new prestigious import in the family (pics inside)

powervette · 09-04-2007, 06:35 PM

Hi everybody,
Today I visited my sister. Usually it's nice to visit a member of my family whom I don't see very often. But today I found a miserable surprise in her garage, a silver Mercedes-Benz A-180 CDI. Call me a Mercedes troll if You want but that thing sucks all the way. A car that costs 23 thousand Euros looks like a mix of Daewoo Aveo/Honda FR-V from the outside and it's fit and finish of the interior is similar to cars that are much cheaper than this M-B. I am not an 'interior purist' who measures panel gaps and touches every plastic panel inside of the car. But some of You are, so I can tell You there are many cheap plastic bits which feel much worse than those found in Opel Corsa that costs 13 thousand Euros. The uphostery feels very rough. The good thing is the quality sound of the shutting doors. But it isn't a big deal, simply because many Suzukis, Opels and other cheaper manufacturers have that kind of quality feel. Other story is how it is equipped. It doesn't have a car stereo nor power windows in the back. My first impression was that it is a base version. I was shocked when I saw the 'Avangarde' badge on the side of that silly microwave. I must say that thanks to my experience with the A-Class, the BMW 1-series grew on me. It ain't very pretty but certainly has some kind of style compared with the A-Class.
Who made my sister who isn't interested in cars buy this junk? That could be only my father. Die hard Mercedes enthusiast who would call even a Pontiac Aztec beautiful, if it had a star on the front grille. I haven't known anything about the purchase and it was done on purpose. I am sure my sister wanted to take my advice but my lovely father made her not tell me anything because 'he will advise You purchase of Opel or something American, those cars suck'. Mercedes is always a Mercedes'. I love my family.

Ok, here are the pictures. They are not high quality simply because this car doesn't deserve high quality pictures.
God, I hope Cadillac will never make something like that. The last picture shows my car which costs a few thousand less than A-Class. But it's Opel so it sucks.

Tomko · 09-04-2007, 07:11 PM

Gotta love that manual day / night rear-view mirror.

Phoenix · 09-04-2007, 07:17 PM

Wow that doesn't look good at all. The interior looks about as nice as my sister's Vibe.

ragingfish · 09-04-2007, 07:50 PM

I had NO idea you could even still buy a car without a STEREO?!?!?!?!

Your sister has a tragic excuse for a vehicle right there in her garage..

Beautiful Opel though! Can't wait to see it stateside as a Saturn!

**shadams** · 09-04-2007, 08:26 PM

Wow!? Well, I dont know what to say. Nice Opel (Astra? I know squat about those cars)

**GMCSonoma** · 09-04-2007, 08:30 PM

Opel pic is neat, it looks like it was taken here in Wisconsin in wintertime!

DuSpinnst · 09-04-2007, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ragingfish

I had NO idea you could even still buy a car without a STEREO?!?!?!?!

Your sister has a tragic excuse for a vehicle right there in her garage..

Beautiful Opel though! Can't wait to see it stateside as a Saturn!

The A-Class is a stripper model.

No radio is an option because people go buy an aftermarket.

big swede · 09-04-2007, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

The A-Class is a stripper model.

No radio is an option because people go buy an aftermarket.

Crank windows also. I thought Mercedes was getting away from the A-class. Don't know what I was thinking.

Texan-CST/10 · 09-04-2007, 09:31 PM

Wow... and folks say GM made bad small cars?

I love how theres holes for speakers, but no speakers in them, its mocking you.

asim · 09-04-2007, 10:56 PM

I didn't know they still made bare bone models like that anymore.

powervette · 09-05-2007, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadams

Nice Opel (Astra? I know squat about those cars)

Yup, You will be able to learn more about it at Saturn dealerships this fall.

Bravada · 09-05-2007, 03:58 AM

I ride in those often - they are bought in bulk by a local taxi company. Good materials for a compact car, but nothing very Mercedes-like, and they break down a LOT!

It is a rather awful car for Mercedes, but the double-floor technology is awesome. I wished they would hand it down to Chrysler or Mitsubishi, but unfortunately it looks as if they will just kill it when the A- and B-Classes meet their fate (finally).

likearock00 · 09-05-2007, 06:30 AM

How many or these do you think Mercedes would sell over here? I'm sure alot would buy it just to say they had one!!

mikmak · 09-05-2007, 08:46 AM

Wow, that's awful. Nice Astra though. The most important thing is, does your sister like it?

atomicshark · 09-05-2007, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ragingfish

I had NO idea you could even still buy a car without a STEREO?!?!?!?!

Your sister has a tragic excuse for a vehicle right there in her garage..

Beautiful Opel though! Can't wait to see it stateside as a Saturn!

Civic DX does not have a radio either and it still costs about $15,000 to start.

09-04-2007, 06:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
powervette 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Heart of Europe Posts: 2,127	new prestigious import in the family (pics inside) Hi everybody, Today I visited my sister. Usually it's nice to visit a member of my family whom I don't see very often. But today I found a miserable surprise in her garage, a silver Mercedes-Benz A-180 CDI. Call me a Mercedes troll if You want but that thing sucks all the way. A car that costs 23 thousand Euros looks like a mix of Daewoo Aveo/Honda FR-V from the outside and it's fit and finish of the interior is similar to cars that are much cheaper than this M-B. I am not an 'interior purist' who measures panel gaps and touches every plastic panel inside of the car. But some of You are, so I can tell You there are many cheap plastic bits which feel much worse than those found in Opel Corsa that costs 13 thousand Euros. The uphostery feels very rough. The good thing is the quality sound of the shutting doors. But it isn't a big deal, simply because many Suzukis, Opels and other cheaper manufacturers have that kind of quality feel. Other story is how it is equipped. It doesn't have a car stereo nor power windows in the back. My first impression was that it is a base version. I was shocked when I saw the 'Avangarde' badge on the side of that silly microwave. I must say that thanks to my experience with the A-Class, the BMW 1-series grew on me. It ain't very pretty but certainly has some kind of style compared with the A-Class. Who made my sister who isn't interested in cars buy this junk? That could be only my father. Die hard Mercedes enthusiast who would call even a Pontiac Aztec beautiful, if it had a star on the front grille. I haven't known anything about the purchase and it was done on purpose. I am sure my sister wanted to take my advice but my lovely father made her not tell me anything because 'he will advise You purchase of Opel or something American, those cars suck'. Mercedes is always a Mercedes'. I love my family. Ok, here are the pictures. They are not high quality simply because this car doesn't deserve high quality pictures. God, I hope Cadillac will never make something like that. The last picture shows my car which costs a few thousand less than A-Class. But it's Opel so it sucks. __________________

09-04-2007, 07:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tomko 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ottawa - Canada Drives: 1996 Impala SS 1999 Tahoe POC Posts: 1,329	Re: new prestigious import in the family (pics inside) Gotta love that manual day / night rear-view mirror. __________________ Tomko Current Fleet: 2008 DTS Lux III (1,000 km on the odometer) 1999 Tahoe POC (daily grinder) 1996 Impala SS (garage queen) Retired Fleet: 1988 Caprice 9C1 (first new car) 1984 6000 STE (first car)

09-04-2007, 07:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
Phoenix 3.6 Liter V6 Join Date: Mar 2007 Drives: 1995 Pontiac Trans Am 1995 Buick LeSabre Posts: 1,039	Re: new prestigious import in the family (pics inside) Wow that doesn't look good at all. The interior looks about as nice as my sister's Vibe. __________________ 1995 Pontiac Trans Am LT1 5.7L (retired for winter) 1995 Buick LeSabre 3800 Gone: 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS 3400 Gone: 1997 Chevrolet S-10 4x4 4.3L

09-04-2007, 07:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
ragingfish 3.5 Liter V6 Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 248	Re: new prestigious import in the family (pics inside) I had NO idea you could even still buy a car without a STEREO?!?!?!?! Your sister has a tragic excuse for a vehicle right there in her garage.. Beautiful Opel though! Can't wait to see it stateside as a Saturn!

09-04-2007, 08:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
shadams GMI Staff Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Hill Country Drives: 04' PONTIAC GTO 07' GMC CREW CAB 98' GMC SONOMA Posts: 2,984	Re: new prestigious import in the family (pics inside) Wow!? Well, I dont know what to say. Nice Opel (Astra? I know squat about those cars) __________________ 2004 GTO Phantom Black Metallic 1998 GMC Sonoma Cherry Red Metallic 2007 GMC Sierra CC Stealth Gray GM/ASE Certified Service Consultant MOE Platinum 04-05-06-07 "Contrary to common belief, planning is complicated and is not run by complete idiots, so you'll just have to trust that the decisions were made on good information that's not made available to you."

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
GM Inside News Forum Advertisement

09-04-2007, 08:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
GMCSonoma GMI Fixed Ops Contributor Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: behind the parts counter Drives: 31MPG '98 Park Avenue; 21MPG '93 Roadmaster Posts: 8,462	Re: new prestigious import in the family (pics inside) Opel pic is neat, it looks like it was taken here in Wisconsin in wintertime! __________________ certified GM Dealer Parts Manager since 1994 GM Dealer Parts employee since 1987 AMC-Jeep-Renault Dealer Parts employee 1987-90 holder of many GM accredations, too numerous to list

09-04-2007, 09:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
Texan-CST/10 3.5 Liter V6 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cypress, Texas Drives: 1990 Pontiac Firebird Project: 1969 Chevy CST/10 Posts: 265	Re: new prestigious import in the family (pics inside) Wow... and folks say GM made bad small cars? I love how theres holes for speakers, but no speakers in them, its mocking you. __________________ "GM cars run bad longer than most cars run at all" -Tony Quiroga About smog testing the '69 CST/10: "LOL you can probably have antifreeze pooring on the ground and be killing birds behind you in traffic and it will still be legit." -Firebird00 Heavy metal dog rocks harder then you. 1969 Chevy CST/10-Project 1990 Pontiac Firebird "SlowBird" V6-My DD

09-04-2007, 10:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
asim Firebird Concept (the turbine one) Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 11,266	Re: new prestigious import in the family (pics inside) I didn't know they still made bare bone models like that anymore. __________________ I'll make a new sig. Later.

09-05-2007, 03:58 AM	#12 (permalink)
Bravada 70 MPG Two Mode Saturn Hybrid Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Warsaw, Poland Posts: 10,184	Re: new prestigious import in the family (pics inside) I ride in those often - they are bought in bulk by a local taxi company. Good materials for a compact car, but nothing very Mercedes-like, and they break down a LOT! It is a rather awful car for Mercedes, but the double-floor technology is awesome. I wished they would hand it down to Chrysler or Mitsubishi, but unfortunately it looks as if they will just kill it when the A- and B-Classes meet their fate (finally).

09-05-2007, 06:30 AM	#13 (permalink)
likearock00 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NC Drives: 2006 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab Z-71 Posts: 7,534	Re: new prestigious import in the family (pics inside) How many or these do you think Mercedes would sell over here? I'm sure alot would buy it just to say they had one!! __________________ "Moral courage is the most valuable and usually the most absent characteristic in men." -Patton

09-05-2007, 08:46 AM	#14 (permalink)
mikmak 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pacific Paradise, Australia Drives: VZ Wagon and JSII sedan Posts: 7,037	Re: new prestigious import in the family (pics inside) Wow, that's awful. Nice Astra though. The most important thing is, does your sister like it? __________________ You start a conversation you cant even finish it. You're talkin a lot, but you're not sayin anything. When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed. Say something once, why say it again?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode