AMG GLA45 - any experiences or impressions? | FerrariChat
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AMG GLA45 - any experiences or impressions?

Discussion in 'Other German' started by Entropy, Mar 6, 2016.

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  1. Entropy

    Entropy Formula 3
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    Jul 10, 2008
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    #1 Entropy, Mar 6, 2016
    anyone have any experiences or impressions?

    I've seen a few around and watched the usual collection of online reviews.

    Looking for a fun/small but highly capable car as a DD alternative, plus one my wife and daughter can use. Local dealers seem motivated to sell these

    AMG engine, DCT, relatively good AWD system, seems well put together and looks fun. Alternatives on the high side are a Macan Turbo (much more expensive) and on the low side....well, plenty. The new Focus RS would be an option, but my wife would prefer a DCT (not manual, not auto). Audi's seem to be in the range but less sporty; VW's are cheaper but to me overpriced (sorry) for what they are.

    Curious as to any impressions people have from living with this (admittedly oddball) AMG. Thanks.
     
  2. Cobraownr

    Cobraownr Formula Junior
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    Donald Silawsky
    #2 Cobraownr, Mar 7, 2016
    I test drove the GLA45 twice, and then tried a new 2015 Golf R--and bought the R! I had also driven the 2015 Golf GTi. At 292 HP, the R was noticeably peppier than the GTi, didn't seem to lack much compared to the GLA45, and also had a sophisticated AWD system. The GTi was 2WD only. The DCT in the R is lightning quick, even in auto mode. After almost a year, I am very pleased with the Golf R. It may not have quite the pizzazz of the GLA45, but it isn't any slouch when it comes to technology, fit, and finish. At $40K new fully loaded it's waaayyy less $$ than the GLA45. Another factor that swayed me to the R is a Mercedes service writer I spoke with said point blank to stay away from the GLA45.
     
  3. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
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    #3 El Wayne, Mar 7, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    We bought our GLA45 AMG a couple of months ago. My wife needed a new daily driver and we were set on the Macan Turbo. She's always had Mercedes (all nice but BORING), but I'd managed to convince her to get the Porsche.

    Then we stopped in and test-drove a GLA45 on a whim. As it turned out, the little AMG was a total blast--a million times more fun to drive than the Macan. It was also far less expensive and still practical as a daily driver with plenty of room for our two kids. Anyway, here's the run-down:

    Transmission
    I've always been a manual transmission person, but I've been daily driving my Ghibli for the past year and so I've become somewhat accustomed to (though not thoroughly satisfied with) the Ghibli's paddle-shifting auto. I wasn't expecting the DCT in the AMG to be much different, but I couldn't have been more wrong. In manual mode, AMG's DCT is infinitely more satisfying. Can't personally speak to either of the two auto modes, because I've never used them, but the wife uses the sport mode and loves it. The other auto mode is "C" for "controlled efficiency" and it shuts off the engine whenever you stop at a light. Neither of us use it because we know it would drive us nuts.

    And then there's "Race Start" mode, AMG's launch control. Haven't tried it yet. Probably never will.

    Suspension/Handling/ESP
    There's a ""Sport Handling Mode" and it's no joke. ESP is still on in this mode (it can be switched off), but the suspension and handling in this mode feel like it's a track setting--very tight, very stiff. I love it; the wife drives with the suspension in the standard ESP mode.

    Exhaust
    Only one mode here: LOUD. It's loud enough at idle, but then there's a variable exhaust vane that opens up on acceleration. It sounds more obnoxious than the Maserati, and not nearly as sweet, but we still like it. Not everyone will. Your neighbors might not.

    Build Quality/Materials
    Typical Mercedes. Nothing feels cheap and nothing to complain about.

    I suggest you and the wife give it a test-drive. If you're an "involved" type of driver, then hit the transmission button twice for manual mode, hit the ESP/Handling button for "sport", and enjoy. It'll be loud, stiff, and sharp shifting--in other words, fun. :)
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  4. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
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    #4 nathandarby67, Mar 7, 2016
    I'd consider the Audi SQ5 in this mix. As others have said, you will which one is right for you once you can drive and compare. Keep us posted!
     
  5. 95spiderman

    95spiderman F1 World Champ
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    #5 95spiderman, Mar 7, 2016
    Test drove it and loved it but was too small for what we wanted. Back seat like a compact hatchback not an suv. Was very costly when I had it optioned the way I wanted. Well over $1000/month lease which I felt was crazy.
     
  6. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
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    #6 El Wayne, Mar 7, 2016
    I suppose this depends on what you're used to or who you're putting back there. My tallest kid's only 5'4".

    The GLA replaced our outgoing ML. My wife really wanted a smaller, sportier car than the ML, but still needed to have room for the kids. The GLA worked out because, even though it's so much smaller overall than the ML, there's only a bit less rear legroom and actually a bit more front legroom in the GLA. Once the front seats are adjusted, we don't notice a difference. And surprisingly, there's more legroom front and rear in the GLA than in our Maserati, which is almost two feet longer.

    Where we miss having a real SUV is in the rear cargo area. There's only room for about half of what we could put in the ML, if that. It really is more of an AWD five door sedan than an SUV. In fact, it reminds me a lot of my old five door Subaru STi--roomier, faster, and better in every way, but overall similar in both form and function.
     
  7. Entropy

    Entropy Formula 3
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    #7 Entropy, Mar 7, 2016
    thanks for the comments so far.

    We have a Cayenne TTS which is the family trickster, though at times we miss our Yukon XL for sheer cubic footage of capacity. However, the Cayenne drives great.

    The Golf R is something we looked at; in fact, a friend in Toronto just got his and loves it. I only pinged 2 dealers and 1) they said they cannot get one and 2) the dealers literally sucked, maybe diesel gate is taking the fun out of it all. (I owned an 85 and 87 Golf GTI back in college...)

    We've never, ever gone the M-B route.....owned one of just about everything else. The GLA seems like it has some attitude and a bit of WRC without being a Subaru (and I like Subarus). Right now I use a tuned Fiat 500 Abarth as a run-about and city car (206hp, suspension, it's fun) but think I need something a bit more "complete" to get my wife to want to use it.

    I'm sort of curious to see what the buying experience is with M-B....this car seems a bit out of their target demographic, and I'm probably out of their target demo for this model

    Thanks again
     
  8. Entropy

    Entropy Formula 3
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    Jul 10, 2008
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    #8 Entropy, Mar 12, 2016
    quick update....and thanks again for the thoughtful replies....

    Trying to find a VW dealer who can (or, is willing to) get a Golf R is getting aggravating. I entered feeling bad for these folks given diesel-gate, but that drained away to wanting to walk as it seems like they as desperate to sell something on their lot. Of course, the fact my wife pulled up in her FF may have skewed their view on giving us a discount off list...(duh on us)

    As to the M-B folks, we did drive the car and it was a blast. I'd love to compare to the R at some point. Of course, we'd want a car with a particular spec, the in-stock cars had stuff we didn't want and didn't have things we'd value. My wife almost clocked one sales guy who suggested she'd prefer a "nice sedan" (my wife has now graduated from 5 high performance driving programs and has zero patience).
     

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