Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

stickguy

I really do, since this is one of the models on my short list for next year.

Mr_Shiftright

driver100 said:

So now they are going to have something like air B&B for cars. This explains it....but would you rent your car out?

Now, as essentially an Airbnb for cars, RelayRides' minimum rental period is one day, and the company has grown to 2,000 city locations and 300 airport locations in the U.S. Haddad says that RelayRides' pricing on average is 35% lower than traditional rental car companies', and that another competitive advantage lies in the diversity of vehicle options. "We have more than 800 makes and models in the marketplace—everything from a Smart Car to a Tesla, with options you typically don't find in rentals," says Haddad. "We don't have to optimize for volume purchase or standardized maintenance, because we don't own the cars. Car enthusiasts are one of our most important groups of customers, and showing them our cars is like showing them candy at a candy store."

They check out customers and only accept ones with excellent record, and they provide up to $1million liability.

SEE MORE AIRNB FOR CARS

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The "Desperation Economy" thunders on. I wonder if people will be renting out their heavily financed SUVs as studio apartments?

abacomike

As requested, here is my review of the C300 sedan.  First, understand that this is a base car - no NAV, standard HD radio with 6-8 speakers, MBtex (vinyl) interior, etc.  Standard features include power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 6" main screen in center of dashboard, touch sensitive mouse to move from screen menu to screen menu (tap to select much like an iPad), power seats, 4 cylinder turbo engine w/241 hp, iPod/cell phone connectivity to audio system with charging capabilities, Bluetooth mobile phone interface, etc.

I am 6'2" tall and weigh 245 lbs.  the seats are a bit snug for me.  Shoulder space is OK as is legroom.  There is a power thigh bolster/extender for a bit more comfort.  Steering wheel is well-placed.  Power folding mirrors are now a standard feature.  I found rear visibility fair, however I had no visibility as regards the rear end of the car. It has a standard backup camera which is critical to utilize if you don't want to back into an obstruction or another car.  Front visibility is excellent and the rear and side mirrors provide good visibility (just have no idea where the rear end "ends").  Good visibility over the hood.

Car interior seems well laid out and all knobs and buttons are easy to reach and activate.  A/C is excellent and fan speed is variable - cooled car interior quickly in 85 degree temperature.  Fit and finish of interior and exterior are excellent.  Materials and workmanship of interior is just OK, but remember, I'm used to driving a car that costs twice as much and is much larger inside and out.

Acceleration from a dead stop is superb - that 4 cylinder turbo sure has guts.  Acceleration from 35 mph to 65 mph is also superbly surprising.  This is sure one peppy car.  Cornering is responsive and stable but steering lacks connectivity to the road whereas my CLS 400 is more nimble and has much better road feel.  I just feel disconnected from the road - just a lack of car-to-driver responsiveness that is present in the CLS.

Road noise is a bit disconcerting - it seems less sound-proofed than the E Class or CLS.  The car is quite stable at low and high speeds and responds to the slightest steering input.  Brakes are excellent and respond well to increased pressure on the brake pedal.

One thing I noticed in the C 300 is that when you put the car into gear from Park, the car remains "braked" until you step on the accelerator - it does not "roll" with the engine idling and in gear (R or D) when moving the gear selector from Park.  It does roll when idling after the initial gear engagement.  This occurs only when first starting the engine and the initial gear selection.  I don't care for that - I prefer the motion when put into gear.

As far as looks are concerned - beautiful car.  MSRP on this car was just over $40,000.  

In conclusion, the car did not "feel" like a Mercedes Benz - it was more like any other car of the same size I've driven like a Toyota or a Hyundai - just a bit better looking and pricier.  The interior is nice, but the C 300 is a "wannabe" Mercedes.  Remember, I am comparing it to an E Class and/or a CLS Class.  It is much better than the CLA I drove, but that's just another wannabe Mercedes.

If you have any specific questions about the C Class, I'll try to address them.  This is not a car I would buy! 

snakeweasel

stickguy said:

I like that. Nice color. V6 is plenty of power for me, and much more affordable.

I'll have to agree with you, there is such a thing as to much horsepower (Yeah I know I just put my membership status in jeopardy). Doesn't the V6 have a 0-60 time of around 6 seconds or less? Do you really need much more than that?

stever

abacomike said:

If you have any specific questions about the C Class, I'll try to address them.

Well, yeah, the most critical part - how does it hold up in your rigorous car wash testing?

The Scion iM we tested the other day had power folding mirrors. Found out in traffic while trying to adjust the passenger side one....

oldfarmer50

Mr_Shiftright said:

driver100 said:

So now they are going to have something like air B&B for cars. This explains it....but would you rent your car out?

Now, as essentially an Airbnb for cars, RelayRides' minimum rental period is one day, and the company has grown to 2,000 city locations and 300 airport locations in the U.S. Haddad says that RelayRides' pricing on average is 35% lower than traditional rental car companies', and that another competitive advantage lies in the diversity of vehicle options. "We have more than 800 makes and models in the marketplace—everything from a Smart Car to a Tesla, with options you typically don't find in rentals," says Haddad. "We don't have to optimize for volume purchase or standardized maintenance, because we don't own the cars. Car enthusiasts are one of our most important groups of customers, and showing them our cars is like showing them candy at a candy store."

They check out customers and only accept ones with excellent record, and they provide up to $1million liability.

SEE MORE AIRNB FOR CARS

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The "Desperation Economy" thunders on. I wonder if people will be renting out their heavily financed SUVs as studio apartments?

I would gladly rent any of Roaburner's fleet.

abacomike

stever said:

If you have any specific questions about the C Class, I'll try to address them.

Well, yeah, the most critical part - how does it hold up in your rigorous car wash testing? The Scion iM we tested the other day had power folding mirrors. Found out in traffic while trying to adjust the passenger side one....

The C Class probably holds up well to rigorous car washing - so long as someone else owns it and not me.  If I owned the car, the front wheels would probably fall off the first time I took it in for a "bath"! 

driver100

Thanks for the review Mike. I could live with a smaller car so I think the C300 would be OK for me. It hasn't been too long since we have owned 3 series and C Classes. I am a bit spoiled with the 535 and E400, but I could go back. Hopefully I won't have to because I really like my E!

driver100

They just talked about renting out your car on TV, a new company called Turo. Says most renters can make $600 a month. They said Turo will pay insurance up to $200k. In NY state a renter killed a few people, and the claim will probably be for way more than that!

They think it will appeal to people who don't drive their car a lot, or who drive only on weekends or during the week. It would seem the rental fee could help pay off a car.

I hate letting anyone drive my car....so not for me.

driver100

abacomike said:

stever said:

abacomike said:

If you have any specific questions about the C Class, I'll try to address them.

Well, yeah, the most critical part - how does it hold up in your rigorous car wash testing?

The Scion iM we tested the other day had power folding mirrors. Found out in traffic while trying to adjust the passenger side one....

The C Class probably holds up well to rigorous car washing - so long as someone else owns it and not me.  If I owned the car, the front wheels would probably fall off the first time I took it in for a "bath"! 

When you fill out one of those accident reports when you buy a new car, or for insurance......you will have to say no moving violations, only accidents are at the car wash.

snakeweasel

andres3 said:

There is a HUGE difference between a regular season game with little meaning, compared to a playoff game where all the marbles are on the line every game.

Well the only games that are either meaningless or have little meaning are preseason games and games you play after your have been eliminated. Other than that you never know when any win or loss would make or break you.

andres3 said:

Players could be tired or in other ways less than fully motivated during the regular season (long string of back to back game days, doubleheaders, and such as an example or reasons this may be). In the playoffs you have teams that are fully rested, fully concentrated, and ideally fully prepared.

Teams are not as rested as you seem to think going into the post season, teams are likely the most rested goimg out of the all star break where most players are idle for 5 or six days.

andres3 said:

Every inning and at-bat is under a microscope unlike in the regular season. I think a 7-game series is long enough to establish who is better that particular year, as a streaky win or 2 won't make a difference in the series as you have to win 4 games to clinch it.

However a streak is enough to sweep a series. Now anyone who knows anything about statistics will tell you that the smaller the sample the greater chance of error in your conclusions. A 162 game season will give you a much better picture of the team than a 7 game series where you will likely play less than seven games.

Look at it this way, your team loses the first 12 games of the season then plays .667 baseball the rest of the season and your team wins 100 games and heads into the playoffs. They go into the world series and lose the first three games then play .750 baseball they will lose the world series.

andres3 said:

Also, my Angels taunt was an exaggeration of what has happened to them not that long ago, but remember, in the 20th Century it was much harder to make the Playoffs. You had to win your Division or go home. No consolation prizes, Central 3rd Divisions, or Wildcard's for 2nd place finishes back then. Win 1st Place or bust. I seem to recall not all that long ago that the Angels had a tremendous record the 1st half of the season, only to crumble under pressure and end up tied for the Division at the end of the Season. That created 1 extra special regular season deciding game between them and I believe it was Seattle? to decide the real winner (Not a playoff game in my book), and they promptly lost that game (of course) and didn't make the true Playoffs.

OK as for making it harder to get into the playoffs. One of the reasons to for going to three divisions and having a wildcard is that it guarantees that the second best team in baseball makes it to the world series. The last year of two divisions in each league (1993) the Giants won 103 games and didn't make it into the playoffs. The Braves, in the same division, won 104 games keeping the Giants, with the second best record in baseball, out of the playoffs.

You can also look at the last season when the teams with the three best records in baseball were in the same division.

As for the Angels, the year they lost that game to Seattle (and yes it is not regarded as a post season game) was 1995. They didn't have a tremendous record in the first half as they were tied with Texas at the all star break with a 39 - 30 record and only 5 games ahead of the last place Seattle. In contrast Cleveland was 46 - 21 and 12 games ahead of the second place Royals. The Angels finished the season 78 - 66 meaning that post all star break their record was 39 - 36. They finished the season with a record that was only .023 less than what they had at the all star break.

Yes they had an epic crash at the end of the season but they came out of the all star break winning a lot of games then started to lose big the last 15 or so games in the season. The thing is when they were winning they were beating teams with losing records then when they started playing stronger teams and they started losing. That's the "evening out" that the greater number of games affords and that's why single series cannot truly determine the better team.

abacomike

driver100 said:

Thanks for the review Mike. I could live with a smaller car so I think the C300 would be OK for me. It hasn't been too long since we have owned 3 series and C Classes. I am a bit spoiled with the 535 and E400, but I could go back. Hopefully I won't have to because I really like my E!

The E Class was the entry model for Mercedes back in the 1970's.  My first Mercedes was a 1987 300 D, the same year they came out with the "Baby Benz" - the 190 E.  The E Class was a true Mercedes - quality, styling, handling, reliability, etc.  I also owned a 420 SEL.  Big car - but in comparison to the E, the E was still a great handling and stable car.

abacomike

driver100 said:

stever said:

If you have any specific questions about the C Class, I'll try to address them.

Well, yeah, the most critical part - how does it hold up in your rigorous car wash testing? The Scion iM we tested the other day had power folding mirrors. Found out in traffic while trying to adjust the passenger side one....

The C Class probably holds up well to rigorous car washing - so long as someone else owns it and not me.  If I owned the car, the front wheels would probably fall off the first time I took it in for a "bath"! 

When you fill out one of those accident reports when you buy a new car, or for insurance......you will have to say no moving violations, only accidents are at the car wash.

Actually, the bumper replacement will not show up on CARFAX because all the paperwork is internal.

I called my dealership and asked the GM if he would investigate for me how the car is going to be repaired - bumper replacement or some other repair.  The body shop here in town handles all the local Mercedes dealerships because they are all owned by the same company as is the body shop.

The GM called and told me they are expecting the new bumper tomorrow and the car should be ready Friday.  The bumper is a Mercedes part as is the paint, primer and clear coat.  So it seems as if they were telling me the truth as far as how the work will be done.

snakeweasel

abacomike said:

The only time true performance is essential is moving onto a high-speed interstate or toll road.  I get on to the FL Turnpike just about every day.  That is when I need a boost of power in order to match the speed of oncoming vehicles.  A V6 or inline 6 without a turbo just doesn't do it for me.  When I drove the E350 with the 302 hp V6, it was difficult to merge properly because of the lack of a boost of power.

The E400 I had last year and the CLS400 I now own has a 3.0 liter V6 with twin turbos generating about 330 hp with 354 lb ft of torque.  It's like punching a V8 - honestly.  I don't need anything more powerful and I am getting great fuel economy.  I choked when I heard the new E Class coming out in June/July was available only in a 4 cylinder engine.  

Not to sure about that, take my wifes car it's a four banger with, IIRC, 198 HP gets up to highway speeds in plenty of time to keep ahead of oncoming vehicles. Passes quickly too.

qbrozen

driver100 said:

They just talked about renting out your car on TV, a new company called Turo. Says most renters can make $600 a month. They said Turo will pay insurance up to $200k. In NY state a renter killed a few people, and the claim will probably be for way more than that!

They think it will appeal to people who don't drive their car a lot, or who drive only on weekends or during the week. It would seem the rental fee could help pay off a car.

I hate letting anyone drive my car....so not for me.

Something seems fishy to me. If the numbers held up, why wouldn't someone just go ahead and buy a car or 2 or 3 or more and use Turo to make money? I could easily have a $0 down $400/mo car payment on a decent enough car, which they are saying I could turn around and make $600/mo on. This is an extra car, mind you, and not one I even have to like (preferably I would not like it because I'm letting other people soil it).

snakeweasel

abacomike said:

I was at the doctor this morning and received some "not so good news!"  I had an ultrasound Monday morning of my liver.  The results showed an unknown mass in my liver.  They did blood tests this morning to check my kidneys to make sure I can tolerate the dye they use for the CT-Scan.  I will have the Scan as soon as the blood test results are back.

As all of you know, I have had Hep C since 1980 from a blood transfusion.  Hep C eventually causes cancer in its latter stages.  None of the Hep C treatments were successful as you all know.

So now, it's a wait and see game.  I texted the family and will talk to them tonight.  It just never seems to end! 

Mike my prayers are with you, I do hope everything works out with you.

carnaught

Mike, thanks for the "C" review. It's of interest to me as a possible future car. I really like the size. The last one I looked at had the full enchilada and I was impressed with the interior except for the "leaning iPad" screen.

Suffice to say we're all pulling for you to get good news on Thurs. Be well my friend.

snakeweasel

stever said:

One of our ex-editors got one years ago - more in the $150,000 range iirc though.

Someone not to far from me has one as I see it a couple of times a year. Looks nice and moves like a cat.

abacomike

carnaught said:

Mike, thanks for the "C" review. It's of interest to me as a possible future car. I really like the size. The last one I looked at had the full enchilada and I was impressed with the interior except for the "leaning iPad" screen. Suffice to say we're all pulling for you to get good news on Thurs. Be well my friend.

Thanks much!

abacomike

snakeweasel said:

I was at the doctor this morning and received some "not so good news!"  I had an ultrasound Monday morning of my liver.  The results showed an unknown mass in my liver.  They did blood tests this morning to check my kidneys to make sure I can tolerate the dye they use for the CT-Scan.  I will have the Scan as soon as the blood test results are back.

As all of you know, I have had Hep C since 1980 from a blood transfusion.  Hep C eventually causes cancer in its latter stages.  None of the Hep C treatments were successful as you all know.

So now, it's a wait and see game.  I texted the family and will talk to them tonight.  It just never seems to end! 

Mike my prayers are with you, I do hope everything works out with you.

Thanks, snake!  It's stressful just waiting - my mind is trying to adjust to all of this - very anxious.

snakeweasel

Michaell said:

@abacomike let me add my positive thoughts in the hopes that your medical issues all work out.

Also, I stopped by the Hyundai dealer where I got my Elantra GT yesterday. Found out that the "Genesis" brand will require dealers to build new facilities (a la Lexus, Infiniti, Acura), and will not be co-located with existing Hyundai dealerships. My local dealership, being family owned, is passing on the opportunity to do so. They are the #1 volume Hyundai dealer in Colorado and, I suspect, not certain that dropping $x million into a new dealership palace makes economic sense when you would only have two models to sell initially.

So, if you decide to get the G60 (or G80, or whatever they plan to call it), you should have a shiny new facility with all the amenities you are used to from MB.

Does Hyundai still offer to bring out the Equus to you for the test drive and/or with all the paperwork for the sale?

berri

Aba - I know this is frustrating and scary. But you seem like a good man and that is a trait that stays with you forever and should help you get through this. I think I speak for most, if not all of us in wishing you the best and looking forward to more of your sense of humor down the road. I'm sure you will have some stories on this next medical experience and can't wait to hear them

[Deleted User]

berri said:

Aba - I know this is frustrating and scary. But you seem like a good man and that is a trait that stays with you forever and should help you get through this. I think I speak for most, if not all of us in wishing you the best and looking forward to more of your sense of humor down the road. I'm sure you will have some stories on this next medical experience and can't wait to hear them

Well said.

stickguy

the C sounds good to me. I really liked the one that I sat in at the car show and the dealer. Though I also really liked the prior style, in and out. Nice tidy size too.

Michaell

snakeweasel said:

Michaell said:

@abacomike let me add my positive thoughts in the hopes that your medical issues all work out.

Also, I stopped by the Hyundai dealer where I got my Elantra GT yesterday. Found out that the "Genesis" brand will require dealers to build new facilities (a la Lexus, Infiniti, Acura), and will not be co-located with existing Hyundai dealerships. My local dealership, being family owned, is passing on the opportunity to do so. They are the #1 volume Hyundai dealer in Colorado and, I suspect, not certain that dropping $x million into a new dealership palace makes economic sense when you would only have two models to sell initially.

So, if you decide to get the G60 (or G80, or whatever they plan to call it), you should have a shiny new facility with all the amenities you are used to from MB.

Does Hyundai still offer to bring out the Equus to you for the test drive and/or with all the paperwork for the sale?

Not sure, but I wouldn't be surprised.

driver100

qbrozen said:

driver100 said:

They just talked about renting out your car on TV, a new company called Turo. Says most renters can make $600 a month. They said Turo will pay insurance up to $200k. In NY state a renter killed a few people, and the claim will probably be for way more than that!

They think it will appeal to people who don't drive their car a lot, or who drive only on weekends or during the week. It would seem the rental fee could help pay off a car.

I hate letting anyone drive my car....so not for me.

Something seems fishy to me. If the numbers held up, why wouldn't someone just go ahead and buy a car or 2 or 3 or more and use Turo to make money? I could easily have a $0 down $400/mo car payment on a decent enough car, which they are saying I could turn around and make $600/mo on. This is an extra car, mind you, and not one I even have to like (preferably I would not like it because I'm letting other people soil it).

Good point! Maybe I should buy a fleet of Scions at a good rate and rent them out!

driver100

tyguy said:

berri said:

Aba - I know this is frustrating and scary. But you seem like a good man and that is a trait that stays with you forever and should help you get through this. I think I speak for most, if not all of us in wishing you the best and looking forward to more of your sense of humor down the road. I'm sure you will have some stories on this next medical experience and can't wait to hear them

Well said.

+2

driver100

stickguy said:

the C sounds good to me. I really liked the one that I sat in at the car show and the dealer. Though I also really liked the prior style, in and out. Nice tidy size too.

I like the C Class too, but I think the last model was a little neater looking and more distinctive.

snakeweasel

Mr_Shiftright said:

That market share may bob up and down according to fuel prices, but I doubt it will ever break 6% until the magic formula appears---a 300 mile range 'normal-looking" vehicle you can buy for the price of a Versa or Cruze. ..with or without tax credits.

I would think that the "magic" formula would be about a 200 mile range (most people average less than 50 miles a day) and under $30-35K. I think that we should see that in the next 5 years or so.

driver100

snakeweasel said:

abacomike said:

The only time true performance is essential is moving onto a high-speed interstate or toll road.  I get on to the FL Turnpike just about every day.  That is when I need a boost of power in order to match the speed of oncoming vehicles.  A V6 or inline 6 without a turbo just doesn't do it for me.  When I drove the E350 with the 302 hp V6, it was difficult to merge properly because of the lack of a boost of power.

The E400 I had last year and the CLS400 I now own has a 3.0 liter V6 with twin turbos generating about 330 hp with 354 lb ft of torque.  It's like punching a V8 - honestly.  I don't need anything more powerful and I am getting great fuel economy.  I choked when I heard the new E Class coming out in June/July was available only in a 4 cylinder engine.  

Not to sure about that, take my wifes car it's a four banger with, IIRC, 198 HP gets up to highway speeds in plenty of time to keep ahead of oncoming vehicles. Passes quickly too.

You can never have enough horsepower!

*Kind of joking, but up to about 500 is always useful, for safety reasons, to get you onto a highway or to get around someone.

snakeweasel

driver100 said:

Michaell said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

That market share may bob up and down according to fuel prices, but I doubt it will ever break 6% until the magic formula appears---a 300 mile range 'normal-looking" vehicle you can buy for the price of a Versa or Cruze. ..with or without tax credits.

And the ability to recharge that battery for another 300 miles of range in less than 5 minutes.

That's a big one.....people have "range anxiety", and that is a big deal killer. Even locally, what if you just happen to get stuck in one of those 3 hour traffic tie-ups, just when you have 10 miles left with your last charge?

With an electric car you don't really idle at stops so when you are stuck stopped in traffic the only drain on the batteries is the accessories that you have on. Plus in stop and go traffic you get the regenerative braking. Your range shouldn't suffer to much due to traffic tie ups. Plus if you recharge every night you should be doing good with battery power.

snakeweasel

Mr_Shiftright said:

Yeah but what if your iPhone could only be charged at a) your house or b) an iPhone charging station?

Can't we just address the elephant in the room. If you plan to travel any distance in an EV, you are not planning your trip from hotel to hotel, or from your house to their house, or from home to Disneyland....you are going to be planning your trip from charging station to charging station, which means, along major routes only or in large metro areas.

Simple solution, most households have multiple cars. One can be a gasser and the other electric, that may be our plan.

graphicguy

Mike...thanks for your take on the C. I think I test drove the sport model (not base). So, handling was much better than you describe and the steering was communicative.

Said it before, I love these little turbo 4 cyl motors....especially the one in my CTS and the one you described in the C (as well as the one in the 328i). They're torquey all through the rev range. They are quick, and give great MPG.

I like the C seats. Then again, I tried the sports seats which fit me like a glove, and they were leather.

I think the one I looked at stickered right around $48K, though. It was a gorgeous, dark grey metallic with red leather sport interior.

Where I'll differ with you a little (and correct me if I'm wrong), the C interior was lifted from the S class interior, right? I thought it was done quite nicely.

abacomike

graphicguy said:

Mike...thanks for your take on the C. I think I test drove the sport model (not base). So, handling was much better than you describe and the steering was communicative. Said it before, I love these little turbo 4 cyl motors....especially the one in my CTS and the one you described in the C (as well as the one in the 328i). They're torquey all through the rev range. They are quick, and give great MPG. I like the C seats. Then again, I tried the sports seats which fit me like a glove, and they were leather. I think the one I looked at stickered right around $48K, though. It was a gorgeous, dark grey metallic with red leather sport interior. Where I'll differ with you a little (and correct me if I'm wrong), the C interior was lifted from the S class interior, right? I thought it was done quite nicely.

I don't know about the S Class vs. C Class interior comparison - but as far as the exterior is concerned, they sure are cousins.  I would like to try out the upscale C Class which is what you looked at.  The Sport version will probably be much better.  Remember, the C300 I am driving is their lowest priced entry model.  I guess I am used to more comfort and lots more "toys" to play with.  This one has a low-end stereo audio system and no NAV as well.

For an MSRP of $48,000+ that you looked at, I probably would be much more satisfied.  I like to "feel" the road through the car which this base C300 does not provide.

driver100

snakeweasel said:

driver100 said:

Michaell said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

That market share may bob up and down according to fuel prices, but I doubt it will ever break 6% until the magic formula appears---a 300 mile range 'normal-looking" vehicle you can buy for the price of a Versa or Cruze. ..with or without tax credits.

And the ability to recharge that battery for another 300 miles of range in less than 5 minutes.

That's a big one.....people have "range anxiety", and that is a big deal killer. Even locally, what if you just happen to get stuck in one of those 3 hour traffic tie-ups, just when you have 10 miles left with your last charge?

With an electric car you don't really idle at stops so when you are stuck stopped in traffic the only drain on the batteries is the accessories that you have on. Plus in stop and go traffic you get the regenerative braking. Your range shouldn't suffer to much due to traffic tie ups. Plus if you recharge every night you should be doing good with battery power.

So, if you are stuck in traffic for a few hours you have to turn off your a/c and radio?

stickguy

Range obsession would prevent me from ever being comfortable with an EV. I couple happily live with something like a volt, and get almost all the advantages.

driver100

abacomike said:

graphicguy said:

Mike...thanks for your take on the C. I think I test drove the sport model (not base). So, handling was much better than you describe and the steering was communicative.

Said it before, I love these little turbo 4 cyl motors....especially the one in my CTS and the one you described in the C (as well as the one in the 328i). They're torquey all through the rev range. They are quick, and give great MPG.

I like the C seats. Then again, I tried the sports seats which fit me like a glove, and they were leather.

I think the one I looked at stickered right around $48K, though. It was a gorgeous, dark grey metallic with red leather sport interior.

Where I'll differ with you a little (and correct me if I'm wrong), the C interior was lifted from the S class interior, right? I thought it was done quite nicely.

 

Remember, the C300 I am driving is their lowest priced entry model.  I guess I am used to more comfort and lots more "toys" to play with.  This one has a low-end stereo audio system and no NAV as well.

For an MSRP of $48,000+ that you looked at, I probably would be much more satisfied.  I like to "feel" the road through the car which this base C300 does not provide.

They didn't give you the top of the line model because they don't want you to like it too much....you might trade down next time. From my experience, driving a BMW 528 with a 4 cyl engine is completely different than driving a 535 with Sport option.....two completely different cars. I imagine it is the same with a Mercedes. 4 cyl turbos can be a lot of fun, but must have good handling too, which almost always means opting for the SPORT option.

PF_Flyer

I KNEW I should have thrown the camera in the car this morning. On my way back from the gym, as I passed a credit union building, I noticed an older Buick nose down in the drainage area (the arrow) and a "seasoned citizen" standing in the parking lot behind the hedges, discussing with three officers just how she got down there. At least I assume that's what the conversation was about.

Mr_Shiftright

oldfarmer50 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

driver100 said:

So now they are going to have something like air B&B for cars. This explains it....but would you rent your car out?

Now, as essentially an Airbnb for cars, RelayRides' minimum rental period is one day, and the company has grown to 2,000 city locations and 300 airport locations in the U.S. Haddad says that RelayRides' pricing on average is 35% lower than traditional rental car companies', and that another competitive advantage lies in the diversity of vehicle options. "We have more than 800 makes and models in the marketplace—everything from a Smart Car to a Tesla, with options you typically don't find in rentals," says Haddad. "We don't have to optimize for volume purchase or standardized maintenance, because we don't own the cars. Car enthusiasts are one of our most important groups of customers, and showing them our cars is like showing them candy at a candy store."

They check out customers and only accept ones with excellent record, and they provide up to $1million liability.

SEE MORE AIRNB FOR CARS

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The "Desperation Economy" thunders on. I wonder if people will be renting out their heavily financed SUVs as studio apartments?

I would gladly rent any of Roaburner's fleet.

I rather doubt he would gladly rent them to anyone.

henryn

driver100 said:

qbrozen said:

driver100 said:

They just talked about renting out your car on TV, a new company called Turo. Says most renters can make $600 a month. They said Turo will pay insurance up to $200k. In NY state a renter killed a few people, and the claim will probably be for way more than that!

They think it will appeal to people who don't drive their car a lot, or who drive only on weekends or during the week. It would seem the rental fee could help pay off a car.

I hate letting anyone drive my car....so not for me.

Something seems fishy to me. If the numbers held up, why wouldn't someone just go ahead and buy a car or 2 or 3 or more and use Turo to make money? I could easily have a $0 down $400/mo car payment on a decent enough car, which they are saying I could turn around and make $600/mo on. This is an extra car, mind you, and not one I even have to like (preferably I would not like it because I'm letting other people soil it).

Good point! Maybe I should buy a fleet of Scions at a good rate and rent them out!

There are a lot of companies already doing that. Hertz, Enterprise, National all come to mind.

iluvmysephia1

There are a lot of companies already doing that. Hertz, Enterprise, National all come to mind.

Hertz, Enterprise and National all rent Scion motorcars out? If I had only known I could've rented a baby well before trying to make a play on a Scion of my own on Friday, April 22nd, 2016. Ya live and yet you still learn each and every day, don't ya? I tried to forget motorcars for a single busy business day and look what happens when ya pop in to Edmunds ta catch up posts, pah-t-naa?

Hey, who knows what John Wayne drove? Cadillac would be my guess. Wikipedia it?

roadburner

Mr_Shiftright said:

oldfarmer50 said:

I would gladly rent any of Roadburner's fleet.

I rather doubt he would gladly rent them to anyone.

Actually, I have loaned the Wrangler out twice- to friends who had car trouble and needed something to drive for a week or so. One of them told me he wants first right of refusal if I ever sell it.

oldfarmer50

snakeweasel said:

driver100 said:

Michaell said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

That market share may bob up and down according to fuel prices, but I doubt it will ever break 6% until the magic formula appears---a 300 mile range 'normal-looking" vehicle you can buy for the price of a Versa or Cruze. ..with or without tax credits.

And the ability to recharge that battery for another 300 miles of range in less than 5 minutes.

That's a big one.....people have "range anxiety", and that is a big deal killer. Even locally, what if you just happen to get stuck in one of those 3 hour traffic tie-ups, just when you have 10 miles left with your last charge?

With an electric car you don't really idle at stops so when you are stuck stopped in traffic the only drain on the batteries is the accessories that you have on. Plus in stop and go traffic you get the regenerative braking. Your range shouldn't suffer to much due to traffic tie ups. Plus if you recharge every night you should be doing good with battery power.

Good point. That's why hybrids get better city than highway milage.

oldfarmer50

PF_Flyer said:

I KNEW I should have thrown the camera in the car this morning. On my way back from the gym, as I passed a credit union building, I noticed an older Buick nose down in the drainage area (the arrow) and a "seasoned citizen" standing in the parking lot behind the hedges, discussing with three officers just how she got down there. At least I assume that's what the conversation was about.

Well, come on, that gravel certainly looks like a driveway to me.

stickguy

Hertz might rent a scion, but it won't be a stick shift!

oldfarmer50

iluvmysephia1 said:

There are a lot of companies already doing that. Hertz, Enterprise, National all come to mind.

Hertz, Enterprise and National all rent Scion motorcars out? If I had only known I could've rented a baby well before trying to make a play on a Scion of my own on Friday, April 22nd, 2016. Ya live and yet you still learn each and every day, don't ya? I tried to forget motorcars for a single busy business day and look what happens when ya pop in to Edmunds ta catch up posts, pah-t-naa?

Hey, who knows what John Wayne drove? Cadillac would be my guess. Wikipedia it?

While those guys rent a lot of different cars don't try to rent a SPECIFIC one. When Ford came out with the new platform Mustang in 2005 I tried to get one from the local Hertz place. They made excuse after excuse, avoided my calls and outright lied about the availability of the car. I finally wore them down and they rented me one but it was a real chore.

Another time I was promised a "luxury" car like a Chrysler 300 specifically by the national reservations office only to find a Buick Lasabe waiting for me locally.

PF_Flyer

oldfarmer50 said:

Well, come on, that gravel certainly looks like a driveway to me.

True... on the other side of the hedge.... and across the lawn.... and heading for an extremely small tunnel leading to the main road

stever

I've loaned out cars quite a bit over the years, mostly back in the Tercel days, though the Subaru got used a few times in Boise. One friend flew up to visit and do a river trip and we met at the put-in a few days after he grabbed the Tercel. He'd lost the muffler in the middle of nowhere in dim light and couldn't find it but noted the mile-marker. We found in the ditch two days later after getting off the river, and I took it to my mechanic and had it welded back on.

henryn

oldfarmer50 said:

iluvmysephia1 said:

There are a lot of companies already doing that. Hertz, Enterprise, National all come to mind.

Hertz, Enterprise and National all rent Scion motorcars out? If I had only known I could've rented a baby well before trying to make a play on a Scion of my own on Friday, April 22nd, 2016. Ya live and yet you still learn each and every day, don't ya? I tried to forget motorcars for a single busy business day and look what happens when ya pop in to Edmunds ta catch up posts, pah-t-naa?

Hey, who knows what John Wayne drove? Cadillac would be my guess. Wikipedia it?

While those guys rent a lot of different cars don't try to rent a SPECIFIC one. When Ford came out with the new platform Mustang in 2005 I tried to get one from the local Hertz place. They made excuse after excuse, avoided my calls and outright lied about the availability of the car. I finally wore them down and they rented me one but it was a real chore.

Another time I was promised a "luxury" car like a Chrysler 300 specifically by the national reservations office only to find a Buick Lasabe waiting for me locally.

I like the way your mind works. In the best of all possible worlds, we would never seriously consider buying or leasing any new car without driving it for at least several days, preferably longer. I have tried this in the past (renting a specific vehicle), with little to no success. And if you’re interested in a Honda of any flavor, forget it, they are not in rental fleets.

Not sure about a Scion. Kia Souls, on the other hand, seem to be plentiful. The local Hertz used car sales department has about 7 of them up for sale. And they have five minivans, two Chrysler, one Nissan Quest, and two Siennas. Now if you're looking for a Toyota, they have 202 of those!

driver100

henryn said:

driver100 said:

qbrozen said:

driver100 said:

They just talked about renting out your car on TV, a new company called Turo. Says most renters can make $600 a month. They said Turo will pay insurance up to $200k. In NY state a renter killed a few people, and the claim will probably be for way more than that!

They think it will appeal to people who don't drive their car a lot, or who drive only on weekends or during the week. It would seem the rental fee could help pay off a car.

I hate letting anyone drive my car....so not for me.

Something seems fishy to me. If the numbers held up, why wouldn't someone just go ahead and buy a car or 2 or 3 or more and use Turo to make money? I could easily have a $0 down $400/mo car payment on a decent enough car, which they are saying I could turn around and make $600/mo on. This is an extra car, mind you, and not one I even have to like (preferably I would not like it because I'm letting other people soil it).

Good point! Maybe I should buy a fleet of Scions at a good rate and rent them out!

There are a lot of companies already doing that. Hertz, Enterprise, National all come to mind.

But if I lease Scions for $200 a month and rent them out for $600 a month I can make a nice little profit!