Topic: First Drive: 2016 Mercedes-Benz C 450 AMG

[Benhaze]

I noticed that too. There is also a bit less flexibility selecting options. Sadly a well equipped one now goes for $68k-69k, about the same as a loaded 3 or 4 series with the 6I ($70k-71k). The C400 was a tad cheaper.

[mmret]

Man...remember when the loaded 335/C350 were ~$50-53k instead of near as dammit $70k? Who says there's no inflation.

[Northernridge]

Man...remember when the loaded 335/C350 were ~$50-53k instead of near as dammit $70k? Who says there's no inflation.

Makes me wonder about pricing for the upcoming new E Class. I don't think the current gen. increased much over the previous one.

[OliverD]

Man...remember when the loaded 335/C350 were ~$50-53k instead of near as dammit $70k? Who says there's no inflation.

I don't think the time ever existed. An '07 335i was just under $50k base IIRC, and you could load it up over $60k. A '16 340i is $51,900 base and has more power, more safety equipment, more standard equipment, etc. Sure it can be optioned higher but it has way more features as well. If anything the price has deflated.

[dirtyjeffer]

Man...remember when the loaded 335/C350 were ~$50-53k instead of near as dammit $70k? Who says there's no inflation.

I don't think the time ever existed. An '07 335i was just under $50k base IIRC, and you could load it up over $60k. A '16 340i is $51,900 base and has more power, more safety equipment, more standard equipment, etc. Sure it can be optioned higher but it has way more features as well. If anything the price has deflated.

exactly.

look at the WRX as an other example...that car $35k when it was new around 2002ish (whenever that was), and they now start at $30k...$35k back then is about $45k when adjusted for inflation, so the fact new vehicle is considerably less expensive, that is very impressive.

[mmret]

Man...remember when the loaded 335/C350 were ~$50-53k instead of near as dammit $70k? Who says there's no inflation.

I don't think the time ever existed. An '07 335i was just under $50k base IIRC, and you could load it up over $60k. A '16 340i is $51,900 base and has more power, more safety equipment, more standard equipment, etc. Sure it can be optioned higher but it has way more features as well. If anything the price has deflated.

Hmm my memory must be hazy then. I had much less budget back then.

[OliverD]

Of course, part of the reason some of the prices have gone down or have only gone up a bit is due to the big change in the CAD around the time of the Great Recession. The price of the WRX in the U.S. went up by about $2500 while it went down $5000 in Canada.