I spoke to my 2 buddies last night who are Merc techs. The cliffs notes of that conversation are as follows:

Avoid it with your life.

Oh man, what a piece of !@#$.

Hope I never have to work on another one.

Poor man's wheelbarrow. (this one had me on the floor)

I would just get a Corolla.

You mean there is still one running somewhere?

It went on and on, but I think their general consensus was, they suck. But, since it sounds like you jumped on it, good luck I guess.

I have my eye on the C250 Sport. Nothing to call home to mom about, but there is just something charming, sporty, and affordable about them.