[moneyB]

My dad liked the CLA 250 but he's super impatient. I told him im going to have to wait like 4 more months to get the CLA with the sports package/panoramic sunroof(which are both a must) due to the delay. That makes the wait till like November. So he was like fu** that sh** LOL. He advised me to go with my original choice before i saw the CLA 250 which was the 13 Audi A5 Coupe. I can still wait if i want but he's offering to pay 60% cost of the A5 because he likes it more. Rather than 50% for the CLA 250. Im starting to think the A5 Coupe may be more attractive than the CLA 250 which is what is pulling me towards it, not the 60% my dad is gonna pay. I saw one in real life today cuz my dad called over one of his friend's who has one. He's trying all the tricks in his bag to convince me. I must say pictures don't do it justice.
Opinions Please.

-Thanks

 

[Sue Esponte]

What's his rush? Why does he care whether you buy now or in a few months? Are you currently using one of his cars rather than your own?

-Eric

 

[outsider]

The A-5 is an absolutely beautiful car. Think perhaps more so than the CLA. It is much wider than the fairly narrow CLA and looks stunning in 19" rims.
BUT
1. It is a 5th year model.
2. It has only TWO doors.
3. Automatic vs CLA's DSG.
4. A mid range Premium runs $45-$47k and Premium Plus are over $50k - like the CLA, very little discount as well. At that price, I would take the CLA45 instead.

SO, for the same price, I will take the A-5. It's a no brainer. But they are not the same price. Not even close. That's where the Mercedes planners got it right.
Nothing comparable in its German competitors lineup can match the CLA in price.

 

[moneyB]

The A-5 is an absolutely beautiful car. Think perhaps more so than the CLA. It is much wider than the fairly narrow CLA and looks stunning in 19" rims.
BUT
1. It is a 5th year model.
2. It has only TWO doors.
3. Automatic vs CLA's DSG.
4. A mid range Premium runs $45-$47k and Premium Plus are over $50k - like the CLA, very little discount as well. At that price, I would take the CLA45 instead.

SO, for the same price, I will take the A-5. It's a no brainer. But they are not the same price. Not even close. That's where the Mercedes planners got it right.
Nothing comparable in its German competitors lineup can match the CLA in price.

Very Good Post.
Thanks Man

 

[moneyB]

What's his rush? Why does he care whether you buy now or in a few months? Are you currently using one of his cars rather than your own?

-Eric

Currently family only owns one car the Honda Pilot. We all want to go do things and have our seperate things to do so you can see what a hassle this becomes. Haha. However my brother's going to Sweden for college for a quarter and i can use his honda accord starting next month. He'll be back in December and im sure the CLA will have arrived by then. However i believe my dad's rush is more so that he loves the A5 .

 

[cisternachyli]

The A-5 is an absolutely beautiful car. Think perhaps more so than the CLA. It is much wider than the fairly narrow CLA and looks stunning in 19" rims.
BUT
1. It is a 5th year model.
2. It has only TWO doors.
3. Automatic vs CLA's DSG.
4. A mid range Premium runs $45-$47k and Premium Plus are over $50k - like the CLA, very little discount as well. At that price, I would take the CLA45 instead.

SO, for the same price, I will take the A-5. It's a no brainer. But they are not the same price. Not even close. That's where the Mercedes planners got it right.
Nothing comparable in its German competitors lineup can match the CLA in price.

untill the A3 Sedan hits next year...March is the timeframe.

 

[Sue Esponte]

Here's another reason to avoid an Audi...

Huff Post Article on Audi Owners

-Eric

 

[JoeyO]

Bah, all that matters is that I can tell my BMW friends that Audi drivers are more educated and earn more than BMW drivers. (I drive an Audi).

I have one good friend who thinks I don't drive a BMW because I can't afford it. Needless to say, he is totally clueless about cars and wouldn't be able to distinguish a BMW from a Kia.

Driving A BMW = Six-Figure Salary and a College Education? » My Money Blog

 

[dominicmak]

A5 coupe will never come close to CLA in terms of style. Worthy to wait.

 

[moneyB]

A5 coupe will never come close to CLA in terms of style. Worthy to wait.

I agree CLA styling is AMAZING. I think the 2016 A5 coupe will surpass it. :smile: But that's not happening anytime soon. The sports package with the lines and the large vents in the rear of the car <3.

 

[scott]

I can't get past the fact that the reviews regarding any Audi complain about how light and artificial the steering feels. A most recent review of the S4 compared it to playing Pole Position.

 

[handyman28]

I currently own a 2010 A5 Convertible yet I am considering a CLA250 because it looks so darn good and having 2 extra doors is nice when you have rear passengers. Just waiting till the craze dies down a little, hopefully by January. This way I can keep the convertible in the garage during winter months.

 

[outsider]

I currently own a 2010 A5 Convertible yet I am considering a CLA250 because it looks so darn good and having 2 extra doors is nice when you have rear passengers. Just waiting till the craze dies down a little, hopefully by January. This way I can keep the convertible in the garage during winter months.

Everyone thinks the CLA is a great looker. I surely hope so since I have a CLA45 coming. The car still hasn't sold me on looks alone. I am still a bit skeptical until I see the real thing.
Someone posted here that the car looks like a jellybean on wheels and there is some truth to it. This issue of Autoweek posted a comment from a reader that the car has a cartoonish looking "smiling" rear end and there is also some truth to that. So jury is still out at least for a month. I don't want to hand over $52k for a CLA45 and regret immediately because it doesn't look like the photos which are mostly taken in the most advantageous position under ideal light setting and when the car is spotless !

 

[Cube]

That's truth with every brand and model

 

[C45]

Everyone thinks the CLA is a great looker. I surely hope so since I have a CLA45 coming. The car still hasn't sold me on looks alone. I am still a bit skeptical until I see the real thing.
Someone posted here that the car looks like a jellybean on wheels and there is some truth to it. This issue of Autoweek posted a comment from a reader that the car has a cartoonish looking "smiling" rear end and there is also some truth to that. So jury is still out at least for a month. I don't want to hand over $52k for a CLA45 and regret immediately because it doesn't look like the photos which are mostly taken in the most advantageous position under ideal light setting and when the car is spotless !

if you put a deposit down, it should have been pending test drive

you always have the option of making your dealer mad and walking away...

--

but im in the same boat...amg on the way, still not completely sold on looks.

i bet that autoweek reader hasn't seen the car in person (either have i)

i also think the car has grown on me, so i am very biased

--

i plan to lower the car within a month and i think lower stance & 5-8mm spacers in the rear will completely change the look (for the better)

im hoping some EU folk mod their amg b4 i get mine

 

[kowyzg0moo]

here's my honest opinion. I switched from a 2012 C250 Coupe to an Audi A6 2.0 Prestige and I hate everything about it. Don't get me wrong, it's a gorgeous car, its well built, but it's just not the same as a Mercedes. Everything from the drive, to the little things like how the MMI works (Comand blows it out of the water) or how my Bluetooth Audio has issues, etc. I'm actually trading in my A6 for a CLA Edition 1, if that says anything.

 

[outsider]

here's my honest opinion. I switched from a 2012 C250 Coupe to an Audi A6 2.0 Prestige and I hate everything about it. Don't get me wrong, it's a gorgeous car, its well built, but it's just not the same as a Mercedes. Everything from the drive, to the little things like how the MMI works (Comand blows it out of the water) or how my Bluetooth Audio has issues, etc. I'm actually trading in my A6 for a CLA Edition 1, if that says anything.

That's partly because the C250 Coupe is an exceptionally fine car I am using as my daily driver.
It is superior in many ways to the C250 sedan which is about to be phased out.
The interior is better. The ride better. And most importantly, the gearbox is smoother ( just spent three days with a 2013 C250 weekend loaner for service.)
I am a bit fearful the CLA45 interior will not match the C-Coupe's.

 

[viafax999]

Tired of waiting

untill the A3 Sedan hits next year...March is the timeframe.

SO, for the same price, I will take the A-5. It's a no brainer. But they are not the same price. Not even close. That's where the Mercedes planners got it right.
Nothing comparable in its German competitors lineup can match the CLA in price.

Got tired of waiting so I ordered a premium + A4, delivery next month. Saw today that the build and pricing for the CLA 250 is on the mbusa site finally so built a CLA with the same features, at least as close as possible. Came out $2k less than the Audi however it has 4 wheel drive, black optic package with 19 inch rims and a stick. 4 wheel drive somewhat of a necessity in New England and Canada and the lack of that has caused several issues over the last few years with the C230 sports that I have.
Will look at the CLA again next year when they release the 4matic option, also by then will hopefully have heard how they handle through the winter up here.

 

[vracer]

Outsider & Cube,
I'm in the same boat; AMG is ordered, but at least, I have seen the CLA in Europe this summer. It looks 'similar' to the pics, but my concern is the ride quality. When I go for my test ride, I hope that the halo effect of the looks doesn't blind me to ride quality.