http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=26&article_id=8787 I know it is a "tuner" car, but M-B could easily build this as a standard AMG production model given the existing V8 and supercharger on other models. Granted it would probably "only" make 490 or so. A C-class with 570 hp? It might be a little heavy, but with the reworked suspension and brakes it could be a fun wolf in sheep's clothing to drive around corners as well as in a straight line.
Ryan, I of course remember your position about the C-class, and wasn't going to give you a hard time about it. If I recall your position is the C is not a real M-B because waiters, high school kids, etc can afford and drive them. This thing sells for $90k, I doubt many cleaning ladies could cough up the money for one. If M-B built something like this my guess would be more like $70k for the factory car. Imagine pulling up next to a Viper or Z06 at a light and blowing their doors off. You'd be tempted to put C320 badges on it just to further enhance the sleeper aspect of the car.
I would rather save the money, add 15k more and get a factory SL600 with a renntech chip and 515 to the wheels....and a 7 year 100k mile warrenty.
The emotional response to this is, "Hell ya!" But my logical response is, "D E P R E C I A T I O N". As much as I love to read about cars like that, I know I will probably never buy one, because I could not justify "consuming" that much money, as mods bring pennies on the dollar at resale time. I have added things like wheels and exhaust to vehicles in the past, and even did a big stereo in one car, but that's it.
Funny how people look down upon the base model of other car makers..but have no problem plunking down a large some of money..and wait for 2 years to get the base model Ferrari..seems like a bit of a double standard...weird. The C230 was never bulit to be a luxury benz..it was built to offer a lower line car to compete with the BMW 318i. You must remeber the M-benz is one of the largest car makers in the world. Almost every countyr uses a benz as a taxi cab..but here in north america they are accociated with wealth. They bulid a line of cars to suit every budget..just like Ford or GM, No big deal really. Yes they should build this car..and people will buy it,,heck they pay 70 for the Corvette or used Viper..why not a hotrod Benz? If you build it people will buy it..just look at the Azteck..
Well I don't think it is much of a double standard, personally. Yes I look down on the 3 series and C class (except the M and AMG versions). I have said that on another thread and got flamed to no avail. However, everyone has their opinions. However, I don't think your statement really applies to me. I wouldn't be waiting 2 years to buy a base model F car anyday. I have said my feelings on 360s here many a times. So I agree, that people who look down on the C class yet buy a base model F car, are double standard prone. However, I certainly not am one of those people. My elitist attitude discriminates equally. I really don't want to get into all my points and arguments that I have made in previous threads. However, I do agree with you that C230 wasn't made to be a luxury benz. All my comments were directed to people who pretend that they are rich/classy whatever, by buying a 318 bimmer and c230 benz, and think they are ballers. People like Cosito (forgot his exact name here) and sbj509(steve) know where I stand, and the people I was talking about. As a large carmaker, it is fine they build a car for every budget. However, I had a problem with the mindset of the people who buy the bimmers with cloth interior and 1.9 liter motors and pretend that they are so wealthy they act like they are in a S class or 7 series. Anyways, no reason to beat this argument to death. I disagree tehy would buy this. Benz already has a C55 AMG which is a stunning car. Sure people pay 70 for a Viper, but the image of a pure sports car is differnet than a hot rodded C class. Of course there are nuts like me who will plunk down serous money with Mr. Feyl for a hot rodded sleeper, but my point was there aren't enough people like us, to make this car profitable. Your Aztec point is not a good argument imo, because yes they built it, and it was sold, but very low numbers. I don't think it created enormous profit for Pontiac, and the car was clearly a bust. Depreciation is not as bad as you would think Andy. I have had a few Sc300/Sc400s. Great cars. The one that I have that is pushing about 600hp with TT motor, is exactly like teh E class I described earlier. I paid 6.5K for a high mileage motor. Ripped it all out. Did the motor/tranny/wheels work on it, left everything alone. Drove it 2 years, 88K miles, and sold it for 1K less than my total investment. I think finding the right car is the key. You can find E55 AMG for a good price (the older one) and hot rodded it up, and drive it 2 years and sell it without taking a major hit. Even if you took a bit of a hit, you have to look at the enormous enjoyment you get out of it. Logic is important in life and so is practicality, but you have a have a little bit of fun as well. Have a great day, bud. -Ryan
Would make a perfect entertaining sleeper. Everyone will think you're just some waiter, and you'll be grinning ear to ear each time to press the right pedal. Perfect.
Uh ... well, I was kinda referring to one of the previous comments of waiters (you know, in restaurants and such...) and high-school kids being able to afford a C-Class ... but the whole sentence turned out like crap. Don't even know why I typed it like that. And I wish I could use the "it was late" excuse, but at 3pm ... LOL. I won't even try to correct what I tried to say caus' I don't even know myself! ha! I guess it was supposed it has no status value, which may be cool. Or something like that.
We have a joke that holds pretty true. In Los Angeles, the waiters and waitresses and the hostess of restaurants seem to drive 996 TT's. They are so common and dime a dozen. Using that same analogy (no need to flame..just a comment), house cleaners or day laborers would be driving the C class *in reality, I don't think house cleaners drive C classes..I don't think they are that low garden variety*
To quote MM, Bwahhahhhhh! I wonder why they don't drive something cheaper than a new C-class, like a 308 or Mondial. Perhaps it is bankrupt, unemployed, unskilled laborers that drive those however. Ryan by your rationale, when a car becomes cheap enough for a day laborer to buy does it cease to represent the marque? There are many high-end cars that depreciate under $35k or so after a few years. Just a few off the top of my head that would not qualify as "real" cars made by upscale manufacturers, according to your criteria: Porsche 930, 993, & Boxster S Bentley Turbo R Any BMW over 10 years old '95 M-B SL600 just to name one Ferrari 412, all 308's & Mondials Lambo Urraco, Espada, Jarama, & Jalpa Just giving you a hard time BTW I would argue that the cars like the Cayenne or X5 are cars that are really the vehicles not "true" to the spirit of the manufacturer. They do help make a significant amount of profit however, which in theory would allow the R&D money to develop even better performance cars at their core. Don't forget, you could argue that every pure road-going Ferrari is not "true" to the spirit of Enzo's original goals when he started his own company. He regarded building road cars as a necessary evil to fund his race team.
I'd buy the Kleeman C-Class, but only if I could retain the stock look (wheels, bumpers, etc). Nothing like a 500+ hp car that looks like a 200hp one. -Chris
