So I test drove a GLA 45AMG

[Looneybomber]

A few days ago I drove a Cayenne S, and wasn't excited about it at all; I just don't like big vehicles. Since the 45AMG has similar power/weight as my G37, I figured I would check it out. To cut to the chase, I like it! It has enough room in the back for two adults or my kids in car seats. The sport seats (a $2500 option) were pretty nice, and the exhaust ($400) sounded pretty good! The other options ($13k total in options) I could do without, unless the base stereo sucks.

This one was red w/black trim and black and silver wheels. Other than Ferrari's, I'm typically not a fan of red cars, but I liked this one. If only it wasn't $61k. Maybe I'll look for one on the used marked later.

[the converted]

I haven't been too impressed with MB's electronics reliability these days. Just something to keep in mind. They also depreciate like a falling rock, so would be worth it to pick up a used one if your up to the challenge of keeping it on the road.

[numbnuts240]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpd2QKTw ... mokingTire[/youtube]

[MinisterofDOOM]

All the A-class spawn are abominations. MB's entry models were already the cheapest feeling in the lux market by a big margin, and now they've decided to cheap out even further. They took their domestic econobox, slapped AWD under it, and gave it "flowing" styling and "upwardly mobile young adults" are snapping them up like crazy. They're not well-designed, they're wrong-wheel-drive, they're cheap-cheap-cheap, they're tiny, they're 4-cylinder-only, and they're Mercedes-Benz products. There are zero desirable features to be found. And the worst part is, there will be more. MB's going to build every configuration imaginable upon that turd of an economy platform and keep selling them for real-car money as though they're actually luxury cars. Meanwhile, you could go to any other make on earth and get twice as much car for the same money. 1 series? 3 series? A4 or A6? IS or GS? ATS or CTS? All incomparably superior. All priced exactly the same as what is effectively Mercedes-Benz's take on the civic with glamorous bodywork.

The GLA45 is FIFTY THOUSAND. Think of all the REAL cars you could buy for $50,000!!! And at that pricepoint, even the car's AMG horsepower isn't impressive anymore. And it's all based on a strut-suspension FWD econobox.

Meanwhile, Mercedes still sells the real C-class, because nobody learns any lessons from the Americans and their brand cannibalism.

[Looneybomber]

In that car, I didn't think of it as a luxury car at all. Instead I thought of it as a tall car with 4 doors, all wheel drive, and performance similar to my g37S that I could drive my kids around in. And, in my opinion, MB did a great job with the styling.

Comparing my fully loaded G to the nicely loaded 45AMG, the G wins the luxury category, and is more relaxing to drive, but will jump to 130mph with equally relaxed composure. I really like my G, but always complain about the transmission. The DCT in the 45AMG is awesome.

For a single car, I would gladly take a 45AMG - looks great, has plenty of room for my kids, gets around on the snow, and rated 29mpg hwy.

[Looneybomber]

Oh I laughed. The , salesman made fun of me because the 45 AMG did not have a real-time mile per gallon gauge like the normal GLA 250, and kept complaining that I could not see my gas mileage. He said this was a performance car and not an economy car. I guess I'm the first person to try and hypermile an AMG.

[Jesda]

I agree with MoD. They are hideous contraptions with econocar roots.

[float_6969]

I get the appeal, but I think the price point is wrong, even for an AMG model. If I was in the $60K price point market, I wouldn't be looking at souped up econoboxes. To give perspective, that's the equivalent of a Mazdapseed 3. You couldn't throw enough luxury interior or electronanny's in a Mazdaspeed 3 to get it to $60K.

[MinisterofDOOM]

You couldn't throw enough luxury interior or electronanny's in a Mazdaspeed 3 to get it to $60K.

But it has mercedes badges!!!!!!! Premium and stuff. I WANT MY NEIGHBORS TO THINK I'M MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN THEY ARE DAMMIT!

[Looneybomber]

49k base isn't too bad for the car with 375hp (2016 model), but adding on some of the nice options gets expensive! I wouldn't mind having one because it ticks off nearly all of my check boxes. The one not checked is it's inherently FWD, with AWD kicking in when the front loses grip. Unfortunately, for performance compact crossovers, there are not many options.

[Jesda]

You couldn't throw enough luxury interior or electronanny's in a Mazdaspeed 3 to get it to $60K.

But it has mercedes badges!!!!!!! Premium and stuff. I WANT MY NEIGHBORS TO THINK I'M MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN THEY ARE DAMMIT!

I think MB got farked by Charlie Sheen because this thing is the AIDS virus on wheels.

[Jesda]

Infiniti's response:


Same platform, different car. From the concept photos it looks like Infiniti has righted the wrongs of the GLA's interior. The styling is a massive upgrade.

I have a feeling they're going to sell a boatload of these, making them as popular as the G35 when it debuted back in late 2002.

[Jesda]

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/infini ... -info-news

[nissangirl74]

To give perspective, that's the equivalent of a Mazdapseed 3. You couldn't throw enough luxury interior or electronanny's in a Mazdaspeed 3 to get it to $60K.

49k base isn't too bad for the car with 375hp (2016 model), but adding on some of the nice options gets expensive! I wouldn't mind having one because it ticks off nearly all of my check boxes. The one not checked is it's inherently FWD, with AWD kicking in when the front loses grip. Unfortunately, for performance compact crossovers, there are not many options.

My Speed 3 originally had 263 hp and now has close to 300 with some very conservative mods. The speed3 also weighs 1,359 lbs less than the AMG. It could have a lot more hp with some help from Corksport and for a lot less than $49K and way less than $61K. What's even better: manual gearbox is STANDARD. For that kind of money, there needs to be a Z06 badge on the fender.

[Looneybomber]

Infiniti's response:

That thing looks good. If it carries over similar styling to my G, that will be a nice family car.

The speed3 also weighs 1,359 lbs less than the AMG.

It's an order of magnitude less than that. The curb weight difference between the two is about 4-5% depending on options. The AMG is fun to drive, but too expensive for my blood.

[MinisterofDOOM]

The Infiniti certainly has nicer proportions, but it still has all the same problems as every other current Infiniti. It's too busy, that C-pillar, and the front fascia is overdone. The sillouhette has a bit of EX in it, which is good, and it doesn't LOOK blatantly FWD, but it's still not anything I would consider even remotely attractive. Most importantly: it's still not enough car to be worth whatever they end up charging for it.

Probably the best thing about this partnership is that GLA owners should be able to get cheaper parts from the Infiniti dealer and bypass one of the worst factors of owning a Mercedes Benz product.

The speed3 also weighs 1,359 lbs less than the AMG.

Probably in large part thanks to the fact that Mazda isn't stupid enough to believe that AWD is necessary to get the most out of the car.