2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Long-Term Road Test

Comments

• Debunker Member Posts: 49

  April 2014

  For all the hoopla about the new little Mercedes, it has gotten slammed on a whole bunch of fronts. Cheap interior materials, harsh engine, stiff ride, tight back seat, annoying stop-start, disappointing gas mileage. Tell me again why I'd want one of these things to drive every day? Be honest. Wouldn't you be much happier in a Mazda 3, for instance, for much less money?

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• mercedesfan Member Posts: 365

  April 2014

  @Debunker, While I personally don't like the CLA (I personally believe someone would be much better off getting a 2-year old C250 for similar money), you have to understand that most of the complaints hinge on expectation. The quality of materials is belo

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• Debunker Member Posts: 49

  April 2014

  Good analysis, mercedesfan. You're right about it being better to compare to the 320i and A3. In fact, by the time you option up a CLA, you could just about have an A4. Or that Mazda 3 and a nice long vacation to a place of your choosing.

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• throwback Member Posts: 445

  April 2014

  Mike, how do you feel about driving a hybrid on your commute? Stop start is on every hybrid vehicle, no?

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• mfennell Member Posts: 91

  April 2014

  Hybrids have a different implementation. They can casually stop off using stored electricity, then bring the gas engine on-line. FWIW, my buddy's E550 has start/stop and in that car it was much less obtrusive than I expected. I might feel differently if it was cycling every minute though.

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• natt_ Member Posts: 8

  May 2014

  Start/Stop Function is a bit annoying during stopping at stop signs but it's great at red lights. I never had experienced this function in anything else but CLA, and I don't mind it. I actually turn it off where I know I'd be stopping a bit too often.
  
  And yes, I could have bought A3 but I'm bored with the way Audi looks. I could have bought Mazda3 but I have owned one before. Same goes with BMW 3-Series. So for me, it's time for Mercedes and I can now cross it off my bucket list at 30 years old.

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