2002/2003 MB C32 AMG

Look up f-chat user bergxu from Cincinnati. He can help you out.

 

http://www.mbworld.org/forums/index.php

Will probably get a few biased replies there, but overall that is a great forum and has a very strong community following.

I own a '00 CLK320 and recently had it in for service. They gave me a '06 C280. Now I know that the C280 is no AMG, and I don't pretend for it to be...but I was a tad disappointed. I didn't think the car was nearly as solid, sporty, or fast as my '00 CLK320! I also didn't think the interior was as luxurious. When I step into my CLK, I feel like a million bucks, and when I drive it, I am constantly reminded why MB are so sought after. The tight handling, sporty ride and suspension, and the LUXURY, oh boy. Do not get me wrong, i Felt all of these things in the c280, but it was like a majorly dumbed down version of this. Sorry to sound negative.

I think the 3 series BMW has the C series beat IMO. Why not look into a older model CLK or E if you need the 4 doors?

Of course, the AMG might take the C class to a whole new level..and I'm afraid I can't comment on that. But for me, the C-class doesn't feel like a MB...you have to go "up" a few classes to get that world class MB feel. I do like the looks though!

 

I had a C55 for a couple years. Fairly comparable.

Very fast but lots of low end lag for first couple thousand revs. Interior was a bit spiffier than the non AMGs but was still low rent. Handling was alright. Never had a single thing go wrong with it. Biggest problem is it wasnt fun to drive.

Personally if I was looking for small fast 4 door amongst the Germans...Id look at the Audi S4 or even an older M3 4 door first.

If you dont mind a slightly bigger car then get a Benz E55 - thats what I have now. For not a lot more cash you get a much better car.

 

Had the '03 for all of 2 months maybe.
It was quick,sound was terrible (gave me a headache) and driver seat was a killer on my back.
Traded that thing for '03 E55 and was happy (for a while).

 

Based on my experience with the c280, I would have to agree with this person, and he summed it up much better than I did. Even with the better engine, power was lacking. Luxury found in their higher end models was severely lacking. It's handling was not solid at all. It wasn't fun to drive. Not a bad car if your wife must absolutely be seen in a benz, but I could never justify spending that kind of money for the car...it just flat out does not live up.

 

Boxster S for fun, handling, track days.

C32 for family, daily driver.

I'm selling a E55 if your interested. PM me

 

An 03 Boxter S would be a blast to drive and have. You could grow tired of limited space. My CLK doesn't have much of a backseat, and it does get old that I can't really ever be the driver since I have no backseat. It's nice to be able to drive your friends around once in a while instead of always vice versa. I think the Boxster S would prove to be insanely fun though. It's never gotten bad reviews in any magazine I've read. I've also done some reading though and what i've gathered is that the C32 isn't even comparable to the c280 and the AMG is a whole new beast. I had that strange suspision...so perhaps you should take one for a test drive.

 

if you're single I wouldnt be looking at a C32... get the Boxster.

You should test drive the C32 and/or C55 BUT I test drove the C55 before I bought it and liked it. It took a few weeks before I realized it wasnt any fun and I wanted to get rid of it. Took me a couple years to get rid of it but I almost never drove it.

Personally I would take a higher mileage E55 over a lower mileage C32/55

Good luck with your choice.

 

you should also look into a S55. Those prices have dropped a lot.

 

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&paId=205088740&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&recnum=23&leadExists=true&criteria=K-S55%7CE-ANY%7CM-_31_%7CB-40000%7CH-%7CN-N%7CR-10000%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CX-popular%7CZ-35824&aff=national

$29,900