Mercedes-AMG Unveils the CLA 35: Comments

[riviera74]

1 hour ago, balthazar said:

^ I don't think that last statement is accurate, but 'truly wealthy' would need definition.
I have a number of clients I would put into that basket, and tho there is no 'automatic' vehicle class choice tethered to wealth, my observation is that it skews heavily toward 'luxury brands' (mostly BMW tho).

Truly wealthy would be somebody listed in the Forbes 400.  Or at least could get there.

[dwightlooi]

4 hours ago, riviera74 said:

Truly wealthy would be somebody listed in the Forbes 400.  Or at least could get there.

Let's just say Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Lexus have 99% of the market share of the top 1%.

To be in the top 1% you need to be making $421K a year in family income -- which is really not that much. That is about what you need to make to buy a home in California and still have money for a car... with a 1200 sq-ft 50 year old single family home in a middle income neighborhood pushing $1.7 million and taxes pushing 40% (State/Fed combined)... LOL!

Edited April 16, 2019 by dwightlooi

[Drew Dowdell]

The problem I have with the A, CLA, GLA, is that they are "fake" Mercedes. They aren't the real thing.  C-Class at minimum to get a real Benz.  Same goes for the X2 over at BMW.... It's just a Mini-Cooper in BMW guise. 

[Robert Hall]

6 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

The problem I have with the A, CLA, GLA, is that they are "fake" Mercedes. They aren't the real thing.  C-Class at minimum to get a real Benz.  Same goes for the X2 over at BMW.... It's just a Mini-Cooper in BMW guise. 

Yes, 'fake' because of the generic FWD/AWD transverse engine platforms.  'Real' M-Bs and BMWs are on proper RWD platforms.

Edited April 16, 2019 by Robert Hall

[Drew Dowdell]

Just now, Robert Hall said:

Yes, 'fake' because of the low, common FWD/AWD transverse engine platforms.  'Real' M-Bs and BMWs are on proper RWD platforms.

It's not just that. They simply don't feel as well built, as nice materials. Not what I expect with a Merc badge.  They feel like what they are... economy Euro cars with a fancy badge.  You'd be just as well getting a Jetta. It even comes with the big screen cockpit display if you want. 

[Robert Hall]

13 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

It's not just that. They simply don't feel as well built, as nice materials. Not what I expect with a Merc badge.  They feel like what they are... economy Euro cars with a fancy badge.  You'd be just as well getting a Jetta. It even comes with the big screen cockpit display if you want. 

Building to a price point no doubt resulted in cheapening of materials.   

Edited April 16, 2019 by Robert Hall