Is the Mercedes C-Class Really Worth the Cost of Admission?

By Jim Hamel

Jim Hamel

BIO

I am now the editor for one of High Gear Media's newest and most exciting sites called "InsiderCarReviews.com." I road test brand new vehicles each... More

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2008 Mercedes Benz C Class 3.0L Sport 4MATIC AWD

I live in South Orange County and have joked many times that they must hand out C-class sedans to everyone when they move here. I guess mine got lost in the mail. And while most C-class owners would find this sort of insult to be derisive due to the fact I make less money than they do I can also claim that if I made that much money I would always buy a 3-series. But that is all a matter of taste.

There really is nothing wrong with this car. It is solidly built and was the best looking Mercedes sedan in the lineup until the far more angular yet somehow sexy 2010 E-class came along. I fear it may have made the older C-class look just a tad bit dumpier thanks to the return of its older brother fresh from the plastic surgeon.

With a very savvy starting price just under $33,000, this means that you can either get a top of the line Accord with every option or a completely stripped out C-class. And with constant lease deals always flying out of Mercedes dealers the possibility of having something with the three pointed star in your driveway is highly likely. Yes, even in this economy.

If you do want all the toys like navigation, Bluetooth, ipod connectivity and full leather you have to pony up thousands extra (arent these things standard on Kias now?). The basic engine is a 3.0 liter 228 horsepower V6 which has adequate get up and go but if you want to have a little more fun go for the C350. It is nowhere near as quick as the BMW 335i (which has 300 horsepower) but the 3.5 liter in the Mercedes can still be fun with its 268 horses always ready and willing to assist should the need arise.

Everything about driving this car is very polite and relaxed (bar the voice used in the COMAND navigation system which sounds a lot like Boris Karloff). The doors shut with a solid thud and apparently they can each support the weight of six 200 pound men. Or one 1200 pound man. Oh yes, and if you are completely mad you can go for the AMG C63 with 457 horsepower. With that you will need new rear tires every three minutes.

The interior of the C-class is solidly built if a bit austere for the price. But havent Mercedes interiors always had that cold, German austerity down pat? Pretty much. It sort of goes together like Beer and sauerkraut. Just make sure you get the far classier black interior. The beige interior will only make you look like a real estate agent named Barbra who loves to wear hoop earrings. A million apologies to real estate agents named Barbra.

But the really exciting part about this latest C-class is that it finally figured out who it is. It realized it would never be a sporty spice like the BMW or a sexy spice like an Audi. While the steering and handling keep the C-class fun to drive the ride always maintains a sense or auditory and sensory repose in the interior. I guess then that would make the C-class posh spice.