tampagirl4life

Hi Everyone

I am new to the MB board and just recently had the pleasure to drive my friends C300 and all I can say is Wow! I am not one to buy a car for options as long as I can plug up my iphone I'm happy. I typically buy what I like on the outside of the car and when I bought my IS it was all I could think about. Don't get me wrong it is a great ride but there was a smoothness to the C300 that I found appealing as well as the exterior that I just fell in love with. After looking at the Mercedes Benz website I am deciding between the 2011 C300 or GLK. I do have a 1yr old and wanted to get advise on which one is more of a family car. I know most might not use this as a family car but anyone who does your advise will be appreciated. Also, when is the best time to buy a 2011? I read an article on Edmunds that mentioned Labor Day is the best day of the year to buy a car. Not sure if that is true. I also wouldn't mind getting a 2010 with low miles. Does anyone know what the 2010's are going for right now? Thanks in advance for your advise.

fefo25

I have a 2010 C300, also have a baby and let me be the first to tell u this.is not a roomy car. We fit but not as comfortable as we would like but what the heck..love the car

Sportstick

If, by family, car you mean two adults in the front, and one child in the rear, the C should be fine, and will be more enjoyable to drive due to the lower center of gravity. But, I might advise the GLK, as the elevated ride height would make loading and unloading your 1 year old and the car seat easier. However, the reliability data on the C vs. the GLK are surprisingly different, with the GLK not doing nearly as well as the C.

Depending on the size of your child, you may be getting close to turning him/her around to face forward from the center rear position. (Don't do that until he/she outgrows the ability to sit facing rearward.) But, once that does happen within the next year, a forward facing child seat will fit more easily than a rear-facing seat, and the C should be just fine. Take your preferred forward facing seat (bought it yet?) and stroller to the showroom and check out the trunk.

The possible pinch point could be when/if child number two comes along, and you have a rearward facing seat alongside a forward facing seat, which might require you to use both rear outboard positions due to the width of the child seats. In that case, you would need to anticipate how well the rearward facing seat fits directly behind the driver or front passenger. Again, bring the hardware to the showroom to try it out.

Good luck with your choice. I'm closer to grandpa status but well remember those days, although we solved it with a minivan.

tampagirl4life

Thanks sportstick. Very helpful information. We are a family of 4. My oldest son rarely rides with me as he is picked up from school by my husband. I will definitely take the carseat with me to the showroom when I go. My son will be 2 on you wouldn't believe 9/11. I remember turning to my husband and saying I think its time and he replied your kidding. When he was born I told my husband that our son will be a beautiful light on a dark day. Sorry about getting off topic like that not sure if that is allowed. Back on topic. I do find it a little hard getting him out of my IS as I have to pretty much get in the back seat to remove him from the center. Definitely something to consider.

Sportstick

Very poignant...lost two folks I knew that day.....anyway.....

the good news about the ages of your kids is that you are on the verge of two forward facing seats for the rear, if ever necessary, and that should fit fairly well...just requires some bending to load/unload, and I'm sure you're used to that by now! Meanwhile, you will keep climbing in/out a bit in a C, as the center rear is clearly the best position for carrying just one child....most centrally located to protect from crush in any direction.

SuPERSaK

Get a E class and that would solve the back seat issue. Yeah it's a little bit more expensive but your getting a lot more car.

My next car I am hoping I can find a good deal on is a low mile 2010 E63. Found one local for $80K with 12K miles.

Sorry to get off topic but I say the C is good for a not too tall family =o) sorry if that didn't help lol

2nice4me

I have 2 kids (13 and 6) and I just got my second C300. before getting this second one I was looking at various cars.

I liked the IS2/350 but it seemed slightly smaller (I haven't measured), Lexus ES didn't come close to the C, Lexus RX350 was my second choice but while driving it i still was not convinced. I don't like the "no feel" steering that Toyota's have.

Anyway, for a family of four the C is sufficient, we drive to Portland every few months (5,5 hrs each way) and the car drives NICE, kids don't have problems with leg room, somehow my oldest manages to lie down (fetal position) while still having the booster seat in place. About the GLK, it won't give you much extra legroom in the back, the distances are similar to the C's (2"s)

My 6 year old shoes can kick the front passenger seat but it hasnt been a problem, just more wiping

Anyway, i highly recommend the C

Stevedotmil

I just paid 28,700 for my 2010 with 11,900 miles on it. The only options I have is heated seats. I have the manual also. 3 of my 4 sons are old enough to not have to worry about a car seat and two of them are teenagers and they fit back there just fine. I also have a minivan.

Straße

Witchcraft... What did it come with?

Stevedotmil

Standard features. The only options listed was the Sport package and heated seats. Manual transmission as well.

I have the original window stickers.

tampagirl4life

Thanks for the replies. I am really not a big fan of the E350. It's nice but it doesn't really grab my attention. As far as trips and vacations go we normally take my husbands escalade. So primarily it will be my little and myself riding in the C300. Wow the GLK doesn't have much backseat room. I didn't know that. Stevedotmil...that was a great price for the 2010. Do you think it is good time to buy the 2010 now or wait till the end of year?

Thanks

Stevedotmil

Memorial day weekend is always a good time to buy and that's weekend after next.

AskDrTodd

Just wanted to say what's up from Tampa! You're in 'Nawlins now?

tanktube67

I Think the GLK is a better option for you, right now you need to Carrie a stroller diaper bag and all the goodies that a baby requires.

supernsx

My wife drives our C300 with my two young kids without any space problem. GLK probably gives you more space and better visibility of the road but will not handle as well as the C.

Btw, the 2012 model (facelift with much nicer interior) is coming soon and if you can wait, may be you should take a look of that before buying. I think the used car price of the pre-2012 will also dip a bit after the 2012 model comes out since many folks will opts for the newer model.

AZN Optics

Both C and GLK will suit your needs for a normal 4 people family really. The GLK might be slightly better though because of the higher ground clearance makes it easier to take care of kids sitting in the back when parked (fastening them in, cleaning up, etc without bending too far down). They're both great cars though.

Matt_Eurojerks

If I had a family I would get a GLK. I love them but have no use for them.

Sportstick

As I alluded to earlier, if all things were equal, the GLK certainly is more practical. But, compare the data in these two links. You may not want to chance getting to know your service advisor this much better.

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/ratings...sover-and-suv/

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/ratings...y-premium-car/

Stevedotmil

Great point indeed.

tampagirl4life

AskDrTodd...I miss home alot. My husband and I are both from Tampa but he is stationed here in New Orleans so we only get to visit home maybe 3-4 times a year. Well I took a long lunch today and went to the Mercedes Dealership in Metaire, LA and I have to say the GLK does not have as much room as one would think. Out of the two it did seem that it would be easier to remove my son from the carseat with the GLK. They both drove really well but my husband said hands down the C300 was a better drive than the GLK. When we went back inside he then showed us a picture of the 2012 C and I have to say that I dont like it as much as the 2011. The changes are subtle but I think it was the headlights that seemed really different to me. How about you all? Do you like the changes in the new 2012 c300?

Stevedotmil

I like the changes that they are doing to the new 12 C. I especially like the headlight/LED fogs and the interior.