$5,400 · 2002 Mercedes C240 Elegance, Senior-Owned, Runs Like a Top, 178,000km

From the gleaming original indigo blue paint, to the impeccable interior, to the stellar mechanical report card, this is a car that has been given meticulous attention and pride of ownership over the years. This car has been a pleasure to drive and is the third C series Mercedes I've had over the last 30 years. The 2.6 litre power plant strikes a nice balance between good fuel economy and power. It compares very favorably to the BMW 2.5 litre engine (which isn't quite as good on fuel economy). The dove grey leather seats might be the most comfortable car seats I have ever sat in, and all the power options (including the large electric sunroof and climate control airconditioning) work perfectly. This is the Elegance model (highest trim on the C240) and has a few extras that the base and sport model didn't have. Looks-wise, there's no paint like original Mercedes paint. Still shines up (see photo) as if it were a new car. Very little in the way of rust or dings, and my investigations turned up just a couple of small scratches on the body. Mechanically, we put it through a pre-sale inspection when we decided to sell a week or so ago. As a result, we spent a fair number of our hard-earned dollars on: a/c recharge and seals fixed, new control arms, ball joints/tie rods and alignment. It's running like a dream, very tight and responsive. With only 178k, the Mercedes should be good for many years to come, as these engines are known to go over 300k. We had toyed with the idea of applying for collector's plates when it's eligible next year, (and keeping it as a third car), but opted for the sale instead. Essentially, it's a turnkey car, needs nothing and will need nothing in the foreseeable future.