Coupe is gone
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 863
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
03 W8 Passat Variant
Coupe is gone
Well ok not sure where this thread will lead. But I was browsing around the local auto mall on Saturday. Came across the 03 6spd Toyota Matrix XRS with the celica motor. I ended up driving away with a new red one.
The coupe was my first MB and I felt in the long term I just wasn't going to get the reliability I needed.
I hope you guys don't mind if I stick around. I love all the car conversation.
Benzo
The coupe was my first MB and I felt in the long term I just wasn't going to get the reliability I needed.
I hope you guys don't mind if I stick around. I love all the car conversation.
Benzo
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Not again!
So, what's going to happen to the ccoupe?
Well, as long as you don't put up any advertisments in your sig, you'll always be welcome.
That would mean that we'd have you AND dasmafia coming in to dis Benz cars? It was bad enough with just him!
Hope that the Matrix is as trouble-free as you hope. That doesn't come with 4wd, right? Seems weird that they offer the 4wd with only the lower engine. It is a nice car, though.
Well, as long as you don't put up any advertisments in your sig, you'll always be welcome.
That would mean that we'd have you AND dasmafia coming in to dis Benz cars? It was bad enough with just him!
Hope that the Matrix is as trouble-free as you hope. That doesn't come with 4wd, right? Seems weird that they offer the 4wd with only the lower engine. It is a nice car, though.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 863
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
03 W8 Passat Variant
I traded the Coupe. yes the awd only comes on the smaller engine. I am sure that has something to do with the celica coming out in awd. They probably don't want to screw those sales up.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg, MD
2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
A much different look compared w/ the C230, no? Good luck with your new choice!
A guy I knew at work drove a Corvette. Decided to get rid of that an buy an M-B SLK230. Had that 6 months and decided the seats were too hard on long trips and ride was too rough. Had his sights on a new Camry Solara convertible -- thought that would be cool. Then came to his senses and realized it wasn't really the right class or image. Ended up with a used 300ZX. Oh well, to each his own!
A guy I knew at work drove a Corvette. Decided to get rid of that an buy an M-B SLK230. Had that 6 months and decided the seats were too hard on long trips and ride was too rough. Had his sights on a new Camry Solara convertible -- thought that would be cool. Then came to his senses and realized it wasn't really the right class or image. Ended up with a used 300ZX. Oh well, to each his own!
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes Teases Updated EQS With Steer-By-Wire and a Yoke
Verdad Gallardo
8 Mercedes Models With Poor Reliability Records
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 863
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
03 W8 Passat Variant
Originally posted by MarkL
A much different look compared w/ the C230, no? Good luck with your new choice!
A guy I knew at work drove a Corvette. Decided to get rid of that an buy an M-B SLK230. Had that 6 months and decided the seats were too hard on long trips and ride was too rough. Had his sights on a new Camry Solara convertible -- thought that would be cool. Then came to his senses and realized it wasn't really the right class or image. Ended up with a used 300ZX. Oh well, to each his own!
A much different look compared w/ the C230, no? Good luck with your new choice!
A guy I knew at work drove a Corvette. Decided to get rid of that an buy an M-B SLK230. Had that 6 months and decided the seats were too hard on long trips and ride was too rough. Had his sights on a new Camry Solara convertible -- thought that would be cool. Then came to his senses and realized it wasn't really the right class or image. Ended up with a used 300ZX. Oh well, to each his own!
After as many cars as I have owned I tend to vary my styles quite often.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
M3
Re: Coupe is gone
Originally posted by benzomonterey
Well ok not sure where this thread will lead. But I was browsing around the local auto mall on Saturday. Came across the 03 6spd Toyota Matrix XRS with the celica motor. I ended up driving away with a new red one.
The coupe was my first MB and I felt in the long term I just wasn't going to get the reliability I needed.
I hope you guys don't mind if I stick around. I love all the car conversation.
Benzo
Well ok not sure where this thread will lead. But I was browsing around the local auto mall on Saturday. Came across the 03 6spd Toyota Matrix XRS with the celica motor. I ended up driving away with a new red one.
The coupe was my first MB and I felt in the long term I just wasn't going to get the reliability I needed.
I hope you guys don't mind if I stick around. I love all the car conversation.
Benzo
The Matrix is DEFINITELY a neat car with good power at a VERY LOW price. The cool part is that it's made in ONTARIO which means that the quality will be good since Canadian auto workers are more skilled than U.S. Auto Workers. =)
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 863
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
03 W8 Passat Variant
Originally posted by Lynn
Nice car. Have you made and appointment at CST for two tone leather?
Nice car. Have you made and appointment at CST for two tone leather?
I am planning on grey or black with red inserts.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,607
Likes: 0
From: On a hill overlooking San Francisco Bay
c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
Originally posted by benzomonterey
haha it's in the works allready. You guys know me to well.
I am planning on grey or black with red inserts.
haha it's in the works allready. You guys know me to well.
I am planning on grey or black with red inserts.
Despite the fact this is an MB board....please post pictures.
Beth
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
From: All Around Dallas-Fort Worth
2002 C230K, 2001 Audi TT 225 Coupe
Thought about looking at those and then decided the styling would become dated in a couple of years. Hope not, for your sake. But it reminds me of what Mazda is doing with the Protege MX5 ? Sort of like a hybrid wagon/suv. Can't tell if that is just the japanese style a la mode or what. If you are keeping it for the long run, though, should work fine. Of course, if the Coupe doesn't work in the US, I'll be keeping mine for a long time as the resale would be like the 318ti. Hope not, for our sake.
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
2007 BMW 328xi sedan
I sold a 1995 318ti in Jan 2002 for $9500 with 91,000 miles on the odometer to a private party. I purchased it new in Oct 1995 for $23,000 even, better than 40% return. Pretty good resale value of a 6+ year old car if you ask me. Supply must have been low and demand high. Also, my buyer waited for the car for about 10 weeks while I waited for delivery of my new C230K. If you own a C230K, hope they don't sell too well - it props up the used market based on my 318ti experience.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
From: All Around Dallas-Fort Worth
2002 C230K, 2001 Audi TT 225 Coupe
Good to know as that was my biggest fear of buying the coupe - that MB would discontinue it in the USA. Europeans seems to like hatches but we don't like 'em half as much.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Is the new 325ti available in the US yet? I heard it's only 20k. That will hurt coupe sales with it's new 1.8L motor. Too bad the local BMW dealer doesn't do loaners and free car washes.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
2002 Lexus IS300 5-speed
Originally posted by Buellwinkle
Is the new 325ti available in the US yet? I heard it's only 20k. That will hurt coupe sales with it's new 1.8L motor. Too bad the local BMW dealer doesn't do loaners and free car washes.
Is the new 325ti available in the US yet? I heard it's only 20k. That will hurt coupe sales with it's new 1.8L motor. Too bad the local BMW dealer doesn't do loaners and free car washes.
First was the excessive wear of the soft top where they replace a brand new top (within the the first 6 months of the car), then there was the fuel gauge problem (jumps to empty sometimes: sounds familiar?
). Replaced and since then no other problem.I really hope that BMW will bring the 325ti over here. I have always like either two-seater coupe/convertible or hatchbacks. I guess because I didn't grow up in US so I don't think hatchbacks look cheap.
One of the reason I shy away from the 325ci.
Last edited by pixmation; May 28, 2002 at 02:37 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
From: All Around Dallas-Fort Worth
2002 C230K, 2001 Audi TT 225 Coupe
SOOOOOOO,
the decision over a car, BMW 325ti v. MB C230, hinges on free car washes?
Probably makes sense in some places.
But hopefully that is not the deciding factor.
Even though I've heard that some people in Dallas only buy a Lexus because Roger Sewell's people (the dealer) kisses every customer's butt any way they want.
the decision over a car, BMW 325ti v. MB C230, hinges on free car washes?
Probably makes sense in some places.
But hopefully that is not the deciding factor.
Even though I've heard that some people in Dallas only buy a Lexus because Roger Sewell's people (the dealer) kisses every customer's butt any way they want.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 867
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
2008 C300 Sport
Never thought to ask about car washes
Originally posted by Buellwinkle
Is the new 325ti available in the US yet? I heard it's only 20k. That will hurt coupe sales with it's new 1.8L motor. Too bad the local BMW dealer doesn't do loaners and free car washes.
Is the new 325ti available in the US yet? I heard it's only 20k. That will hurt coupe sales with it's new 1.8L motor. Too bad the local BMW dealer doesn't do loaners and free car washes.
Last I heard, BMW hasn't made a decision about sending the new hatch to the States. If there has been a change, I'm sure someone will correct me.
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
2007 BMW 328xi sedan
As far as I know, BMW has no plans to bring in a ti of any kind. If anything, they want to bring in a smaller 2 or even 1 series for around $20k, but this model will have price/performance/size ratios more suited to compete with Toyota Corollas and Honda Civics. I'd bet they probably studied and found that those that bought 318ti's were ripe to fork over for a 318i or 318is when the 318ti hit the scene at $5k cheaper, losing out on sales of thier own pricier sedans and coupes. Lesson learned; If they go down market, they need to protect sales of vehicles up their own line.
MB took a dangerous step in my opinion for MY2002, offering a c-coupe in a newer c-class chassis and a back seat for $10k cheaper than the SLK230 with the same engine. Realizing they were offering too much value, the coupe gets a smaller, less torquey and less expensive to produce, 1.8liter for 2003.
Sales of the 318ti steadily dropped once the novelty wore off and prices increased for the same car year to year. If MB offers less car at higher prices, which is what I would expect them to do, c-coupe sales will drop until they stop importing them altogether. With fewer c-coupes out there on the used market, resale value should be substantial.
MB took a dangerous step in my opinion for MY2002, offering a c-coupe in a newer c-class chassis and a back seat for $10k cheaper than the SLK230 with the same engine. Realizing they were offering too much value, the coupe gets a smaller, less torquey and less expensive to produce, 1.8liter for 2003.
Sales of the 318ti steadily dropped once the novelty wore off and prices increased for the same car year to year. If MB offers less car at higher prices, which is what I would expect them to do, c-coupe sales will drop until they stop importing them altogether. With fewer c-coupes out there on the used market, resale value should be substantial.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,588
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, BC, Canada
2010 Prius & Miata MX5 PRHT, 2010 Toyota Venza AWD, 05 C55 AMG, Yamaha 1100 Custom, Honda 250 Reflex
Congratulations on your new Matrix, benzomonterey!
Took delivery of our XRS Matrix (automatic, Titanium Met.) last week of February and love it!
Was surprised just how much attention the car gets. Now that I have 4,000+ Kms on it, it is a surprising agile little wagon.
Was surprised just how much attention the car gets. Now that I have 4,000+ Kms on it, it is a surprising agile little wagon.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Originally posted by Duffer
SOOOOOOO,
the decision over a car, BMW 325ti v. MB C230, hinges on free car washes?
SOOOOOOO,
the decision over a car, BMW 325ti v. MB C230, hinges on free car washes?
