e1000

They're both great cars in vastly different ways. I've driven a lot of different cars but have personally only owned Hondas and finally my C350 Sport. So here's my $0.02.

If you're looking for something that's outright practical with a slight sense of luxury, you really can't beat a TSX. As said by others earlier, it has a fantastic suspension and if you're willing to rev it, the K24 is a very capable engine. I actually like the interior of Acura/Hondas a lot and the TSX is laid out very well IMO. The person who commented on Honda brakes being weak is EXACTLY on point. They have a tendancy to suffer from pulsation, even if used gently.

The C230 is a different approach. Unlike what was said a few posts above I don't belive a stock M271 is that much faster than a stock M272 equiped car. With that said, they're both not stellar performers when it comes to acceleration. To me, compared to the TSX the C-class has better exterior styling, and a sense of class. Maintenance will be slightly more, and wear items will also have a higher associated cost. A HUGE point for me personally is the drivetrain. I've always felt that RWD cars are much better balanced and that's exactly how I feel with the comparison of the TSX vs C230.

In the end I think they're both good cars and they both absolutely have a lot going for them. Ask yourself what is most important to you, pull the trigger and don't look back. Good luck.

Utahkompressor

^^^You can say that because you have 3.5L M272.......2.5L M272 is totally different story. You can feel the different if you drive both(C230K and C230V6) back-to-back......However, M272 is a lot smoother than M271.

e1000

I've actually driven both back to back and I hear what you're saying. The 2.5L and the 7speed can be a recipe for disaster. If you're up in 6th or 7th gear, be prepared to read a magazine before you start accelerating.

nlpamg

no, I would have waited at least a year and gotten a C350.

W203E35

+1

My mom has a 2002 Hyundai XG350L and we pay the same but she doesn't have full coverage.

As long as your record is clean you can get good deals on insurance. You just got to shop around. Also you have to see what the coverage is. My new coverage by the way is 50/100 (50 for car damage and 100 for body) which is pretty risky I just hope I don't hit a Lamborghini or Ferrari one day lol

On lease cars it's very high and it's mandatory. (100/300)

Ryanr317

9.5secs? Really? Where are you getting this from.

Acutally you may be right. It's probably faster with a manual tranny though.

benze-ply

'05 c230, '06 c230, or '05 TSX were what i ended up choosing between.
i liked the TSX but the feel of mercedes is just different in so many different ways (subjective, i know) like sitting and cruising or just staring at it parked.
looking at my friends '05 TSX, i realized i would have abused the TSX.
there is also people's perception of the vehicles value if that matters to you at all.

i chose my '05 c230 for the gas mileage over the '06 c230 but if the v6's have such a great reputation, i'd go for that.
good luck.

Glyn M Ruck

The 2.5 is not gutless if you let it rev. It roadtested quicker than that at coast in RSA. It will run away from a C200. The 271 produces it's torque lower down the rev range because it's blown. The two cars require to be driven differently to achieve performance & the V6 has different gearing to match is profile. The M271 does not rev as freely as the V6.

Americans want stump pulling torque. ROW like revving engines. I'm surprised Honda's are as popular stateside because they also require to be revved.

bdgdl08

I just love my 2.5V6, and would absolutely recommend it. It just sounds great! And when you get into the power it runs FAST! I wish I had the 6 speed though, the auto has absolutely no bottom.

mtnman82

62K miles on my '03 c230ss and yes, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I know everyone bags on the m271 engine, but I really like it. To me it's a great mix of power & economy. We bought this car to replace an Acura Integra, so were looknig for a small car w/4 doors that gets good gas mileage to be used for a daily driver. I live in a small town - lots of stop & go. I regularly get 22-24 mpg in town & 30+ on the highway (I have the 5 speed auto - wish I had the manual). If I was looking for a true small 'sports sedan', I'd go for the C32 - again because it's blown so you can get the best of both worlds (power & relative economy). Of course, if I wasn't worried about gas mileage (i.e. daily driver) I'd probaly do the c55 (actually looked at one a year or so after we got the 230, but I wouldn't be able to live with the weekly gas bill).

Oh, and rear wheel drive FTW!!!

W203E35

If you drive casually (not aggressively) the blower improves gas mileage.

I honestly think this whole "more MPG buy a hybrid" is a bunch of crap.

For example a PRIUS which is way over priced isn't worth the money.

PRIUS close to 30K (over sticker price) 48/45
Corola close to 20K 27/35

Once warranty is over those damn batteries are going to cost an arm and a leg. So it's not worth buying a hideous looking car and extremely overpriced just to get more gas mileage but you really aren't because you are paying more for the car upfront.

Also don't fall for this mumbo jump BS about global warming and it is our fault. Don't believe me go search How the founder of Weather Channel threatened to sue Al Gore because Global Warming is nonsense. Go do some research on how Al Gore owns many alternative fuel companies.

If Al Gore cared so much about global warming he wouldn't travel in his private jet like he does now. Private Jet causes more polution then 100 cars put together.

Scientists say global warming is not in our hands. We just can not do anything about it.

The reason i'm saying this is because my neighbor had a Hummer H2 and it got vandelized by enviormentalists looooool

Mu9enx

lol!

Glyn M Ruck

Hybrids are some kind of "feel good" stop gap. I find it amusing that the Benz Diesotto matches the Prius in emissions pushing a vehicle like the S Class with great performance & the Citroen C2 diesel produces better fuel economy.

I still think the future lies in Hydrogen & that the internal combustion engine has plently of life left.

Glyn M Ruck

They are great & will way outlast the I4 - just drive the 7G manually when in a hurry - enjoy - good car

Ryanr317

Just get an '05 C320 and call it a day. On the highway, the highest mpg i've recorded was 27.1. The 0-60 isn't all that bad either, all things considered. I usually get about a 6.9 dash to 60 using the Dynolicious program on my iPod. Plus, its got over 103k miles and the only thing i've needed to do to it was the change the battery.

bdgdl08

Hydrogen's definitely the future. The Hydrogen powered Honda on Top Gear was awesome, but hydrogen electric, not internal combustion. Still cool though.

LILBENZ230

I stand by my statement that the interior materials on the TSX are superior. No matter what surface on the dash of my C230 I push on, I get a nasty creak in return. The TSX has top notch interior materials and fit and finish.

To the OP, I do believe the TSX and FA5 use the same brake rotors and pads. They are both identical in specs (11.8" in front and 10.2" in rear) and both horribly weak. They fade extremely easily and warp even easier. I hate Honda brakes. That said, the brakes on the 08 G37 coupe downstairs in the garage are shot, too - rotors and all - at 23.5k. Must be an Asian car thing? On that point, I can tell you with no reservation that the G37 is a better drive in every respect than the TSX and I STILL prefer the feel of the Benz. This "feeling" everyone keeps mentioning isn't quantifiable here in this thread or on paper. The Benz has such a nice, natural, organic feel about it.. It's solid in a way that the TSX (or G37 for that matter) just are not.

I think you'll find the C-class more rewarding to own and drive every day. But if you just want reliable transportation with a Euro flair, the TSX is fine.

bdgdl08

Well put!

Glyn M Ruck

+1 - Hydrogen electric is cool - it rocks!

C_Klasse2124

I'd always choose a german car over anything else, better quality imo. We have a w116 that has never had a problem, close to 150k on her now. Basically if you love your benz it'll love you back.

W203E35

Thank You Glyn, If I ever come to South Africa I definitely want to shake your hand. You are a wise man.

I couldn't agree more with Glyn's statement

daiso'

amanonfire maybe you had a lemon???

p_gill

From your post it looks like the only reason that you are not happy with the VR6 is because of the cost to fix it. (when I bought my C230 in 03 I almost bought a jetta, unfortunately my daughter's rear facing car seat wouldn't fit with the front seat adjusted for me)

And if you read through the posts you will see that the M271 powered C230 can be problematic.

I know this very well since I have this car and it has experienced nearly every problem listed (Ok I don't have to worry about the transmission fluid leaking in the radiator since my car is a manual)

Also nearly all of the problem that I experience were after 50,000 miles.

The cost to me for all of the repair work done $0.

Let me say that again I didn't pay anything to fix my car. In fact I got a loaner car, a C class that was newer then mine each time I brought it in.

Cost for the loaner car was $0 (check with your dealer to confirm that you will get this same deal)

Right now my car is 5 years old with 80,000 miles and I am covered for nearly everything until 7 years or 100,000 miles.

Here is my advice

1. buy a mercedes

2. get the extended warranty (they are transferrable)

you will need to confirm that the extended warranty is for 7 years 100,000 miles (just ask the current owner to see the warranty book)

Note: the standard CPO warranty is for 5 years 100,000 miles which ever comes first.

you will have to look but you will be able to find a starmark car with 7 years 100,000 warranty. (the origional owner can also buy the extended warranty which is what I did during my first year of ownership)


You should be able to find a 2003 with a warranty until 2010 or a 2004 with a warranty until 2011 or a 2005 with a warranty until 2012

One last note if you post a complete list of what was replaced on your jetta I can confirm that it would have been covered by the mercedes extended warranty. (Wear items like brakes and tires are not covered)

Good luck finding a C230


2003 C230 (with 2005 clear headlights and 5 spoke staggered SLK rims)

LILBENZ230

I agree on the extended warranty no matter which one you get. But I'd say skip the 2003, that didn't seem like a great year. Plus the 2005+ updates are such a big improvement.

I'd pick them in this order:

07 C230
06 C230
05 C230
TSX last choice
01-04 C-class would not be a consideration at all.

FrankW

after riding and driving a friend's 04 TSX. it trumps the C230 in power, space, and cargo space and even standard features. The only down side is it's a FWD which I'm not much a fan of, but consider the overall package. IMO it's a better car than the C230k. The M272 C230 however it's a better car for the money simply because it has a fresh engine that's willing to rev even if it's a little under powered due to a FUBAR 7-G gear ratio setup.