Both CLA45/GLA45 
Older guys in a GLA45?
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Joined: Sep 2013
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2013 ML 550, CLK63 AMG, 2012 E350 4MATIC
Older guys in a GLA45?
Is anyone over 50 driving these?
I keep circling back to this car. I had the first GLA45 reserved at my dealer to replace a small domestic SUV. We had owned ML's in the past and had(and still have) an E350(and an AMG63 convertible for summer).
I was generally happy with the test drive but found the car small and not very AMG sounding. With rumors of a GLE63 I decided to buy an ML550 CPO to hold me over. The ML550 is a great SUV, but it's big and heavy, and the gle63 even though a "coupe" is similar. My wife immediately seized the ML saying that the ride height and power was better for her 80mi round trip commute...which put me in her E350. The E class is a great car, but not exciting...and the wife has commanded "call the dealership and have them take the E away and bring us another SUV".
So now I'm car shopping again...but looking at what I want in a daily driver(empty nester) I don't need to haul anything anymore. AWD and I could buy a "fun" car(getting rid of the amg convertible).
So I'm actually looking at a used 911 4s or a new GLA45. The performance specs are actually similar and the GLA could carry 4 in a pinch, and actually groceries etc. It's ride height and seating position would make it better as a DD...but the 911 is a 911,a statement car, it drives like it's a part of you, it would "fit" when the wife drives it to the doctor's parking lot, more so than the burping gla. Or do I wait for vaporware again and see what a GLC63 looks like. firstworldproblems.
Any 50 somethings driving a GLA and loving it, or am I in the wrong place for a(nother) mid-life crisis car?
I keep circling back to this car. I had the first GLA45 reserved at my dealer to replace a small domestic SUV. We had owned ML's in the past and had(and still have) an E350(and an AMG63 convertible for summer).
I was generally happy with the test drive but found the car small and not very AMG sounding. With rumors of a GLE63 I decided to buy an ML550 CPO to hold me over. The ML550 is a great SUV, but it's big and heavy, and the gle63 even though a "coupe" is similar. My wife immediately seized the ML saying that the ride height and power was better for her 80mi round trip commute...which put me in her E350. The E class is a great car, but not exciting...and the wife has commanded "call the dealership and have them take the E away and bring us another SUV".
So now I'm car shopping again...but looking at what I want in a daily driver(empty nester) I don't need to haul anything anymore. AWD and I could buy a "fun" car(getting rid of the amg convertible).
So I'm actually looking at a used 911 4s or a new GLA45. The performance specs are actually similar and the GLA could carry 4 in a pinch, and actually groceries etc. It's ride height and seating position would make it better as a DD...but the 911 is a 911,a statement car, it drives like it's a part of you, it would "fit" when the wife drives it to the doctor's parking lot, more so than the burping gla. Or do I wait for vaporware again and see what a GLC63 looks like. firstworldproblems.
Any 50 somethings driving a GLA and loving it, or am I in the wrong place for a(nother) mid-life crisis car?
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Joined: Sep 2013
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2013 ML 550, CLK63 AMG, 2012 E350 4MATIC
The 911 is a statement car, just don't know which statement I want to make.
thanks for the suggestion.
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From: Montana/Alberta
C63 BS, GLA45
I'm a bit under your age demographics, just turned 40, and I get made fun of for owning the GLA45 because it looks and acts like a Japanese hot hatch. The GLA45 being small is a bonus, it drives and handles like a hopped up Golf R. It's also incredibly roomy, I'm tall, as are my co-workers, and 4 of us fit comfortably for our daily lunch excursions. It's not as luxurious as my CLS550 that I replaced, but the extra legroom is very welcome by the co-workers.
I let a lot of people try out the GLA45 so they know what it's about. ESP in sport mode, Manual mode, and it sells itself. From the way it sounds on every shift, working the paddles through the gears (and you do a lot of that with such short gearing), and lifting through a corner with some exhaust burbles, everyone is just blown away that Mercedes-AMG would build such a silly vehicle. The way it attacks corners, you would instantly forget that the GLA45 is actually a SUV.
My buddy's father in law, whom I'm guessing is in his 60's owns one as well along with a SLS Roadster. It's a great DD. As long as you DGAF what other people think, I'd pick it over the 4S. I owned a 911 Turbo a few cars back, and it just doesn't drive anywhere near as nice as the GLA45. The understeering tendency in the 911 just bored me, the car had way more grip than power. Not a problem in the GLA45 with it's skinny 235's.
I let a lot of people try out the GLA45 so they know what it's about. ESP in sport mode, Manual mode, and it sells itself. From the way it sounds on every shift, working the paddles through the gears (and you do a lot of that with such short gearing), and lifting through a corner with some exhaust burbles, everyone is just blown away that Mercedes-AMG would build such a silly vehicle. The way it attacks corners, you would instantly forget that the GLA45 is actually a SUV.
My buddy's father in law, whom I'm guessing is in his 60's owns one as well along with a SLS Roadster. It's a great DD. As long as you DGAF what other people think, I'd pick it over the 4S. I owned a 911 Turbo a few cars back, and it just doesn't drive anywhere near as nice as the GLA45. The understeering tendency in the 911 just bored me, the car had way more grip than power. Not a problem in the GLA45 with it's skinny 235's.
Last edited by rage2; Nov 24, 2015 at 05:42 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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'15 T&C & '14 SL63
He already has a CLK63 Cab... So no big gain w/ a C63.
IIRC, OP is in CT? So it's winter utility in a daily driver that is the key? That sure does monkey things up a bit.
For me, for the DD, I'd get... hmm. I just dunno. The GLA does have a certain appeal in that it's more driver car than comfort car. Maybe hold out until you can drive a GLE63 and see how it really plays out in practice? What does AMG have promised for the GLC? Maybe that has potential?
But I would just DD the CLK63 any time it's not icy. Basically 8 - 9 months of the year.
Depending on how long your commute is, I'd say DD the CLK year round. I drove mine through a damn ice storm in NE PA, and it did remarkably well. Actually, no I wouldn't say that. Thinking about some of the icy hills just gives me the puckers. And I would not want to have to repeat the white knuckles drive every nasty day every winter. I survived it. Let's leave it at that.
Driving the 911 however does certainly make a statement. lol
IIRC, OP is in CT? So it's winter utility in a daily driver that is the key? That sure does monkey things up a bit.
For me, for the DD, I'd get... hmm. I just dunno. The GLA does have a certain appeal in that it's more driver car than comfort car. Maybe hold out until you can drive a GLE63 and see how it really plays out in practice? What does AMG have promised for the GLC? Maybe that has potential?
But I would just DD the CLK63 any time it's not icy. Basically 8 - 9 months of the year.
Depending on how long your commute is, I'd say DD the CLK year round. I drove mine through a damn ice storm in NE PA, and it did remarkably well. Actually, no I wouldn't say that. Thinking about some of the icy hills just gives me the puckers. And I would not want to have to repeat the white knuckles drive every nasty day every winter. I survived it. Let's leave it at that.
Driving the 911 however does certainly make a statement. lol
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'15 T&C & '14 SL63
Actually, maybe you should deal the CLK for an SL and just use the E as your winter beater?
I made that trade CLK63 to '14 SL63), and there is just NO comparison between the cars. None. Bump the factory warranty to 7 years, and put 150k miles on it rain or shine.
I'd be smiling in the E when it's icy... knowing I'm driving the SL when the sun comes out tomorrow.
I made that trade CLK63 to '14 SL63), and there is just NO comparison between the cars. None. Bump the factory warranty to 7 years, and put 150k miles on it rain or shine.
I'd be smiling in the E when it's icy... knowing I'm driving the SL when the sun comes out tomorrow.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Colorado
2021 E63 S Sedan
54..Great DD. I know better drivers who are over 45 than those that are younger. The thrill of driving and appreciating what this small package is and how it delivers makes it perfect for any age driver who is into cars.
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From: Worcester, MA
15' CLS400
I'm turning 40 and I'm seriously looking at the GLA45. Currently driving a CLK350 Cab. Still blown away thinking about the fact this car is a 4 cylinder and putting out around 100 more hp than my 350.
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'15 T&C & '14 SL63
Spent the morning at the dealer getting PMs done and had a chance to wander around for a while...
The GLA doesn't really give me a ricey vibe just looking at it, but they had a GLC, and I have to say that having just sat around for a while in both, I'd definitely wait for a GLC63 rather than get a GLA45 now.
The GLA was all stiff and plasticky and the GLC was just much softer and more refined in just about every way.
But I also think having wandered around with nothing else to do but sit in and ponder the various MB cars, what I said above about just keeping the E as a winter beater and daily driving either the CLK63 or trading it for an SL63 still stands. Every time I drive the SL, it just makes every other option I might have irrelevant.
The GLA doesn't really give me a ricey vibe just looking at it, but they had a GLC, and I have to say that having just sat around for a while in both, I'd definitely wait for a GLC63 rather than get a GLA45 now.
The GLA was all stiff and plasticky and the GLC was just much softer and more refined in just about every way.
But I also think having wandered around with nothing else to do but sit in and ponder the various MB cars, what I said above about just keeping the E as a winter beater and daily driving either the CLK63 or trading it for an SL63 still stands. Every time I drive the SL, it just makes every other option I might have irrelevant.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Northeast USA
2015 GLA45
52 and just got my GLA45. The car is fun as well as practical for a daily driver. Why are you worried about your age.
I'm having a blast in my GLA and it's great for taking the family out or for running errands.
I'm having a blast in my GLA and it's great for taking the family out or for running errands.
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 38
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From: Victoria Australia
GLA45
53 when i got it, a couple of things annoy me a bit but its lots of fun to drive, the missus annoys me the most though every time i give it a little squirt all hell brakes loose...
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Joined: May 2015
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GLA45 AMG
I got my GLA45 when I retired and I'M LOVIN' EVERY MINUTE OF IT! I was driving on the Autobahn south of Stuttgart trying to catch a GLA45 and decided when I couldn't with the rental Jaguar XF that was it and the GLA45 is with me. On the highways now people try to catch me to look at the car. If you are serious about the car enroll in the AMG Driving Academy and compare the AMGs you'll be driving to solidify your decision and you'll have the time of your life.
Thread Starter
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2013 ML 550, CLK63 AMG, 2012 E350 4MATIC
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 355
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2013 ML 550, CLK63 AMG, 2012 E350 4MATIC
oh I'm not worried about my age, but the more I look at the car the more it says "entry level" to me. The exhaust note definitely does not say AMG. MB has come out with an assortment of vehicles to attract a younger demographic and build brand loyalty...The car I want is looming...hoping for a breakthrough for2017.
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Joined: May 2015
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GLA45 AMG
In the United States people think of Mercedes Benz as an "exclusive, luxury car," in Germany it is perceived as a Taxi Cab.
You could purchase a Rolls Royce Ghost Sedan (owned by BMW) you and your friends would know that you have arrived (albeit in the entry level for a Rolls).
You could purchase a Rolls Royce Ghost Sedan (owned by BMW) you and your friends would know that you have arrived (albeit in the entry level for a Rolls).
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Joined: Sep 2013
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'15 T&C & '14 SL63
In the United States people think of Mercedes Benz as an "exclusive, luxury car," in Germany it is perceived as a Taxi Cab.
You could purchase a Rolls Royce Ghost Sedan (owned by BMW) you and your friends would know that you have arrived (albeit in the entry level for a Rolls).
You could purchase a Rolls Royce Ghost Sedan (owned by BMW) you and your friends would know that you have arrived (albeit in the entry level for a Rolls).
What are you credentials such that on your first post, you can speak for the entire population of not just one, but two, countries?
I can tell you that in the US a MB is generally considered a medium expensive luxury car, and MB is not considered "exclusive".
Here "exclusive" generally means something you can't just readily buy with money.
I can't tell you how MB is in Germany. I read about the place, and while I could presume to know, I prefer not to be presumptuous. The fact is that I am not qualified to tell you how most Germans think.
But all of this is moot, as the real question is: Why would you associate yourself with people who would presume to measure your arrivedness based on a car? Here in the US, we have a word for that too: parvenu
Last edited by nycphotography; Jan 13, 2016 at 04:01 PM. Reason: typo
