Well said boom. I wanted a nice car for good gas mileage and comfort. I drive a hundred plus miles a day, this beat my old 90hp VW diesel hand down.

The C-Class 230k is meant to be a Jack of all Trades and a master of none. Its a great combination of Handling, Performance, Styling, Luxury, and Safety. However it does not excel in any one of those areas. Rather it performs in each category well.

Want a faster car for 30k? Buy that VW or Toyota. But I wouldn't want to turn or crash it.

How about better handling for 30k? Maybe a WRX? Nah, nasty interior and rice boy looks.

Anyway, my point is I don't think there are too many overall packages better than the C-Class. The G35 comes to mind and the NEW 3 series. But when I went to look for a new car in '05 the BMW 3s were less powerful and the Gs didn't ride that well or look as nice.

so true... too bad I see it in myself as well...

There's no point in trying to defend this subject here because how fast a car is is purely subjective.

If you come from a stock Civic, the 230SS is plenty fast. If you come from a Vette, the 230SS would be dog slow.

I'd have to agree that everything is relative. I just purchased my 05 C230 SS last month, and I came from the latest gen Toyota Celica. I had invested almost $3k in the celica for a full suspension setup (front and rear anti-swaybars, front tower strut, front under brace, rear 3-point bar, springs, shocks). In terms of styling, horsepower and torque the benz wins hands down. But IMHO the handling was a little disappointing. I have no real complaints about it, as it is quite adequate. I just didn't think it was anything special. I know its not fair to compare an after market setup with a stock setup, and I also realize that a stiff suspension on the c230 would compromise the quality of the ride. but it just makes me wonder what people are comparing it to when I hear them rave about it's handling.

I am totally satisfied with my decision to purchase the c230 as it has pretty much everything I would want from a car and more. And the things that it lacks, like bluetooth, GPS and mp3 integration are easily upgradeable and relatively inexpensive unless you plan on going the OEM route.

You had me right up to here!! My W202 was a manual, and yes it felt fun to drive but it was a pain in the stop start traffic, and forget selling it, I vertually gave it away. The perception here is that no one should have to change gears in a Mercedes, so I kept hearing from dealerships each attempt to sell.

You are right though, we shouldn't whinge, I just dont like the reminders my friends give me that their BM's are quicker.

Hey Damon

I was just making to exaggerate a point that most of the C230 have automatics and that totally sucks the power out and of course it makes the car feel sluggesh.

The C230 K with 189hp is very different with a stick and actually is quite spirited with instant throttle response in each gear

Yes manual can be a pain on a long bumper to bumper daily commute and I would probably succumb to an Auto if I had a journey to work like my collegues. But my trip is about 20min door to door and having a stick is a non issue, I actually sought out one that has a 6sp. Also here and in the US, manual is probably not desireable on resale

I do miss my manual, infact I miss the whole car

I went from a 2003 Saab 9-3 175 HP, got it brand new when i was 15, 3 years later im in my 2007 c230 sport, and i think its faster but the big difference in the handling, massive difference plus overall build quality is 1000000 times better my Saab, it fell apart, literally it was such a pos.

what 15year old buys a brand new Saab only to buy a new Benz 3 years later? I must be living in the wrong time and the wrong place!!! Or must have rich parents

You can actually drive when you are 15??

well i had my permit, if that counts

those damn drug dealers on the corners!

haha nope

To each his own. You think that interior is better, I personally think its absolutely horrid. The yellow needles on the guages, the orange lighting in the LED's throughout, and the squarish look of everything makes it look like something from star wars. But hey, some guys like blondes, some like brunettes, some like redheads. I think the W203 interior is far superior but its all a matter of personal taste.