The C Class coupe is the most affordable (not cheap) Mercedes car sold in the USA. Until the redesigned A class arrives for 2005.

A couple of years ago, when it was 1st introduced here, the only engine available was a 2.3 Liter, 4 cylinder with a compressor. That engine had plenty of power, without the annoying lag that plague turbo motors. BUT! What a racket! Not only was it loud a rough for a Mercedes, but it was one of the least refined engine I had ever heard.

Well... Things have changed for 2003. The old 2.3 has been replaced by a new 1.8 Liter unit, with almost exactly the same power! And what a difference!

That new engine is a smooth as anything on the market. It is almost completely quiet at idle, and always refined and pleasant. It is so good that I would not recommend the newly available 3.2 Liter V6.

That engine is also available in the sedan. And I would prefer it to the more expensive small 2.4Loter V6 too.

The interior has not changed. Except for one very important detail: the availability of wood trim (in 2 colors) instead of the horribly cheap looking metallic trim that is standard on the coupe. It really makes a big difference. Also, the standard cloth looks and feel cheap as well. It has an ugly "jazzy" patern and feels like burlap (the material, not myself...). Otherwise, the design is OK, but a bit boring. There's nothing new here. It is straight from the sedan. But at least is seems well put together and feels and sounds very solid.

The car still has a wonderful, almost invisible transmission . The ride is a bit firm, but always comfortable. In a European kind of way. It is NOT a sports car. But rather, a very comfortable, quiet, practical and good looking small coupe.

For a small car, it has very nice back seats. And thanks to the hatchback design, it can be turned into a small wagon. To me, the best part of the car is the optional Panorama roof. It is amazing. It is actually 2 large sunroofs. Only the front one can be open. Like in the Mini Cooper. But unlike the Mini, it has a real retractable shade, when you don't want all that sun in. And even the soft shade in electric!

That option is also available in the E. class sedan. But why not in the CLK? And why not in other cars like the PT. Cruiser???

I guess, nothing is ever new. Although the Marcelled rear design seems very modern, look at this 1994 Mazed Coupe (never sold in the US). It even has that small second window between the lights (That window by the way, is so distorted, that it is practically useless...).

With the new engine (they still call the car the 2.3 to try to fool customers into not finding out they are buying a smaller engine), I would finally recommend this car. But you will have to watch out for the declining Mercedes reliability. It has been a problem for the past 10 years.

A loaded car like the one driven here, lists for over $30 000. But somehow, you can easily find it for under $27 000. Which makes it a much better deal. A similarly equipped Mini is almost $23 000! So there's actually just a bit over $3000 difference only.

If you want to find out more, just go HERE.