C300Kid

I'm Kyle...21 year old college dude that loves cars. I drive an '06 Cooper S right now and I've been casually car shopping for the past couple months. I was pretty set on a BMW (either the 1 or 3 series) but the new C300 sport is just SO nice looking for an entry level Benz. I have to at least give it a look before I decide. I haven't driven one yet, so I'm hoping it's sporty enough for me. I like a nice firm ride, while still maintaining comfort.

Anyway, I'm looking to spend about $30k for a stripper with a manual. I've done a lot of searching on this forum and others and it seems that this figure is pretty reasonable. Is it not? They seem to be willing to deal on these cars. I emailed a local dealer with my offer, so I hope to hear back soon and get in for a test drive.

If anyone has any advice for me feel free to share!

tanktube67

Welcome to MBW

C300Sport

You should be able to do that in this market. I got an 08 with multi-CD changer, metallic paint and I-pod adapter for 29K. Take one for a spin and if you like it, you should be able to talk them down.

mac911

If you could find an 08, you could probably get a couple more options for 30.

Otherwise, it probably is still doable. It will be hard to find a manual transmission car though, or harder. You might have to order, but maybe with some work you could find one.

It is a very nice car.

I like that you see a few less of these than the 3 series. Furthermore, a MB is a bit more about easy to drive, quiet, on a cloud, etc. type of feeling. It's really a nice feeling when you drive, plus it scoots fast too, when you want to.

C300Kid

thanks for the responses!

webada

As long as you don't go out and try to race a WRX or Evo, that's reserved for c63. ;-)

c300 is a perfect choice for sporty/comfort feel. But the 3 series is really a nice drive, alot more fun than the c-class. I can pull a almost any turn without understeering, can't say the same for the c. However, the interior feels cheaper and overall less luxurious. Honestly, I could have gone for both but the decision breaker was the c-class look. I guess another words, I traded comfort and looks for performance, that's how I looked at it.

C300Kid

So is the C300 Sport more along the lines of the Audi A4? Kinda straddles the line between a 328i and a Lexus IS as far as sportiness.

If the C300 is Lexus sterile, I know I wont like it.

webada

never test drove the new A4 so I couldn't say. but compared with the last generation, C300 beats A4 ride hands down. As far as Lexus, I assumed you meant the is250? 250 makes alot noise, quick and short gas pedal makes it all seem faster and nimble but actually not.

here is a bummer: with all the discounts going on now, you have have a 335i with premium pkg, sports pkg, for about 5-6k more than the similar equipped c300 and at 0.9 APR from bmw.... sigh.....

edit:
oh, forgot to mention, everyone drives differently, different roads, weather conditions, traffic patterns... etc. Your best bet is to go and test drive every car on your shopping list. Its the best way to make up your mind. ie, reading all the numbers/specs and reviews, I was dead sure that G35 would blow me away... well, it didn't... failed to impressed me. Perhaps I didn't drove it hard enough during the test drive but it just wasn't for me.

C300Kid

Well I'd want a stripper C300 sport vs. a stripper 328i sport. The 328i sport starts at a coupe grand more than the C300 to begin with, and people here seem to be getting a lot more $$$ off msrp than people are getting off the '09 bimmers. The 0.9% is great, but the higher savings and MBs still good 4.9% for 66 mos make the benz somewhat cheaper.

Fwiw, the 328i withOUT sport package is about 34k with dest. I got them to knock $2k off, bringing it to $32k. I'm pretty sure a C300 sport w/ manual can be had for about $2k less.

mac911

You really should test drive the C300.

It isn't Lexus sterile I assure you.

There is something about the German cars.

I love driving my C300. Just this weekend I got to have some more fun than usual with it, and I really enjoyed myself. It's a great car to drive, however again you may want to test drive them to compare.

Also, again, one of the factors for me was that C-Classes seem a little less popular than 3 series, so people (including myself) are a bit more taken aback, when they see the Mercedes.

webada

so true... its still a head turner for sure, as many as there are in NJ/NYC area (and the number is growing)

one time near northen NJ, I pulled to a stop and checking out the driver in a c300, it was an old lady (probably in the 50s) were in a luxury edition.... I am so glad that MB decided to make them look distinctive enough.... I don't think she recognized my car to be the same.

C300Kid

I emailed a local dealer and said I was fairly limited to around $30k, and asked what they could do. He replied back that it was unreasonable.

I mean, BMW has 0.9% apr + willingness to knock a lot of $$$ off sticker on 09s, + they're faster, more more fun to drive, and have better resale.

I would think that MB should be able to get me into a C300 for the same price or less than I could get into a 328i for...

I'll contact a few more dealers and see how it goes. I LOVE the styling of the MBZ, but i'm not willing to pay MORE for it than a BMW.

mac911

Yeah, I'd contact more dealers or even more people at the same dealer. Try the fleet managers and the dealerships too. Some of them are good.

It can be hard to find a good dealer.

C300Kid

fleet managers?