are perfect for many consumers, keeping the price of their new car well below the price of other luxury vehicles. However, Mercedes offers many different optional features that are well worth the price. Although it may cost a little more to add some of these features, many consumers will find that adding them is a great value, especially since adding them aftermarket can be very expensive. In fact, some options for custom features such as the interior paneling or exterior paint are available only through the manufacturer. For instance, the paint used for the exterior is a different quality because the paint has more of a metallic sheen, unlike other manufacturers. Furthermore, customizing the interior aftermarket will be more expensive, especially if you would like to change the colors of the seats or paneling. Doing so would require leaving the vehicle at an auto body shop and paying hundreds of dollars in labor costs. While it is unlikely that most consumers will go to these lengths in order to customize their Mercedes, adding these personal touches is quite a reward, especially if the base price is affordable.