Quick - Mercedes or Volvo for a mid 50’s man? Argument with DH.

[JustSomeRandomOnTheInternet]

Looking for a new car for DH. He always hankered after a Mercedes CLA when he was a bit younger but we always had to go for family friendly MPV/SUVs.

I have an SUV so I’ve told him to treat himself and get a Mercedes now DC are grown and are rarely in his car anyway.

Just had an argument because he’s insisting he wants a Volvo tank as he’s too old for that kind of car.

Who’s BU here?

<first world problems I know>

When my ExH has his mid life crisis he bought a second hand jag.

I don't have an answer but I'm praying you spend 50 grand* correctly.

*Estimated, I don't know how much cars cost.

YABU to argue with him over what he wants

Well that kind of makes sense which is why I thought DH would want a cool car now he’s free to get one he can enjoy for himself. He used to like a bit of speed but gets aggy now if I go over even a little bit over 70 on the motorway.

Maybe he’s having a reverse mid life crisis!

He’s even said now he’ll drive my car and I will have to drive the Mercedes if we get one.

Colour me shocked.

Mercedes owner here. The CLA isn’t my favourite model, because it’s front wheel drive & the lower spec ones have Renault engines. They just don’t feel like a Mercedes Benz to drive. The C Class models are RWD, have Mercedes engines & feel much more like a real Benz to drive.

A good friend of mine owns a Volvo S60 hybrid. I have driven it several times, it’s superb. it’s classy, quick, comfortable & refined. And the seats are amazing. I much prefer it to the CLA,

I bought a brand new CLA last year in my early 50s, I love it!! I wouldn’t normally spend that much on a car or buy a brand new car but stuff going on in life made me say fuck it and do it anyway.

I think a nice car gives a little bit of daily pleasure and every one of the 14000 miles I have driven have been a joy. It’s so smooth and when you want to put your foot down it goes! And in sport mode it really goes!

I know as a previous poster said a CLA is a lower level Mercedes but still to me it’s a big treat.

When I bought mine I said to DH that I wanted something I looked at in a cat park and was pleased to come back to (I don’t really care what other people think) and that was fun to drive. To me it meets both criteria.

We've got a Volvo XC60, it's a solid, smart, comfortable drive, but not a huge amount of fun.

TBH either are fine cars, and will do much the same things / build quality / safety / comfort.
Perhaps the biggest difference is image, especially now Volvo is Chinese owned.

I've owned 3 Volvos and 2 Mercedes, in my experience the Mercs have been completely reliable and love my current one. I would agree go for one of the more powerful engines as they're much nicer to drive... even below 71mph..

I would have thought the CLA would make a good companion to the SUV, but I guess it depends on your needs and lifestyle.

However, one word of warning on buying "modern" cars, the level of technology screens, voice activation, driver assistance etc requires some getting used to, and the approaches vary from the different manufactures, so have a good play with them before making a decision.

I don't know about modern Volvos, but my current Mercedes has the current "MBUX" interface, which I generally like, especially the built in satnav and voice control. (not so keen on the "lane assist', but that's on all new cars now)

I had a Volvo V40 in 2016 from new. The automatic transmission was a mare, all they ever did was software updates. After 3 years we discovered that the transmissions were faulty due to bad design that was known about at the time of manufacture. Volvo nor the dealer wanted to know, there’s a massive lawsuit going off in America with Ford, it turned out we’d basically bought a Ford Focus with a Volvo body. I’d never have a Volvo again, absolute shite customer service!

😆
I would get the mercs because volvo drivers irritate me and their cars look heavy and non pleasing. But let him get whatever car he wants.

Yes mine also has the MBUX interface (stands for Mercedes Benz user experience) which is generally very good. You can say “hey Mercedes” and then ask it to do something in the car or even the latest score at a football match. “She” is generally pretty good although occasionally acts like a petulant child and ignores you!!

it’s just lovely and smooth to drive but if ultimately you’re not the one driving it, I guess it should be down to him.

He got the Mercedes in the end and is now quite happy about it after all that.

Looking forward to the MBUX when he lets me drive it!

Get a BMW.

In the end? You were only looking yesterday!!
Glad he is happy but I would not drive either.

I’d go for a Toyota.

In years gone by my husband said I should shoot him if he ever said he wanted a Volvo. But this year he said we should get an XC60. I think Volvos are a bit like garden centres, unfathomable to the young but oh-so-alluring once you are past a certain age.

Delivery due on Wednesday. Timed in nicely with collection of his current car by the dealership who are buying it on Thursday. Can’t believe how much easier it is to sell cars these days.

Kind of hoping driving a sporty Merc might motivate DH to get back on the Just For Men😂

Can’t believe how much image is a thing for buying cars in the UK. How much everyone of a certain age just defaults to a premium German marque, small SUV, every single time.

I remember laughing recently at a health club - almost every other car is a Merc, BMW or Audi. It’s like there aren’t any other luxury cars people can buy after a certain age.

My favourite thing is when I saw on Mumsnet someone pooh-pooh an estate car option because it’s “a bit old man” in image. it was the perfect car for the OP’s requirements, but everyone was saying “get the [premium German small SUV]

The CLA is this generation’s equivalent of the B Class . It may have the three pointed star on it, but… yeah.

Also what’s mad is that we are expected to judge what’s appropriate for a mid 50s man to drive , according to what would be fitting, as if we’re picking a sweater or outfit type.

If my DH wanted to drive a Skoda Fabia or a Ford Mustang coupe , or even a Volvo estate, I couldn’t give a shit. I really couldn’t. It’s his choice.

Be careful with Volvo, they’re riding on their old reputation. I had a brand new Volvo V40 and had nothing but trouble with it, horrible car. It was a Ford Focus engine with a Volvo body shape. The transmission was shocking, they kept doing software updates, which weren’t effective. It wasn’t until the warranty ran out that I found out Volvo were aware of the transmission issues as there’s a massive lawsuit in American with Ford. I asked Volvo to assist and replace it, they didn’t give a shit. I’d never, EVER have another! Buyer beware!!

At least he has a car with working indicators. Unlike most BMWs or so it seems.

Has he considered a Kia Stinger?

Better warranty and a tad cheaper. And I think the Stinger is a much better looking car.

Congratulations!
If you're both going to be driving the car, it's well worth setting up the 'Profiles", so when you get in the car knows your preference for the side mirrors, heating, radios, sat nav, electric seats, heating etc.

The parking assist is brilliant, once you stop screaming the first 19 times you use it.

Also be prepared for the "lane assist" feature, when you wander over a white line without any steering input, it makes a slightly disturbing breaking / grinding sound which is intentional but quite alarming the first few times it happens.

I've never had it happen when I've needed it, and you can disable it, but it re-enables the next time you start the car as it's a mandatory (pointless) feature in new cars.

I would have said get the Volvo - mine has 100k on the clock and has never broken down by the side of the road, unlike DH's best friend's Mercedes. Or a friend's Tesla, which is constantly claiming it is too poorly to be driven. There again, I do a lot of driving and prize comfort and the good design of random things such as cup holders and control positioning over looks.

@JustSomeRandomOnTheInternet he’s not to old . However I’d for for the e class or glc