Posted by Matt Master at 3:30PM on Thursday 08 May, 2008 7 Comments
Sometimes I feel a powerful sense of moral indignation when driving a car that just isn't up to scratch.
The idea of buying one factory fresh is a total anathema to me, but this doesn't dilute the feeling of anger and disappointment when you realise how readily manufacturers are prepared to dupe those members of the public who do actually sign on the line.
The Mercedes CLC is an eight-year old car inadequately dressed up to approximate the current C-Class range.
It looks and feels shabby by comparison to a proper C-Class, but people looking to buy a new Merc, with a limited budget, aren't going to know.
Is it really right to suggest that what they don't know doesn't hurt them?
If Mercedes was shagging your girlfriend behind your back, would that be ok just because you had no idea?
7 Comments for "Mercedes CLC"
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I honestly love how the CLC looks. I liked the C-Class Sportcoupe and I'm glad to hear that they're continuing the style, although I'm disappointed to hear the poor review.
Ultimately, though, it doesn't matter since I'm not a rich yuppie snob so I really can't justify buying one.
I think that the CLC looks weird with the small spoiler on the back, and that by far the best looking Merc is the CLS.
They should have stolen some of its DNA and woven it into the CLC, then it might have something against the terrible other stuff.
No no no! The CLC is ugly! The old C Class Sport Coupe was dreadful. Poorly designed and poorly made thank God for the new C Class, a vast improvement.
But, as with all marques, the budget entry lets it down. This CLC malarkey is just an excuse for Mercedes to dupe naive twenty-somethings into thinking they can get a Merc on the cheap.
Go buy an old SL convertible for £5000 if you really need to have a Merc and you're limited on budget...
Yes it is based on a 8-year-old-car, but that did not put me off loving it as most other makers are doing the same; making a new model based on the old one.
Merc has change over 1000 parts on it, it make everything bit better than the old one, and the engine is cleaner and more fuel efficient than before and improves on the steering, so to me it is a new car.
To be fair, as facelifts go, the 'new' CLC is pretty thorough. I just love the way it look, is fresh and has a great image, which looks a lot younger than other Mercs. I know it is shame that they did not based on the new C-class, holpfully next one would be a lot better. To me it is a great car to have which will hold it value.
Firstly, the fact it's called a sport coupe is a joke - it's a 3 door hatchback. Secondly, I quite like the styling of the front, but the rear (a bit B-Class-ish) looks awful. Finally, there's the cost as it's horrendously overpriced. Look what's on offer as ex-demo vehicles for the same money - much more appealing!
The matter of the fact is, it doesn't matter how it drives/feels, people will buy it because it's a Merc coupe and that's the end of the story!
If you wanted a drivers car for the same money you'd be looking nowhere near this
It's all about the looks/poseur value!!
If Mercedes was shagging my girlfriend behind my back, I'd blame myself for allowing it to happen. And if I bought an 8-year-old Merc thinking it was a new one, I'd blame myself for that, too.
It's the consumer's responsibility to be aware of what they're buying. It's not a case of what they don't know doesn't hurt them... more what they haven't bothered to find out.