Both women who have driven my 300td have totally surprised me. Normally something so uncool would provoke endless mirth about what is basically a very comfortable van (esp with manual transmission) but no...both were very surprised about how easy it was to drive, and when they learned the difference between petrol and deisel were satisfied with it's pull. My sister looked more relaxed driving than I've ever seen her (normally a complete cyclepath!) and I could tell the missus was sorry when I eventually got her car working again.
BTW, one big plus for them they said was the amazing power steering - they loved it.