rookiezxc

Hi, I got a friend and planning to buy a brand new car. She's still deciding whether to get a CLA or the new C Class. She likes a small car since it's easier to park and drive around. Money is not the issue honestly here, she came from a filthy rich family

She's studying abroad in US and her parents might come here, therefore a more comfortable 4-seater C class is what I suggested. However, she still insists that C Class is a bit too much, that she'll feel bad to her parents for buying a car that expensive (Parents say just buy whatever you like ) I told her that if money is not the issue, you can buy the new c class fully loaded and still have a higher resale value in the coming years, do you guys agree?

So, in conclusion, here's the consideration:
- Small car
- Easy to park and drive around
- Comfortable for 3-4 people
- Resale Value and easiness to sale it again in the next 2-4 years.

What do you guys think? I did some research but I don't really know about the oncoming depreciation rate. Please give me your choice and why

bartola

Resale value is better on CLA, Better car for the money? C class.

Best looking car = CLA (IMHO)

I have a CLA 250 and will soon add the C300 to the stable. CLA is more sporty, younger (hence I bought the CLA for my wife - and let her drive it occasionally ). For me the C class is more refined, the CLA very sporty and a blast to drive. Finally, they are both great buys IMO, the CLA will shoot up to 40k with a few options and getting discounts on it will be like pulling teeth), C class - highly optioned out will cost me close to the same I paid for the CLA - 40k.
Also, there is less common sense when buying a luxury car, my vote for your friend? CLA

Jinzen

Neither... if you want easy to park, should look at getting a luxury compact SUV.

A Porsche Macan, Range Rover Evoque, Audi Q5 type vehicle.

CO2010

I went with the C300. The difference in the interior is what sold me. The CLA is a great looking car except for that cabin. It just looked and felt very cheap to me. And personally unless you go 4matic on the CLA I prefer RWD over FWD.


CLA





C300

Sportstick

Notwithstanding short-term plant issues for Alabama, by design, these cars are in very different leagues for overall performance, materials, comfort, and quality. The C Class is a far superior automobile in every one of those categories. The CLA loses just about every comparison test vs. other manufacturers, and has been labeled by some as not good enough to wear the MB star. C Class without a doubt.....Audi A3 or (if you can accept a two door) or BMW 2 Series before a CLA....heck, one road test said the Volkswagen CC or Buick Regal (a German based Opel Insignia) before a CLA!! Those felt more like a Mercedes-Benz than did the CLA per the road test!

Exterior design is a personal preference.

PeterUbers

Cla is clearly inferior to the c300

C300 all the way

Cla trans is clunky and no one had good things in the car mags to say about it

Cla is built cheaply to be sold cheaper

bartola

Yeah, don't read too much into biased review. The CLA250 and CLA45 are both as much Mercedes as the C class, heck, not long ago "they" were saying the C class did not deserve to wear the badge, not a "real Merc". That said, performance is marginally better in the C class (base model), and CLA comes in 4Matic as well.

It ain't no Regal (although Regal is actually a really good car).

Sportstick

Yes, it's no Regal...it's not that good!

Please find me one comparison test where the CLA excelled. I can't find any and have read several from car mags to even the oft-questioned Consumer Reports....quite the range...and it's the same story each time...unrefined suspension, clunky powertrain, plasticky interior. This is not a matter of a "baby Benz" being questioned. The W204 was highly praised since 2007. The CLA was a low-end design play for folks on limited budgets aspiring for the star, and it drives that way. What's striking is how superior the Audi A3 turned out to be in the same segment (which I don't own), and, dynamically, what I wound up choosing to replace my W204 is also in another league altogether from CLA, regardless of door count.

OP...the W205 C Class is a wonderful small luxury car. Get your order for a 2016 ready to go and don't look back!

EDIT: Bartola....sorry, I just saw you have a CLA. Don't mean to offend you in any way, but was just being bluntly honest with my assessment and what I've learned. I hope you are enjoying your car regardless of what anyone else says!

Long3494Qut

C300 all the way. Clearly the better car, unless she wants that pink ambient lighting

Germancar1

No contest here, the C is by far the better car. CLA was done on a budget and it shows in every way. C300 is the better car no question.

M

Vihzel

As someone who is currently on the market to purchase a compact luxury car and owns neither the C-class nor CLA, I can unbiasedly say that the C-class is a much nicer vehicle. While I find the exteriors of both vehicles to be really quite nice, the interior in the C-class is a league beyond the CLA. There's really no comparison there. The C-class's interior has been touted as the best in its class by essentially every comparison. I've also read a lot of issues with rattling and a really harsh ride with the CLA.

PeterUbers

I would recommend a nicely optioned accord v6 or maxima over the cla....

NYC-Style

C300...have you driven a CLA?? Or as Clark Griswold would say..."if you think you hate it now...just wait till you drive it." National Lampoon's Vacation...

C_Class_Dad

I agree. I first test drove a CLA as I loved (and still do) it's exterior. Has the same lines as a CLS. My wife thought the ride was a bit harsh and had us test drive the C300. The C3000 was a much smoother ride; the interior (and we drove a 2014 C) was MUCH more refined and solid. The 2015 C [which is being delivered tomorrow; ordered in November] is even nicer than the 2014 C

Boudicca

Has your friend test driven the cars?
In the end it's such a personal choice. I have driven MBs that were tens of thousands more expensive than my C but I much prefer my C class.

Boudicca

...also, given her parents a paying for the car, as a parent I would want my child in the safest car.

Vihzel

Oh I missed an important detail. You state that she wants a car that's "comfortable for 3-4 people". That immediately disqualifies the CLA. C-class's rear seat room is already pretty cramped and unsuitable for people who are tall (if you get the panoramic sunroof). CLA's rear seat room is more for children... or hobbits.

PeterUbers

Lololol.... I needed that laugh, thanks

huyuci

If her family is so filthy rich, why care about resale value?

Jaxwired

If the C class is too big, Audi A3 is superb.

Mr Enigma

Agreed. A very good friend of mine has the CLA and he said he would have brought the C if it were available at the time of purchase. I've been in both and the C is better on the inside by a country mile. The CLA has made compromises on interior quality - for cost saving I assume.

C300Ross

I went to the dealer solely to buy the cla-250. I drove it, liked it, although a little small/cramped. Really liked the looks of it. My dealer was great and before I placed an order on one , they wanted me to take at least consider the C300. They were kind enough to give me a demo to drive for the weekend. I was sold. So much more comfortable, spacious, quiet , classy, etc. Needless to say, I went back the next week and placed an order on a c300. Although, I had to change it up a bit after reading Stan's posts about the MB tex, and instead searched diligently for one with the leather package. So...someone who is not working to fit a budget or finances aren't an issue...shouldn't even be considering a CLA. Go for a loaded C Class. Preferably a late build They won't regret it. I can see outgrowing the CLA pretty quick. Even as nice looking as it is.

miketc

Exterior is about even but the interior of the C Class takes it without any efforts. C all the way.

Jchungster

Agree with most people here. I test drove both on the same day and the inside of the CLA just felt much cheaper. After test driving the C-Class and then hopping into the CLA, it felt far inferior. The drive also did not feel as smooth.

C-Class all the way!

dtc100

I think to be fair the same question and poll should be in the CLA forum.

Keep in mind CLA and C are aimed at different demographics. Since she is a student, a lot of interior pluses mentioned here by soccer moms or their beloved hushands, are not necessarily things a college student would care about.

The exterior of the new C class is also not styled to woo college kids either.

Conversely some of the negatives of a harsh ride and sporty feel of the CLA, may just be what a 20 year old would prefer, not to mention the cute little butt. It may be obnoxious to dad or mom, but likely thumbs up all among her peers.

In fact depending on how old she is, asking her to drive a MB C class around may make her an outcast among her crowd.