Launch Party Debate! Opinions requested

I don't believe they would allow them to drive your CLA, but I wouldn't want a bunch of people climbing in and out of my car and rubbing or leaning against the paint. So my answer would be thanks but no thanks.

My answer would also be no.. Unless secured with ribbon and eyes only.

We do them here at the lot. But we use inventory units rather than ordered ones. If they want to use yours, have them confiscate you for the use in some form or fashion.

Which dealership told you this?

I'd let them do it on one condition. You can attend and no one can touch your car. Then you can show off to everyone else and be the "cool" guy getting all the ladies if you're single

I have attended two launch parties recently, one for the 2013 Boxster and one for the 2014 Cayman. In the former case, it was a customer's car that had just been delivered; in the latter, an unsold car. There were no problems in terms of the wear & tear on the vehicles but there was no alcohol served. I think that this M-B dealer is nuts to open himself up to a liability suit when some guy who, on his way home from the launch, plows into the van of a family on its way to see grandma , and his blood alcohol comes in at 0.10 or 0.12. Given the open bar and the problems that can cause, I would say "no" to my car being there, too.

Ask for 1 free schedule A service and 1 free schedule B service. Settle for a free schedule A. It's a free oil change which, by MB standards is a couple hundred dollars.

I agree that they should compensate you in some way. In essence, they are asking to rent your car back from you for a night. I like the idea of asking for free maintenance.

My answer would be absolutely NO!!! Its my car with my money. If Mercedes wants a demo car they should bring one in especially for that and then sell it as a demo later.

The reason they asked is because its a small market and this is supposed to be the only CLA 250 Edition 1 they will get (Oklahoma City). We have already been invited before we even put the deposit on it. I like the maintenance as a possibility.

As for the ladies, I already have 3 (wife and 2 daughters). Don't think I can handle any more.

FYI they are providing valet and courtesy shuttle for those not able to drive home (free of charge).

sv848evo said:

I agree that they should compensate you in some way. In essence, they are asking to rent your car back from you for a night. I like the idea of asking for free maintenance.

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Technically until your car's paperwork has been completed and the financing signed off, it is their car and they can do whatever they want with it. It is a courtesy they ask you to be a part of the launch celebration.
New cars sit on the lot and people get in it, drive it, spit on it and kids piss in it and you, as buyer, would never know. Are you going to turn down the Edition 1 just because people sat in it and held the steering wheel ?
Now, if you have officially taken title to the car, that's a whole different story...Dealer would never "rent" your car back and I don't think they would offer your a free A service ( $175 incl tax.) If you say no, then that's it.

I would respectively decline if you can. I'll never forget the CLA that I saw at the NY Auto Show in April. It's chrome trim on the windows wasn't aligned properly. It's almost like it got damaged somehow whiling traveling the country. If they must show it, ask that it be locked so no one can go inside. Hey, it's your deposit. That means that car is called for. You should have some say in its usage.

JoeyO said:

I would respectively decline if you can. I'll never forget the CLA that I saw at the NY Auto Show in April. It's chrome trim on the windows wasn't aligned properly. It's almost like it got damaged somehow whiling traveling the country. If they must show it, ask that it be locked so no one can go inside. Hey, it's your deposit. That means that car is called for. You should have some say in its usage.

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Joey, I hope the mis-aligned chrome trim on the CLA you saw was indeed damage and not reflecting how the car was manufactured...

I am fully aware that at any point they can return my deposit and sell the car to someone else and there is nothing I can do about it. Not polite but It is their car until it's sold. If someone were to offer more than MSRP they would sell out from under me in a heart beat. If nothing else maybe get some free swag or something. The only reason they asked was because its the Edition 1. They still have 5 other CLAs that are not pre-sold that will be shown anyway (43 are reserved already).

My new cla is the launch party car I am stoked to hAve the launch model I would do the party! I get a rental car till the party too! When does ur car come in?

outsider said:

Joey, I hope the mis-aligned chrome trim on the CLA you saw was indeed damage and not reflecting how the car was manufactured...

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Yes, some people may not have noticed it. But I'm an engineer and particularly sensitive to fit and finish. Nobody at the Mercedes factory would have let that trim go out the door like that. It had to be damaged from all the man handling that one car under went while touring the USA. I touched it and it felt squishy, almost like somebody put double sided tape behind it. Back then, the CLA wasn't being manufactured so they didn't have a replacement car waiting stand by.

Irondad2k said:

I am fully aware that at any point they can return my deposit and sell the car to someone else and there is nothing I can do about it. Not polite but It is their car until it's sold. If someone were to offer more than MSRP they would sell out from under me in a heart beat. If nothing else maybe get some free swag or something. The only reason they asked was because its the Edition 1. They still have 5 other CLAs that are not pre-sold that will be shown anyway (43 are reserved already).

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A Chevy dealer may but I don't think Mercedes Benz would do that to you. If you have a legitimate deposit, you will get the car. They have reputation to protect. And Mercedes doesn't look kindly to dealers selling over MSRP. I do see why the Edition 1 would go on display. It's a nice looking automobile.

Outsider, that's nice to here. This is my first experience with Mercedes so I really don't know what to expect. Sounds like they are more customer oriented rather than business/profit only (the anything for an extra buck attitude) than traditional dealerships. One thing I noticed here in OKC is that the BMW and Mercedes were not pushy or rude. I didn't feel like I needed to shower to get the slime off. But Audi, Infinity, and Lexus made us feel like we didn't belong there. Like we didn't deserve to take up their time because we were too young (wife and I are both 32). Unfortunately for them that could mean a loss of many more sales in the future, at least from us.

bbanks, I'm not big on party's but I am going to the launch party. Especially since my car will most likely be on display. I am sure if anything would happen to the car while on display they would make it right. Also I don't have an exact date but I think its already at the port and waiting for transport to OKC.

Hmmm if my dealership offers a launch party for the CLA 45 AMG and wish to have mine displayed then I actually might consider it. Could be fun etc, but I'd make sure that no one would be allowed to touch it. Maybe they'd even install my winter tires for free then.