Mercedes A Class for a 17year old - what to avoid/ look for?

[Muzzer79]

gstar said:

My thinking is he should lose that "first drive heavy pedal abuse" by the time he passes, having driven the car as a learner.

That's not the memory I have of me and all my friends as new drivers.

When you pass, the shackles are off and you can drive how you really want to......

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd go for the A160/180 AMG Line in petrol form, if he's not doing the miles then the petrol will be the pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108096...

A180 AMG Line Premium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110218...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110058...

I know it doesn't have a Mercedes badge but it's an A Class in everything but the sheet metal.

Q30 Premium in Touch 122:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109237...

[gstar]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd go for the A160/180 AMG Line in petrol form, if he's not doing the miles then the petrol will be the pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108096...

A180 AMG Line Premium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110218...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110058...

I know it doesn't have a Mercedes badge but it's an A Class in everything but the sheet metal.

Q30 Premium in Touch 122:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109237...

Thanks/ not considered infinity and I am 99% at the Petrol end of market.

[Fat hippo]

gstar said:

yep, my son will know the diff W176 vs W169... my fault really taking him to car showrooms since he migrated out of the pram and maybe those Airport trips in sound proofed E-Class Merc private taxis.

Will check out a couple of diesel models this w/e to assess that engine. I think I know the answer but worth a looksie for sanity given A180 CDI models are 3k less than petrol.

Is he going to be allowed to drive the FF?

[CG2020UK]

I actually think its a great first car choice.

Just fancy enough to make him think about damaging it or writing it off but without the poke to do some serious damage. Get the A180 so it quick enough for when he a bit older.

Loads of school leavers who join my place as analysts get an A class every year and they all love them. I think they are nice places to sit and feel premium inside.

Alternative is the 1series but the premium due to rwd is silly money.

[anonymous-user]

The A-class has been around a while now in this form, so Is there anything specifically wrong with the Renault running gear or is this “French cars are unreliable, because people who had one twenty years ago say so”?

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

As an aside op; you could consider explaining how much difference a years now claims bonus will make to his insurance. Then tell him he has to insure it himself.

That’s the deal my Dad did with me, and consequently I did drive relatively conservatively! Where as my mates parents paid for everything and he drove like a fool. Including into the back of someone. :-)

[gstar]

Chainsaw Rebuild said:

As an aside op; you could consider explaining how much difference a years now claims bonus will make to his insurance. Then tell him he has to insure it himself.

That’s the deal my Dad did with me, and consequently I did drive relatively conservatively! Where as my mates parents paid for everything and he drove like a fool. Including into the back of someone. :-)

Yes and a good idea, that's the plan - he is aware of this is not a bottomless pit of funding (still chasing my dreams) so hoping that will steer him sensibly

[gstar]

Fat hippo said:

Is he going to be allowed to drive the FF?

Hmm... one engine at a time pls!

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd get him in a Q30 they're an A Class in all but name, you'll get a pretty well spec'd low mileage example for around the 13k mark, with the saving made on not buying the equivalent A Class going towards his insurance I think you'll have a compromise where you're both happy.

1.5d Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111029...

1.6T Premium in Touch 122

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109237...

[sam.rog]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd get him in a Q30 they're an A Class in all but name, you'll get a pretty well spec'd low mileage example for around the 13k mark, with the saving made on not buying the equivalent A Class going towards his insurance I think you'll have a compromise where you're both happy.

1.5d Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111029...

1.6T Premium in Touch 122

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109237...

But it’s not a Mercedes. That’s all that matters to a 17 year old.

[sawman]

sam.rog said:

But it’s not a Mercedes. That’s all that matters to a 17 year old.

Thats funny, i mentioned to my 17yr old that a nice w201 might be a nice 1st car - he laughed and left the room - kids today, eh!

[georgeyboy12345]

@OP this is the car I'd be going to look at if I was you, ticks every box

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd go for the A160/180 AMG Line in petrol form

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108096...

edit: Funny how they have cross-drilled discs on a car with 105 bhp. Overkill much?

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Saturday 13th November 16:33

[ZX10R NIN]

sam.rog said:

But it’s not a Mercedes. That’s all that matters to a 17 year old.

True but it is a Mercedes inside & if that 17 year old has to pay for his insurance if he gets the A Class with the three pointed star vs using the money saved from buying the A Class without the badge to pay for the insurance, you may well find said 17 year old takes the none badged A Class pretty swiftly.

[johnjamesjack]

Bit late to the party but back when I was learning in 2016, my parents were considering a 2013-2016 A Class for me. They then looked at the insurance, and if memory serves it was about 2.5k. My driving instructor had one, and I’ll be honest, it was an absolute pig. He had a 180 diesel, the engine was rattly and the gearbox was horrible and notchy, and visibility was appalling - it was a premium plus, but even with all the kit I hated the thing.

We ended up going with an ex-dem A1 TDI. It was an absolutely brilliant first car, it was surprisingly fun for a 116hp diesel and was nice enough that I was acutely terrified of knocking it -even then, insurance was only £700 p/a with me as the main driver with 10k miles a year once I passed.

When I was taking my test, the instructor wanted to do it in his car but I actually requested to do it in mine. My mum was with us, so she took the instructor’s car whilst I did the test - as soon as I got back, she said she’d never drive one of them again.

Going back to the Audi though, it was so brilliant that when I went to uni and got some extra cash, I got another one with some more kit and a petrol engine to cope better with all the short journeys. I absolutely loved both of them, and would definitely recommend one as a first car.

[gstar]

Just a quick update for folks following this chat - finally took the plunge after a 3 months of scouring Pistons/ Autotrader and the likes... car being prepped at main dealer - went for the lowest Hpowe (102) petrol - an A160 AMG line (2018 but pre-facelift) petrol and manual. Tested it - great drive, pokey enough for a young person and lowest on insurance group. Need to find a quote plus black box to "help" manage any 1st issues that tend to arise... Will update on quote and photo snap after external is prepped.

[biggbn]

C Lee Farquar said:

My 17 year old daughter has Malcolm, 2010 petrol. 40,000 miles.

Pictured here getting a free air bag replacement.



They did an inspection whilst there, all green.

She likes it, and I'm surprised to say I like it to. It's well built and quiet, simple chunky switch gear and comfy. It's not fast but brisk enough if you wind it up.

Perfect for the job.

I had a three door a150 classic, brilliant little car, well made, huge amount of space, never put a foot wrong.

[ZX10R NIN]

gstar said:

Just a quick update for folks following this chat - finally took the plunge after a 3 months of scouring Pistons/ Autotrader and the likes... car being prepped at main dealer - went for the lowest Hpowe (102) petrol - an A160 AMG line (2018 but pre-facelift) petrol and manual. Tested it - great drive, pokey enough for a young person and lowest on insurance group. Need to find a quote plus black box to "help" manage any 1st issues that tend to arise... Will update on quote and photo snap after external is prepped.

Glad you got sorted OP.

[georgeyboy12345]

gstar said:

Just a quick update for folks following this chat - finally took the plunge after a 3 months of scouring Pistons/ Autotrader and the likes... car being prepped at main dealer - went for the lowest Hpowe (102) petrol - an A160 AMG line (2018 but pre-facelift) petrol and manual. Tested it - great drive, pokey enough for a young person and lowest on insurance group. Need to find a quote plus black box to "help" manage any 1st issues that tend to arise... Will update on quote and photo snap after external is prepped.

Nice one! Top first car to be fair

[gstar]

Update b4 I share where I ended up on insurance.. some pix of the actual A160 picked up today from York and 4 hr drive back south - no complaints from me (does not have all bells and whistle options on but looks (its a cavansite blue metallic - works when waxed for sure) and drives a quiet cabin and moves sufficiently for a young person). Currently looking over insurance for me (250£ odd + change) and separate (not named) policy in my sons name to build up a track... Marmalade is around 1.1k fully comp for year w/Black box or 300£ for 6months while a Learner Driver as long as another insurer is at play... so all in all, no-where near the £2k odd numbers I expected, a pleasant Saturday surprise.