Trade in for a BMW or Mercedes?

[79sunrunner]

For a 2013 Fiat, I'd say my car is a lemon. Sometimes it doesn't start, sometimes the electrics go out, and the transmission is giving me problems. I'm simply disappointed. For the past few months I started saving for another car, maybe a BMW 320-328i or a Mercedes c-class or the new CLA. Can anyone advise me on tips/issues with theses cars, what to look for, and what to run from.

I like the 2012 and newer BMWs due to the new gear knobs on the automatics, but I have considered a manual. I'm sure Dparm would have advice

I also like the "Modern" styled interior.

The CLA is neat, but it's a bit juvenile, and makes me look too young, and it might bring too much attention from 15 year olds and the police. But it's a turbo charged 4 cylinder as is the BMW. And a 7 speed automated manual, which I'm dying to give a go.

Also I like the base cars with little options.

 

[Kestas]

Historically, european cars are poor on reliability. You may be trading one problem car for another problem car.

 

[hattaresguy]

Your Fiat sounds pretty good by Fiat standards.

Hard to go wrong with a C class, I don't like the CLA its a kids car.

 

[supton]

I'm not sure I'd like a seven speed manual in anything other than my truck--and that'd be only if it was a granny low used only for hill starts, plus a stupid-tall overdrive for unloaded highway. When I drive our six speed Camry I drive it as a 5 speed, using 5th off-highway and skipping 5th when I'm on the highway.

If you are planning to run into the ground, I probably wouldn't go Euro. Might be great, but... All cars are a roll of the dice, but some come with loaded dice.

 

[silverrat]

You gotta pay if you wanna play. If you want to drive Italian....

 

[Win]

That's a real shame.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: 79sunrunner
For a 2013 Fiat, I'd say my car is a lemon. Sometimes it doesn't start, sometimes the electrics go out, and the transmission is giving me problems.

Just curious, but how is the dealer handling these issues? There's gotta be fault codes stored in the ECU to validate the issues you're having, so the dealer can't just turn you away.

 

[Bandito440]

BMW all the way. How about a diesel model?

Audi is pretty high on reliability ratings recently. I'm a fan of the A3 and A4.

 

[79sunrunner]

I understand cars will have issues, some require more maintenance than the other, but for the Fiat, it was a little too much. I just don't want to have huge issues 5 minutes after the warrantee expires. I had a Jaguar before, and it was expensive to maintain, but my god it was reliable, never let me down. I traded it for the Fiat due to the higher probability of a newer car not breaking down, and lower maintenance costs. I don't want to start a war, but my experience with American branded cars has been poor.

 

[79sunrunner]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: 79sunrunner
For a 2013 Fiat, I'd say my car is a lemon. Sometimes it doesn't start, sometimes the electrics go out, and the transmission is giving me problems.

Just curious, but how is the dealer handling these issues? There's gotta be fault codes stored in the ECU to validate the issues you're having, so the dealer can't just turn you away.


They are fixing the car, but a week later another issue would pop up, drive an hour and a half back to the dealer, fix it, and a week later something else happens. The small issues I write down to be fixed when the car gets its normal service every 8000 miles, but things like grinding transmissions, body panels peeling off, and over richening fuel mixtures need attention immediatly.

 

[79sunrunner]

I'm an Audi man all the way, however I don't like the more affordable A4s, they are just not my type, but the A8 is a dream car, and by dream car, it's too expensive for now. But the Diesel is a preferable option.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: 79sunrunner
I just don't want to have huge issues 5 minutes after the warrantee expires.

Honestly, keeping any modern luxo Euro car past warranty is a gamble, IMO. I am glad we bought an extended warranty for our C-class - it paid for itself easily. And as soon as the ext. warranty is over, I already told the wife to get rid of it as I don't want to have to deal with expensive repairs out of pocket.

My BMW needed some work as well, plus you need to spend notably more on preventative maintenance if you want to avoid some of the typical problems that plague these cars. As others mentioned, you've gotta pay to play. If you want reliability and reasonably low repair costs, your best bet is probably to buy a Japanese make, alas, it'll probably not satisfy you in the "fun to drive" department. But maybe a Subaru BRZ/Scion FRS? Or is that too juvenile as well? How about a Lexus IS350 Sport?

 

[79sunrunner]

Originally Posted By: silverrat
You gotta pay if you wanna play. If you want to drive Italian....


So true, I felt those words worked only for the super cars and vintage cars, but I guess on my affordable Fiat, it holds true. Fortunately, members of the Fiat forums have had really good luck with their cars, but I think I just got a lemon

 

[bigjl]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
Historically, european cars are poor on reliability. You may be trading one problem car for another problem car.


You can not generalise.

Fiats are largely considered to be one of the less robust makes in the UK

Though the older ML has a rather iffy reputation for build and reliability.

As that is a European make but made in US is that considered a European vehicle or American car?

 

[gofast182]

This is perplexing! You drive a little Fiat 500 but would like to drive a massive A8 if it were affordable. You don't like the 500 because of unreliability and instead want a German car to gain reliability but won't consider a Japanese-branded car. Do I have all of that right?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: 79sunrunner
The CLA is neat, but it's a bit juvenile, and makes me look too young,

Can't the same be said about your current car?

Honestly, I think the CLA is a great looking car. I like the exterior. The interior is so so. Sadly, the new C-Class that's coming out next Fall will have a very similar interior to the CLA with the round HVAC vents and a sticking out iPad for infotainment/navigation.

 

[Finz]

Originally Posted By: bigjl
Originally Posted By: Kestas
Historically, european cars are poor on reliability. You may be trading one problem car for another problem car.


You can not generalise.

Fiats are largely considered to be one of the less robust makes in the UK

Though the older ML has a rather iffy reputation for build and reliability.

As that is a European make but made in US is that considered a European vehicle or American car?




I just find it fascinating that ever 3rd Audi, Merc or VW that I see driving is missing tail light, head light or some other light

When it comes to electronics, I don't think any mfg can hold a candle to the Japanese or Korean cars

 

[JHZR2]

I agree - base cars with little options and MT only. Optimal lifecycle cost and least number of things to go wrong.

Surprised that the Fiat is so bad... But unless you can lemon law it, youll take a bath, so I might still try to get it fixed to the extent you can.

Buy what you can cash only.

 

[JHZR2]

Obviously Im not happy with the ipad thing, but round vents are nothing new. Have em on my w123.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Yeah, I personally don't mind the round vents either, but they seem to be very polarizing on MB forums.