[Dhishum]

So, here is the thing, I've been following the CLA for quite some time and on seeing and reading all the various reviews, I am a little disappointed (with the reviews, not the car ofcourse!)

Here is why -

All/most of the reviews are talking about the car as if it was a $50k car. It's not. It's a $30k Mercedes, so there would be some differences! A few examples of criticisms I have heard:

- The materials are not 'top notch'
Really? How do you expect an automobile manufacturer to invest in design, production line changes, advertisement campaigns and still have everything 'top notch' and still keep the cost low? There has to be some cost cutting somewhere. General business/manufacturing principle?
- Less headroom at the back
It is a 'sedan coupe' design, not a 'bus coupe' design.... most coupe designs have that issue and isnt it expected that there would be a trade off with the interior head room when you get such an exterior design!
- Gear shifts are not as responsive
Yes, and everyone is not a race car driver all the time. Yes I agree it has an effect on the driving experience, but if that is such a concern, why not spend $10k more and get a 3 series?
- Trunk is shaped in a way that it is narrow at the bottom, so you can't fit in golf clubs side ways
Oh God.
- 250 engine seems underpowered
Does the fuel efficiency seem too much?

I don't know if its just me who thinks this way... but have any of you heard things on reviews that seem out of place?

 

[ZILLA]

All/most of the reviews are talking about the car as if it was a $50k car. It's not. It's a $30k Mercedes, so there would be some differences! A few examples of criticisms I have heard:

- The materials are not 'top notch'
Really? How do you expect an automobile manufacturer to invest in design, production line changes, advertisement campaigns and still have everything 'top notch' and still keep the cost low? There has to be some cost cutting somewhere. General business/manufacturing principle?

I have to assume they mean top notch based on the cost of the car, no top notch in general.

- Less headroom at the back
It is a 'sedan coupe' design, not a 'bus coupe' design.... most coupe designs have that issue and isnt it expected that there would be a trade off with the interior head room when you get such an exterior design!

Theyre just giving people a heads up (no pun intended), that they shouldnt expect the "average" headroom you would find in a typical 4 door sedan.

- Gear shifts are not as responsive
Yes, and everyone is not a race car driver all the time. Yes I agree it has an effect on the driving experience, but if that is such a concern, why not spend $10k more and get a 3 series?

Why would someone want to spend $10k more for more backseat headroom? If they like the CLA, what makes you think they have any interest in a 3 series?

- Trunk is shaped in a way that it is narrow at the bottom, so you can't fit in golf clubs side ways
Oh God.

I havent heard this one. As long as my skateboard fits (and at least 1 body) I am happy.

- 250 engine seems underpowered
Does the fuel efficiency seem too much?

It is underpowered. The gas mileage should be worth the loss of power if the estimates (mpg) Im hearing are accurate though. The torque is decent, hp aside.

I don't know if its just me who thinks this way... but have any of you heard things on reviews that seem out of place?

I think its just that people expect more from Benz and have not yet adapted to the fact theres a lower cost/quality Benz out there yet.

 

[moneyB]

Actually the reviews are on point at least the ones done by the foreign people in the foreign countries which is most of them, like Germany and many other ones. I believe that with tax the car will realistically be 40k in the u.s. at the least. Sports package, bi-xenon etc. I believe with tax limited edition will end up being 45k with tax. While germany its like 60k dollars for the car, and thats decently upgrade minimum. For 60k i would expect way more but we are lucky here in the U.S. Also for people who see the commercial and go ape shit and think its 29,900 thats just a marketing scheme no way someone would buy it like that, minimum will be about 40k after ttl and the upgrades.

 

[ZILLA]

Actually the reviews are on point at least the ones done by the foreign people in the foreign countries which is most of them, like Germany and many other ones. I believe that with tax the car will realistically be 40k in the u.s. at the least. Sports package, bi-xenon etc. I believe with tax limited edition will end up being 45k with tax. While germany its like 60k dollars for the car, and thats decently upgrade minimum. For 60k i would expect way more but we are lucky here in the U.S. Also for people who see the commercial and go ape shit and think its 29,900 thats just a marketing scheme no way someone would buy it like that, minimum will be about 40k after ttl and the upgrades.

If the Edition 1 model (which I have pre-ordered) is over 42k with tax I am cancelling. Id rather pay a little more for the CLA45. My guess is the Edition 1 will be 42k out the door. (US)

 

[moneyB]

a limited-production Launch Edition of the all-new 2014 CLA will be offered for those who seek some added exclusivity. On the outside, brilliant Mountain Grey metallic paintwork and black, 18-inch multispoke alloy wheels convey an undercurrent of rebellion. Beneath the skin, an exclusive black interior with contrast neon stitching, a Panorama sunroof and an infotainment suite including an iPod/MP3 Media Interface, navigation and a harman/kardon surround-sound system.

45k random guess tbh because i think they're gonna overload the limited edition with the options. When it say's infotainment suite including does it mean theres also other stuff besides that. Like is there gonna be driver assistance package premium package multi media package? Adds up like crazy.

 

[ZILLA]

Im just saying, one would be a fool to pay 45 when the AMG45 is under 3k more

 

[Hans26]

I also don't know why everyone is saying the vehicle would be of poor quality?
One claimed it and everyone else speak to it!
I've got the vehicle in real terms and it is great!
This car is not inferior!
First look then judge!

 

[stangr6]

My cla250 out the door is 42,295 that's fully loaded w MB tex if u get the cla45 it will be 52k that's a 10k diff to me the edition one it's a waste of money but aftermarket rims it will look better and yellow stitch on a base model merc not Amg just does not fit the car

 

[I want my A-M-G]

- Trunk is shaped in a way that it is narrow at the bottom, so you can't fit in golf clubs side ways
Oh God.
I havent heard this one. As long as my skateboard fits (and at least 1 body) I am happy.

AT LEAST one body in the trunk? Are you a professional hitman? I've heard of drive-by shootings, but skate-by???? :big smile:

 

[MrRyte]

I also don't know why everyone is saying the vehicle would be of poor quality?
One claimed it and everyone else speak to it!

Until their are actual studies and their are more FACTUAL DOCUMENTED reports of any quality issues then I say disregard that reviewer.
Sad to say-when it comes to the internet; a person's opinion is taken as fact and is spread like a wildfire long before the facts are verified. :serious:

 

[MrRyte]

And as for "golf clubs fitting in the trunk"; why not just toss 'em in the back seat since there's little room for normal sized people anyway?

 

[chrisiden]

well now since i just turned Veteran here this seems the perfect answering post for me... just fold down the backseats and toss in your golf clubs... meet ya at the grounds... :mblogoblack:
he he he... now i can celebrate... Veteran... yeahHHHHHHHH

 

[Mike T]

Seriously? Underpowered? The frikkin car will go from 0-60 MPG in 6.5 seconds and it's underpowered? That's as fast as a Porsche Turbo circa 1975...and this is a small sedan we're talking about.

The worst things about the interior is the ugly screen and the hard plastic lower dash and glovebox door. The old A and B Class had soft padded panels on that part of the car. This hard stuff is chintzy and if you rub it with something accidentally, well, it will be marked up forever. That really bugs me, and it's a place they should not have cheaped out. Maybe the dash will be redesigned in the mid-cycle model refresh.

 

[chrisiden]

Seriously? Underpowered? The frikkin car will go from 0-60 MPG in 6.5 seconds and it's underpowered? That's as fast as a Porsche Turbo circa 1975...and this is a small sedan we're talking about.

The worst things about the interior is the ugly screen and the hard plastic lower dash and glovebox door. The old A and B Class had soft padded panels on that part of the car. This hard stuff is chintzy and if you rub it with something accidentally, well, it will be marked up forever. That really bugs me, and it's a place they should not have cheaped out. Maybe the dash will be redesigned in the mid-cycle model refresh.

he he he.... a honda coupe (manual) cvt 4 banger can do the same thing (6.5..0-60)... lol

 

[Mike T]

Yeah but calling it underpowered....bizarre! You want underpowered? My diesel smart, before remapping, had 40 HP. That was underpowered.

 

[osiris_x11]

he he he.... a honda coupe (manual) cvt 4 banger can do the same thing (6.5..0-60)... lol

The manual's exta-gear (6th) allows for more aggressive shorter-gearing, thus the 6.6s 0-60 time (for the 4'banger manual-transmission). CVT is the automatic transmission, adding about 1 1/4 second to that in the 4'banger; thus just shy of 8s for the CVT/automatic 4'banger).

Honda/Acura 6-speed manuals are IMVHO the best in the world, and have been for the past 2 decades (gen-II Legend, NSX, Integra/RSX, S2000, TL, Civic Si, Accord, etc). Very mechanical & precise...

 

[chrisiden]

The manual's exta-gear (6th) allows for more aggressive shorter-gearing, thus the 6.6s 0-60 time (for the 4'banger manual-transmission). CVT is the automatic transmission, adding about 1 1/4 second to that in the 4'banger; thus just shy of 8s for the CVT/automatic 4'banger).

Honda/Acura 6-speed manuals are IMVHO the best in the world, and have been for the past 2 decades (gen-II Legend, NSX, Integra/RSX, S2000, TL, Civic Si, Accord, etc). Very mechanical & precise...

you know your stuff Super Mod :in love:

 

[Hans26]

well now since i just turned Veteran here this seems the perfect answering post for me... just fold down the backseats and toss in your golf clubs... meet ya at the grounds... :mblogoblack:
he he he... now i can celebrate... Veteran... yeahHHHHHHHH

respectfully congratulate on the veteran

 

[Hans26]

Seriously? Underpowered? The frikkin car will go from 0-60 MPG in 6.5 seconds and it's underpowered? That's as fast as a Porsche Turbo circa 1975...and this is a small sedan we're talking about.

The worst things about the interior is the ugly screen and the hard plastic lower dash and glovebox door. The old A and B Class had soft padded panels on that part of the car. This hard stuff is chintzy and if you rub it with something accidentally, well, it will be marked up forever. That really bugs me, and it's a place they should not have cheaped out. Maybe the dash will be redesigned in the mid-cycle model refresh.

Absolutly correct !!!

 

[ZILLA]

at least one body in the trunk? Are you a professional hitman? I've heard of drive-by shootings, but skate-by???? :big smile:

l o l !