[MadManSwag]

So I just placed my deposit on the CLA-250 this morning. While at the dealership I asked the salesman to show me how the HK sound system sounds so he took me to fully loaded C300 for a demo. Let me just say I was impressed, not only from the sound system but also the C-class. I asked the dealer to run the numbers for it and turns out I can lease the C300 for about $350/month for a $47k car. Now I know the numbers aren't out for the CLA yet but given that this is a new car I think it's safe to assume we wont be seeing any good deals right off the bat.

I wanted to get some opinions. Should I even consider the C-class? I'm assuming the lease for the CLA will run me about $350 for a MSRP of $36k. What are your thoughts?

 

[Superjak95]

Depends on which C-class you're looking at. The C300 or the 250?

 

[baadmon]

The balls in your court; weigh all the pros & cons and make a decision.

 

[moneyB]

Which is a better deal? Of course the C-class

However, how will you feel when you see CLA's on the road 2 months after you buy your C-class? I guarantee if you wait on the CLA you'll be happy you were patient and waited, and i also guarantee if you buy the C-class your going to regret it 2 months later.(excludes if your over 50)

P.S This car design is RIDICULOUS

props go to Gorden Wagener head designer of the Cla and his team

Ive noticed a'lot of old people(relatives) don't like the car design though and would rather go with a traditional Mercedes

 

[outsider]

Numbers are incorrect.

Lease on a $36000 CLA250 assuming no discount and a 36 month 60% residual value will lease out at around $550 a month + tax with NO cap reduction and drive off of around $1800.
Lease on a $47000 loaded C300 with same 60% residual value and a $6000 discount will lease out at $530 a month + tax and about the same drive off.
The salesman is playing games because there is no way one can lease a $47000 car for $350 a month unless you have the discount PLUS a $6000-7000 cap reduction.
Now a less loaded $40,000 C250 with $5000 discount and no cap reduction will lease out at $450 a month + tax with drive off of $1700.
All @12000 miles per year.

 

[MadManSwag]

The dealer put the numbers in front of me and was ready to lease the 47k C300 for $358/month. I was shocked as well. Maybe he was just playing games to get me to commit but then again that's almost a $200 difference from the numbers you ran. He mentioned they're wiling to take a hit on the C's to get them off the lot before the CLA arrives. Plus there is C class refresh coming up soon. These are all incentives for them to get the car out for cheap. I can be completely wrong though..

 

[MadManSwag]

Which is a better deal? Of course the C-class

However, how will you feel when you see CLA's on the road 2 months after you buy your C-class? I guarantee if you wait on the CLA you'll be happy you were patient and waited, and i also guarantee if you buy the C-class your going to regret it 2 months later.(excludes if your over 50)

P.S This car design is RIDICULOUS

props go to Gorden Wagener head designer of the Cla and his team

Ive noticed a'lot of old people(relatives) don't like the car design though and would rather go with a traditional Mercedes

I agree with this 100%. I will regret getting the C300 as soon as I see a CLA on the road. That CLA exterior is just too sexy

 

[outsider]

Go look at a C250 Coupe. I leased a 2012 on New Year Day. Lunar Blue Metallic with Premium package with standard panoramic roof.
Absolutely fantastic car both looks and the way it drives.
$41,500 MSRP. $6000 off so capped at $35,500. Rolled MB lease fee of $1,095 into payment - $415 a month + tax. $880 Drive off ( 1st month lease payment + license.) 15,000 miles per year.
For a $47,000 car to be leased for $358 a month, the discount has to be over $10,000 or that you put down a huge cap reduction.
If you take 7500 miles per year, the residual value may be bumped up to 65 or 66%. The combination of all of the above would have to be at work.
You should have taken the deal because it is ridiculously good even though we know the C class will be replaced by a larger, more upscale vehicle as a 2015 model.
A much less well equipped CLA will lease for over $500 because there will be little discount and discount is what make leases attractive.

 

[mrjad20]

MoneyB ... I must be in the real minority then b/c I am almost 60 and I prefer the look of the CLA over any other model, except the SLs and SLK.

 

[moneyB]

MoneyB ... I must be in the real minority then b/c I am almost 60 and I prefer the look of the CLA over any other model, except the SLs and SLK.

Your what i call a old man with good taste.:wink:

 

[sallyhats]

Go look at a C250 Coupe. I leased a 2012 on New Year Day. Lunar Blue Metallic with Premium package with standard panoramic roof.
Absolutely fantastic car both looks and the way it drives.
$41,500 MSRP. $6000 off so capped at $35,500. Rolled MB lease fee of $1,095 into payment - $415 a month + tax. $880 Drive off ( 1st month lease payment + license.) 15,000 miles per year.
For a $47,000 car to be leased for $358 a month, the discount has to be over $10,000 or that you put down a huge cap reduction.
If you take 7500 miles per year, the residual value may be bumped up to 65 or 66%. The combination of all of the above would have to be at work.
You should have taken the deal because it is ridiculously good even though we know the C class will be replaced by a larger, more upscale vehicle as a 2015 model.
A much less well equipped CLA will lease for over $500 because there will be little discount and discount is what make leases attractive.

Im sorry, but there is no way that mercedes is go to appeal to the younger generation if the lease price for a almost base CLA 250 is going to be $500+. I live in NYC and I have never seen a C class go for more than 425 and thats including tax $0 Down! and that was with Navigation and Panoramic and Bi-Xeons.
I currently have 2012 Volvo s60 I got it when it first came out July 2011, MSRP $39,000 (374/m including tax $0 Down $1700 Bank/reg/first)
My cousin has 2013 G37 fully loaded MSRP $45,000 (370/m inc tax $0 Down $1600 Bank/reg/first) Yes he pays less than me for a car thats worth 6k more
My friend just picked up a full loaded BMW 528xi MSRP just under $60k (625/m inc tax $0 down 1900 Bank/reg/first)

I don't know where you guys are getting your cars from but the C300 for $358 is completely plausible. I guarantee a full loaded CLA priced at 41k will be no more than 450 a month when it first comes out, wait a couple of months and you can get it for 400. In NY we do not go to the dealerships to lease cars, everyone goes through a broker. Here are a couple of sites that I and my friends have used.

Global Auto Leasing and New Car Sales
Marquis Auto

PS I dumped my volvo on my sister and I am patiently waiting for the CLA to come out

 

[blackberrycubed]

^^^ are you getting the AMG ?

 

[sallyhats]

Nah, I dont want to spend that much. I live in the city so I dont really drive, but i love the way CLA looks. Im still considering other cars actually, IS250 F sport or Infiniti q50

 

[outsider]

The vehicles you mentions are cars that are being deeply discounted. Deep discount creates cheap leases. I do this math everyday so I know.
Official Factory sponsored G37 lease in California is $299 + tax with $3500 drive off 36 month 10k per year.
Official Factory sponsored BMW 528i lease in California is $449 + tax with $3800 drive off same 36 month 10k miles.
If you can lease a $60k CLA45 AMG for $625 incl tax without cap reduction, you should run to get it.
If you can lease a $40k CLA250 for less than $400 with cap reduction, you should run to get it.
Old C-class is a 7 year old model about to be replaced and you get huge discounts.
I got my C250 Coupe, a $41500 car for $415 + tax with $880 drive off. So yes, those number you mentioned are possible but NOT on the CLA this year and certainly not on the CLA45.

 

[MadManSwag]

Im sorry, but there is no way that mercedes is go to appeal to the younger generation if the lease price for a almost base CLA 250 is going to be $500+. I live in NYC and I have never seen a C class go for more than 425 and thats including tax $0 Down! and that was with Navigation and Panoramic and Bi-Xeons.
I currently have 2012 Volvo s60 I got it when it first came out July 2011, MSRP $39,000 (374/m including tax $0 Down $1700 Bank/reg/first)
My cousin has 2013 G37 fully loaded MSRP $45,000 (370/m inc tax $0 Down $1600 Bank/reg/first) Yes he pays less than me for a car thats worth 6k more
My friend just picked up a full loaded BMW 528xi MSRP just under $60k (625/m inc tax $0 down 1900 Bank/reg/first)

I don't know where you guys are getting your cars from but the C300 for $358 is completely plausible. I guarantee a full loaded CLA priced at 41k will be no more than 450 a month when it first comes out, wait a couple of months and you can get it for 400. In NY we do not go to the dealerships to lease cars, everyone goes through a broker. Here are a couple of sites that I and my friends have used.

Global Auto Leasing and New Car Sales
Marquis Auto

PS I dumped my volvo on my sister and I am patiently waiting for the CLA to come out

Exactly my point! The CLA was made to target younger buyers who couldn't justify shelling out $400+/ month for a benz. There is no way I'd expect a $36k CLA to run into that range. It'll defeat the whole point. I would have gotten the C class if it weren't so unappealing when compared to the CLA.

 

[outsider]

I suspect Mercedes Benz's target "younger" buyers may not be what you are thinking. They are gunning for the BMW 3-series generation most are in the mid 30s to early 40s age group.
They are hoping that group will move up to the $50-60k E and twenty years later, the $100k S class - their flagship and most profitable model.
Use the 1% rule. You are getting a tremendous lease if your payment is 1% of the MSRP without counting tax. With the CLA likely to sell out at near full price, a sub $400 lease is not going to happen unless
with cap reduction and corner cutting somewhere. I am waiting to see on the forum what people paid on purchases and leases come September.

 

[sallyhats]

The 3 series is not compared to the CLA, 3 series matches C class, A4, G37. If the CLA is going to run me over $500 a month, why on earth would anyone get a CLA over a 328xi that costs less?

 

[sallyhats]

And if you are correct in Mercedes trying to steal BMW 3 series customers into buying the CLA, then Mercedes is deliberately trying to cannibalize their C class sales.

 

[outsider]

But it is well known the brand new C-class is going to be substantially bigger and more up market and it will be available in mid 2014 as a 2015 model.
And a CLA cannot be more expensive ( MSRP ) than a comparably equipped 328Xi. The base CLA250 with 4-matic at $32875 is un-matched in price in the German sector.
And I think the CLA is far more attractive than the now over-sized F30 3 series.

 

[outsider]

In the current US market, it is not what the MSRP but the "payment" that dictates whether a car is affordable or a good value.
A $48000 328 Xi with a substantial discount, an artificially bumped up residual value and a factory sponsored low money factor and a bit of cap reduction
can come in at or below the lease payment on an undiscounted $38000 CLA 4-matic with market residual and market money factor.
Mercedes will sell as many CLAs at full price until the market softens ( which it certainly will, eventually ), then it will play the same game as BMW currently
on their soft 3 and 5 series. You do pay more to be the first one to drive a CLA in the neighborhood !