benzomonterey

Saturday as I was driving my high powered Rental Toyota Prius around LA I saw a couple that had to be at least 80 in a Silver C coupe with C7 package.

So it's getting noticed. Probably going to be a hit with the retirees in sun city.

nrl1

Well, I ordered my C230K two weeks ago and I'm 51. A fun car is a fun car -- and you can't beat the price. Delivery is end of April and like everyone else -- I can't wait. Oh, forgot to say that I am one year from retirement and am building a house in the Orlando area. I guess I really screw up MB's customer profile on this car.

MB-BOB

Did you notice whether they had a RennTech Spoiler installed?

Really, I don't understand the reason for this thread, Benzo. The car has a target demographic, but it's just a target. I see retired people driving Corvettes every day... upmarket Porsches especially. Retired people have disposable income/savings. They're just as diverse in their spending habits as younger folks.

Lynn

The first C4 Corvette I saw in 1983 was driven by a man well into his eighties. I stopped to watch who got out of the car and it took him five minutes to unload himself and get up onto his aluminum crutches. I thought "good for him to be getting enjoyment from this car and his money at his age." I just hope to reach that age. Maybe I'll be driving a C10.

Mike T.

My Dad is 76 and he ordered "our" C 230 Kompressor Coupé 10 days ago...he'll be enjoying it by June...

wdbaugh

I'm 65, retired and have owned many sport coupes over the last
30 years, including Audi GT coupe, Volvo C70 coupe and now the c230K sports coupe. And I hope to own many more. Pictures will follow when the sun finally comes back to Chicago.

First Benz

I'm 55 and chose the C230 over a Jag X Type and a IS 300. MB is making a big mistake by targeting , and optioning, these cars to Xers and "kids".

benzomonterey

The reason I posted this was I thought it was great to see a couple that age, that would buy this type of car. I hope it sells alot to an older age group just to show that it's not a 20 something only hatchback like the Acura or the celica.

I certainly wasn't attacking a certain age group. My parents are both 63 and enjoy the car. Age has nothing to do with it. I was just noticing the diversity. If the thread bothers you I can delete it.

It certainly isn't any better or worse than "Is the C230 a chicks car?"

nrl1

Believe me -- I am not offended by the thread at all. It is possible that MB misread a considerable segment of the population that enjoys driving a coupe that doesn't cost 100K. BMW lost me as a customer when I noticed just about every 3 series was driven by a teenager.... MB builds a great product and is meant for those of us that can appreciate it -- regardless of delivery time -- or age.

DrMike

Despite the target group presented in the press, I think the coupe will appeal to a wider range. I am in the over 50 group (53) and the coupe met our needs in downsizing from family transporters as we approach empty-nestdom.

Twenty years ago the 280-ZX had to go when Jr. arrived. It was replaced by a Volvo, the first of a succession of practical family cars (including a 300TD Diesel wagon). With both kids driving, and one off to college, the back seat is only used occasionally, and 4 doors are no longer "must haves". It is nice to get back to a fun ride.

I'm waiting to see a review of the 230 Coupe in the AARP publicatons.

C230K

I am now 59 and in the seventies raced the 240Z and now, after trading in my Volvo C70 coupe, have a C230 Coupe. Plan to try auto-x and enjoy driving and quality sports car again. You are never to old. At 59 I am 19 with 40 years experience.
Tom

columbus

Just like I said: It gets better with age. If you can't walk fast anymore, you can still drive fast. As long as your eyes and reflexes are keeping up.

My old man (71) would get a kick out of this car; too bad he's back in Hannover, GE. He'll have to get his own

pnd1

Over the last thirty years, I've owned an American Motors AMX, Gremlin, and Pacer, as well as the original Mazda 626 and the RX-7. I drove a Mazda Navajo before I had ever heard the term "SUV". In recent years, I've had a Saab 900, and an Audi A4. Two years ago, I traded the A4 for the Infiniti I30t. (I must have been attracted to Infiniti's reputation for mechanical reliability. It's a comfortable but boring car, and it's plastic "wood" embarassed me every time I looked at it. The "wood" in the new Infiniti I35 is even more hideous.) For the last five or six years, I've really wanted to own a Mercedes-Benz, but the boxy design of the affordable C-class models seemed so stodgy to me, and the more sleek and sporty Benzes were priced far beyond my means.

The coming of the C230 Coupe changed all that for me. Elegant in it's design, and still relatively affordable even when loaded with options, it was a perfect fit for my needs, so this past December, I traded the Infiniti for my Alabaster White Coupe. I've been driving it for the last three months around Phoenix and just passed the 1,800 mile mark. It's engine seems more lively to me than any car I've driven. It offers me comfort, convenience, and plenty of cargo space. The C230's oyster leather and aluminum interior is beautifully understated, a far cry from driving Infiniti's plastic "wood" around town.
My coup's fit and finish are perfect -- not a squeak or rattle anywhere. I can appreciate MB's marketing strategy for the C230k -- it is a perfect "entry level" model -- a Mercedes targeted primarily at young professionals. But it's also a great car for the young at heart. One need not be under thirty to enjoy owning an "entry level" car as delightful as this one is. It's the ideal car for this 67 year old!
Phil

Deb

Hi Phil,
It is nice to see other folks from the more senior side of the demographic scale here in the forum. For a while, MB-BOB and I and maybe a couple of others were the only over 50's in the crowd. I went through a similar evolution of cars as you did. Last June, when I turned 50, I ordered my c coupe as a mid-life crisis toy (any excuse will do, right?). Took delivery mid-Jan and have been having a ball driving it ever since. This is a very informative and sometimes entertaining forum. Welcome.
Deb

Martin

I just had to add my two cents. Just after my first kid arrived I have to get rid of my Porsche 944 and a VW Rabbit GTI. Both were great driving cars. I then went though a Volvo station wagon, some nameless boring 4 door cars and some SUVs.

After the dollars got a bit easier I bought a C280 (1997) and my wife kept the SUV.

Then I got my big break my oldest turned 16 so I bought him a used truck and traded in my C280 for a CLK320. It sure is nice to be driving around in two car again. Now once I get the kids through college I should be able to afford a little more excitement.

As some else said I think young at heart is the most important thing.

BTW I am 47.

Spyke

It's good to see some over 40 people here talking about their coupes. With all the talk in the press about how the car was aimed at the younger crowd, I was wondering if I might seem out of place in one, and I'm only 40! (Well, i'm not 40 until August really)

The sad part is, when the Boxster came out I told my wife I was going to buy one when I turned 40, but went with the coupe instead when push came to shove. Now if I had that huge garage I've always wanted, the story might be different!

Vince

i like that. that's a good quote and some good perspective.

pnd1

Deb:

Congratulations on celebrating your midlife crisis in such a productive manner. It is amazing how young you feel when you get behind the wheel of such an energetic car as the C230k! It's also encouraging to know that so many other "mature drivers" are enjoying driving this car.

Phil

Ski Guru

I still have and "DRIVE" my very first MB, 1984 500 SEC.

The others I "ENJOY" but for everyday driving my 500 SEC is still tops. I like it as it is understated and I am not so "Paranoid" of it in some situations.

It is interesting as in several of the posts here on the forum. One about Paranoia and another about the MILLIONAIRE, driving the older MB is quite satisfying.

Several friends talk about the "TRUSTIFARIANS" in Aspen who drive older Volvo's to look a bit less ostentatious. I find driving my "almost" vintage SEC in a similar light.

SO my advice is get a few MB's, keep em around and take care of them. Drive what fits the situation and relax!