 | 2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Solid Mercedes at a more approachable price.
By John Matras,
New Car Test Drive .com |
Overview
The C-Class line is the smallest of the Mercedes-Benz sedans available in the U.S. It's also the least expensive. Though it doesn't boast the power, ride quality, handling prowess, interior roominess and modern design found in the more expensive E-Class cars, the C-Class is solid Mercedes-Benz. Last year, Mercedes took the supercharged engine from its SLK230 sports car, dropped it into the C230 and renamed the sedan the C230 Kompressor. Stir in the Sport option package, and the solid but stolid C230 becomes a sports sedan with acceleration performance just a tick slower than the V6-powered C280. Model Lineup
Two models comprise the C-Class: the C230 Kompressor and the C280. The 2000 C230 Kompressor offers a base price of just $31,750. But the C230 Kompressor hardly warrants the term "base model." Moving up to the C280 raises the price to $35,950, but brings a 194-horsepower 2.8-liter V6 engine. The mighty C43, a 302-horsepower sports sedan prepared by German tuner AMG, has been discontinued.
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