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Help Me Choose!

3286 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2013 at 2:50 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Maxima, Mazda MAZDA3, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Lexus IS 250, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 229 of 329

#2276 of 3286 Re: 2005 vs 2006 Honda Accord [mr_gone] by tallman1

Jun 02, 2011 (11:13 pm)

Replying to: mr_gone (Jun 02, 2011 2:18 pm)
I can't remember all the changes that occurred in 06 but it sure looks much better than the 05. I think you've got most of them. I was thinking that the 05 didn't have the side curtain airbags but I may be wrong.
 
You are correct that an EX I4 manual is rare. I own an 06 EX-L with Navi and finding one with a stick was hard to do back when they were new. I love the car and will keep it a long time, especially since Honda is dropping the sticks from the top trimlines.
 
So much depends on the condition of the car and how well it was maintained. You may find a lousy 06 and a great 05. Then it is kind of a no-brainer.
 
You may also want to consider an 07 if it isn't too much more since they are virtually identical to the 06.
 
Good luck in your search! Let us know how it turns out.

#2277 of 3286 Sedans Galore! by darrvao777

Jun 03, 2011 (5:10 pm)

So I'm pretty flexible and indecisive here (1st time car buyer!)
 
I punched in these specifications into cars.com:
Used car
$23K
2008-2012
Acura, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, or Toyota
4 door sedan, no hybrids, automatic transmission
 
And this list came out:
Honda Accord
Toyota Camry
Lexus ES 350
Infiniti G35
Lexus IS 250
Infiniti M45
Acura TL
Acura TSX
 
What do you guys recommend? I figured I'd ask the experts since I'm completely lacking car purchasing experience! From what I can see, it looks like the "non luxury brands" like Honda and Toyota are either available newer (2010 - 2011) at around $23K or older (2008-2009) for sub $20K
 
It seems like the luxury brands (Acura, Lexus, Infinity) only have 2008 selections. I am assuming this is because these cars come with a 3 yr warranty and because the 2008 ones are about to have their warranty expire, thats why they slot into this price range?
 
(With the exception of the TSX, the TSX does come in 2009 varieties too)
 
So what do you guys recommend?
 
My girlfriend recommended getting a 2009 Camry or Accord, that way we would still get to enjoy 1 year of warranty in case anything happened after purchasing the car and in all likelihood, we could push the price tag to <$20K Thoughts? Thanks again, looking forward to your replies!

#2278 of 3286 Re: Sedans Galore! [darrvao777] by backy

Jun 03, 2011 (5:22 pm)

Replying to: darrvao777 (Jun 03, 2011 5:10 pm)
It would help us if you'd tell us what you are looking for in a car--what is important to you: e.g. do you need room in back to carry adult passengers for more than cross-town trips? Is fuel economy important? Is fun-to-drive important? Do you want a powerful car, or is handling more important? etc.
 
If I had $23k to spend for a car right now, and had to choose from your list, I'd gravitate to the TSX and G35... 2008 for the TSX because I like that generation better than 2009-on (and it would be less expensive), and the newer the better on the G35 (I'd even get a G25 if I could find one for $23k).

#2279 of 3286 Re: Sedans Galore! [backy] by darrvao777

Jun 03, 2011 (5:51 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jun 03, 2011 5:22 pm)
Certainly!
 
 - Backroom isn't too important to me, would like 4 doors just in case
 - Good fuel economy would be great
 - Fun to drive would also be great
 - Handling > power I great
 - I guess above all safety and reliability are the most 2 important things I'm looking for
 - I personally would enjoy a powerful vehicle but I think having better fuel economy, good stability/handling for safety are more important (my girlfriend will probably be driving it >50% of the time)

#2280 of 3286 Re: Sedans Galore! [darrvao777] by plekto

Jun 03, 2011 (6:38 pm)

Replying to: darrvao777 (Jun 03, 2011 5:51 pm)
Perfect car:
 
2004 Lexus IS300. Find one in mint condition and drive it until the wheels fall off. It's as close to the same era 3 series as Japan ever got. Just with Japanese reliability in the mix.
 
If it HAS to be newer, then I recommend you also add a 2008 Cadillac CTS to the short list as one of two specific domestic exceptions. It's worlds better than anything GM has made to date and honestly, it drives better than the G37, IMO. I know the two are almost the same on paper, but the CTS seems a bit more tuned for highway driving.
 
The other is a 2012 Mustang - the new one with the 30mpg V6 that has 300hp. It's a blast. It has 2 doors, yeas, but it's a usable enough rear seat. Cheap, good MPG, and fun to drive. You can get one new for about your "used" price range,
 
If it has to be Japanese, well, it's a short short list that pretty much begins and ends with the G37 sedan (with an exception which I note below). Nothing front wheel drive will drive half as fun or well in twisties as a RWD version of the same vehicle. And Japan makes precious few RWD cars these days.
 
Of note as an exception, though it doesn't get good MPG, is the RX8. It fits 4 adults comfortably (2+2 configuration), and easily handles rings around most everything else out of Japan these days. It's as close to a (base) Porsche Boxster as you'll get without spending 40K+.
 
This is one car that you want to buy new, though, at the end of the year. The engine burns oil and absolutely MUST be run from day 1 with high zinc oil. Synthetic or low zinc oil will ruin the engine in a few years. The internal pressures are much greater than in a normal 4 stroke engine and the EPA lowered the zinc content in oils a couple of years ago - to low enough that most anything other than oil made for classic cars and racing is too low for a rotary engine.
 
But other than that need to care properly for it from day 1 yourself, it's a perfect choice.
 
http://www.truecar.com/prices-new/mazda/rx-8-pricing/2011/54B37943/
I'm in Los Angeles, so it's just under $24K for one new. YEar-end will see a drop of 2-3K more, though.

#2281 of 3286 Re: Sedans Galore! [plekto] by backy

Jun 03, 2011 (9:07 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Jun 03, 2011 6:38 pm)
The IS might be a good choice if rear seat room is not important at all. But I wouldn't go back to 2004 if I didn't have to. Low-mileage Acura-certified 2008 TSXes can be had for well under $23k. Blast to drive and good fuel economy with the I4. In my area, you can't get a G37 for under $23k. But the G35 is a nice car also--more powerful than the IS or TSX, but not as economical either.

#2282 of 3286 Re: Sedans Galore! [backy] by plekto

Jun 04, 2011 (1:44 am)

Replying to: backy (Jun 03, 2011 9:07 pm)
The IS series is worlds better than the TSX. Remember, the TSX you'd be looking at is the last generation if you want to stay in your price range. It's basically a fancied-up Civic. Compare that to even the IS250 with a good 6 cylinder engine and RWD, and it's simply no contest. Even the new TSX, while it drives fine, is so boring that it makes me want to cry compared to a RX8, IS, Mercedes C class, a CTS, (and so on).
 
So what is the third best car GM ever made?
2004 was also a magic year for GM - the Holden Monaro made its way to the U.S. as the Pontiac GTO. If you get manual with it, that year only will give you:
- A 350HP LS1 Corvette engine. Same 6 speed gearbox as well.
 
- 29 mpg highway (25 combined is possible wit a light foot - and with 350hp, you don't need to stomp on the gas hard)
EPA city estimate: 17 mpg. EPA highway estimate: 29 mpg (original sticker).
 
- A 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds (!) 1/4 mile in under 14 seconds and at over 100mph. It's the real deal.
 
- A slalom speed of 63.4mph. A G37 does it at 66.4mph for reference - it's no straight-line boat by a long shot. The *new* TSX? 54.9mph. FWD rears its ugly head since you can't really defeat physics.
 
If you care even the least bit about handling, you want RWD. And, no, RWD isn't a disaster like the nannys want you to believe. They get serious snow in Germany and you don't hear news articles about Mercedes and BMWs flying off the roads in winter.
 
Many owners who have a GTO obsess over theirs and treat it like an instant classic, or add some tweaks and upgrades to it, so finding a cherry example is actually quite easy. Same as say, with a Porsche - the ones that are beaters are instantly obvious and the collectors are also easy to identify. You won't even pay $15K, either, which will give you a lot of extra money for upkeep and potential upgrades. (dual exhaust is the obvious first mod).
 
The 2005+ and all automatic models suffer 4-5mpg worse due to a 400HP engine that's tuned for raw speed versus smoothness and low-end torque. I'd get a 2004 GTO in a heartbeat. Where else will you get muscle car performance and 30mpg on the highway? Well, other than the new Mustang, that is - but the GTO has a nicer interior than the Ford. Ford somehow still can't make a good interior on most of its cars.

#2283 of 3286 Thanks! by darrvao777

Jun 04, 2011 (7:04 am)

Wow, thanks for the helpful reply guys, keep em coming!
Awesome replies!
 
So I think I am leaning towards a 2008 Acura TSX or TL
with the sad, boring Accord or Camry has backup options
 
Of the other cars mentioned, the Infinitis (G35/37) might be a little too pricy for me in this area
Not particularly interested in driving a 2008 CTS, 2012 Mustang or 2012 RX8
 
That being said, the other 2 that have surged to the top of my list are the 2004 Pontiac GTO and the 2004 Lexus IS300! Definitely nice to hear all those exciting things about them and they are available at very affordable prices in my area! I'm leaning toward the GTO because I have not been able to find any IS300's with reasonable mileages on them, I've actually found a couple of GTO's with lower mileage than the TSX's or TL's I was considering! Inclined to bump the GTO/IS300 pairing above Accord/Camry at this point, I'm not sure if I can bring myself to bump them above the 2008 TSX/TL as I just have reservations about buying something so old. That being said, I certainly will test drive all these over the coming weeks.
 
Thanks again for all the advice and keep it rolling in, would definitely like to shop around with as much advice and recommendations as possible!

#2284 of 3286 Re: Sedans Galore! [plekto] by backy

Jun 04, 2011 (9:41 am)

Replying to: plekto (Jun 04, 2011 1:44 am)
Owning a GTO and driving it with a light foot is something of an oxymoron, isn't it?
 
BTW, the EPA fuel economy rating of the 2004 GTO with MT is only 19 mpg combined (16/26).

#2285 of 3286 Re: Sedans Galore! [plekto] by biker4

Jun 04, 2011 (2:44 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Jun 04, 2011 1:44 am)
It's basically a fancied-up Civic.
 
That is like saying the IS is a fancied up Corolla.

Messages Page 229 of 329

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