If the OP was in the market for a W177 A-Class I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it over a Focus (funds permitting) as it's a much nicer place to be and it drives very well, but from a driving dynamics perspective my view is that the Focus has a W176 licked.
I agree. The latest A class is a big step up from the W176. Unfortunately, the OP appears to have a 2017 A class in mind which does fall into the W176 bracket.
Sold .. E350 CDI Sport Saloon 265. Mini JCW. Current
Agree with what’s said. Your chosen A-Class is nice but up a bit on miles and not particularly big on spec. Of course the Merc is a step up on the Ford but as said probably not a leap. Personally I bought an older E- Class, a lot less money than that A-Class, but IMHO a whole lot more ‘Mercedes’.
To be fair ANY second hand car can be expensive if you’re unlucky. Each to their own obviously. Enjoy choosing and good luck. Warm welcome.
Thanks everyone for all the help, keep it coming as it is much appreciated. The particular model I posted a link to are there any unbiased reviews and how would I be able to test drive one (it would be my first auto).
It looks like I'm the only one who has had relatively negative experiences from Sytner Mercedes Sunderland. My concerns in the thread below were relevant to performance cars, so @tele1962 shouldn't pay too much to it.
I arrived at Mercedes – Benz of Sunderland at 07.55 am on 16-04-2018. It is my first time with the Mercedes brand and my first impressions were very good as I drove up to a modern building with plenty of customer parking. As I approached the building I was greeted by a man named John who...
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Although to add to the thread attached I recently went to view a used GLE that they had for sale. After identifying an expected amount of items that needed attention, I went to compare/view an almost identical car at Newcastle. On my way home Sunderland called to ask if I was interested in purchasing their car, but when I mentioned what I believe to be acceptable repair requests they weren't interested and basically told me they didn't need attention. I understand used cars aren't going to be perfect, but when I'm expected to spend that sort of money on a used car I would like to think a dealership would work with the customer and come to some sort of agreement. I also understand that some repairs aren't financially viable for a dealership and would eat into their profit margin making the deal not worth their while (I have to question their 'approved used' standards then).
As the conversation went on I was offered their GAP insurance and Star guard options, I politely declined their offer and when asked why I wasn't interested I told the Salesman that I had already had multiple GAP insurance quotes at less than half their prices and I would be getting paint correction and a ceramic coating on the car so I wouldn't need their Star guard ......................... That was met with a chuckle and tut on the other end of the phone.
That was it for me, I'm out.
On this occasion Newcastle were happy to address all of the requests I had, although someone had just put a deposit on the car and they were waiting for finance checks to clear. Later that day I was told that the Newcastle car had sold so a few days later I traveled to Gravesend and bought a finer example which was a extremely pleasant experience from an independent Mercedes dealer.
Two experiences with Sytner Sunderland and in my opinion both were unpleasant. You can't please everyone all of the time and I'm listening to positive comments from other customers, so maybe it's just me, maybe I'm the problem.
I agree with the other comments about an A class being a step up from a Focus, but not a leap. Only you can decide if you will be happy to pay the premium for the 'upgrade' in quality. A test drive would be needed and as far as I know this isn't achievable during the current restrictions.
OP, going from a 2015 ford to a 2017 A class is not (I suspect) the jump you might hope it to be . The W176 A class is a sub compact car with a fair bit of Renault in it. It's not a bad car and if you like the look of them I would follow the advice on here .. Go for test drives and shop with your eyes wide open.
OP, going from a 2015 ford to a 2017 A class is not (I suspect) the jump you might hope it to be . The W176 A class is a sub compact car with a fair bit of Renault in it.
^^ Exactly this ^^
A few of our young electricians drive newish A classes and once you get over the bling, the name and... err, that’s it, they’re nothing that special.
^^ Exactly this ^^
A few of our young electricians drive newish A classes and once you get over the bling, the name and... err, that’s it, they’re nothing that special.
I have driven a few of them from various rental fleets while on business , the last one would have been around 2017 , so just of the age that the OP is looking at. Nothing wrong with them but the OP (in my opinion) is not stepping up high enough from what he already drives to see the big difference he might be looking for.
Depends on budget , cost and expectations I suppose.
I have driven a few of them from various rental fleets while on business , the last one would have been around 2017 , so just of the age that the OP is looking at. Nothing wrong with them but the OP (in my opinion) is not stepping up high enough from what he already drives to see the big difference he might be looking for.
Depends on budget , cost and expectations I suppose.
Darrell. Good point and one I have 'suffered' with car hire companies that have 'upgraded' me to a Mercedes Benz that was (often) less well specced than the VW/Opel that I had originally ordered.
Their thinking being that they can charge more per day for a Mercedes Benz of lower spec than a VW Passat with all the trimmings. So it MUST be an upgrade !
Welcome ! This mob are a very civilised bunch. Not your usual Pistonhead / Top Gear anorak wearers.
I've liked the A Class, right from Day One, when the very earliest ones were on Easycar, and family members have had them all, from A140 to A200 (bonkers)
However....
My words of caution are that the Focus is a fabulous, world-beating, top selling "British" car, tuned to UK roads. You see it everywhere, but that's because it's very good.
Before letting your 2015 1.1 go, I would counsel four things:
1. Ask yourself what you're really trying to do with it: how many miles a year, for what kind of thing etc etc.
Maybe this time round you want to do something different with it ? Less commuting ? More UK holidays ? Kids in the back ?
2. Take a test drive in this A Class, and do a back to back compare with to a comparable 2017 Focus.
Make sure you know how it actually feels to drive, rather than how you think it probably drives.
(Lots of people complain about hard ride, for example, although that varies between spec of cars quite a lot.
3. Have a think about age, and ask yourself why you aren't buying something like a 2015 A Class, perhaps on similar miles.
The difference between a four and six year old car is usually just that one is a third cheaper than the other.
4. Think about diesel vs petrol. Diesel has fallen dramatically out of fashion. Is this a time to be buying one?
If it's about mpg how much is that actually worth to you a year?
If in doubt, keep your money in your pocket.
If you want an upgrade, spend the money, because you can't take it with you.
I believe they can re-open no earlier than April 12 (same as gyms and barbers, thanks goodness!), if the CV-19 situation allows. Thereafter I suspect they will open to the public providing masks are worn and appropriate distancing is observed. I would imagine sanitising a car after a test-drive will be up to the dealer, if they actually allow test drives.
Thanks everyone for all the help, keep it coming as it is much appreciated. The particular model I posted a link to are there any unbiased reviews and how would I be able to test drive one (it would be my first auto).
If it's your first auto, I would strongly recommend a test drive first. There are various types of autos and different people have different views. Personally, I don't like some dual clutch boxes and 'automated manuals', however I do like decent torque convertor autos. I detest CVTs. Therefore, I would consider some autos, not others. I can't comment on the A-Class auto as I know nothing about it, however, as an example I like the Aston DB9 auto (torque convertor) but not the previous model Vantage auto..
Don't buy anything just for the 'brand/badge'. IMHO.
Mercedes dealers ? no idea , but a main Vauxhall dealer close to where I live is open now , I went in there the other day for a long chat with the spares guy helping me source some obscure Vauxhall bits. The showroom was open (I walked through it) and there was a salesperson in their as well .
I tend to avoid main dealers so am not sure how 'open' open actually is during Covid .
As most have mentioned on here it's best to test drive one and see if you like it. Most dealers aren't open for test drives at the moment cause of covid. But there are other ways you can test drive similar spec A class's, car rental companies are one avenue you can try.
Also going from a manual to auto is quite different especially with Mercedes cars. From my car and all the others I have driven their gear selector is on a stalk beside the steering wheel, this is very different from where the gear selector/ gear knob traditionally is, so it takes a little time getting used to.
And it definitely is a big chuck of money. I used to drive a vauxhall astra and for years I've been putting off buying a C class, due to other financial commitments. But this all changed towards the end of last year, my financial situations improved so much that I knew I could purchase and run my car with no worries, so please do factor that in as its not just buying the car. But also running costs like servicing and unexpected repairs that you will have to account for.
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