

Mercedes-Benz GLK Brand Reputation: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | The smaller the Mercedes, the more heavily it tends to trade on the three-pointed star. So the #1 reason to consider a GLK250 carries over from the GLK350 review (text from the previous review in italics): I don't personally put much stock in brands, with cars or anything else. But each time I have a Mercedes-Benz for a week the continuing power of the marque has been unavoidable. Audi and BMW now command similar prices, but haven't yet acquired the same mystique. They probably never will for people born before 1980. Until the final years of the twentieth century, Audis were largely ignored as troublesome, modestly upgraded VWs and BMW was mostly known for the compact, still semi-affordable 3-Series. Neither could hold a candle to the company that invented the mass-produced automobile and that has been strongly associated with large, top-shelf automobiles ever since. Gayla (the site's programmer, my wife) is not a car person. Her take on the GLK: "Of course it's a good car, it's a Mercedes." Some of my friends who are more into cars--and who own competing makes--similarly employ a different tone when asking about "the Mercedes." They could afford one, so why don't they own one? Partly because the brand's mystique cuts both ways. They're not interested in making such a strong status statement. Can even a compact crossover make a strong status statement? Mercedes-Benz has done its best to make this so--check out the size of the three-pointed star on the GLK's grille. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review |
Mercedes-Benz GLK Brand Reputation: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Trickle-down reputation from the more expensive M-Bs. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review |
Chrysler Town & Country Brand Reputation: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2011 | 4dr Minivan, ext. 283-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
This is our third Town & Country, over 170,000 miles, over the last 10 years. No major problems. I looked at Honda and Toyota first, came back to Chrysler. see full Chrysler Town & Country review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic FWD |
I bought one cause they have been building them for so long that they must have it perfected by now. see full Chrysler Town & Country review |
2003 | 4dr Minivan, ext. 215-horsepower 3.8L V6 4-speed automatic FWD |
Chrysler remains among the leaders in minivan producers. see full Chrysler Town & Country review |
Chrysler Town & Country Brand Reputation: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Minivan, ext. 251-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
bad perception by non-Chrysler owning public see full Chrysler Town & Country review |
2008 | 4dr Minivan, ext. 175-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Obviously, the Japanese have spent more into R&D and have spent more on quality and standard features. see full Chrysler Town & Country review |
2007 | 4dr Minivan, ext. 200-horsepower 3.8L V6 4-speed automatic FWD |
you hear about poor Chrysler quality and reliability, and a late-model low-miles used car like the one I drove proves that they fall apart too fast, or were never buttoned up well to begin with see full Chrysler Town & Country review |