Mr_Clifton

Do you actually have any questions about the C class? Or was I right about this being a "hey, look at me" thread? Because if you actually have questions about the C class, I have one and I'm more than happy to answer questions about them. Like features, how much maintenance has cost over the past 5 years, etc. They're great cars, it's why I come here, to read about and discuss C classes

Quadcammer

well, that was an interesting turn of events.

We have a 22 year old property development magnate that was instructed by a dealer to beat on an S63 on a "private road". He also believes house parties without parents around don't involve booze/weed whatever because of societal norms in canada.

We then have an OP who apparently is self made and very successful despite meager financial upbringings. He somehow doesn't realize that this struggle is what made him who he is today and decides instead of a 204 for $50k, a $90k S7 is a better choice. I'm sure your son is thrilled.

Then we have the people suggesting the kid gets a early 90s beater.

Call me a moderate, but even for a wealthy person, what is wrong with getting a kid a 3-8 year old 3 series coupe? Fun...sporty...safe, but not ridiculous. 75% of the population would consider that an amazing car.

Just because you could, doesn't mean you should...

JaredP

Why buy used if you don't have to? You gain nothing, but open yourself to a potential maintenance nightmare. Relatively, a 3 series is still modest, and buying used could be a needless time sink for OP and his son.

Quadcammer

On the same token, why buy new if you don't have any need to.

A used 3 series is 20k, a new one is 50k. It being cheap is kind of the point.

a 3 series is not a complex vehicle...especially not an E46 3 series. Maintenance nightmare? doubtful. And if it is, great chance for the kid to learn that high end cars are pricey to fix. perhaps he can pay for it himself.

Andriy242

You know everyone is focusing on what kind of parenting and not at all on cars.
I will throw in my 2cents.

You clearly can afford to get him any of those cars so lets brake it down.
2014 MB C350 4Matic
2014 Chrysler 300 SRT8
2014 Audi S4

Right off the bat I would cross off a 300 srt8 since it to me just doesn't feel as nice or prestigious as the benz and the audi.

So
2014 MB C350 4Matic
2014 Audi S4

Here is my thought. If you think he is going to want to do work on the car and just make it unique and custom (not just basic little things), I would personally go with the S4.

If you are going with the C350 4matic, then i would say go with the c63 amg (pass on your car to him? and you get an e63 amg s?) hahaha. But yea the c63 is not 4matic so snow and rain, he might get a little sketched out if he isn't as skilled of a driver as some people might be (experience based).

I feel like the Benz is more of a high power cruiser and, yea you can make it look good and sporty, but it is still shown as a "hey i got money and I own a benz" Its a prestigious status to say the least, and it just seems like it is a power, quiet and comfortable cruiser.

The S4 on the other hand will be a louder and more of a tuner car really. It looks like a legit aggressive sports sedan, that you can throw around a bend and come out laughing because that's just the way it is.

If I had that kind of money this would be my deciding factors.


C-class seats




S4 Seats


See what I mean? I personally like the S4 seats because of that sport look, but I am not the biggest fan of their interior. Either way, think about what kind of person your son is.

Is he more into tuner high power cars, or more of luxury power and status type of car.

5634MG

Really? Wow. I never said I was a magnate...thought I wish I were. The only reason I did that was because the dealer first did it to show me the potential of the car. I honestly was impressed and wanted to try it myself; have I done so on a public road? No, absolutely not. Regarding the house party - my bad, I shouldn't have mentioned that it was based on societal differences between the States and Canada just because I've never experienced it before. Pardon my ignorance.

5634MG

Now back to actual cars. If the OP is still considering the C350, he can get a great deal on the remaining inventory. I recently had a C350 coupe as a courtesy car and the exhaust note was one of the better sounding non-amg stock exhausts form MB.

Also, will dealer cars for the new c class arrive by august? Cause that's when the OP's son needs the car.

w204_Generic

The irony.........



Anyways, to answer your questioning assumption stated here:

I simply received this car in CPO status, thus making my car in a price range suitable for the "typical teenage first car."

Sportstick

I feel I need to take umbrage at this comment. Certainly, jealousy is ugly and petty wherever it appears, but it is not limited to this forum, although some members made it obvious.

However, several of us responded to your request for parenting advice and gave sincere and heartfelt effort to share our experience, likely most of us further down the parenting road than having a 16 year old. You did not choose to reply to my input, which is your prerogative, but I don't think we should all be subject to the broad brush of being "hostile". We are just trying to point out from our collective experiences that you are on a potentially, albeit not necessarily, perilous course, and other approaches than yours over time have had higher likelihood of good outcomes for children. Once again, best wishes for you and your son, no matter what is your decision on how to shape his values.

5634MG

Do note that I said it was under the supervision of others on a privately owned road. I said that I don't do such things on a public road.

Also, this discussion wasn't about price but rather the car itself so whether or not your car was a CPO is irrelevant.

w204_Generic

Must I show the quote again? To my understanding, you are referring price to my car.....

Also, I would also like to know what kind of private road this was. In other words, how long the road was, to the extent of you to be able to floor the car.

5634MG

Alright, let me correct myself. I wasn't talking about myself but rather what the OP and other people were talking about on the first page. I apologize for any confusion. Also, just because I said floor it doesn't mean that I held the pedal down until it reached its top speed. I simple stepped on it past kickdown for approximately 2-3 seconds before slowing down. How long was the road? How am I supposed to know? Do you go out and measure every the length of every single road you drive on? I don't think so, but I can say that the road was more than sufficient to allow both my dealer and I to perform the tasks safely. Might I also add that the road is used for the AMG performance driving academy other than to test performance vehicles.

Glyn M Ruck

Guys ~ calm down or we will calm you down.

5634MG

Clearly, I was trying to divert the thread back to its original intent but others insisted on nitpicking tiny irrelevant details. Just like my initial post on page 2 (?), I attempted to steer forum members from making unjustified assumptions.

victort

I don't think the assumptions were unjust. Op mentioned that the child threw a party without their permission, that already shows irresponsibility. Then he mentions that his son gets a B average on school. I hardly imagine that's very difficult to achieve. There is a reason why insurance is so much more expensive for young drivers. I hated that when I was younger, but looking back, I did some not so smart things behind the wheel. I'm not saying ALL kids are like that, just the majority of them are. The op even asked for parenting advice in his post, so I don't understand why he's all bent out of shape when he doesn't agree to the advice given. If he wants to get his son an S7 or whatever car he wants, go ahead. It's his money afterall and his prerogative. I've seen plenty of spoiled kids myself that gets expensive cars and goes out and does something stupid, but they don't even care because daddy has so much money to fix any problems. Living in socal, there are plenty of teenagers driving Bentleys and Ferrari. Yea, I get a little jealous, but I stopped caring by the time I get to the next light.

w204_Generic

Flooring the car for 2-3 seconds good joke!

The road must've been small.

5634MG

Honestly, what's with the sarcasm? I'm just telling the truth. 2-3 seconds is actually longer than what you think, especially with a vehicle with 563 bhp and 664 lb-ft of torque.

5634MG

Have you ever been to an AMG performance driving academy camp? Clearly not.

Are you going to an Ivy League university? Clearly not.

If you're going to be so rude towards me and make so many assumptions, I can equally do the same.

5634MG

Someone needs to close this thread. It's gone out of hand.

w204_Generic

And so it explains......teenagers spoiled and handed expensive cars also like to brag.

5634MG

So are you going to an Ivy League university this fall?

MBNUT1

Jeez that's the best you can do? What a tightwad. Come on Dad step up to the plate..... Think Ferrari 458