• Summary

    5 out of 5 5.0

    What does this car say about you?

    Style and quality is more important than performance.

    What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

    Friends think its a 'pretty little car', however they often think of it as being 'sluggish', because it lacks power when overtaking/going up-hill.

    Would you buy this car again and why?

    Yes. I loved the look of the car and would probably buy it again as a more economical diesel for driving it to work. The great reliabilty and quality means I would definately go for a Mercedes-Benz again.

    What are you likely to buy next?

    Not yet sure.

  • Buying experience

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Type of dealer you bought from?

    Franchise

    Did you buy this car new?

    Yes

    What price did you pay?

    £16,925

    When did you buy the car?

    June 2006

    Did you get a good deal and why?

    Managed to get a good deal as another family member purchased one at the same time.

    Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

    Good looking car to use for the daily commute to work.

    What was the dealer like?

    Friendly and helpful when buying the car.

  • Driving it

    4 out of 5 4.0

    What's it like to drive?

    The ride is a bit on the firm side at low speeds, however it is very comfortable at higher speeds on Motorways and A roads, with wind and road noise kept to a minimum. The 1.5 litre engine means it is economical but it also sometimes struggles with overtaking and has to work hard to go up-hill. It does corner well though with the adaptive suspension which automatically firms up when you start driving it hard around corners.

    What's it like to park?

    Light steering makes it almost effortless to steer into spaces however the thick rear pillars and slightly small rear window mean reversing into spaces can be a bit tricky.

  • Living with it

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Have you had any problems with the car?

    Nothing, It is the most reliable car i've owned.

    What's most practical about your car?

    Economical when nipping around town and the engine is almost silent when idling. The seating arrangement is great; While a pasenger may be comfortable in the front, comfort isn't taken away from back-seat pasengers, and the boot space isn't bad too.

    Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

    The 7 speed Tiptronic Gearbox and the computer.