Saprissa

the Brazilian-made W204 CLC ("Coupé" or Hatchback) is not coming to the USA. That was decided long ago by the MB gods.

Still running strong with my CL203 V6 3.2L Coupé @ ~ 31 mpg.
Got a 2008 smart Passion ForTwo anyways, advertised @ 41 mpg.
As for $200-$400 maintenance costs... heck no... learn how to change the oil on your own. Why feed the beast?

Carlos

Saprissa

Roxlau

You are getting 31 mpg with the c320 SC? I am picking up my c320 SC (manual) in one day, driving it back home approx 2,000 miles. I was expecting 26 mpg maximum.

Saprissa

31 mpg on the highway on trips over 50 miles. maybe due to:
Renntech ECU coding and modified AMG C32 airbox, evosport headers, and AMG exhaust...

Carlos

Saprissa

Roxlau

Aaah, I see. Nice! What is the hp by chance?

Saprissa

high 240's if I remember right.

Carlos

Saprissa

Benzalot

I bought a C230 Coupe in 2002 and it has been a great car and one that was not extremely expensive. Loaded with all of the premium pacikages, it still rolled out of the door at less than $29,000. In my opinion, withteh 2.3 L engine, it was the best bang for the buck MB has had in many, many years. Not only is it quick, has good gas milage, but it is also very utilitarian. It is amazing how much can be loaded into it with the rear seat folded down. It is a great, all around fun car. For some strange reason, the rest of the world likes it so why shouldn't Americans? If Americans will drive some of these ugly, brick shaped SUVs it looks like a "hatchback coupe" would not be an issue.

California

My sentiments exactly.

I love my coupe. Great mileage; GREAT utility vehicle; great car.

Would be very happy to buy a CLC in 2010.

C'mon Mercedes! Bring the CLC to the US of A!

FrankW

why would you want the same car with a facelift

California

Have you noticed the price of gas lately? People are downsizing not upsizing.

I like the utility of the hatch and the fact that the CLC seems to be tuned for better mileage. It also is a slightly better looking coupe.

I guess once I like a car, I stick with it, I had a 450SL and upgraded to the more economical 380SL for years. Same body style of MB on those old SLs great cars, but gas hogs, even the 380.

qianlimoro

Isn't that what we do when we re-buy the same model? Besides, I'd like to think of it as updated and refined...

I happen to prefer the austere look and feel of the little coupe. The bigger models seem puffy and bloated. And I've tried the sedans. Always felt like I was driving my dad's car.

FrankW

I think you two missed my point there. If the CLC is based on the W204 chassi then it's an understandable upgrade, but this car still uses the W203 chassi. There's not going to be any difference on driving dynamics other than the exterior. The interior if you have the 05-06 C-sportscoupe they are pretty much the same. IMO if you have a pre-facelift and if you really want an updated C-sportscoupe get the 05-06. It saves you tons of money while getting a newer car.

qianlimoro

I got that. What I meant was kind of your point. How many went from say, a 2002 c230, the lease ended and hopped right into an '05. Same w203 chassis, newer year. And you're also right, a nice low mileage '05 coupe would be a whole lot cheaper than the $50-60k the clc would cost.

The other point is not all c-class drivers are new to the Mercedes market. While their marketing department may want to make it the "baby-benz starter car" entry level, many of us don't want to "graduate" to the "grown-up" benz.

Sunday, I was getting out of my car to go into a restaurant, when a cl500 pulled into the space next to me. The driver got out and sneeringly said, "nice car", then he and his date laughed. I said, "thanks a lot, man..., I love this little car. You know, I got almost 37 miles to the gallon on the ride over here." He stood and stared at me for a second, and the said, with what appeared to be sincerity, "that's nice".

A lot of our coupes are getting old and the miles are piling up. I look at the CL and CLK and I'm just not feelin' it.

California

I heard the CLC suspension is better and mileage is better, too. It is an upgrade. By 2010, my car will be six years old (tho I only have 26k miles on it now.) I'd also like to sell my coupe before the extended warranty runs out, so the new buyer will feel a little better.

I think the CLC's look great and in two years, I don't think there will be any sneering going on by anyone; gas is not going to come down in price until we drill in Alaska and shake off Kissinger's back alley deals with Arab oil countries.

tommy

Unfortunately, I don't think that anyone who buys a CL would care or be impressed by high gas mileage. Of course, you could have told him that technically, you have a CL too (as our model really is a CL203, not a W203). That would have made his date run away in terror.

DmitryS500

Hey, I'd gladly buy a 2010 CLC once it comes here.
The exterioir is W204 and interioris an update the the W203 and it has 2 doors. Plus I am sick of driving auto for more thana year already...

Saprissa

Here's what Lizzie Pope (editor of MERCEDES ENTHUSIAST) wrote about the CLC:
"It is true to say that despite its name, the CLC is not an entirely new car. Despite what Mercedes might want us to think, this is a C-Class sports coupe wearing a new face - and no, not a W204 C-Class, but the outgoing 203. Setting aside the debate as to why the saloon (sedan) and estate (wagon) but not the sports coupe have moved into the next generation, confusing enough on its own, there is the bewildering matter of its name. What more combinations of letters is Mercedes going to throw at us? With 'CLC' it is clear the sports coupe is trying to leave its C-Class roots behind, promoting itself to the role of junior coupe, beneath the CLS and CL - not forgetting the CLK."

- up to 2007, MB sold 320,000 C-Class sport coupes.

- When the C350 Sport Coupe arrived, with a revamped 268 HP 3,498cc M272 engine, its snappy throttle response, punchy character and four-cam, four valves per cylinder V6 brought out the best in the C's chassis, turning the sports coupe into an engaging driver's car.

- The CLC sports package includes: direct steer system, uprated springs and dampers with a slightly lower ride height, 18-inch alloys, tinted headlamp bezels, a sports instrument pack, and sports steering wheel. Additionally, you can choose between a six-speed manual gearbox, or a 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox with paddle shifters, so all seven gear ratios are literally right at your fingertips.