As with all Mercedes, newer is better.

Mostly this means the "facelift" version.

If you like a nimble handling car with power and fuel economy, the W203 is a NICE car to drive. I can see where someone would drive one and then want it. I did. I just hope they have a better experience with reliabilty than I did. Mine was a six speed and was a real kick in the butt to drive.

Best of luck to them. I expect the bugs that I dealt with were worked out by the '03 models.

Well we will see; I have passed along all the tidbits from this thread and my knowledge to my brother. I am sure I will get many calls and a couple invites to come look at some cars. He lives in the Dallas Metroplex area so the test driving part may be a bit difficult.

Larry were'nt you in the Spring, Texas area at one time? I was in the Woodlands this past weekend visiting friends and thought about you.