C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

I've left my white beauty - but shed no tears

Old Sep 24, 2004 | 04:44 PM
  #1  
terranical 1.8's Avatar
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I've left my white beauty - but shed no tears

I traded my whtie C230K Coupe in for a new 2004 Silver Mazda 6speed RX8.

Now I liked my Mercedes, dont get me wrong, esp. once I got the H&R cupkit, AMG Sways and 18" OZ Superleggeras - but one drive in the RX8 and thats all it took. My wife owns a Miata and I've always loved the way it handles. In fact its one of the best handling cars I've ever driven, but it lacked the HP to take it to the next level. The RX8 on the other hand, while not having a bunch of TQ down low makes up for it in gobs at the top end - and you want to talk about handling - un-freakn-believable. You think to turn in and the car responds. And the 9000 RPM limit - crazy. The shifter is dream to work, just beautiful. I got the Navigation, Leather, sunroof, sports package, Xenons, Bose 300 watt (which sounds a crap load better than MB's) - basically every option but the Aero kit for $29500.

Now Im sure their will be some of you who will thumb you're noses up at a Japanese car, or critisize it for one thing or another and thats fine, but for me its about the fun factor. While I liked my Mercedes, it wasn't as fun as I thought it was after I owned it awhile, it didn't responed quick enough for me. And personally, I thought the inside was OK at best and the dash looked like a Tonka toy design. My new dash has the Tack front and center, with the Miles per hour shown numerically, not with a needle - Driver oriented - I like that.


I do respect the MB though. No big negaitves about it, it was reliable and never had one problem - only had it for a year and 8 months though.

Anyway, good luck to you all, and I hope you enjoy your cars - I DID enjoy mine, its just time to move on.
Old Sep 24, 2004 | 04:50 PM
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Blimp
Congrats, i would def consider the RX-8 if it has the Mazda Speed package and Turbo.

-Danny
Old Sep 24, 2004 | 05:04 PM
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E320
Good choice, I was also very impressed by the handling and short-shifter on the RX8. Don't be limited by the 9000rpm redline... You have a rotary engine and should take full advantage of it.
Old Sep 24, 2004 | 05:43 PM
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Mercedes-Benz
At first, you'll like it but believe me... I have experience in Ford products and you won't be singing the same tune in a year. The first year your new car was released, it was recalled five times. Have fun, and I hope you the best. By the way, my last Ford product was a Mercury Mystique. It was recalled a total of 24 times before I said heck with it, and traded it in. It was more like a Mercury Mistake.
Old Sep 24, 2004 | 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by rockintunes23
At first, you'll like it but believe me... I have experience in Ford products and you won't be singing the same tune in a year. The first year your new car was released, it was recalled five times. Have fun, and I hope you the best. By the way, my last Ford product was a Mercury Mystique. It was recalled a total of 24 times before I said heck with it, and traded it in. It was more like a Mercury Mistake.
Well, I expect some issues, it IS a first year run. But I've owned a '97 Mustang GT and had no problems with it. I guess I'll see.. . . .
Old Sep 24, 2004 | 07:33 PM
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Boxster987 C230KSS M3
terranical 1.8, I think you made an excellent choice. One of my coworker just bought RX8, it's a fine car with bargain price. I still have my old 96 miata, and it still runs like magic, as you experienced, handling & its shfter is one of the best.

But it's just not apple to apple comparison with Mercedes.
IMO C series is near perfect combination of sport, comfort, luxury, and price.
While I'm sure you will be very happy with your RX8, you might miss MB from time to time, esp on weekdays.

Congrats!
Old Sep 24, 2004 | 09:34 PM
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congrats.

did you get a good price for your c230k ?
Old Sep 24, 2004 | 10:56 PM
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Originally Posted by mick1
congrats.

did you get a good price for your c230k ?
Well I got $17000, KBB had it at $17,400 for trade in - so I think I did ok. But the reality is I lost money on the mods.

The market for coupes in my town is way soft. Ive only seen one or two in the year and eight monthes I had it.
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Old Sep 25, 2004 | 07:53 AM
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................ Bell Helicopter & '05 C230 SS
Welcome to MAZDAWorld.org Forums....... I woke up and saw this thread....guess the Mods are sleeping...
Old Sep 25, 2004 | 11:28 AM
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2005 C230 Sedan 6spd
RX8 is way more fun to drive than C230 (I'm 23), congrates on the purchase.......and Japanese cars are great! and rotary engine is an awsome piece of work.


There's much of aftermarket support, so you will never worry about the car not handling good enough, not enough power, or how plain it looks .
Old Sep 25, 2004 | 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by BabyBenz6spd
RX8 is way more fun to drive than C230 (I'm 23), congrates on the purchase.......and Japanese cars are great! and rotary engine is an awsome piece of work.


There's much of aftermarket support, so you will never worry about the car not handling good enough, not enough power, or how plain it looks .


You should go to Japan and see how they mod their Mercedes. You don't get the slightest hint of "plain" looks in their MBs. I guess how plain a car looks is bound by the imagination and creativity of the owner.
Old Sep 25, 2004 | 11:53 AM
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C230 K
I too own a Mazda Protege5..the little wagon..if anyone cares.. It basically is a "econo-box" and trouble-free...at least so far

The little Mazda handles very well, however it has different "setup" from Mercedes. I will say you won't find the "solid" feeling from a German car when you drive a Japanese car...

Anyway, congrats on your new RX8..let's ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM..
Old Sep 25, 2004 | 01:02 PM
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The True OG Modded out W203
Congrats if you are happier I would choose that over the coupe/sedan anyday if I was looking for superior handling/speed. But just be attentive if your car does have any issues, I have a buddy that had his Mazda Speed recalled 2 weeks after he bought it...too many probs.
Old Sep 25, 2004 | 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted by PRHeloPilot
Welcome to MAZDAWorld.org Forums....... I woke up and saw this thread....guess the Mods are sleeping...
the man with the most useless post of the day...

congrats... have a cookie.

go back to bed
Old Sep 25, 2004 | 07:32 PM
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Originally Posted by CynCarvin32
the man with the most useless post of the day...

congrats... have a cookie.

go back to bed
Old Sep 25, 2004 | 07:44 PM
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................ Bell Helicopter & '05 C230 SS
Originally Posted by CynCarvin32
the man with the most useless post of the day...

congrats... have a cookie.

go back to bed
Attached Thumbnails I've left my white beauty - but shed no tears-113260.jpg  
Old Sep 25, 2004 | 07:45 PM
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................ Bell Helicopter & '05 C230 SS
I crack myself up sometimes.
Old Sep 25, 2004 | 11:12 PM
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... to you too Mr. Pilot Man
Attached Thumbnails I've left my white beauty - but shed no tears-screws.jpg  

Last edited by CynCarvin32; Sep 25, 2004 at 11:14 PM.
Old Sep 25, 2004 | 11:14 PM
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my screws are cooler than your screw
Old Sep 25, 2004 | 11:35 PM
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Go buy yourself a clue...
Old Sep 25, 2004 | 11:37 PM
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Originally Posted by CynCarvin32
my screws are cooler than your screw
And that is your response to him saying SCREW YOU???
Old Sep 25, 2004 | 11:42 PM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by CynCarvin32
my screws are cooler than your screw
Isn't it fun when the kid who knows everything doesn't even have a clue ?

I'm getting tired that when I say anything some kids just have to say something. The rules say to stay on topic and this is a W203 area, not a MAZDA area or mazda forum for that matter.

So if I want to say something I will, since some Mods pick and choose who they are going to flame anyway. Inconsistancy is what's messing up this forum, but if some Mods don't care, why should I ?
Old Sep 25, 2004 | 11:52 PM
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1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
i go away for a few days, and come back to this ???

man oh man... it only gets better !
Old Sep 26, 2004 | 01:13 AM
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Originally Posted by CynCarvin32
... to you too Mr. Pilot Man
Is that supposed to FOD?!?
Old Sep 26, 2004 | 01:44 AM
  #25  
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Mercedes Benz
So now im a kid. Great I love looking younger than I really am. Thanks! I have always had an issue with looking older my ID may say but this is a nice change of pace.

Now if people cant take comments about other cars in a MB forum they need to take of the blinders. This is one thing about MB world that has made me sick from day one. Any comment about a competitor’s car is always flamed and the user is told to get out of the forum. Its car forum... we talk about cars. He sold a W203 for the RX-8 so his post belongs here 100%. What is better for users than to hear why a member sold a W203 for a competitors car?

If you don’t want to hear about a guys new RX-8 ( a wonderful car by the way -- more neutral and "fun to drive than any MB -- not that quick but it is so light and nimble) go read something else. I my self would love to hear what an MB user things about a car like the RX-8. W203 are great cars but an RX-8 is a different beast.

When I see people who comment about people being off topic it makes me sick. Car fans like cars.

To the owner of the RX-8 -- Enjoy the car. It is a wonderful vehicle and it is an extremely useful tool on any twisting road. It might not have a ton of torque but if you keep the revs up it is a quick car. After back-to-back stints in a G35 6-speed and a RX-8, the RX-8 was the more “fun” vehicle. Its rotory motor is a nice change of pace. It is so smooth and quiet that you find yourself forgetting to shift. As Clarkson says, “it feels as if it runs on double cream… not something as crude as petrol.”

Last edited by CynCarvin32; Sep 26, 2004 at 02:43 AM.

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