What kind of car do you drive?

Looks like they are trying to appeal to BUICK buyers.

when I first saw the new C-class, I was stunned. The new front fascia looks GORGEOUS. Moving to the rear of the car, it looks terrible. Honda Civic tailights just don't work on Mercedes's, I wonder why. What happened to the classic-shape Mercedes taillight that has been on the previous C, CL, and S classes? The rear end is really what kills this car - it's very unstylish. The front end looks like it could pass off as a S class or the Ocean Drive concept, but the rear end - like previously stated - is that of a Honda Civic. Sorry, Mercedes, but it's true.

I would agree this car is boring for the target market. I just purchased an 07 TL type S over the 335i and lexus IS350 simply because I felt it had a lot more to over comparatively. The navigation/voice features work flawlessly and are easy to use (touch screen). Everything is well integrated, all buttons are in intelligent places, and the car is well powered. I have the 6 speed manual and to me it put even the 335i to rest as far as performance was concerned. If you're considering a new car soon, check out the type S, youll be plesantly surprised. (get black and tint the windows....youll make batman jealous). I'd love to see what a review of the typs S would look like as well, I honestly couldnt find a good one when I was looking to buy, so I think it would help a lot of people consider a worth while car.

I would agree this car is boring for the target market. I just purchased an 07 TL type S over the 335i and lexus IS350 simply because I felt it had a lot more to over comparatively. The navigation/voice features work flawlessly and are easy to use (touch screen). Everything is well integrated, all buttons are in intelligent places, and the car is well powered. I have the 6 speed manual and to me it put even the 335i to rest as far as performance was concerned. If you're considering a new car soon, check out the type S, youll be plesantly surprised. (get black and tint the windows....youll make batman jealous). I'd love to see what a review of the typs S would look like as well, I honestly couldnt find a good one when I was looking to buy, so I think it would help a lot of people consider a worth while car.

"There is absolutely no point for this feature and it fails to replace a manual."

Ummm...ever downshift to pass another car? Sounds like a good use for this feature. Also, I really don't think MB was trying to replace the functionality of a manual with the autoshift feature. I guess they figured (perhaps based on sales of previous model) that their customers just don't want manual transmissions. Based on what's on the pre-owned listings, I'd have to agree.

Why buy an Acura when you can just buy the cheaper Honda version? Or go buy the same car with standard leather seats and pay a lot more.

God... you buy a BMW because it's different and doesn't share parts with a cheaper brand. Oh and it's not FWD. Handles quite different and it costs more to build RWD cars.

If youre complaining about the fwd giving torque steer the six speed has non to mention. The engine in the acura (type s) is different than the cheaper honda (3.5 liter of the RL) and the interior is completely different than that of the honda. Get inside the new type s and then get inside the 335i....you will feel like you went back in time 10 years in the 335, the interior is boring and cumbersome to use (idrive was terrible when I test drove). The tl's seats were more comfortable and the controlls more ergonomic. If you really think the BMW is the better all around car its time to do some research/test drive. Look at the maintenance schedule on the 335, it has two turbos, good luck replacing those down the road, not to mention all the little parts in that undersized 3 liter. To me the older 3 series was a much greater standout among sport sedans, but the new one dropped the ball because they didnt do anything with the interior. When I set out to get a new car I wanted the 335, but when I did the research and drove the cars I ended up with a black 07 type s fully loaded.

I think if Mercedes just offered some way to replace that plastic, then all but the sport enthusiasts would love this car. I agree though, having driven a 335i and a IS350, that the new C just falls short.

But it is going to do one thing right: retain previous customers. I've written some on how previous customers are not always the best (but still desireable), and the new C gives previous Merc owners a reason to come back. They will be wowed by the new interior, the styling, and all the wonderful Mercedes stability. In other words, so long as they never want to go fast, the Mercedes will please.

I do agree with the statement that this is like the king of all Buicks. Its not a drivers car, its not a young persons car. Yuppies will completely ignore the new C-Class. Now does Mercedes have the market locked down when it comes to older clients? Especially lets say the upper-middle class to wealthy? Definitely. And that provides at least a sort of benefit. The electronic nanny will be something wealthier clients will look for when buying their kids first car (I said wealthier, didn't I?). And the roominess is just a solid draw across most categories.

268hp is not enough for enthusiasts, but it will still wow most average drivers. And back to the wealthy clients, if you were to buy your mother a car, would it be the C or a 335i? The C is definitely more of a "mom, be glad you raised your child to be an investment banker/superstar, here is a car" type buy. Dad will of course take a M-Class.

Overrall, this will sell well, but Mercedes has completely missed the largest market for German luxury vehicles: the yuppie. The yuppie will want the manual in the 335i, or the best in class interior of the IS350. If there is a compromise between either of those, it will be the G35 (if the G35 has not replaced the 335i on the list already).

Overrall, bravo Mercedes, but as a young urban professional, you are no longer on my list. Do not fret, as soon as I am promoted to head of the department, the E-Class and maybe even S-Class are still best of shows.

I think if Mercedes just offered some way to replace that plastic, then all but the sport enthusiasts would love this car. I agree though, having driven a 335i and a IS350, that the new C just falls short.

But it is going to do one thing right: retain previous customers. I've written some on how previous customers are not always the best (but still desireable), and the new C gives previous Merc owners a reason to come back. They will be wowed by the new interior, the styling, and all the wonderful Mercedes stability. In other words, so long as they never want to go fast, the Mercedes will please.

I do agree with the statement that this is like the king of all Buicks. Its not a drivers car, its not a young persons car. Yuppies will completely ignore the new C-Class. Now does Mercedes have the market locked down when it comes to older clients? Especially lets say the upper-middle class to wealthy? Definitely. And that provides at least a sort of benefit. The electronic nanny will be something wealthier clients will look for when buying their kids first car (I said wealthier, didn't I?). And the roominess is just a solid draw across most categories.

268hp is not enough for enthusiasts, but it will still wow most average drivers. And back to the wealthy clients, if you were to buy your mother a car, would it be the C or a 335i? The C is definitely more of a "mom, be glad you raised your child to be an investment banker/superstar, here is a car" type buy. Dad will of course take a M-Class.

Overrall, this will sell well, but Mercedes has completely missed the largest market for German luxury vehicles: the yuppie. The yuppie will want the manual in the 335i, or the best in class interior of the IS350. If there is a compromise between either of those, it will be the G35 (if the G35 has not replaced the 335i on the list already).

Overrall, bravo Mercedes, but as a young urban professional, you are no longer on my list. Do not fret, as soon as I am promoted to head of the department, the E-Class and maybe even S-Class are still best of shows.

I'm honestly disappointed in MB for recycling the 3.5L into the new C-class. I was expecting, at the very least, a direct-injected 3.5L V6, if not forced-induction (like the 335i) or even a small V8 as the top "sport" model. There's simply too great of a power differential between the C350 and the upcoming C63 AMG.

nothing like paying 35-40k for a "sport sedan" and having the same power as a camry rav4 or v6. Interior blows like usual. However I'll give credit its a huge improvement to th C230 poser Benz thats the size of a civic

Can't say I've driven this car or any of MB's new lineup but I did drive a friend's '05 C230 and was thoroughly disgusted with it. The specs on this though, do look better but still disappointing. But then again, I don't like MB but others seem to like the bland styling and mediocre (for a luxury car) driving characteristics.

The fact that anyone finds this vehicle somehow more attractive than the previous gen C-Class is mystifying. Can you say cognitive dissonance? Take a look at the 2008 C230. Take a good look. I see the 07 Sebring's twin sister. Only Ms. Sebring doesn't pretend to contend with the likes of a 3 Series BMW or other entry-level luxury sedan. The interior, where it so happens u spend the most time, is woefully disgusting; blocky, no flow, more plastic than an American stripper, and no feel of luxury. The 07 C230 has this thing beat inside and out when it comes to style. If you thought the S-Class-esque front facade was a neat lil trick, go take a look at a 1998 C-Class and you will see where the inspiration came from. This is a step backwards, not up. Lack of sales will show. Oh yeah, the tail lights are upside down. How did they miss that???

Come on, its an ugly baby, you don't HAVE to kiss it.

The fact that anyone finds this vehicle somehow more attractive than the previous gen C-Class is mystifying. Can you say cognitive dissonance? Take a look at the 2008 C230. Take a good look. I see the 07 Sebring's twin sister. Only Ms. Sebring doesn't pretend to contend with the likes of a 3 Series BMW or other entry-level luxury sedan. The interior, where it so happens u spend the most time, is woefully disgusting; blocky, no flow, more plastic than an American stripper, and no feel of luxury. The 07 C230 has this thing beat inside and out when it comes to style. If you thought the S-Class-esque front facade was a neat lil trick, go take a look at a 1998 C-Class and you will see where the inspiration came from. This is a step backwards, not up. Lack of sales will show. Oh yeah, the tail lights are upside down. How did they miss that???

Come on, its an ugly baby, you don't HAVE to kiss it.

The fact that anyone finds this vehicle somehow more attractive than the previous gen C-Class is mystifying. Can you say cognitive dissonance? Take a look at the 2008 C230. Take a good look. I see the 07 Sebring's twin sister. Only Ms. Sebring doesn't pretend to contend with the likes of a 3 Series BMW or other entry-level luxury sedan. The interior, where it so happens u spend the most time, is woefully disgusting; blocky, no flow, more plastic than an American stripper, and no feel of luxury. The 07 C230 has this thing beat inside and out when it comes to style. If you thought the S-Class-esque front facade was a neat lil trick, go take a look at a 1998 C-Class and you will see where the inspiration came from. This is a step backwards, not up. Lack of sales will show. Oh yeah, the tail lights are upside down. How did they miss that???

Come on, its an ugly baby, you don't HAVE to kiss it.

The fact that anyone finds this vehicle somehow more attractive than the previous gen C-Class is mystifying. Can you say cognitive dissonance? Take a look at the 2008 C230. Take a good look. I see the 07 Sebring's twin sister. Only Ms. Sebring doesn't pretend to contend with the likes of a 3 Series BMW or other entry-level luxury sedan. The interior, where it so happens u spend the most time, is woefully disgusting; blocky, no flow, more plastic than an American stripper, and no feel of luxury. The 07 C230 has this thing beat inside and out when it comes to style. If you thought the S-Class-esque front facade was a neat lil trick, go take a look at a 1998 C-Class and you will see where the inspiration came from. This is a step backwards, not up. Lack of sales will show. Oh yeah, the tail lights are upside down. How did they miss that???

Come on, its an ugly baby, you don't HAVE to kiss it.

That's just what it is... an overprices Buick, but Buick's look sleeker.

I think that many of you are missing an important point - in practical term it's all about balance. I don't particularly care if I reach 60 in a second less and am able to pull only .83 Gs. In everyday terms, I find the new C series provides more than reasonable acceleration ( we chose the 6 speed manual) and rock solid handling with a gorgeous exterior and interior design and most every goody a sane person could want. I did not like MB Tex so I opted for leather. As to the TL, I owned one and loved it, especially the overall design. But the torque steer makes the car unstable at high speed. Also the leather was that cheesy Japanese stuff. BMW 3 series. Who can argue with the acceleration and handling but the cheap plastic fittings, cramped interior and poor ride quality are unacceptable at the price. I have owned (5) 3 series including 2 M3s and (3) 5 series and in my opinion BMW has been steadily losing that original 2002/Bavaria quality feel.

Just purchased a C300 with the manual. I was looking a 335i coupe. It was faster but had a harsh ride, for 50 grand I expect more. I had a 1999 BMW sedan that drove better, no run flat tires. I have had faster cars, boxster, vette ect. but for the $32,558 I paid for the Mercedes I couldnt be happier. It is quite and it rides very well. It reminders me of my older bmw, solid and quite. The only thing that I think is poor is the audio. Muddy sound and faint highs with the treble on 10. The new aftermarket system will be about 2 grand, other than that the car is great both in looks and ride quality. With the 17 grand I saved over the 335i Ill have plenty to look performances upgrades. One last thing, I didnt have to deal with stuck up BMW sales people.

I went to a car show a couple of days ago and i saw and sat in the c230, and i liked it. I also sat in a 335i; but to me it felt as if i was squished together with the person siting next to me. And I also agree with John that the BMW sales people are really stuck up, as if they own BMW, but MB on the other hand seemed to be good ppl just like you and me and they actually cared for what you buy. In other words not only the MB C230 is a better car than the BMW 335i; but the company is also better since they are more concerned about you.

I dont care what other people think about MB C300 nor do I have anything to say regarding BWM or audi But I just love my C300 manual with P2 and AMG wheels.Its been two months and with 6000 miles this car drives like a champ and when ur driving the Mercedes symbol in the grill just stands out is is the sexiest and hottest machine ever and even if its been couple months since I have owned this car I look at it everyday as If IJust bought it still cant get over it.