s.hasan546

it's funny b.c most of them are from people that own very old german cars or never owned one...

vader1

The only IS reviews I read said the 250 was slowwwwwwww (dated a couple years ago), but see raves about the new 350. Did the 250 get a power bump or can you stretch it a bit for a 350?

I don't like the grille so much, but it appears to be an excellent car.


I never looked at the Merc when I just purchased a new 3 series, but if it is close, consider the IS versus the Merc WITH European delivery. So much fun.

s.hasan546

women look at lexus? since when? Id love a caddy or lexus if going to a dealership didnt mean walking into a geriatric ward

Bizhan

Although the CLA 250 has a slight edge in the looks department, I'd choose the IS250 for Toyota's renowned reliability and longevity. I've heard too many stories of European cars and costly maintenance/electrical components failing.

WolfpackS2k

The 3 Series doesn't compete with the CLA. BMW doesn't offer a car that does.

vader1

Wow. Heresey! I bought the cheapie 328i and while I am a little disappointed by the handling and steering on my awd model, the engine, transmission and exterior styling beat it hands down. It performs much better with better mileage to boot. It is a tad pricier, but a 320i would match in price and perform about the same as the Benz if by not competing you were talking about price. Interior design is a matter of taste but the Benz probably has better interior materials quality. And the often revised iDrive has gone from industry joke to industry standard. And for an enthusiast rwd 3 > fwd CLA. Not saying the CLA is a bad car, but there are 3 series models in the same price range that do many things much better than the Benz.

For me, I did not drive a CLA because the reviews I saw described it as a solid feeling "Benz" like car with surprising performance for the engine output, but behind the ATS and 3 series. I just did not like the way it looked on the outside so I passed. Interior looks pretty high quality though.

As far as BMW losing their edge, they softened the suspension to broaden the appeal and the diehards are a bit upset. Have to see if that continues in the next model or reverses direction because the fanbase is a little restless. I kind of wonder if the ones most upset at the loss of sporty are the $30k millionaires on the subsidized leases and if the buyers spending the money want the softer ride. The are trying to sort it on the M3 and M4, we will see if trickles back down on the next model.

WolfpackS2k

Wow. Heresey! I bought the cheapie 328i and while I am a little disappointed by the handling and steering on my awd model, the engine, transmission and exterior styling beat it hands down. It performs much better with better mileage to boot. It is a tad pricier, but a 320i would match in price and perform about the same as the Benz if by not competing you were talking about price. Interior design is a matter of taste but the Benz probably has better interior materials quality. And the often revised iDrive has gone from industry joke to industry standard. And for an enthusiast rwd 3 > fwd CLA. Not saying the CLA is a bad car, but there are 3 series models in the same price range that do many things much better than the Benz.

For me, I did not drive a CLA because the reviews I saw described it as a solid feeling "Benz" like car with surprising performance for the engine output, but behind the ATS and 3 series. I just did not like the way it looked on the outside so I passed. Interior looks pretty high quality though.

As far as BMW losing their edge, they softened the suspension to broaden the appeal and the diehards are a bit upset. Have to see if that continues in the next model or reverses direction because the fanbase is a little restless. I kind of wonder if the ones most upset at the loss of sporty are the $30k millionaires on the subsidized leases and if the buyers spending the money want the softer ride. The are trying to sort it on the M3 and M4, we will see if trickles back down on the next model.
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I wasn't insulting BMW, just stating facts. The 3 series competes with the C class, in size and price. If BMW had a 1/2 series sedan that would compete with the CLA. But bottom line, they don't.

vader1

No, I get you. I would say maybe the 1 series but I am not a fan. The car is a little bit too tight inside.

berny2435

I know more women with IS250/350 Lexus than I do BMW and merc combined. Although they could afford a BMW or merc, they went with the better looking car they said. My girlfriend has never said, ohh, look at the BMW or Merc sedan. She has however said the IS350 looked really cool.

TwiBlueG35

Lexus IS.