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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 1210 of 1626

#12082 of 16251 Re: mark & fedlawman [fedlawman] by nyccarguy

Sep 20, 2011 (5:38 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Sep 20, 2011 5:12 pm)
I agree with you 100% fedlawman. Even though my 2010 TSX is equipped with an automatic, it is the best automatic I've ever driven. It holds shifts in M(anual) mode until I (the driver) flicks the paddle on the right for it to upshift. Even in S(port) mode, as long as my foot is planted, the revs will keep climbing to the redline before the transmission upshifts.
 
I've heard the TSX with a 6-speed stick is an absolute blast to drive. We've already got one car in our fleet that my wife cannot drive (my 2001 Honda Prelude Type SH). When we bought the Acura, it was supposed to be her car (replacing our dearly loved 2007 BMW X3). Since we found out child #3 is on her way, we bought my wife a Pilot & I inherited the TSX.
 
Is my TSX perfect? No. Like our resident 1st generation TSX owner says "the wrong wheels are driving the car.". I don't like the electric power steering.
 
Those who say it is "just a rebadged Accord" need to drive the 2 cars back to back.

#12083 of 16251 TSX vs. Accord by nyccarguy

Sep 20, 2011 (6:00 pm)

Back in 2009 I drove an Accord EX-L w/ NAV & a TSX w/ Tech Pkg. Both had almost identical sticker prices. While the Accord's V6 had "more punch," the TSX's I4 was much smoother. The suspension is tuned much more taut in the TSX. The TSX has stiffer anti-roll bars.
 
It is definitely a car you have to drive to appreciate.
 
I'm not saying the TL isn't more of a driver's car with it's 305 hp V6 & SH AWD. It's price of admission is significantly higher than the TSX. It also didn't meet the gas mileage requirements of the cash 4 clunkers program.
 
For the record, I dig "the beak."

#12084 of 16251 Re: In the market... [jerseyguy77] TSX [markcincinnati] [flightnurse] [billyperksii] [plekto] by sweendogy

Sep 20, 2011 (6:35 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Sep 20, 2011 3:56 pm)
"Infiniti has their highest-end large car, which is good, and proper luxury, but it's also huge and basically like a big Lexus in how it drives."
 
dude you've never driven a M37, M50 or the M37 hybrid with that statement- Or maybe you've never driven the big lexus-- which i guess your talking about the LS. Totally different cars- you should try them.
 
"The main reason Acura, Infiniti, and Lexus all come off as trying too hard and a bit plain vanilla is because in Japan, they don't really exist." trying to hard?? what are you saying here?? hello- all 3 of these brands have been around for 20 years.. they have sold millions of cars and have huge amounts of brand cred across the world.

#12085 of 16251 Re: In the market... [jerseyguy77] TSX [markcincinnati] [flightnurse] [billyperksii] [plekto] [smarty666] by plekto

Sep 20, 2011 (7:11 pm)

Replying to: smarty666 (Sep 20, 2011 5:22 pm)
You do realize that vehicles from the 5-Series below and E-Class below are not even considered luxury over in Europe?
 
Absolutely. What's amazing is that we consider an Accord with a fancy badge on it and some upgraded suspension parts to be luxury over here. Now, to be fair, a lot of that is because they are a bit jaded over there, but you'd figure that the minimum standard would at least be something like a 5 series or similar in the U.S. Not re-badged Accords and Buicks and the like.
 
Perhaps we've been driving crap for so long over here that we now consider above average to be fantastic. The TSX might be great to a lot of people, but they are simply unaware. To consider it a "luxury sport sedan", well it fails on both accounts. Front wheel drive, underpowered for its weight unless you get the V6, dead steering feel, and, well, the list goes on and on. If you consider it to be awesome luxury, well, more power to you.
 
As for trying to find a "luxury sport sedan", well, my take on it is that nobody makes one any more. They now all make large luxury cars with a sporty suspension and needlessly large tires to compensate.
 
Here's a challenge:
Find me a car with 2 or 4 doors. If 2 doors, it must have a usable back seat. No, the 911 does not qualify, obviously.
It must be rear wheel drive.
It must be under 3000lbs.
It must be sporty. Not rims and some spoiler but really upgraded.
 
And that's before we add the luxury requirement to the mix.
 
Can anyone here find one? Really. Maybe I forgot some vehicle or something? Everything I find is front wheel drive or hundreds of pounds heavier. Even raising the weight to 3200lbs adds a mere handful of choices in the first category. (since the E36 was 3200 lbs, this is as heavy as I'd consider)
****

#12086 of 16251 Re: In the market... [jerseyguy77] TSX [markcincinnati] [flightnurse] [billyperksii] [plekto] [smarty666] [plekto] by fedlawman

Sep 20, 2011 (9:38 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Sep 20, 2011 7:11 pm)
You do realize that this is the "Entry-Level" Luxury Sport Sedan forum, right?
 
There is a difference between luxury and near-luxury. All of these cars walk the line.

#12087 of 16251 Re: In the market... [jerseyguy77] TSX [markcincinnati] [flightnurse] [billyperksii] [plekto] [sweendogy] by mortienne

Sep 20, 2011 (9:55 pm)

Replying to: sweendogy (Sep 20, 2011 6:35 pm)
"hello- all 3 of these brands have been around for 20 years.. they have sold millions of cars and have huge amounts of brand cred across the world."
 
I'd take issue with this, at least as far as Europe is concerned. Yes, Lexus has been around for a long time, but Infiniti as a brand is a very recent arrival. Is Acura even present there? My NSX I drove when I lived in the UK was badged as a Honda, not an Acura, and didn't suffer one iota because of it.

#12088 of 16251 Re: In the market... [jerseyguy77] TSX [markcincinnati] [flightnurse] [billyperksii] [plekto] [smarty666] [plekto] by ivan_99

Sep 20, 2011 (10:44 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Sep 20, 2011 7:11 pm)
Here's a challenge:...
 
Not sure you'd ever find anything in the "Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedan" with those qualifications.
 
The luxury...and the sedan part usually push it over 3000lbs...
 
but...
Audi TT (not a sedan...not really RWD...but probably just as good...over 3000 lbs...by a little).
 
ummm...How about a 911 Hey...for under $40k you can pick up a nice 05-06.

#12090 of 16251 Re: In the market... [jerseyguy77] TSX [markcincinnati] [carnaught] [markcincinnati] by carnaught

Sep 21, 2011 (8:53 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 19, 2011 7:01 pm)
I am, at this point, unable to comment on squeaks and rattles and premature seat wear. Are your comments based on personal experience?
 
Yes, I've owned two. They were reliable, however .

#12091 of 16251 Re: In the market... [jerseyguy77] TSX [markcincinnati] [flightnurse] [billyperksii] [plekto] [sweendogy] [mortienne] by 2233

Sep 21, 2011 (8:59 am)

Replying to: mortienne (Sep 20, 2011 9:55 pm)
I believe that the Lexus brand and the Infiniti brand were created the same year.
 
Infiniti was known then for producing ads that did not show the vehicles.

Messages Page 1210 of 1626

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