C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

Racking up miles on the AMG, need commuter

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 06-26-2006, 03:44 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
doofoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Bowie, MD
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
03 C32 AMG Blk/Blk
Racking up miles on the AMG, need commuter

As the title says, I am racking up miles on the C32 and it's costing me a arm and a leg for gas, and after the warranty is up (100k) I'm going to be screwed.

So.. I'm looking for a NEW commuter car. 2006 or 2007 model year, good gas milage and possibly nav if possible? Any suggestions guys?

20-21k Max.
Old 06-26-2006, 03:46 PM
  #2  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
jgsx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
04 C32
C55?
Old 06-26-2006, 03:49 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
doofoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Bowie, MD
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
03 C32 AMG Blk/Blk
Originally Posted by jgsx
C55?
I knew someone was going to say that. lol I like my C32 though.. Want to keep it and get a beater.
Old 06-26-2006, 04:04 PM
  #4  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
jgsx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
04 C32
Originally Posted by doofoo
I knew someone was going to say that. lol I like my C32 though.. Want to keep it and get a beater.
If you're looking for a beater, a honda/acura is the way to go. cheap, and they never break (if you leave them stock that is).
Old 06-26-2006, 04:30 PM
  #5  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
360_iti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Posts: 2,255
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
W203, W211, W219, W212
Nothing beats the japs in reliability. Acura TSX, TL ?
Old 06-26-2006, 04:36 PM
  #6  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
pshek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Diamond Bar & Anaheim, CA
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
2003 C-Class Sportcoupe
I drove an '05 Toyota Prius for about 4 months before I got my C32 coupe back. It's a great commuter car. Very comfortable and roomy. I'd recommend a hybrid car. My C32 coupe drinks gas. Since Saturday, I've been getting about 18 MPG.
Old 06-26-2006, 04:51 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
doofoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Bowie, MD
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
03 C32 AMG Blk/Blk
Again, only 20k to spend. What I have in mind are the following:

Civic Coupe
Mazda 3 Hatch
VW Rabbit

Any others? I averaged 19mpg on my C32 over the past 2500miles.
Old 06-26-2006, 05:09 PM
  #8  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
advans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: New York City
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
C55 ///AMG, 535xi
if you have a lil extra money, A3 2.0T?

if not, maybe the new golf/jetta
Civic hybrid (if u really need to save on gas)
New Sentra (the one that looks like a maxima)
Maybe a scion!? those are cheap
Old 06-26-2006, 05:21 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
doofoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Bowie, MD
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
03 C32 AMG Blk/Blk
Originally Posted by advans
if you have a lil extra money, A3 2.0T?

if not, maybe the new golf/jetta
Civic hybrid (if u really need to save on gas)
New Sentra (the one that looks like a maxima)
Maybe a scion!? those are cheap
Really wish I had the cash for a A3 or GTI. They are a little more than I want to spend. Another I just added to the mix was a VW Rabbit.

I'll look into the Sentra. I had a Scion xB but just gave it to my brother.
Old 06-26-2006, 05:24 PM
  #10  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
jgsx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
04 C32
At last go for an Integra or TSX or whatever that Integra replacement was called. Diving a civic after driving a benz is gonna suck
Old 06-26-2006, 06:12 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
doofoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Bowie, MD
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
03 C32 AMG Blk/Blk
Originally Posted by jgsx
At last go for an Integra or TSX or whatever that Integra replacement was called. Diving a civic after driving a benz is gonna suck
lol yeah it will. I'm keeping the Benz though. It's not a replacement car, just turning my C32 into more of a weekend car to keep the mileage down.

I think the RSX replaced the Integra. They start at over 20k, so it's a bit much unless I can find a CPO RSX/TSX for 20k OTD.
Old 06-26-2006, 06:21 PM
  #12  
Super Moderator Alumni
 
ScottW911's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Southern Cal
Posts: 4,539
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
Ok, you want cheap, economical...one word: Yugo.
Old 06-26-2006, 06:37 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
doofoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Bowie, MD
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
03 C32 AMG Blk/Blk
Originally Posted by ScottW911
Ok, you want cheap, economical...one word: Yugo.
I didn't know there was a 2006/7 model.
Old 06-26-2006, 07:28 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Glasgow Gold's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
'03 C32
Like the Mazda 3 idea and, if you're willing to go used, don't forget about the ultimate "affordable and reliable performance sleeper," the Subaru Legacy GT.

Latest body style already surfacing for low $20ks. 250hp, can be had in a manual, full time AWD, very reliable and quite stealth (no crazy wings like STi).

That gets you a reasonably priced, fairly upscale, dependable car with decent gas mileage and not near as big a step down in performance from C32 as some of the other choices being thrown about.
Old 06-26-2006, 07:29 PM
  #15  
MBworld Guru
 
FrankW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Diamond Bar, CA
Posts: 22,007
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
white and whiter
Originally Posted by doofoo
Again, only 20k to spend. What I have in mind are the following:

Civic Coupe
Mazda 3 Hatch
VW Rabbit

Any others? I averaged 19mpg on my C32 over the past 2500miles.
mazda 3 or mazda 5 or golf/rabbit would be my choice.

Last edited by FrankW; 06-26-2006 at 09:44 PM.
Old 06-26-2006, 08:48 PM
  #16  
Super Moderator Alumni
 
ScottW911's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Southern Cal
Posts: 4,539
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
Originally Posted by doofoo
I didn't know there was a 2006/7 model.
I was assuming that, since you were looking at a Rabbit, you might be interested in late '80's econo-boxes. If you are looking for new, wouldn't you be considering a Golf?
Old 06-26-2006, 11:48 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
doofoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Bowie, MD
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
03 C32 AMG Blk/Blk
Originally Posted by ScottW911
I was assuming that, since you were looking at a Rabbit, you might be interested in late '80's econo-boxes. If you are looking for new, wouldn't you be considering a Golf?
Well the Rabbit is new for 2007. The Golf is going out this year, and is being replaced as far as I can understand. I would like to get a GTI with the DSG, but think it'll be a bit too much.

Pretty much down to the Civic/Mazda3/Rabbit... Ugh, will go test drive and hopefully come home with something tomorrow.
Old 06-27-2006, 12:33 AM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
beemaze's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
C63 / ////AMG
Yeah, I've got a Civic Hybrid - reliable, but slow, great gas mileage 37 mpg in real world driving. It's nothing like a Benz....
Old 06-27-2006, 12:43 AM
  #19  
Super Member
 
alumar's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Troy, IL (near St. Louis, MO)
Posts: 725
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 1 Post
2019 E63s AMG
Im selling my wife's old commuter.

2004 Mazda 6i (4cyl) - 4 door
34,000 miles - oil changed every 3k or lower
Absolute showroom condition
Metallic Silver with Grey Cloth
Power Windows/Locks
6disk in dash
A/C - Rear Def
17" Alloy Wheels
35% Tint Professional back doors and rear.

13,800.00
Old 06-27-2006, 12:45 AM
  #20  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
rlee02135's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Boston
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
2004 C32 ///AMG
how about a used c230 sports coupe?
or put 20 grand into the c32 and enjoy
Old 06-27-2006, 04:42 AM
  #21  
Super Member
 
IdriveFast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Irvine, California
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
C32 AMG
Originally Posted by rlee02135
how about a used c230 sports coupe?
or put 20 grand into the c32 and enjoy
to be honest an 03 C32 isnt worth that much. unless you plan to keep the beater for a really really long time, you should just drive out the C32 and pay the gas money.

but if you plan to keep the beater for a while, i wouldnt buy anything that makes you feel like you are slumming.

if you think an A3 or a GTI is too much maybe get a used 06 or 05.
Old 06-27-2006, 07:30 AM
  #22  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
doofoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Bowie, MD
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
03 C32 AMG Blk/Blk
Originally Posted by IdriveFast
to be honest an 03 C32 isnt worth that much. unless you plan to keep the beater for a really really long time, you should just drive out the C32 and pay the gas money.

but if you plan to keep the beater for a while, i wouldnt buy anything that makes you feel like you are slumming.

if you think an A3 or a GTI is too much maybe get a used 06 or 05.
It's not that the C32 is worth some crazy amount of money, I just enjoy the car and plan to keep it for a while. So I'd like to keep it under the warranty until it expires in 2008/9 I think it is. Otherwise I'll be paying out the *** for work that would otherwise be covered under the 100k warranty.

I've been looking for a user A3/GTI (2006 model), but can't seem to find any.
Old 06-27-2006, 09:25 AM
  #23  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
doofoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Bowie, MD
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
03 C32 AMG Blk/Blk
Well I just upped myself to 25k or there abouts.. Should be able to find a A3/GTI or something else decent, maybe a CPO.
Old 06-27-2006, 10:18 AM
  #24  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Fifth Ring's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
C32 AMG
Big mistake buying a "new" beater. Why have two cars depreciating like old fruit? Get a 2 or 3 year old car with remaining factory warranty. I agree with the Acura/Honda folks, although in terms of enjoying the ride, you might be happy in the new Mazda 3.

That said, you shouldn't deprive yourself of the benefits of driving the C32. Yes, it costs more to own and drive, but the cost has its benefits. If you're going with a two-car strategy, maybe you should start with a clean sheet. One beater and one fun car, like a Boxster.
Old 06-27-2006, 10:44 AM
  #25  
Super Member
 
IdriveFast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Irvine, California
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
C32 AMG
Originally Posted by doofoo
It's not that the C32 is worth some crazy amount of money, I just enjoy the car and plan to keep it for a while. So I'd like to keep it under the warranty until it expires in 2008/9 I think it is. Otherwise I'll be paying out the *** for work that would otherwise be covered under the 100k warranty.

I've been looking for a user A3/GTI (2006 model), but can't seem to find any.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Audi-...01111048QQrdZ1

i think this particular A3 is fwd though, but a awd A3 shouldnt be too hard to locate. You should defintely beable to find a AWD A3 for 25k. goodluck


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Racking up miles on the AMG, need commuter



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:24 AM.