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 |
Subaru Legacy Brand Reputation: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
Subaru is a brand known for reliability see full Subaru Legacy review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD |
Subarus are known for their reliability and longevity. They are much less common than most makes and are known for being different. see full Subaru Legacy review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Very reliable see full Subaru Legacy review |
2006 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
They are made to last. You see plenty of old Subarus still going strong, especially in cold weather regions like Canada and the US north East. see full Subaru Legacy review |
2005 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
I flagged brand and image here because I like how my LGT in distinct without calling attention to itself. see full Subaru Legacy review |
2005 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Subaru has a pretty good reputation and image...although it is a bit quircky as viewed by some. Reputation (a good one) usually has a major affect on resale value. see full Subaru Legacy review |
2002 | 4dr Sedan 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
where I live in the country most people have Subarus and the dealer is nearby and has a good reputation. see full Subaru Legacy review |
Subaru Legacy Brand Reputation: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2005 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
I flagged brand reputation & image as a dislike too because I see so many people asking questions like ‘LGT or G35 or 3 series?.’ These are great cars, but you don’t want to buy one if you want impress people. This is a plus or minus depending on who you see full Subaru Legacy review |