My mum used to have an A class (2002 long wheel base version) Nice enough car, more room in the rear passenger area than an S class according to the merc dealership. However it was in the infamous period of merc history where they decided the best way to reduce costs would be to reduce quality. All sorts of problems with trim just dropping off, inside and outside the car.
Oh and as Geoff says, the ride quality was very hard and cornering lacking, all down to the failing of the "elk test" where the suspension was stiffened up to stop the thing rolling over if you swerve to avoid an obsticle at speed.
The new A class is a lot better, back up to the standards to be expected. My father looked at downsizing from an E to one after retiring...ended up with the larger B class in the end as they no longer did an option of SWB/LWB on the A.
Odly enough my mother now has a Yaris and loves it to bits.
Personally i'd second the call above for a Bora, im on my 2nd TDi. great cars, like a golf but less common, and higher comparable spec level between the ranges.
Oh and as Geoff says, the ride quality was very hard and cornering lacking, all down to the failing of the "elk test" where the suspension was stiffened up to stop the thing rolling over if you swerve to avoid an obsticle at speed.
The new A class is a lot better, back up to the standards to be expected. My father looked at downsizing from an E to one after retiring...ended up with the larger B class in the end as they no longer did an option of SWB/LWB on the A.
Odly enough my mother now has a Yaris and loves it to bits.
Personally i'd second the call above for a Bora, im on my 2nd TDi. great cars, like a golf but less common, and higher comparable spec level between the ranges.
