C240 for a 17 year old
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 9
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C240 for a 17 year old
Ok members, I just bought a 2002 c240 for my son, yes his first car and I'm getting a bunch of smack from people. They said I'm spoiling him and calling him a rich kid, rich really??? My wife is on her 3rd MB and we love MB, yet when I bought it for him, I get a mouth full! Am I supposed to start him off in a CIVIC or a COROLLA???
I really don't care, but I want to know how many are out there with a C-Class and are under 20 years of age or are hand-me-downs from parents as their first car?
I have had only great experience with MBs and a great mechanic.
Be honest! State your opinion either way.
I really don't care, but I want to know how many are out there with a C-Class and are under 20 years of age or are hand-me-downs from parents as their first car?
I have had only great experience with MBs and a great mechanic.
Be honest! State your opinion either way.
Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
2003 C240, 2016 C300
I think it's a great car to start out. My family had a '03 C240 and I got it when I was able to drive. It's safe, reliable, and not too outrageously quick. I only have 90,000 miles on mine, but still running strong. I still have my w203 and I still love it. Still a MB after all.
Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx, USA
2002 c240
(Coming from a 19 year old who inherited a C240 at 16 and still has it)
Ignore them. It's a $8000 car(at most) that's slow as hell but safe and comfy (albeit small for backseaters). It's a much better choice than a V6 Mustang that will get wrecked in three months.
My only advice to your son is make sure he doesn't brag about it at school. I didn't and my car was never keyed or slashed. I had a "friend" who never shut up about his 2006 328i and he ended up with two sets of tires needing to be replaced in two years because other teens are idiots. Then he crashed it and got a Hummer.
I don't see why adults are always upset about what their neighbors kid drives.
My car has seen the shop twice this year (nothing out of the ordinary) but both were expensive. Mostly because my parents don't trust me working on the engine. Before that, in 10 previous years of ownership, it was only in the repair shop once. It's a reliable car. But when you have a Mercedes with 71k miles on it I'd expect nothing less than reliable...
Ignore them. It's a $8000 car(at most) that's slow as hell but safe and comfy (albeit small for backseaters). It's a much better choice than a V6 Mustang that will get wrecked in three months.
My only advice to your son is make sure he doesn't brag about it at school. I didn't and my car was never keyed or slashed. I had a "friend" who never shut up about his 2006 328i and he ended up with two sets of tires needing to be replaced in two years because other teens are idiots. Then he crashed it and got a Hummer.
I don't see why adults are always upset about what their neighbors kid drives.
My car has seen the shop twice this year (nothing out of the ordinary) but both were expensive. Mostly because my parents don't trust me working on the engine. Before that, in 10 previous years of ownership, it was only in the repair shop once. It's a reliable car. But when you have a Mercedes with 71k miles on it I'd expect nothing less than reliable...
Last edited by ildd; Dec 28, 2014 at 08:52 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 39
From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
Ok members, I just bought a 2002 c240 for my son, yes his first car and I'm getting a bunch of smack from people. They said I'm spoiling him and calling him a rich kid, rich really??? My wife is on her 3rd MB and we love MB, yet when I bought it for him, I get a mouth full! Am I supposed to start him off in a CIVIC or a COROLLA???
I really don't care, but I want to know how many are out there with a C-Class and are under 20 years of age or are hand-me-downs from parents as their first car?
I have had only great experience with MBs and a great mechanic.
Be honest! State your opinion either way.
I really don't care, but I want to know how many are out there with a C-Class and are under 20 years of age or are hand-me-downs from parents as their first car?
I have had only great experience with MBs and a great mechanic.
Be honest! State your opinion either way.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 479
Likes: 1
From: North Jersey
2019 GLE63s
(21 year old who's had a c240 since 17) Your choice is fine, there will always be naysayers and haters lol. I started out with a 04 c240 4matic when I was 17 and LOVED it. Became a huge MB fan since then and probably won't own anything else. Definitely a very safe and reliable car that he'll love and get plenty of scene points if he treats her right. She's still going strong at 120k+ miles and I still drive her whenever it snows (since I moved up to the c32) because the handling and comfort is just that good haha. He'll definitely appreciate it. And I agree with ildd, he doesn't need to brag because some kids will hate on him and do dumb sh*t...just let the car do the bragging for him.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: Pompton Lakes, NJ
2K5C230SSMR
I used to own a 1984 porsche 911, which i had traded in for a 2005 toyota matrix. My insurance premium actually went up.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
You might have the odd electronic gremlin but the powertrain of the C240 is bulletproof, tried and proven. In Asian Taxi service they frequently did 1 million Km's. Lots of brake pads & lots of tyres.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Yes, 01/02s are known for electric gremlins. Also for very bad rust - make sure your son checks the rear wheel wells, door sills, and front quarter panels a couple of times a year. Mine have all been replaced (I'm the original owner of my 02).
It's a decent first car, he certainly won't get into any trouble trying to imitate Paul Walker. That engine can be murder trying to merge onto fast traffic. You do get bonus points if it's got a manny; too many kids these days have no idea how to shift, which is a skill that may save his life someday.
I'd have to agree with Quad, though - nothing wrong with either a Civic or Corolla, either.
It's a decent first car, he certainly won't get into any trouble trying to imitate Paul Walker. That engine can be murder trying to merge onto fast traffic. You do get bonus points if it's got a manny; too many kids these days have no idea how to shift, which is a skill that may save his life someday.
I'd have to agree with Quad, though - nothing wrong with either a Civic or Corolla, either.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
W203 C320
I was 17 when I inherited my 2001 C320 from my mum, she got a new C-class to replace it and I still have it. It was fine at my high school, alot of kids had similarly aged BMWs but a merc somehow still attracts more attention than equally expensive Bimmers. I got a bit of a ribbing from mates but noone ever tried to damage and my car and it was all good natured, they knew it wasn't brand new. Though I did attend a school where most of the students were from wealthy families, so I can't speak for everyone.
Even the C320 isn't too powerful for a teen, it's got grunt but only when you need it.
Even the C320 isn't too powerful for a teen, it's got grunt but only when you need it.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: NYC
W203 '05 C240 4matic
Those people are haters man. Dont listen to them. I gave my '05 C240 4matic to my 17 year old daughter and loves it to death. Today we were actually talking about it and I asked her if she wanted the new C300 instead and she said hellz no! They are truely awesome cars. Their powertrains are bulletproof and last forever with the right care. Every once in a while you will hit a bump with them but as long as you come here with questions you will get help.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Someone saying that a 17-year-old doesn't need a new car isn't a hater. Or a used one either, honestly. There are different styles of parenting; not all are the same. There are some people who would even say that you can live through high school without even having a car. Imagine that!
