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 |
Ford Focus Brand Reputation: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 151-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
I've always liked Fords better than most other brands, and this was actually the first Ford I've owned. see full Ford Focus review |
2004 | 4dr Sedan 145-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
At first, there was nothing desirable about the Focus. I had to search and search for its potential and finally started liking it. Then it broke down... twice. see full Ford Focus review |
2002 | 2dr Hatch 130-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
young, trendly, cool see full Ford Focus review |
Ford Focus Brand Reputation: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 2dr Coupe 143-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Early Focus models has some problems. The Focus seems to be marketed almost exclusily towards the younger crowd. see full Ford Focus review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Ford is not exactly thought of as a premium brand. see full Ford Focus review |
2005 | 4dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
This is a very good car. However, people look down on Ford. It will take Ford years to regain the image of decent, reliable transport - which is what the Focus excels at. see full Ford Focus review |
2002 | 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
If you are going to buy a ford sports car why would you buy a focus when you can have a mustang. see full Ford Focus review |