Anybody driven the '06 C280...?

I still ask myself why that was even in my testdrive list, but damn... my Hyundai in college drove smoother than that thing.

Anyway just wanted to see what the main comparisons were for everyone else before buying their TSX... and dont say the TL.

Bought my '06 Carbon w/ Nav this weekend... It narrowly beat out the IS.

 

I don't like the C280...It's too heavy for what it is. I bought one of the last 06 4cyl Kompressor Sport Sedan, 6speed, NAVI, and Metallic Diamond Black. The thing that got me was the suspension. It drives like a sports car and handles better than a TSX. I love the fact the Kompressor engine is more rev happy than the TSX too. Too bad they went to a V6.

Good luck with your car shopping.

 

Speaking of MB ...Im gonna rant so dont bash on me... a bunch of my friends and I went to the dealership here in Hawaii last weekend.. honestly IMO, Benz interiors look and feel CHEAP...Sat in a SLK and CLK .. didn't impress me at all... and them new lookin SUV gas guzzlers.. gosh, the leather wrapped on the steering wheel felt as if I could undo the stitches and ripped them off in a heart beat...oh yea, a McLaren for about 1/2 mil? omg.... I rather buy a house. And lastly, we were pretty behaved when we walked into the showroom so we didnt look like a bunch of "kids" and not ONE person said Hello to us. Wtf? I had waaayy better customer service at BMW across the street .

 

my friend own 05 c280.. the interior layout looks so boring, old.. there will be all new c-class soon.. better wait and get the all new one..

 

Yeah, but if the dealer never even said hello, then you don't want to buy from there... after all, you'll probably be spending a lot of time at the dealer so you want a friendly one! :-P

 

Customer service was a big part of purchasing my car.

 

I used to love Benzes, but since the last refreshes of E and C (2003), I've been entirely underwhelmed by the product and shocked at the price tags they put on those otherwise decent but not great cars. My 98 E had so many problems that I am unlikely to EVER return to the brand name. If I decide to go pretentious, I'll stick to a beemer or lex.

RE: other 'competitors' when shopping for a TSX? it came down to 06 TSX vs. 06 IS for me. TSX won for price and proven product (at the time the new IS was still brand new, and TSX just snagged its 3rd consecutive C&D Top 10 award).

Lots of people seem to cross shop it with the G35, though for what reason I could not say as they are entirely different cars to me. It seems like you'd like one or the other but not both, and they wouldn't fall into the same final 2 or 3 vehicles to choose from.

 

Congrats on the purchase!

For the folks bashing the MB interior, you really haven't sat in a Benz until you've sat in the CLS-500 or 55 AMG. Once you smell the leather, admire the styling, and feel the comfort, you'll know why MB is regarded is the standard of luxury cars.

 

Lexus IS250
Saab 9-3 Aero
Acura TSX

Those were pretty much my top choices. The features per dollar and residual value really contributed to my final decision. Truth be known (go ahead, make fun ), the Saab was my emotional favorite. Can't really put my finger on it. But the questionable reliability, poor dealer network (here, anyway), and the awful residual value led me to delete it. The IS is gorgeous with an awesome interior, but I just couldn't justify the huge price difference versus the TSX.

And here I am with my TSX for just over two weeks. Love driving it, but hate the fact that I have to keep the radio up and sunroof open to avoid paying attention to several creaks and rattles. I'm sure they'll be taken care of at my first service visit!

 

Just wait until you own a benz, you'll love all the problems that come with it. Squeaky panels that they refuse to fix, little lights here and there that go out and aren't a part of your warranty (like in your instrument cluster), moisture in the headlights (also wouldn't warranty, big-time $$ oem parts, etc.

And if they really cared, maybe they would impart some of that sweet styling cues from their 100k+ cars back down into the cars joe-rich-guy can actually afford, not just joe-billionaire.

grumble.

 

the only MB with ugly old looking interior is c-class, well, maybe slk too.. but the other models are just amazing.. i love to see the new s-class, cls interior.. they look so classy..

 

my friend.. she just got a SLK 350 and that thing is HOT!

before i bought my tsx i was thinking about getting the scion Tc. thank ggoodness i bought the tSX!

 

My parents have owned at least one Benz since 1980....while we haven't had the problems you've had, I know maintaining a Benz past 100k can be a time and money consuming affair. I will say my grandma's 190E 2.3 from 86 is still running flawlessly, but my mom's 560SEL had its share of +$1000 fixes after the 120,000 mi mark. The interior for that 560 is still a very nice place to be - the leather is still beautiful, the textures and controls still befit a luxury automobile. Her 2002 S500 is still in pretty good condition but it has been to the shop once or twice for the typical German car electronic niggles. Decent for a german car, but note that I have to qualify it with "german car".

 

Ahhhh, I used to druel on the C55 AMG ... IMO after the experience we had at the MB dealership..Im not too sure on it anymore no matter how nice, powerful and luxy it is... and yes, Customer Service plays a BIG role when it comes to car shopping.

 

Yup me too.