'10 C300 vs '13 Altima 3.5SV vs '10 CTS AWD
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 803
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From: Bay Area, CA
2011 C300 Sport, P1, MM, Wood, Heated FS, DIY rearview camera.
Everyboday is different. For me, given these three to choose, I'd have to take Altima. Reason is I do not like domestic cars at least for now, and I do not buy used cars although I like C300 much better.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 63
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2012 C300 4Matic
It's tough to put oneself in your shoes, understanding exactly what combination of status and fun you want. But, I think there is another option which should at least be considered. VW Jetta GLI.....no, not the regular disappointing Jetta with cheap interior and suspension...the real car, the GLI, which has gotten some very good reviews for being a fun car, especially with a stick. It is larger than the C in almost every dimension (although, notably, not wheelbase, being front wheel drive), but not as large as Altima or CTS. If you like the C, there is something about the feel of German cars which the Altima (as good as it appears to be from all reports) just doesn't deliver. For similar economics as you are considering, you get a new car with warranty and not facing a range of maintenance/replacement part issues.
The 2.0t is great engine.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2012
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Appreciate every ones input. After further consideration - I have come up with another option instead of the C300. What about the '08/'09 E350 4M? I should be able to get a nice one with no more than 50K M for around the same ballpark price as the other two? What do you guys think? I should also post this in the W211 forum to see what the W211 experts have to say...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
Appreciate every ones input. After further consideration - I have come up with another option instead of the C300. What about the '08/'09 E350 4M? I should be able to get a nice one with no more than 50K M for around the same ballpark price as the other two? What do you guys think? I should also post this in the W211 forum to see what the W211 experts have to say...
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
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From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
Yeah, seriously. I would never put "fun to drive" and E350 in the same sentence.
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Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Toronto
my wife bananas! :D
i have a 2010 E350 as a loaner right now. its definitely roomier and more luxurious but your mindset driving it vs driving a C is night and day. like others have said, the experience is different.
btw, why buy into a 1 generation old car now. in a couple years, it'll be 2 gen old.
btw, why buy into a 1 generation old car now. in a couple years, it'll be 2 gen old.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
Another possible option would be the new Caddy ATS. It is smaller than CTS, but interior volume is still larger than a C-class, and supposedly it handles very well. With a 3.6 V6, it should be pretty fun, alas no manual trans is available with this particular engine. And it's brand new, so you wouldn't be able to buy a used one at this point.
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Newbie
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4
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From: Palmetto Bay, FL
2011 C300 6spd manual
We also have a 2WD CTS in our family and I have to say that I do like it. It is slightly bigger, feels slightly faster (but I don't know if it is) and the handling seems a little crisper. The seats are more comfortable as well than my 2011 C300.
However, it is a different car and experience. Like someone else said, take the cars for a ride.
However, it is a different car and experience. Like someone else said, take the cars for a ride.
