A-class opinions

cantdecide

A friend is thinking of buying this but I know nothing about them.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/A-Class/*NCT-05%23/200911192111582/advert

Anything to watch out for or general comments/ opinions??

CharlieCroker

I wouldn't be a fan of them. The high seating position is the only thing going for it IMO. It does seem to be cheap though and John in Blackrock is a good guy. Knows how to keep customers coming back.

Review: http://www.whatcar.com/Search/@22Mercedes-Benz%20A-Class%20MPV%20(98-05)@22/UsedCarReviews/ViewCount!1/abn/default.aspx

Stevie Dakota

Garbage, poorly made and poor reliability and over priced. One of the worst 'family cars' you can buy.

CharlieCroker

I'd agree. Go for a Focus, Corolla, Golf, Anything else.

Guy:Incognito

The missus had an 01. We both really liked it. It was very nice to drive.

Treatment by a certain dealer however was horrendous and dangerous (not the dealer mentioned in the ad above) . Wouldnt darken that particular places doors again.

mumblin deaf ro

A-class is supposed to be good for safety in a head-on collision because of the split floor (which was originally to allow for a battery, when the car was going to be to some extent electric); it's also supposed to be popular with people who have bad backs because of the high seating position.

That said it's supposed to be very uncomfortable to drive with poor handling.

Image-wise I'd describe it as a car that the boss buys for his wife.

qz

mumblin deaf ro wrote: »

A-class is supposed to be good for safety in a head-on collision because of the split floor (which was originally to allow for a battery, when the car was going to be to some extent electric); it's also supposed to be popular with people who have bad backs because of the high seating position.

That said it's supposed to be very uncomfortable to drive with poor handling.

Image-wise I'd describe it as a car that the boss buys for his wife.

Poor wife. I'm thinking more along the lines of worst enemy.

cantdecide

Speaking as someone who thinks that reliability is over rated and who has a soft spot for a nice merc, personally, I wouldn't have it in my way.

TURRICAN

leftovers from all other mercs and then they slapped the a class together

lifer_sean

I know two people that had A140's, one a 99 and one a 00. The 00 was even bought from main dealer. Both gave trouble. The fuel pump and ECU had to be replaced in the 99 one (I don't think these were the only problems either), and the 00 one had a persistent starting problem.

Personally I wouldn't go near one, and I am a Merc fan.

CianRyan

Why buy an A class when you could get a nicer merc for less money?!

I've not really heard anything good about this car, and mostly not a very liked car.
You could pick up much nicer, bigger engined cars for less money these days, the bigger engine might put you off in terms of taxs, but you wouldn't have to worry because you'd have the money left over.

If i were her, i'd be looking at something else.

cantdecide

CianRyan wrote: »

Why buy an A class when you could get a nicer merc for less money?!

I've not really heard anything good about this car, and mostly not a very liked car.
You could pick up much nicer, bigger engined cars for less money these days, the bigger engine might put you off in terms of taxs, but you wouldn't have to worry because you'd have the money left over.

If i were her, i'd be looking at something else.

Who said it was a 'her'?? Bang on anyway:D

I'm trying to convince her to go for a slightly older CLK or something which will be around the same commitment but much better value for money IMO

CianRyan

Haha, well i just couldn't picture a guy in an A-class.

A CLK would definitly be a much better option, i had a quike look and i'm sure she could pick a nice one in her price range. Quite a few clean looking C-class in that price range too.