For the 2003 model year, the C320 sedan drops its suggested retail price from $37,615 to $35,865 – which includes a $665 destination charge. Mercedes C320 is a high-end sports sedan with a decent 3.2-liter V6 engine – 215 horsepower and 221 pounds feet of torque between 3000 and 4600 rpm – mating to a 6-speed manual transmission. I’m a big fan of manual transmissions, but this transmission didn’t thrill me. Perhaps it just isn’t the best match for a 3,430-pound vehicle. Or perhaps the more likely scenario is that other drivers will like the gear ratios versus a storm of shifting frenzy. There are other aspects that didn’t generate much enthusiasm from this driver. Things like a steering wheel with too much ‘dead space’ for a sports sedan that should have a more responsive input to output, an audio system with controls that are simply unnecessarily complex, cup holders that are meant for ‘skinny’ sized beverage cups, and side mirrors that are too small to capture a comprehensive viewing angle. Sure, there are lots of standards on the sedan, including 10-way electric adjust front seats with 3-position memory, four wheel anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, and anti-slip regulation. A $400 factory-installed CD changer is optional equipment. The automaker has no plans for any radical changes to the C320 in the 2004 model year.