Used 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Consumer Reviews
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nothing but love for this lil guy!
I wasn't sure what to expect when I got rid of my 2014 (F30) BMW 335i xDrive in favor of this 10 year old Benz. I've always loved the way they looked and how comfy they were, so even though some may see it as a "downgrade", I have been nothing but happily surprised with this car. It's easily the most comfortable, quiet, soft, forgiving car I have ever had the pleasure of owning. It has never stranded me, and has only needed new tires and two oil changes since I got it a year and a half ago. I get compliments on it everywhere I go, and I love driving it. The engine pulls and sounds incredible. I would buy this 100 times over. I'm a Mercedes diehard now because of this car.
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Enjoyable drive
I have owned this car for 7 months now. To sum my experience up: I like it. Love the look (mine is black). The one-hour drive I spend everyday to/from work is enjoyable, relaxing and comfortable. The car is very responsive (for a mild driver), turns corners very well. It feels 'solid' as you maneuver it. I did not like the fact that the default CD does not read MP3 files, which was not mentioned anywhere when I did my research before purchase (fortunately I got the 6CD option). Gas mileage for my first 8000 city/highway miles is around 26.5MPG. Having seen some complaints about Benz's reliability elsewhere, mine is so far trouble-free. Hope it will remain so.
- C230 Sport SedanMSRP: $5,999178 mi away
- C280 Luxury 4MATIC SedanMSRP: $5,000217 mi away
- C280 Luxury 4MATIC SedanMSRP: $10,995256 mi away
2006 Mercedes C230 sport
best car I ever owned Comfortable sporty and Luxury ride with great Fuel Economy (25-30 miles/gal.). Low Maintenance Cost (comparing to other classes of Mercedes) with powerful engine and smooth transmission
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44,000 miles and stuck in 2nd gear
I have babied this car! freeway mostly easy on the gas pedal ext... first the trans would randomly be stuck in 3rd gear as im driving. I would have to stop turn the key off then restart. I was going to take it to the dealership soon but now i cant even do that it wont shift into anything but 2nd or reverse or park. very very very disapointed in this high dollar vehicle. will be even more so if there is not a recall on this. i didnt blow my bank account and pay cash for something that wont even last me 44,000 mile.... will update soon with my results....
Transmission Problems Right After 4 Years
This was the first time that I purchased a brand new car. It has been nothing but problems since owning it. In addition to costly regular maintenance, I have had to replace brakes, rotors twice, tires need to be replaced often, the power steering pump went out, and shortly after 52,000 miles I began having transmission problems. It continues to start in a higher gear creating lag when I push on the gas. Other times, it will not automatically upshift and stays in first gear. In ordet to override the problem, I pull over, turn off the car, and then restart again. I will NEVER purchase a MB again.
Great ride for the money
Really a smooth, quite ride with good acceleration. Great turning radius - much better than the S60 Volvo awd. Also responds better to the road the the Volvo or the Jag x type. Controls are confusing, setting the dials requires a look at the manual each time. Like the visability from the drivers seat - judging the front end is easier with the mercedes emblem out front. Very few blind spots. AWD responds real well in the snow - stabilizes quite well.
Piece of junk! Jack !
With 74xxx miles, engine balance shaft bad, M-B lost the class action law suit so they will pay for partial repair. Never should have gone bad I the first place. Engine intake breaks due to cheap plastic rods. Valve body in transmission is a problem and gets stuck in gear a $2,400 dealer only repair. Electrical failures. Do not purchase this car !!!
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Quality all around
I got my MB C280 4Matic in 2009. I was turned in at the end of a lease, had less then 40k miles, and only paid $19k for it. I live in Colorado and need the all wheel drive. When comparing it to other AWD cars available, this was by far the best value. When test driving the cars the MB had almost no signs of wear, and the best overall fit and finish. The MB drove as well as the Audi and Subaru, the Toyota and Volvo were overpriced and lack luster. After 3 years I still love my MB. It is still very peppie, and handles (and rides) like a dream (like you think an MB should). Reliability wise,,,,,,, I have not had it in the shop once!!!
Luxury Ride
This car is like riding on a cloud. The ride is very smooth and luxurious. It is easy to drive and easy to maneuver. I average between 26-28 MPG on the highway. If you are looking for luxury, look no further than the Mercedes C280. I also recommend getting the 4-matic. It is great in the snow.
Wonderful
Am giving all "10" review based on price versus features and performance. Fun and agile car to drive with lots of luxury. Smooth 7sp tranny and engine is fine. The tranny always finds right gear and love the comfort mode and sport mode. Get 30 mpg on road...great sports sedan. First MB, not my last
A Practical Daily Driver AMG
This car is quick, and I mean scary quick. My C55 is my first AMG and let me say in one year I have put 21,000 hard miles and it’s been an absolute dream to drive and ultra reliable. Accelerates rapidly and corner very well considering its nose heavy. In the time of owning the car never have I seen one check engine light at all. Previous owner didn’t have much work done to it. I took precaution and did a tune up with the spark plugs, coils, and engine and tranny mounts and that’s it. This AMG is just a sleeper and problem free. I have run against many cars and it hasn’t failed me once. Being my daily driver city I have gotten 15 and high way 21 MPG. On 5 long trips to L.A from the San Francisco’s Area this Guy has done 25 MPG with 3 passengers at 75MPH. The benefit of owning this car is you don’t have to worry about a super charger Wearing down or the air suspension because the C class never came with it which saves thousands compared to the E55 AMG. At 160,000 miles maybe it has lost 5 horsepower Max. I driver it everyday and forget how many miles it has.Great reliability and quality for a 11 year old car hands down with out a doubt. I highly recommend these AMG as a starter as they will always leave a good impression like the other Line ups. Only disadvantage is they do burn a bit of oil and that’s it. I had the navigation, heated seats, and rear folding seats and everything including the command interface worked easily and excellent.
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w203 C350
All I can say is this car is amazing. Very fast car and very smooth shifting (7G-Tronic Tranny). This car is a sleeper (don't expect it to be that fast). The sport model came in 7 speed auto and 6 speed manual. The car is able to beat and keep up with very fast cars. Beat - (G35 Sedan, G35 Coupe, 328, 330, ML500, A4). Very fun to drive and pretty rare.
Quality problems for Mercedes Benz
Buying a Mercedes Benz was the worst decision I have ever made when it came to buying a new car. With a name like Mercedes, I thought I was buying the best quality available on the market. Boy, was I wrong. After having only 16,000 miles on my vehicle, I noticed that there was damage to the rotors, so I took my car in for a brake inspection. The service advisor told me that the wear was normal, and that I would have to replace the rotor and the front brakes at a cost of $450- $500. The advisor told me that Mercedes uses a different metal for the pads, and a thin rotor so all Mercedes owners can expect to replace rotors and brakes every 16,000 to 20,000 miles. What kind of quality is that? By the way, my girlfriend has a 2006 C230 also with 4100 miles, and we had to take it in to replace the electronic cluster that displays all the info to the driver.
Great car if you have the funds to maintain it!
I drove my Mercedes C280 4 Matic for four years -- great for the snow in Colorado. During my four years I really enjoyed driving this vehicle. It was comfortable, quiet, cornered well, and accelerated well -- very enjoyable on long trips. Rear seating was a little cramped but still acceptable. Maintenance costs during this time frame were about average compared to other vehicles. YET around 160,000 miles I experienced a camshaft/timing belt issue which I later learned was typical for this particular V6 engine. The cost to repair this issue was more than the car was worth at the time --$3000! Would I buy another Mercedes? Yes, IF I had the funds to maintain and repair it. IF you plan on keeping your Mercedes any length of time I recommend having some type of warranty to cover maintenance AND as soon as your warranty expires trade your beautiful Mercedes for something else.
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Fun to Drive
I have put 14,000 miles on the car already and have the following summary: Exterior looks are very good. Interior is average and the seats are not well made. The MB Tex material seems to stain easily. Stereo is probably the best sounding car stereo that I have listened to. Amazing sound quality. Transmission is sluggish/indecisive and the best way to quickly accelerate is to manually shift down using the manual shift feature. The engine is quite impressive in the 3500 - 5000 RPM range, but that is not where you usually drive. Handling is very good, but the tires seem to wear quickly. Build quality/reliability is only average.
Good looking but a lemon
When I first got the car I fell in love with the way it handled, looked, and the gawking that I got from other drivers when they saw the big ol' star on the hood. However this car is a true Chrysler product, I have owned it about a year and a half now, it has been towed in immobile three times, one time a pulley ceased, next time the electrical, most recent the "accelerator pedal" malfunctioned making the tranny immobile. After I purchased it I had problems with the sun roof not automatically closing as it was supposed to, took them six times in the shop to fix it. Anything to do to this car repair wise (oil, tires, brakes) is way overpriced. Disappointed with the car, thought it was better
"iron fist in a velvet glove"
I originally bought this vehicle because my wife would not let me buy a E39 M5 due to the manual transmission, so I had resigned myself to a life of commuting boredom without my beloved 3rd pedal. "At least I'll have the big V8 to listen to while I wait for the transmission to catch up to my right foot" I thought. Well, I was wrong. The AMG SpeedShift is extremely impressive in daily use; it is very rarely in the wrong gear and is tuned for an enthusiast driver. Sport mode is very entertaining and Comfort isn't a blatant sacrifice to the EPA mileage gods. This, coupled with the prodigious amounts of torque and deep exhaust note, make for an entertaining drive even in traffic.
Classy Performer
Having looked at all competing models, the 2006 C230 is easly my favorite. I've had it for about 7 weeks and still have to pinch myself ever morning before driving to work. It's easly the most timless design inside and out with superb detailing, fit and finish. I constantly receive looks of admiration and positive feedback. The perfomance is excellent in every way. The only notable exception is the occassional lack of transmission responsivness at lower rpm range. This is somewhat unacceptable for a sports sedan. Freeway perfomance is excellent, with amazing acceleration and incredible braking power. I often find myself driving too fast because of how smooth, quiet and solid the car is.
I like this baby Benz!
I got the 2006 C230 Sport Sedan with 6 speed manual, The shifter is kind of short and hard. It's like you have a aftermarket short shifter! I love it ! The new 2.5 V6 is NOT fast than the I4 w/supercharger. But I feel more power on the high end. The sports tuned suspension may be too hard for some people, but it's a lot of better than my EVO 8! The ride is smooth on freeway. If the power is not something you looking for. The C230 sport sedean is very nice in and out! Just not as fast as Volvo S40 T5 or BMW 330i!
C55 AMG = 'A' 'M'onster in your 'G'arage
This car is fast! Let me rephrase that, it's VERY fast. The car should be driven for fun, not for comfort or fuel economy. The ride is very stiff, but that's what you want in a sports car. Don't bother looking at the mpg's (11-14 city, 18-22 hway). Interior build quality seems below my old 1997 C230 which is a bit disappointing for a sedan that msrp's for 60K. There is a lot of plastic on the dash, and most controls feel cheap to the touch. But who cares? This car is FAAAAAST!
C350-LL
Overall the vehicle is nice. There does need to be some changes as with any vehicle. It has a nice smooth quiet ride...I am coming from a Nissan 350Z which was LOUD and bumpy. The car feels to me a little stuffy for my age group late 20's. but I think it has more to do with the interior tan anything else. The cars stereo system is a bit weak.
Nice Car, Could be better for the price
Bought it used 22K Miles (Paid 17.5K - yeah rubbing it in) Car is fun to drive, perfect for the Driver who wants a sports car which can also drive like a luxury car when you need it. I have always been a Lexus owner, the one thing that stands up when I get into the C350 is the Plastic. Even my 8 yr old RX doesn't look this cheap inside.
Didnt Expect It!
I went from an SUV into this C-class sedan, and it has been a great surprise. I feel secure and safe in this vehicle. I never understood what the term "hugs the road" meant until I drove this car. What a fun car to drive. The interior is as beautiful and as classy as the exterior.
You get what you pay for...
Had this car for 40 days now. CEL came on literally as soon as i drove off the lot and now i think i should have given it back. I have a 3 year 20k drivetrain powertrain warranty which covered the electrical issue. Too bad it took two weeks in the shop and terrible support from MB. Like they could not communicate what the problem even was for the first 9 fays and constantly pushing back the estimated time of completion. Get it back and then the door lock on the rear passenger side door breaks. Now the door won't open. Ran over a chunk of ice and the car now needs an alignment and dust cover for underneath the vehicle. Who knows what's next? This car is needy. It looks nice on the inside and out, climate control is nice. The button layout isn't intuitive and the plastic silver and rubberized plastic on the upholstery is cheaper than you would expect from MB. The blutooth and nav are not compatable with current smart phones, totally pointless. Ill need $850 to run a fiber optics cable and make it work... Smh. The climate control and audio system is nice but all the other tech stuff is glorified garbage. Doesn't have the zip or responsiveness that it had new, i can tell. Good acceleration and handling though. Tiptronic could be useful but after replacing the wiring I'm scared to do anything with it. Not for big people, point blank. But I'm average. Do not buy this car without a really good extended warranty. I'm going to sell it before the warranty runs out tbh. At least it looks nice and is very good for dates.
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A Joy to Drive
This car is truly a joy to drive! This is my fourth Mercedes (previous ones were 450SL,C240, and SLK230), and I've also driven BMW's (including an 850ci). And this car, although certainly not the largest or most powerful of the Mercedes, compares most favorably to all of my past vehicles. The handling is smooth as silk, the acceleration quick, and the braking sure and steady. As in all of the Mercedes, I feel safe and secure with a very solid car beneath me. Oh, and dare I say that it's a "beauty" too!
My first AMG
Bought my C55AMG from a friend and I am very happy that I did. Incredibly fun to drive, has a sports car feel with a European sedan look. It is a real sleeper except to those who know AMG, and I am surprised how many people know AMG. Ride is a bit stiff but the handling makes up for it. I'm getting 22+mpg on the road and 19mpg around town if I'm not on the gas.
Not really worth the $
Was my first and last Mercedes. thought this manufacture stood for quality, comfort and performance boy was I in for a shock. Required preventative maintenance on this car is expensive! First year about the same as others $400 - $600 its the subsequent years that get you doubling and tripling that. Couple that with numerous annoyance problems that were under warranty and corrected but still shouldn't happen. Items such as; squeaky pullies, engine maintenance light and etc. Decent layout inside but not comfortable; seats thin, low to the ground and small interior space don't accommodate us folks of 6 feet tall or greater. Do what I should have done pass this dog on by save some money.
Junk on wheels
I am the original purchaser of a 2006 mzb c230 sport model v6 m272 engine. It is just a piece of junk that has been really bad Do not buy it or any mzb in less you can pay for most expensive repairs.
My Benz
My ownership experience with this car has been outstanding from the day I purchased it to this day (almost two years). It is beautiful, reliable, easy to maneuver, and very quiet. Absolute joy to own!
Chose this over BMW and Audi
I had just purchased this vehicle and love it. I looked at the BMW 3 series and the Audi 3 series. People will try to contradict you about Mercedes and how it's not that great of a car. It is far better than the BMW and Audi. My family owns both BMW and Audi's. The interior does not even compare to the others. Also, the 4 wheel drive is something that BMW doesn't have. The horsepower in the C280 4matic has more HP than the more expensive Audi(3.0 Quattro) and BMW(330) models. I paid $38,500 Fully loaded nav system and all.
Mercedes C280
Drove an Audi previously and it doesn't compare. This car has given me almost no problems in 2 years now. The only problem I ran into was getting 2 bubbles in my front tires. The car functions exceptional and would recommend this car to anyone. I'm in my early 20's and chose this car over Audi and BMW.
No C student
I just traded in my 2002 C240 for a 2006 C280...comparitively, it was as if I just walked into a cheap E class. While the C240 was a great deal at the time and a good first into into the Mercedes line, the C280 is just loads more fun, far more luxurious and a hell of a lot faster. The styling and appointments are significantly plush and sophisticated than both the Audi A4 and the BMW 3 series, and I know it gets more admiring double takes than either of the others. I can't imagine that there is a better deal under $40k for German engineering than the 2006 C280.
A Fun Little Car
We have had this car for 3 years now. I have found it to be a reliable, fun car to drive. Fit and finish is outstanding. The car moves out smartly and the ride is smooth. Service at the dealer has been very good in spite of the service prices. Its about time to replace a second car, and I think I'll take a look at the E-class.
Love it
I traded my Honda in for an 06 C230 last May. I love the looks of the car, it has a very intimidating "aggressive" looking stance, and when its clean (i got black) it looks amazing, Im constantly getting looks from other drives checking the car out. However, I wish I would have gotten a Kompressor, this vehicle is too slow in stop and go traffic and around town driving, its hard to explain but it would almost feel like a "turbo lag" you are flooring the pedal and its not going no where fast, but at freeway speeds its very responisive. I have never driven a vehicle that handles as well as this car does...Mercedes hasn't sacraficed anything in reguards to handeling and braking.
First 1000 kms....great
This is my third C-class, so I knew exactly what to expect from the very beginning. The vehicle is much more refined, quieter and more confortable that previously owned C230K coupe and C240. Engine performance is superb with the 3.0 litre V6, pick-up is great at any speed as transmission selects the proper ratio every time. Fuel consumption is 7-8% better than the C240 but 10% more than C230K. Quite acceptable with a range of 800 kms. Now for the transmission: pick-up is immediate and fast in S mode, but the system takes a second or so to find second gear before taking off from a stop in Comfort mode. Yes the car really takes off in second gear.
Don't waste your money
This car is not worth the money, at all. I have had numerous problems with this car, which are all well known by the dealers, but they won't acknowledge them until you bring it in for repairs. My dash squeeks, the front end can not be alined properly, the pressure in the fuel tank goes 'thud, thud, thud' all the time, the electronics don't work 15% of the time, the seats are uncomfortable, I have a re-call notice for the airbag system, it has very little power, 7 speed transmision is not fun to use, and the lay out of the instrument pannel is down right awful. I would suggest buying the E350 or Acura TL, but do not waste your money on this car. This is a poor Mercedes.
C55 Amazing Power - Everything else????
Nothing else can compare this this car's power. That is about where it ends for me. Within two weeks of delivery the remote access FOB features quit working and the radio was in a constant state of static and random on off behavior. A warranty trip to the dealer and the radio was fixed and they said the keyless access was fixed as well. The keyless access quit working two days later and this was followed by a HUGE transmission fluid leak in my garage and a mysterious flapping sound coming from the engine compartment. Back to the dealer again. They advised they leak in the tranny was a common problem and they could not find the mysterious noise after numerious attempts.
Great for 2 types of people
Mercedes particularly the c280 4matic is great for two types of people: the first of which being the people who can afford the the maintenance fees and shop labor charges, but your buying a Mercedes not a Kia its somewhat an investment. The second type of person to purchase this vehicle is someone who ive very mechanically inclined and able to handle some of the basics themselves, i.e. brakes, belts, transfer case fluid, Diff fluid, spark plugs, etc. If your not one of the two listed above and your budget can not allow for a dollar oil change this may not be for you.
I will only drive a Benz now!
I purchased this car a day before my 37th birthday. I previously owned a 2006 Chrysler 300 Limited which was destroyed in the flood. The MB has a nice comfortable ride and I like the comfort mode versus the sport mode. However, the transmission responsiveness is not my favorite. Also, MB needs to make the iPod hookup, memory seats, navigation and CD Changer standard equipment.
CAUTION
Looks can be deceptive. The C230 is a very good looking car. I have owned this car for two months, and unfortunitly, so far the bad out ways the good. At 1200 miles the car has been to the dealer twice for the same items (trans slip, & gas mileage) Expect city mileage around 13 to 16, and maybe 25 on the highway if your going downhill. Gas mileage is a really big issue because performance of the C230 does not overcome the poor gas mileage, far under advertised. Would I buy a BMW 3 Series over the C230, probably not, but yet again I probably would not buy another Mercedes based on my current experience.
Great car for under 20k
Bought this Mercedes Benz C230 Sport edition after owning a 94'C220 for 12 years. My old 94' didn't age so well, the transmission had issues and engine lost most of it's power early on. I had driven a few of the 2006-2007 C's as loaners and I fell in love with the C230 sport 2.5 V6 automatic. Great change from the earlier 4 cyl Kompressors! I got this car for $19,300 with 22k miles Certified from Motorwerks of Barrington, IL. I didn't have to haggle much either, I bought this car on Black Friday 2008 when NO ONE was buying cars due to the recession. Black on Black fully loaded, and I mean loaded- GPS, 10 speaker surround Harmon Kardon stereo, seat warmers, full power seats, leather, etc
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Great For Grandma
Great vehicle for comfort driving. Acceleration is poor only because there is a lag once you press the accelerator. Once the 220HP 6 cylinder kicks in,it moves. It's just that darn lag...
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C230 SPORT
I love my car! My 1st Mercedes, gift from hubby! vVery satisfied with my C230. Fun to drive. A very solid, smooth drive. You really get what you pay for. I will recommend this to anyone.
C230
This is the first Mercedes that I have owned. I traded in a 2004 Nissan 350Z. I must say this car is just about the name Mercedes. Very sluggish, no power. Have had problems with the center console locking. The interior is only part leather, just doesn't have that new car feel. The seats aren't that comfortable, and the airconditioner is just ok. Turn signal is very loud.
Great car while in warranty !!!!!!!
The design department did its job flawlessly with the C-Class; The car is a delight to drive when new and shows great composure on the road and lots of punch, inside the car you are surrounded by exquisite quality (if you choose the OPTIONAL luxury packages), but beneath the skin there is a time bomb. Materials, components and especially electrics and electronics are a nightmare and they seem to be designed to withstand only the use for 3 yrs / 60,000 miles. I experienced serious problems with electrics and electronics, AT gearbox (transmission conductor), steering rack (!!!), countless electrical surges and...lousy dealer service. Treat yourself with A NEW MB, BUT ONLY WITHIN WARRANTY !
Makes me want to get up to go to work
After two months, finally some bad weather for the 4 matic which was sure footed in heavy rain. The automatic winshield wipers are pretty cool. Although a smaller sedan, its interior does not seem small even when my wife and two teens go along. The field of view, steering wheel controls, mirror placement, overall performance, and ride make this the best vehicle I've ever owned.
Three words - "piece of junk"
I have owned 5 MB's since 1989 and through the years have been pretty much pleased. I bought the C230 Sport, bright Mars Red. Styling is hot - but that is where it stops. The aluminum interior trim looks like it was cut from an old tin can. Performance was lacking and at idle the car had a lot of engine vibration. At 3,000 miles, most of the lightbulbs had blown, and the windows would periodically start going up and down by themselves. First service appt. cost $ 300.00. MB should take a clue from BMW and quit putting 4 cyl. engines in these cars. I just traded this car last week for a new 2006 BMW 330i (resale was awful) and traded my SLK230 for a new Z4 - 3.0. My MB days are over.
Outstanding Value
The MB 2006 C280 fourmatic is a fun car to own. I bought it for 26000 with almost 11000 miles on it. It's powerful and on long trips there's good fuel economy to be had, even around town 21-22 mpg isn't bad, on trips upwards of 30 mpg. You'll forget that the soul of this car is a sportscar. What will make you remember is its preformance and power. It handles quite well at high speeds on turns, and stops on a dime. The turning radius is very sharp too. I have driven many cars and this car might be the best for value. I absolutely would recommend the MB C280 fourmatic to anyone
Very Pleased - with fingers crossed
This car is a HOOT to drive! It corners, brakes, and accelerates very nicely. It has just enough power to be fun, yet gets great mileage with the 6M. Although the interior is not spacious, the seats are comfortable and supportive. I'm not a stereo buff, but I think the sound system is great. My only criticism of the driving experience is that the steering is over-assisted and lacks feel. I've had no reliability issues thus far, and the dealer even replaced a hard-to-get-at bulb under warranty. I am using 4 snows and it has gone great in snow and ice, despite being RWD. There is some flexibility in tire sizing, and I was able to get 17" snows very reasonably from Tire Rack.
New 2.5L V6, New 7 speed automatic
The new engine and transmission is very smooth yet energetic. New granite grey color is pretty. The ride is a bit too sporty to my taste due to the 17' Z rated tires. In 'C' mode, the car starts in 2nd gear and shifts up at low revs. It is very smooth and quiet in this mode. However, it feels like the engine only has 120hp that way. In 'S' mode, it starts in 1st gear, and shifts above 4k. The sound is a bit harsh but you can believe the engine has 201hp. I only have this car for a couple of days. Hope the reliability is good.