Can a C-class car be considered as "luxury car"?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
C180K Elegance
Can a C-class car be considered as "luxury car"?
I've a consideration of how a C-class car would be classified. Someone say that it can be considered as a "luxury car" (entry-level). But someone strongly disagree. What is your point of view? And what is the common point of view?
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse
13 X3 28i M-Sport
I don't understand why the C-class is always being given such slack... even within groups of MB owners.
It is one of the lower-priced models, but it is also a small sedan. E, S, etc are larger, and so they cost more.
I've been in several upper model sedans made by MB. My dad used to own a E320... and sure, I can see the cosmetic differences... but its never anything substantial. My C240 has a very nice interior (I think) and the ride is amazing compared to other cars i've driven and owned.
The way I see it, I'd much rather have my C-class than some 'comparable' honda, toyota, mercury, etc... What defines 'luxury'? Leather, power, heated seats? Moonroof? Features most other cars on the market don't have --- headlight washers, power rear sunshade, rain sensing wipers, the mercedes-benz name?
I just don't see how you could NOT call it a luxury sedan. Especially at 35K MSRP. Just my 2 cents
It is one of the lower-priced models, but it is also a small sedan. E, S, etc are larger, and so they cost more.
I've been in several upper model sedans made by MB. My dad used to own a E320... and sure, I can see the cosmetic differences... but its never anything substantial. My C240 has a very nice interior (I think) and the ride is amazing compared to other cars i've driven and owned.
The way I see it, I'd much rather have my C-class than some 'comparable' honda, toyota, mercury, etc... What defines 'luxury'? Leather, power, heated seats? Moonroof? Features most other cars on the market don't have --- headlight washers, power rear sunshade, rain sensing wipers, the mercedes-benz name?
I just don't see how you could NOT call it a luxury sedan. Especially at 35K MSRP. Just my 2 cents
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,364
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
SLS AMG | S65 AMG | GL550
Well let's just see...mine has:
Leather
Power Seats
3 Memory seats (per side)
Huge Panoramic Roof
Automatic Climate Control
Dual heated seats
Bi-Xenon headlights
Air Conditioned armrest box
Leather steering wheel
Leather shifter
Remote entry
Alarm
Remote window open/close
IR Key
Ability to check oil level inside the car
24x7 Roadside for the life of the car
I could go on and on, but honestly, do I need to? In fact, besides the size difference and possibly cooled seats, the C class has very similar 'luxury' items as the rest of the lineup. There isn't much more out there that we don't have (well, besides an inlcuded CD player when Kia gives you one and MB wanted $1,200).
Erik
Leather
Power Seats
3 Memory seats (per side)
Huge Panoramic Roof
Automatic Climate Control
Dual heated seats
Bi-Xenon headlights
Air Conditioned armrest box
Leather steering wheel
Leather shifter
Remote entry
Alarm
Remote window open/close
IR Key
Ability to check oil level inside the car
24x7 Roadside for the life of the car
I could go on and on, but honestly, do I need to? In fact, besides the size difference and possibly cooled seats, the C class has very similar 'luxury' items as the rest of the lineup. There isn't much more out there that we don't have (well, besides an inlcuded CD player when Kia gives you one and MB wanted $1,200).
Erik
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 0
From: asdfasdf
One with 4 wheels
I've had my 2006 C230 SS for almost a year, and everytime I look at it, I'm still ridiculously in love with it. To me, it's more car than I need, and I'm lucky to have it.
I had an Accord EX V6 loaded, before it met its doom, and granted, it had "luxury" appointments, but I was never smitten with it.
I had an Accord EX V6 loaded, before it met its doom, and granted, it had "luxury" appointments, but I was never smitten with it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Sure, but you can get most of that in a Civic these days or at worst, a Camry. So is a fully loaded Camry a luxury car? I never considered my car as a "luxury car", a label best reserved for what the elderly would drive, like big American iron (Lincoln, Cadillac), big Euro iron (S class, 7 Series, Jag, Bentley, Rolls), or big Asian iron (Lexus LS). We have an area near where I live called Seizure World (aka Leisure World) and I see these "luxury cars" all the time and I give them wide berth.
Trending Topics
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,539
Likes: 4
From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
Sure, almost every car offers "luxury" features these days.
To me, what sets a true "luxury" car apart from the wannabe's is the sound the doors make when they close and the feel of the ride on the pavement. MB's have always had a cool "thump" as the doors close and felt very heavy (in a good way) on the road. Hondas feel like a strong wind might blow them away.
So, yes, the C is a luxury car to me.
To me, what sets a true "luxury" car apart from the wannabe's is the sound the doors make when they close and the feel of the ride on the pavement. MB's have always had a cool "thump" as the doors close and felt very heavy (in a good way) on the road. Hondas feel like a strong wind might blow them away.
So, yes, the C is a luxury car to me.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Dia Blk '06 C230 w/3 pedals
I sat in a Hyundai the other day and the doors closed with a satifying clunk too. Dual zone climate control,leather, moonroof, yada yada yada. Was that a luxury car too?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 669
Likes: 28
From: Little Falls, NJ
2020 GLC300 4MATIC
A luxury car is one that is priced higher than the others (sometimes seemingly for no reason)... that has luxurious ammenities and is revered as an unobtainable luxury car as a result of reputation in the eyes of most people. For example - I believe it was discussed in past threads that sometimes people see someone in a Mercedes and assume they are spending LOADS of money on it, when in fact it may cost that person more money on their Chevy Tahoe or other expensive bohemoth....
Just my two cents, argue as you will. ;-)
Just my two cents, argue as you will. ;-)
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse
13 X3 28i M-Sport
Interesting comparison
This goes against my argument... but it's notable.
I find it interesting that KBB (Kelly Blue Book) does NOT list the C-Class in the LUXURY category. You have to go through the 'Sedan' category to select it...
HOWEVER, Edmunds has a different opinion... MB C-class IS listed as a luxury sedan...
Soooo... the argument goes on...
Just to note, though... NEITHER KBB nor Edmunds listed ford, mercury, toyota, etc etc etc as luxury for ANY of their models...
I find it interesting that KBB (Kelly Blue Book) does NOT list the C-Class in the LUXURY category. You have to go through the 'Sedan' category to select it...
HOWEVER, Edmunds has a different opinion... MB C-class IS listed as a luxury sedan...
Soooo... the argument goes on...
Just to note, though... NEITHER KBB nor Edmunds listed ford, mercury, toyota, etc etc etc as luxury for ANY of their models...
Last edited by Moze; Aug 7, 2006 at 02:12 PM. Reason: Edmunds has a different view...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 0
From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
Luxury to me equates to comfort and quite. Both of which the C Class has. I was in a friends Celica GTS this weekend and have been in Hyundia's as well. And neither are quite on the road and neither are very comfortable for long trips. The C Class to me is just as comfortable as a Lincoln or Caddi and the interior to me is built very well and panels fit together properly and do not pop off. That is the luxury part, the comfort, the quiet and the build.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,539
Likes: 4
From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
Originally Posted by anonymouse
I sat in a Hyundai the other day and the doors closed with a satifying clunk too. Dual zone climate control,leather, moonroof, yada yada yada. Was that a luxury car too?
The point was that features/options don't nessesarily make something a luxury car these days. It's more about the feel.Wait, I just got it. your comment was intended to be sarcasim. Well done. You really had me going for a minute.
Moderator Alumni
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 22
From: Seattle
w203 m112
IMO, us C-Classes would be considered luxury.
Luxury cars should not be defined upon how many featuers it has, but instead upon the quality of the features it has. For instance, my parents 94 c280 (maybe 95?) has near 200k miles on the thing, and yet it still runs flawlessly and has no issues w/ any of its features. The leather reamins uncracked and still vibrantly colored, the dash board is still its original color and has no cracks either, the exterior paint is still in great shape, and the car still performs as if it only has 30k miles on it. The best part about this car is that it hasnt required any major maintience. It just runs and all of its features have been completely reliable.
My coworker's 94 accord which has many similiar featuers and miles has a worn out interior, cracked dash and trim items, and he had to replace the entire rear axel(or something of the sort back there), and yet the accord has been maintained in a very similiarly fashion.
I dunno, I think we, C-class owners, drive luxury cars, but I think im a bit biased.
-j0hn
edit: I sat in a mid sized kia (forgot the name), but the thing had great features, nice interior, and a smooth ride. I later found out that this kia is supposed to average 18/24 mpg, but my coworker who drives this car has never averaged more than 13 mpg. - that kinda stuff scares me :x
Luxury cars should not be defined upon how many featuers it has, but instead upon the quality of the features it has. For instance, my parents 94 c280 (maybe 95?) has near 200k miles on the thing, and yet it still runs flawlessly and has no issues w/ any of its features. The leather reamins uncracked and still vibrantly colored, the dash board is still its original color and has no cracks either, the exterior paint is still in great shape, and the car still performs as if it only has 30k miles on it. The best part about this car is that it hasnt required any major maintience. It just runs and all of its features have been completely reliable.
My coworker's 94 accord which has many similiar featuers and miles has a worn out interior, cracked dash and trim items, and he had to replace the entire rear axel(or something of the sort back there), and yet the accord has been maintained in a very similiarly fashion.
I dunno, I think we, C-class owners, drive luxury cars, but I think im a bit biased.
-j0hn
edit: I sat in a mid sized kia (forgot the name), but the thing had great features, nice interior, and a smooth ride. I later found out that this kia is supposed to average 18/24 mpg, but my coworker who drives this car has never averaged more than 13 mpg. - that kinda stuff scares me :x
Last edited by TruTaing; Aug 7, 2006 at 04:06 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
From: oregon
2011 C300
It is a luxuryto drive a Mercedes..therefore any and all Mercedes cars are luxury cars. A hyundai is not a luxury car even if it was a full house and had two sunroofs, however it would be a luxury hyundai.
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: N. Cal
05' C230K Sport Sedan
Over here in general, a compact-to-mid size sedan that has its starting MSRP (no options at all) above or close to $30,000 is considered as a luxury car, with exception of super-engined and hybrid car.
Audi A4 and Acura TSX are MSRP priced quite close to $30k and so they are likely to be considered as luxury cars.
Volvo S40 and VW Passat are priced a bit below $25k and so they are less likely to be considered as luxury cars.
Honda Accord, Toyota Camery, and Hyundai Sonata are all priced just above or below $20k and so they are certainly not considered as luxury cars, no matter how many added options they have.
Subaru STI and Mitsubishi Lancer EVO are priced at $30k but they are not luxury cars because the price is coming from their extrodinary powerful engines.
According to this "guideline", our baby Benz is definitely a luxury car (with prefix/suffix of entry-level, compact, sports, etc...)
Audi A4 and Acura TSX are MSRP priced quite close to $30k and so they are likely to be considered as luxury cars.
Volvo S40 and VW Passat are priced a bit below $25k and so they are less likely to be considered as luxury cars.
Honda Accord, Toyota Camery, and Hyundai Sonata are all priced just above or below $20k and so they are certainly not considered as luxury cars, no matter how many added options they have.
Subaru STI and Mitsubishi Lancer EVO are priced at $30k but they are not luxury cars because the price is coming from their extrodinary powerful engines.
According to this "guideline", our baby Benz is definitely a luxury car (with prefix/suffix of entry-level, compact, sports, etc...)
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,539
Likes: 4
From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
Originally Posted by Buellwinkle
So then a Kia Amanti is a luxury car, big, plush, lots of leather.
I guess I'm confused. Do you, or do you not think the C is a luxury car?
I, for one would never confuse a Kia or Hyundai with a luxury car.
Super Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
From: 02116
Is @ Home
i consider my car near luxury
i think the word luxury is vague. if an e class was stripped of all its interior/features and recieved everything from the c class (including the engine) would that be considered a luxury car?
i think the word luxury is vague. if an e class was stripped of all its interior/features and recieved everything from the c class (including the engine) would that be considered a luxury car?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,020
Likes: 0
From: SoCal, Irvine
Stage 2 C7 A6, QX60
I think C320 is more like a luxury car than C240 or 230, just because it had more luxury components, such as dual memory seats, also memory on steeling wheels..etc
but if you can call camery a luxury car, then any MB is definintely a luxury car as well.
but if you can call camery a luxury car, then any MB is definintely a luxury car as well.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Bayarea
2005 C320 4matic + 2005 ML500
I'd vote for "luxury". A MB definately has many things that aren't absolutely necessary.
Power Seats - stop the car and adjust manually
3 Memory seats (per side) - just adjust it every time
Automatic Climate Control - just adjust manually if you feel too cold/hot
Dual heated seats - wear more cloths
Remote entry - use a key physically
Rear sunshade - wear darker sunglasses
MB - luxury = VOLVO
Power Seats - stop the car and adjust manually
3 Memory seats (per side) - just adjust it every time
Automatic Climate Control - just adjust manually if you feel too cold/hot
Dual heated seats - wear more cloths
Remote entry - use a key physically
Rear sunshade - wear darker sunglasses
MB - luxury = VOLVO
