A170cdi for the wife?
Discussion
As above really. I know, not really a PH type car, and my only search result shows very mixed views.
Criteria will be:
Budget ideally under £4k
Cheap to insure, tax, service and run
Safe & reliable
Something that I can tolerate on a short drive
Low depreciation - it's likely to be a 6 month car.
Auto box (she's American)
Any views?
Criteria will be:
Budget ideally under £4k
Cheap to insure, tax, service and run
Safe & reliable
Something that I can tolerate on a short drive
Low depreciation - it's likely to be a 6 month car.
Auto box (she's American)
Any views?
The original A-Class' are truely awful cars, not worthy of the Mercedes badge. Bad to drive, very basic poor quality interiors and of the worst reliability track records of any modern vehicle. Avoid at all costs IMO. The newer 2005-onwards W169 models are vastly improved in all areas scoring highly in reliability and much more like a baby Mercedes should be, but they are expensive and you would be looking at at least £5k for an early base model.
Have you looked at the Audi A2 1.4 TDI? Very similar concept to the original A-Class but much better executed. Residuals are granite as they are highly sought after, very economical engine with good performance and tax is just £35 a year. Won't cost much too run, and you will have no trouble selling it for the same money after 6-months.
Have you looked at the Audi A2 1.4 TDI? Very similar concept to the original A-Class but much better executed. Residuals are granite as they are highly sought after, very economical engine with good performance and tax is just £35 a year. Won't cost much too run, and you will have no trouble selling it for the same money after 6-months.
Edited by va1o on Sunday 2nd May 22:26
As stated already really.
From working in a dealer, they are a bloody woeful car in every aspect & along with the 163 earlier ML, not worthy of the 3 pointed star!
Ugly car for starters! Interior is very poor, not the greatest cars to drive either, quality overall is generally not good. Reliability of them is crap as well with repairs usually being past the point of being economical with relative value of the car. On diesels, injectors spring to mind which is major labour intensive job, not to mention the price of injectors.
IMO - steer very clear!
From working in a dealer, they are a bloody woeful car in every aspect & along with the 163 earlier ML, not worthy of the 3 pointed star!
Ugly car for starters! Interior is very poor, not the greatest cars to drive either, quality overall is generally not good. Reliability of them is crap as well with repairs usually being past the point of being economical with relative value of the car. On diesels, injectors spring to mind which is major labour intensive job, not to mention the price of injectors.
IMO - steer very clear!
But as I said, its only the original 1998 - 2004 model that you should avoid, see http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mercedes-benz... for just a few reasons.
The latest and relatively uncommon 2005 onwards model is vastly improved in every department, and very much a proper baby Mercedes with the same desirability and high quality build quality as the rest of the range. It scores highly in every single reliability survey. Only problem is the price, expensive for a small car both to buy and run.
The latest and relatively uncommon 2005 onwards model is vastly improved in every department, and very much a proper baby Mercedes with the same desirability and high quality build quality as the rest of the range. It scores highly in every single reliability survey. Only problem is the price, expensive for a small car both to buy and run.
Ouch! Thanks for the thoughts. So is the 2005+ model worth a look? The budget is flexible - but keen to avoid big depreciation costs for a car that I won't enjoy.
I do like the Audi, but couldn't find an auto option. That certainly seems to be limiting when looking for a car with the above criteria. May be better getting the Mrs to get used to the idea of shifting with 'the other hand'. She did learn in a 'stick shift', but she described her driving test as driving around a few cones in a parking lot.
I do like the Audi, but couldn't find an auto option. That certainly seems to be limiting when looking for a car with the above criteria. May be better getting the Mrs to get used to the idea of shifting with 'the other hand'. She did learn in a 'stick shift', but she described her driving test as driving around a few cones in a parking lot.
interesting reading as I am looking at one of these? a few of the issues mentioned in HJ are fixed at 2001 when they changed components, interior etc... and allot of issues where pre 50k so would a 2001 or later model FSH model, bolted to the AA Recovery/Waranty?
Im not fused about sporty driving I just need something that can sit at 50mph for an hour or so twice a day with solid fuel economy. and a raised seating position.
for info Im looking at a 170 CDi Avantgarde post 2001, and Ive just spent 3 months in a 1.2 Aguila.
Im not fused about sporty driving I just need something that can sit at 50mph for an hour or so twice a day with solid fuel economy. and a raised seating position.
for info Im looking at a 170 CDi Avantgarde post 2001, and Ive just spent 3 months in a 1.2 Aguila.
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