[NXfan]

Any thoughts? I just test drove the GLA250 yesterday and I really liked it. Just worried about reliability and resale compaired to the NX. Also, cargo space is a lot smaller, and it is shorter. Equipped with everything I would like, is just over $40k. I am willing to spend up to $45K on the NX, but want to know what I can get for my budget.

 

[Kennedy]

How long do you plan to keep it around for?

If it's going to be within the average vehicle warranty term, then i'd say if you really like the GLA, go for it. But if you plan on owning past when warranty expires.... the cost on replacement parts and servicing can add up as you know...it's german.

 

[NXfan]

I liked how the GLA looked, but my wife feels it is too short and more wagon like then the NX. We generally keep our cars for 8-10 years. We currently have a Honda CRV and purchased the Honda Care warranty which has extended it to 8yrs/120000mi. It is about to expire next month, and we did use it a lot (power steering pump, 3 TPMS sensors, TPMS main module, Rear strut, AC blower and a few other misc. stuff) and it is a Honda! I didn't expect to use the extended warranty that much, but was VERY glad I bought it. Considering these new cars have all the new electronics, and safety features in them that practically lets the car drive itself, I am sure that the Merc will have some issues during and after the 4 year warranty period. I just hope the Lexus wont be as bad... Now if they had an extended warranty that will last 8 years, then that would be a consideration! I just googled "Mercedes Reliability" and got all kinds of nightmare stores which is making me skeptical about buying one now.

 

[Thai]

I liked how the GLA looked, but my wife feels it is too short and more wagon like then the NX. We generally keep our cars for 8-10 years. We currently have a Honda CRV and purchased the Honda Care warranty which has extended it to 8yrs/120000mi. It is about to expire next month, and we did use it a lot (power steering pump, 3 TPMS sensors, TPMS main module, Rear strut, AC blower and a few other misc. stuff) and it is a Honda! I didn't expect to use the extended warranty that much, but was VERY glad I bought it. Considering these new cars have all the new electronics, and safety features in them that practically lets the car drive itself, I am sure that the Merc will have some issues during and after the 4 year warranty period. I just hope the Lexus wont be as bad... Now if they had an extended warranty that will last 8 years, then that would be a consideration! I just googled "Mercedes Reliability" and got all kinds of nightmare stores which is making me skeptical about buying one now.

I would stay away from a 1st year model...especially 1st year GERMAN model!!!

I had a 25 year old platform once (see signature)...and despite that, i had a lot of little things go wrong that were downright annoying AND one major (engine mount cracked).

To be honest, IF i had to get a Mercedes small SUV, then i would get the GLK. Why? GLK is near the end of its cycle...so, bugs been worked out. Since you keep your cars for a long time, resale value of an aging platform is of lesser importance. GLK is based on a C-class premium compact platform. GLA, i think, is based on the CLA platform, which is a FWD "economy" platform...and in its first year. I would get GLK 250 diesel!

YMMV.

 

[NXfan]

I would stay away from a 1st year model...especially 1st year GERMAN model!!!

I had a 25 year old platform once (see signature)...and despite that, i had a lot of little things go wrong that were downright annoying AND one major (engine mount cracked).

To be honest, IF i had to get a Mercedes small SUV, then i would get the GLK. Why? GLK is near the end of its cycle...so, bugs been worked out. Since you keep your cars for a long time, resale value of an aging platform is of lesser importance. GLK is based on a C-class premium compact platform. GLA, i think, is based on the CLA platform, which is a FWD "economy" platform...and in its first year. I would get GLK 250 diesel!

YMMV.

The GLK is about the same size as the NX, however, I never liked the styling of the GLK. No mater how much I look at it, It still hasn't grown on me in the 4-5 years it has been around. Now maybe the 2016 GLK may change my mind...

I know buying is the first year is always a risk, but I have been waiting over 2 years for Lexus to come out with a compact SUV that I probably cannot wait anymore...> Now after seeing and driving the GLA also and looking at other "Luxury" brands, I am committed to buy something soon.....LOL

Still liking the NX and it is still my top choice, based on new designs coming from Lexus and foremost, reliability!

 

[avocado]

If you do go with the Mercedes and keep it 8-10 years, buy an extended warranty for it. This advice was given to me by a former Mercedes owner. I considered the GLK and thought it was just a tad small for me, so I really haven't thought about a GLA. Whether the NX is priced right remains to be seen.

 

[mister]

One of the main draws to the NX for me is Lexus' reputation for quality and reliability. I can rest easy that my vehicle won't have any stupid problems. The GLA also is closer to a hatch or wagon than the NX, which isn't really what I am looking for.

Both should be pretty good vehicles though. It's not like the GLA is crap.

 

[Kennedy]

I wouldn't mind buying a new mercedes that's under warranty, at least then it's not too much to worry about. but take it past that warranty term and it might be ****.

for the long term, past warranty, Lexus.

 

[NXfan]

I wouldn't mind buying a new mercedes that's under warranty, at least then it's not too much to worry about. but take it past that warranty term and it might be ****.

for the long term, past warranty, Lexus.

I agree. I will probably stick with the Lexus. Will most likely be based on cost though, the GLA with all the options we wanted, cost 40k, with extended warranty, I estimate 2-3k. If the NX with all we want, without the extended warranty cost the same, then it will be a toss up. We will see when pricing arrives...

 

[Kennedy]

That is true. The initial cost is also going to be an important one. All depending what exactly you want and how much that will cost.

It might be time to do a direct price comparison of the both of them.

 

[Thai]

Some of the reviews of GLA states that it is very stiff and very noisy!! POS Mercedes going back to their old (Chrysler days) ways!

 

[Kennedy]

Interesting, i'll have to test it out for myself.
maybe they were going for more of a sporty feel with it.

 

[Thai]

BTW, here is one such review: http://www.edmunds.com/mercedes-benz/gla-class/2015/road-test.html

 

[mojo]

GLA is technically not a first year German model though, the platoform and engine have had significant lead time in the A-class first, then the CLA and now GLA. Thats not the concern I would have, its owning a German car past its best before date.

At least the Lex you can get serviced in a Toyota bay...

 

[mojo]

Some of the reviews of GLA states that it is very stiff and very noisy!! POS Mercedes going back to their old (Chrysler days) ways!

CLA was the same, its the perils of entry level Mercedes (which is realistically an oxymoron, or it should of been....)

 

[Kennedy]

I also remember other complaints about the CLA, one of them being how the CLA's rear passenger door panels fitment was

 

[mojo]

I also remember other complaints about the CLA, one of them being how the CLA's rear passenger door panels fitment was

again the perils of entry level luxury. You don;t get Mercedes quality for non mercedes price. Thats not how the game works, but shhh don't tell the shoppers that...

 

[mojo]

Autoguide compared the two...

As tested, these two vehicles come with similar levels of equipment and a price tag separated by less than $100; coming in at just over $45,000. If that seems like a lot of money, both crossovers can be had for substantially less.
Mercedes did a good job shrinking down the Brand’s design elements in creating the GLA. But we find it’s lacking the refinement and quality expected from Mercedes-Benz… A good first attempt at a more entry-level product for the North American market, the GLA comes up a bit short.
And we don’t mean that figuratively either. Even if these two vehicles were the same size, the Lexus still offers more for the money

 

[RSnyder]

My wife and I test drove the GLA 250 and the NX 200t the same day. The NX was the clear winner for us. We absolutely hated the GLA shifter!

 

[Kennedy]

My wife and I test drove the GLA 250 and the NX 200t the same day. The NX was the clear winner for us. We absolutely hated the GLA shifter!

What exactly did you not like about the GLA's shifter?
If there's anything else you disliked about the GLA, i'd like to hear about those as well!