[ybbiz34]

I'll take one to pair with its bigger brother.

[F32]

The first AMG in my history of love for AMG cars which I care nothing about.

Good video, though. Carlos is great.

[buildbright]

I would buy an Audi S4/S5. The car looks good but way to much money for such a small car that is FWD biased.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by F32

The first AMG in my history of love for AMG cars which I care nothing about.

Good video, though. Carlos is great.

Carlos is close to becoming the American Chris Harris. Harris is still my favorite.

Just curious, what are your reasons for disliking it?

Originally Posted by buildbright

I would buy an Audi S4/S5. The car looks good but way to much money for such a small car that is FWD biased.

Yeah the price is up there for an entry level/smallish car . . . but the engineering of the engine is incredible.

Sand-cast, 178 horsepower per liter, etc.

I mean, wow.

Starting with the face-lifted, 2012+ C63, there has been abundant praise regarding the steering feel and handling across the board with respect to the AMG models. Early reports seem to indicate that the CLA45 is continuing this trend.

[rdub315]

Originally Posted by F32

The first AMG in my history of love for AMG cars which I care nothing about.

Good video, though. Carlos is great.

+1

[Greenkirby21]

thanks for the video ybbiz!

I think this kinda confirmed (for now) that I am getting a M235i over a CLA45 AMG...

I think the CLA45 AMG is doing everything extremely well. It is a very capable car at a great price (if you go light on the options), and looks great (to me).

BUT, IMO it reminds me too much of a mini GTR, which is kinda what I was wondering about the car. It is extremely fast, but seems to lack "character/driving" fun, and you can see it in the video.

The car will probably give the fastest lap times of its segment, but its FWD based AWD makes it so you can't have "fun" in the car.

I have seen this reviewer's videos many different times, and he didn't seem as excited for the car as I had hoped.

[F32]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

Just curious, what are your reasons for disliking it?

All these premium German brands have gone so down-market for the U.S. that it's laughable.

The CLA45 is essentially a FWD car thinly veiled as AWD for marketing purposes. It's cheap, it's ugly, and it's not what the AMG brand has represented in the past.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by F32

All these premium German brands have gone so down-market for the U.S. that it's laughable.

The CLA45 is essentially a FWD car thinly veiled as AWD for marketing purposes. It's cheap, it's ugly, and it's not what the AMG brand has represented in the past.

I see.

It's not just for the US though. The M 135i and A45 AMG are both hits in Europe.

From a business perspective, it's (i.e., rolling out cars like the CLA Class and A Class) a great way to get young people to buy into the brand until they can take that next step up. Mercedes and BMW are both doing it.

The AMG brand is moving in the right direction, in my opinion. As I mentioned above, building more dynamic cars with better steering feel and much-improved handling is a step in the proper direction. And they still have ridiculous straight-line speed. All of them.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

thanks for the video ybbiz!

I think this kinda confirmed (for now) that I am getting a M235i over a CLA45 AMG...

I think the CLA45 AMG is doing everything extremely well. It is a very capable car at a great price (if you go light on the options), and looks great (to me).

BUT, IMO it reminds me too much of a mini GTR, which is kinda what I was wondering about the car. It is extremely fast, but seems to lack "character/driving" fun, and you can see it in the video.

The car will probably give the fastest lap times of its segment, but its FWD based AWD makes it so you can't have "fun" in the car.

I have seen this reviewer's videos many different times, and he didn't seem as excited for the car as I had hoped.

No problem!

I wouldn't let a stranger's reaction to a car in a video make my decision as to what I'm going to buy. I'd want to drive the car first but that's just me.

Looks like plenty of fun to me.

[Savory]

I'm very impressed with the motor. Just wished it had proper 4Matic with a locking center and rear diff. I think it would do wonders for the handling. Also, 58k for an entry level AMG? Not too long ago a base C63 sedan could be had for that much!

[Greenkirby21]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

No problem!

I wouldn't let a stranger's reaction to a car in a video make my decision as to what I'm going to buy. I'd want to drive the car first but that's just me.

Looks like plenty of fun to me.

haha this is true! Not sure why, but all the reviews of the A45 hatchback have been stellar, but the ones on the CLA 45 have been so-so. I remember reading a comparison where they drove them back to back and the CLA was not as good to drive. Could be maybe the longer body and extra weight? Who knows!

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

haha this is true! Not sure why, but all the reviews of the A45 hatchback have been stellar, but the ones on the CLA 45 have been so-so. I remember reading a comparison where they drove them back to back and the CLA was not as good to drive. Could be maybe the longer body and extra weight? Who knows!

That is a very excellent point my friend.

I too have noticed that the A45 has been garnering a bit more praise. I think you are onto something regarding the weight, etc. It's a shame that Americans look down upon the hot hatches. I'd love to drive an A45 AMG in the winter whilst the C63 is parked.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by Savory

Also, 58k for an entry level AMG? Not too long ago a base C63 sedan could be had for that much!

Prices are skyrocketing. A fully loaded, brand new C63 coupe gets you into the $90k range. The 507 edition? Even more cash.

[Savory]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

Prices are skyrocketing. A fully loaded, brand new C63 coupe gets you into the $90k range. The 507 edition? Even more cash.

A local MB dealer had a Mars Red 507 Coupe in the showroom for about $85k! Not a bargain by any means lol. Just crazy that when the C63 came out in '08, it was roughly the price of this CLA AMG. Times have changed. Let's see if these things fly off the lot, haven't seen many CLA 250s in general as of late.

[Robert]

I dont know it's tempting. I actually went to fletcher jones to inquire about this car but at end of the day I rather have a lightly optioned cayman s than CLA45

[TSM330i]

I love the interior on this car, but HATE the rear styling in the sedan! It looks like it's just melted and has no character as the hatch does.

Without a doubt, I'd get an M235 over this.
3600lbs is horrible too! New M235 will be about 400lbs lighter.

[Vervain]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

I'll take one to pair with its bigger brother.

Wow the red with the aluminium accents looks really good! I don't understand why so many hate this car so much. It's a fast MB with good looks (my opinion). Haldex setup or not, it's still a winner.

It's not too badly priced for a Mercedes Benz too.

[ska///235i]

Love this car and exhaust sounds amazing but the price optioned out is insane....up to $60k with few options
I'll go with a S4 with a differential

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by ska325xi

Love this car and exhaust sounds amazing but the price optioned out is insane....up to $60k with few options
I'll go with a S4 with a differential

From what I'm hearing, the lease on one of these bad boys will be similar to the lease on a nicely equipped F30 335i.

If you think of it from a performance perspective, it seems fair.

You can bet that a loaded M235i will be just as expensive, if not more expensive, than the CLA45.

[b0bab0i]

Originally Posted by F32

All these premium German brands have gone so down-market for the U.S. that it's laughable.

The CLA45 is essentially a FWD car thinly veiled as AWD for marketing purposes. It's cheap, it's ugly, and it's not what the AMG brand has represented in the past.

You know the next gen 1 series will be fwd right?

[paradoxical3]

While I realize comparing even a lightly tuned car to a stock one isn't fair, for those disappointed that we aren't getting the A45 AMG in the US, BMW actually makes a very comparable car in the X1 35i M-Sport.

A $450 JB4 and the X1 runs the same performance numbers. Takes about 20 minutes to remove for dealer visits, and it is not detectable after removal in any way. My X1 is actually significantly faster than the A45/CLA, but I've modded more than a simple JB4.

It will be very interesting to see how much tuners can extract from the A45's engine. It's such an already high strung 4 cylinder that I'm not sure much more power can be reliably made. If they can somehow make another 30-40 WHP however, that car will be a monster in the hot hatch segment.

FWIW, I like the rear look of the A45 better than the rear of the X1. I am really not a fan of the rear view of my X1. So +1 for Mercedes there.

[ska///235i]

Sorry to say, the x1 isnt an attractive sports sedan/coupe

Not saying is not a good car but more of a soccer mom ride