Not sure how much car you're going to get for $2k.
Around here, that's only going to get you a needy car.

As usual, that later, the better.

Best of the breed would be the last couple of years, with the interior updates, but these don't fall into you price range without intergalactic mileage or lots of problems.

We have a C230, and the engine is disappointing from a refinement standpoint. Quite rough, not at all like the 6 cylinders. Lots of power, and we've bested 30mpg on the highway with the C230.

While the 190 always felt tight for me, the C-class, W202, feels much more comfortable, closer to our W124s. With my 190D, I had the front seat back so far, you could not fit behind me comfortably.

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles