[cordovan]

I just priced out the CLA 4Matic to about $44,000 USD. Most would say "WELL WHY BUY A CLA? THAT PUTS IT IN THE WAY OF MANY OTHER CARS?!"

So let's take a look

New Cars Priced $35k-$45k in the US Market

Acura TL
Base MSRP: $35,605 - $45,085
Invoice: $33,132 - $41,825

Audi A5
Base MSRP: $37,850 - $45,450
Invoice: $35,201 - $42,269

Audi A6
Base MSRP: $42,200 - $50,400
Invoice: $39,246 - $46,872

Audi Q5
Base MSRP: $35,900 - $43,900
Invoice: $33,388 - $40,82

Audi TT
Base MSRP: $38,650 - $56,850
Invoice: $35,945 - $52,871

BMW 3 Series Coupe & Convertible
Base MSRP: $38,700 - $60,800
Invoice: $35,605 - $55,935

Buick Enclave
Base MSRP: $38,445 - $47,625
Invoice: $36,523 - $45,244

Cadillac CTS Sedan and CTS Coupe
Base MSRP: $39,095 - $50,190 (sedan)
Invoice: $36,945 - $47,430

Base MSRP: $38,905 - $50,050 (coupe)
Invoice: $36,765 - $46,797

Cadillac XTS
Base MSRP: $44,075 - $60,385
Invoice: $41,651 - $57,064

Infiniti G37 Coupe
Base MSRP: $37,600 - $51,250
Invoice: $34,833 - $40,560

Lexus ES350
Base MSRP: $36,100 - $38,850
Invoice: $33,815 - $36,393

Lexus IS250
Base MSRP: $35,065 - $37,525
Invoice: $32,611 - $34,898

Lexus IS350
Base MSRP: $40,320 - $42,780
Invoice: $37,496 - $39,787

Lincoln MKS
Base MSRP: $42,810 - $49,800
Invoice: $40,241 - $46,812

Volvo S80
Base MSRP: $39,150 - $43,150
Invoice: $36,801 - $40,561



I am sure I missed a bunch of others. What else?

 

[brianch]

VW CC, Audi A4, Audi A3, BMW 1 series, Cadillac ATS, Acura ILX, etc

Heck the C350 Sport starts at $41,400 and the C300 4Matic starts at $38,950.

But those are ENTRY prices. Add all the packages, options, features and those cars will be up to $50,000 for price.

 

[AMG4Matic]

I just built an Audi A3 Quattro and it came to $33,000.

Not sure if that comes with navigation though. It added the sport package and bluetooth package. At least it comes with leather seats.

 

[brianch]

You have to get the Premium Plus A3 to have the option to get navigation.

The A3 is comparable for specs @ 200hp but it is a hatchback. And most importantly. It is an Audi..

I don't like Audi interiors very much.

 

[600Benz]

I just built an Audi A3 Quattro and it came to $33,000.

Not sure if that comes with navigation though. It added the sport package and bluetooth package. At least it comes with leather seats.

I bet the BMW 2 series gran coupe will be around that price as well.

With brands like BMW, Audi & Mercedes that have so many of the same type of vehicles that are generally priced in line with eachother, a large part of choosing which one to buy will be on the brand you prefer.

Audi's styling is way too simple for me, and reminds me of a VW. Mercedes on the other hand represents true luxury and performance.

 

[Wachowski]

I would look in to the Audi A5 but I haven't heard any feedback on any Audi's really in terms of reliability. Im a strong believer in Mercedes as a vehicle i still have currently from 1993 has been running flawlessly but is now kind of outdated.

 

[brianch]

Mercedes has changed since 1993. I've worked at a Mercedes dealership and I can tell you the cars have gotten cheaper.
That is not to say the cars are cheap - they are just cheaper compared to before.

But what isn't?

The A5 is pricey once you price it out. I wouldn't say Audis are very reliable. At least not as reliable as Mercedes. This is according to those reliability reports by automotive journalists.

 

[4Matic]

1. BMW 3-Series
Still the sport sedan king,
despite several attempted coups.

2. Mercedes-Benz C-class
Sedan pretty and posh; budget-
priced coupe a major disappointment.

3. Cadillac DeVille
A surprisingly good car under the
Social Security styling.

4. Infiniti G35
Performance trails only BMW; best
buy among rear-drive, luxury sport
sedans.

5. Lexus ES300
Beautifully built, unobtrusive
performance, too Camry-esque for
some.

6. Lincoln Town Car
Design refreshed but still painfully
dated; relies heavily on fleet sales.

7. Acura 3.2TL
Lovely and loaded with technology.
Makes a convincing luxury
statement.

8. Mercedes-Benz E-class
Lovely and loaded with technology.
Makes a convincing luxury statement.

9. Cadillac CTS
Competent performance, polarizing
exterior, atrocious interior.

10. BMW 5-Series

 

[AMG4Matic]

That must be an old list. The TL is a 3.5L now. The ATS is probably a better competitor rather than the CTS. Do they still make the Deville? And the new G35 is the G37 and the new G37 is actually the Q50.

 

[becauseracecar]

Between the Audi and the BMW I would still choose Mercedes. Just by the brand alone.

I've owned both an Audi RS4 and a BMW M3 before and I can say the Mercedes had the best interior and best build. They have my support.

 

[BODHI85]

Between the Audi and the BMW I would still choose Mercedes. Just by the brand alone.

I've owned both an Audi RS4 and a BMW M3 before and I can say the Mercedes had the best interior and best build. They have my support.

Reliability tests show that Mercedes is far superior to BMW and Audi. Mercedes ranks in the top 3 among automakers while BMW and Audi are in the bottom 10 out of a list of over 30.

 

[BenzFan]

Reliability tests show that Mercedes is far superior to BMW and Audi. Mercedes ranks in the top 3 among automakers while BMW and Audi are in the bottom 10 out of a list of over 30.

They're superior and just the name alone sells it's self. I know people who would buy a Benz over a BMW or Audi any day just because of that status that comes with a Benz.

 

[brianch]

Are German Cars Reliable? The Myth of “German Engineering” | AutoGuide.com News

Mercedes-Benz only gets a four out of five, which is “Better than most” rating, while Audi and BMW get 3/5 or “About Average.” Volkswagen falls below average with 2/5, what J.D. Power describes as “The Rest.” Porsche is also ranked “Better than most” in J.D. Power’s dependability survey, which give Mercedes-Benz some nice company. It’s important to note that only one car maker had a score of 5/5, and that’s Lexus. Nothing changes in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality rankings. Mercedes and Porsche have 4/5 ratings, BMW and Audi get just 3/5 and VW only achieves 2/5. Lexus tops that ranking as well with a 5/5.
The J.D. Power ratings are based on consumer surveys. Initial Quality is measured after 90 days of a new car’s purchase. Vehicle Dependability Ratings are surveys based on the past 12 months of original owners of three-year old cars.






Personally I believe Mercedes is the most reliable. I've worked at a Mercedes dealership doing apprenticeship for about a year and I'd say their cars are generally reliable. I hear many horror stories about Audis and BMWs.

 

[Mike T]

My B 200 has not been very good.

 

[brianch]

What went wrong with it?

 

[BenzFan]

My B 200 has not been very good.

I haven't heard many good things about them, but I also see them everywhere I go, so that must be a good sign, no?

What exact problems have you had with it?

 

[Pitbull11]

Are German Cars Reliable? The Myth of “German Engineering” | AutoGuide.com News

Mercedes-Benz only gets a four out of five, which is “Better than most” rating, while Audi and BMW get 3/5 or “About Average.” Volkswagen falls below average with 2/5, what J.D. Power describes as “The Rest.” Porsche is also ranked “Better than most” in J.D. Power’s dependability survey, which give Mercedes-Benz some nice company. It’s important to note that only one car maker had a score of 5/5, and that’s Lexus. Nothing changes in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality rankings. Mercedes and Porsche have 4/5 ratings, BMW and Audi get just 3/5 and VW only achieves 2/5. Lexus tops that ranking as well with a 5/5.
The J.D. Power ratings are based on consumer surveys. Initial Quality is measured after 90 days of a new car’s purchase. Vehicle Dependability Ratings are surveys based on the past 12 months of original owners of three-year old cars.






Personally I believe Mercedes is the most reliable. I've worked at a Mercedes dealership doing apprenticeship for about a year and I'd say their cars are generally reliable. I hear many horror stories about Audis and BMWs.

This is a BS study JMHO. The important measurement is cost of ownership. I know from personal experience that the Mercedes is off the chart. Never own a Mercedes if it is not under warranty. I have a Lexus LX470 with over 100k miles, which means it is just broken in. Normal for the LX470 is 400-500k miles with just normal service, and that service cost is reasonable since you can get it done at a Toyota dealership. Honda/Acura is another cheap car to own and you don't need a warranty to sleep at night. I've owned 3 Mercedes SL's 380, 500, and a 550. Also owned a CL550 and a CLS63 AMG with the performance package. Normal is $500 oil/filter changes, brake job required on my CLS 63 after 9k miles cost over $2000 and that was just for the front brakes. My son in law had a 2007 S550 with around 60k miles on it and I could of bought it for a great price. Based on what I know about the cost to keep a Mercedes on the road I would not touch it with a 10 foot pole.

 

[BenzFan]

This is a BS study JMHO. The important measurement is cost of ownership. I know from personal experience that the Mercedes is off the chart. Never own a Mercedes if it is not under warranty. I have a Lexus LX470 with over 100k miles, which means it is just broken in. Normal for the LX470 is 400-500k miles with just normal service, and that service cost is reasonable since you can get it done at a Toyota dealership. Honda/Acura is another cheap car to own and you don't need a warranty to sleep at night. I've owned 3 Mercedes SL's 380, 500, and a 550. Also owned a CL550 and a CLS63 AMG with the performance package. Normal is $500 oil/filter changes, brake job required on my CLS 63 after 9k miles cost over $2000 and that was just for the front brakes. My son in law had a 2007 S550 with around 60k miles on it and I could of bought it for a great price. Based on what I know about the cost to keep a Mercedes on the road I would not touch it with a 10 foot pole.

Thats also why you see so many 5+ year old Mercedes Benz vehicles sitting on used car lots. People who have figured them out know to get rid of them before the warranty is up, or else they'll have to shell out thousands just to fix it.

Reason why so many stay away from german vehicles.

What year is your Lexus?

I know a friend with a 1992 Lexus LS400 that has 700k miles on it and still runs amazingly well, those cars were built like tanks!

 

[Pitbull11]

Thats also why you see so many 5+ year old Mercedes Benz vehicles sitting on used car lots. People who have figured them out know to get rid of them before the warranty is up, or else they'll have to shell out thousands just to fix it.

Reason why so many stay away from german vehicles.

What year is your Lexus?

I know a friend with a 1992 Lexus LS400 that has 700k miles on it and still runs amazingly well, those cars were built like tanks!

Mine is a 2005 LX470 with about 115k miles so far. These 100 Series are designed for a 25 year life cycle. Example the 4.7 liter engine puts out 235 HP. No stress at all . It weighs around 5800 lbs and is about the size of a Ford Explore. Your right built like a tank.

 

[Giovanni S.]

Mercedes has changed since 1993. I've worked at a Mercedes dealership and I can tell you the cars have gotten cheaper.
That is not to say the cars are cheap - they are just cheaper compared to before.

But what isn't?

The A5 is pricey once you price it out. I wouldn't say Audis are very reliable. At least not as reliable as Mercedes. This is according to those reliability reports by automotive journalists.

Everything did get cheaper but the price is not the only thing most manufacturers cheap out on. Materials as well cars were built differently back then now its all about lowering production cost and getting the most profit. In the who suffers? the consumers and then they ruin their reputations.