Mercedes C350 a super sport sedan, but ...

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 is easily the best small sport sedan the world's most revered luxury brand has ever built. It's a tribute to how stunningly good today's sport sedans are that that's not enough to make the C-class the pre-emptive first choice in its class.

Picking a sport sedan is like renting a Cary Grant movie: There aren't many bad ones, just different degrees of good. "The Philadelphia Story"? "North by Northwest"? "His Girl Friday"? "Gunga Din"?

I loved driving the C350. I look forward to driving it again. But the downside factors are fuel cost, a couple of unattractively wide gaps between exterior panels and the lack of a manual transmission with the C-class' top engine.

MCT

Available extras on the new Mercedes-Benz C350 include a TeleAid emergency communications unit, navigation system with seven-inch video display, hard drive to store music, multi-channel surround sound and voice control.

Prices for the Mercedes C-class start at $31,200 for a C300 Sport model with a 228-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 and a six-speed manual transmission.

The lowest-priced model with an automatic transmission is a $32,640 C300 Sport with Mercedes' marvelous seven-speed gearbox.

The C300 Luxury model offers the same engine, adds standard equipment including the automatic transmission and starts at $32,900.

The top C350 Sport model starts at $36,500 and comes with a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and the seven-speed automatic, a marvelously smooth and precise gearbox.

I tested a well-equipped C350 Sport with a $46,860 sticker price.

The omission of a manual transmission with the 3.5-liter will scratch the C-class from enthusiasts' shopping lists. The BMW 335i and Cadillac CTS offer six-speed manuals for drivers who want to maximize control and enjoyment.

The Mercedes goes them one gear better in automatic, but that advantage doesn't translate into leading fuel economy for the C-class. The C-class' EPA fuel economy ratings of 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway plant it in the middle of the pack.

The C350 is an enjoyable car to drive, thanks to lightweight construction, a supple suspension, and confident steering and brakes. The 3.5-liter engine provides plenty of power for jaunts around town, racing through the countryside or high-speed passes on the highway. The sedan feels lithe and eager as it gobbles up highway miles and country curves.

The C350 is also an exceptionally quiet and comfortable car. Road and wind noise are minimal, front-seat room is excellent, rear room is good and cargo space is about average.