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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

16251 messages,  Last post on Jun 18, 2013 at 7:02 AM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Acura TL, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Cadillac CTS, Volvo S60, Audi A4, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1208 of 1626

#12067 of 16251 mark & fedlawman by nyccarguy

Sep 19, 2011 (7:02 pm)

Mark - thanks for the in depth, detailed write up. Congrats on your new TL! Enjoy it for the next 3 years until you get your next Audi.
 
Fedlawman - If it wasn't for the E36, I might have never fallen in love with BMWs. The 1st BMW I ever drove was a close friend's 1995 E36 325is with 5-Speed Stick, Sport Package, & he told me he was able to get it lowered further from the factory (individual?). It made me feel like Superman behind the wheel.

#12068 of 16251 Re: mark & fedlawman [nyccarguy] by fedlawman

Sep 19, 2011 (9:03 pm)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Sep 19, 2011 7:02 pm)
Ah, first love! I understand. My first BMW drive was my uncle's E30 325i. Plastic seats and 5-speed stick. Love at first drive.
 
I very much like certain things about the E36 too. I love the VANOS I-6 - it is so smooth and sweet sounding. And the comfort and amenities are a big step up from the E30.
 
And for the record, I think the TL is highly underrated on this forum. It may not be the best at anything, but it does so many things so very well.

#12069 of 16251 Re: mark & fedlawman [fedlawman] by plekto

Sep 19, 2011 (9:36 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Sep 19, 2011 9:03 pm)
Yes, the E36 is somewhat acceptable as well, since with some tweaking, it can be pushed back to 3000lbs. Add some more modern rubber and a few tweaks like beefier calipers and so on and it's pretty nice.
 
What we have now is symptomatic of the bloat-until-it-assumes-the-previous-one-size-larger-model's-place progression that seems to infect all of the makers now. This is also identical to what was happening in the 70s. Bigger and bigger and oh my word that's a huge car all of a sudden...
 
The 1 series is kind of like a E26 V 2.0 in its weight and size. It's what I would consider a sports sedan, if a bit on the heavy side.
 
But what we have now as the current crop of cars are really big bloated grocery hauling machines that just are called "sporty" because they are the smallest whales in the pod and happen to have shiny rims and big wheels attached.
 
That said, the TSX simply doesn't belong as it's just a plain vanilla "Accord" to the rest of the world. Over here, they slap Acura badges on it and raise the price. It's front wheel drive, has a plain vanilla 4 cylinder engine, and the handling is, well, standard family car. It's a NICE car, but it's not proper luxury OR proper sports.

#12070 of 16251 Re: mark & fedlawman [fedlawman] by ivan_99

Sep 19, 2011 (10:24 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Sep 19, 2011 9:03 pm)
And for the record, I think the TL is highly underrated on this forum. It may not be the best at anything, but it does so many things so very well.
 
Agreed...i liked the 'old' BEAK (think I'm the only one )...it had flare.
 
Plus I got the SH-AWD to over-steer...so it could be persuaded to have fun too.

#12071 of 16251 Re: In the market... [jerseyguy77] TSX [markcincinnati] [carnaught] [markcincinnati] by billyperksii

Sep 20, 2011 (6:26 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 19, 2011 7:01 pm)
Mark- a man after my own heart, congrats on your excellent choice in value, style and performance.
I have the 2009 with the beak and butt, 25 months later and 13k miles-zero squeekes, zero seat wear and all compliments.
My salesman keeps sending me emails in regards to a swap for the 2012-NO THANKS, the 2012 IMHO is too soft-appearance wise.

#12072 of 16251 Re: mark & fedlawman [plekto] by m6user

Sep 20, 2011 (6:53 am)

Replying to: plekto (Sep 19, 2011 9:36 pm)
Has anyone noticed that people are actually bigger now than they were twenty years ago? Look at high school football teams. My god they are huge. I think carmakers have responded to some degree. Granted many people are heavier than they should be but the actual frames of each subsequent generation is larger than the previous. Add in all the safety crash protection in the frames, larger brakes, airbags, sunroofs, power everything and it makes for more size and weight in cars.
 
Some may not hear it but weight isn't the only thing that matters in a cars drivablilty.

#12073 of 16251 Re: In the market... [jerseyguy77] TSX [markcincinnati] [carnaught] [markcincinnati] by cdnpinhead

Sep 20, 2011 (8:32 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 19, 2011 7:01 pm)
Since money is an object, well, I went with the Acura which seemed like a very high value.
 
Welcome aboard! I've been driving a TSX for 3.5 years and enjoy it quite a lot, except for the pair of wheels doing the propulsion. Mine is a pre-beak edition with a manual transmission; don't much care for the styling after the '08s. The original concept was to drive this 3-4 years, then trade it for the diesel TSX, but mostly due to CA pollution regs, it didn't come to pass.
 
You came close to getting that M35 (or was it 45?) a few years ago; I'm stunned that you actually pulled the trigger this time. Hope you're pleased with it. I lack the "Princess & the Pea" sensitivity to many things that those who populate this board (or who did before it went dead) possess, but haven't noticed any issues with rattles or wear on the leather.

#12074 of 16251 Re: In the market... [jerseyguy77] TSX [markcincinnati] by flightnurse

Sep 20, 2011 (8:41 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 19, 2011 2:56 pm)
Not too sure of I follow your logic on the G37, just because it was smaller doesn't mean its not a sport sedan. I would think the G37 has more interior space then the A4. I looked at the A4 (mid level) I like it but thought the G37 was bigger.

#12075 of 16251 Re: mark & fedlawman [m6user] by ivan_99

Sep 20, 2011 (8:41 am)

Replying to: m6user (Sep 20, 2011 6:53 am)
Look at high school football teams
 
even younger...as my trim 90 lbs 8 year old leaves bodies in his wake...just an opening for dad to brag

#12076 of 16251 Re: In the market... [plekto] by andres3

Sep 20, 2011 (10:02 am)

Replying to: plekto (Sep 15, 2011 5:35 pm)
because almost every car these days can be had with leather and NAV, and so you have to look further and be a bit more discerning in what exactly "luxury" means aside from leather and a high price tag.
 
Not all leathers and NAV systems were created equal. You can have grade A leather, grade b, grade C, grade D, grade F.
 
The way it is put together, installed, and assmebled can vary in quality as well as the material itself.
 
I thought the Infiniti's I looked at in 2009 were very nice inside.

Messages Page 1208 of 1626

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