Used C-Class models vary in price considerably, which makes sense due to its long tenure and wide gap between vinyl seat base and luxury/performance features. At the time of this writing (September 19, 2002) CanadaTrader.com showed a few high-mileage 1994 C220s from Quebec at extremely low prices. One, with 189,000 km on the clock was priced at $13,995. Unless you're a mechanic I'd be careful. The Mercedes-Benz pre-owned website (www.mbexperience.com), recently updated with slick graphic and easier functionality, shows two 1995 C220s, one with 85,600 km on the odometer and the other with just over 100,000 km, each for a $19,800 asking price. A 1997 C230 with 65,000 km is $25,600. Two 1998 C230s are available, the first with 38,000 km and the next with 53,000 for $28,800 and $30,800 respectively. A solitary 1999 C230 with 74,000 km is also priced at $30,800. 2000 model year C230s fetched slightly more, from about $30,000 up to $34,000. Not many C280s were available for price comparisons but the ones I saw were going in the high 20's to mid 30's. A single 1996 C36 with just over 100,000 km was asking nearly $32,000 while two 1999 C43s were at $45,800 and $47,500.
This example should show you it doesn't take millionaire status to park a C-Class in your driveway, especially if a 4-cylinder model will do. Just take into consideration repairs will be more expensive than the Honda Accord you're considering trading in and probably be needed more often. All in all though, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is as solidly built as small cars come, and should offer years of service provided regular maintenance is undertaken. There are few safer cars built and few that offer as dynamic a ride and handling combination.