Ask the Car People.SM


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 1352 of 1626

#13505 of 16251 Re: My 2012 TL SH-AWD, my first and last Acura [flightnurse] by ivan_99

Mar 19, 2012 (9:04 am)

Replying to: flightnurse (Mar 19, 2012 8:14 am)
Very true, and some dealers are more than willing to comply.
 
I remember a few years ago a Volvo dealer was willing to give me a car for the weekend to see how I liked it.
 
Some issues are easier to forgive during a test drive; even an extended one. I wish I had more headroom. I didn't grow...and the car didn't get smaller, but I now wish my head didn't brush up against the headliner. My next car will have more headroom...like my kids...sometimes the lessons are painful before they are learned

#13506 of 16251 Re: My 2012 TL SH-AWD, my first and last Acura [ivan_99] by flightnurse

Mar 19, 2012 (10:17 am)

Replying to: ivan_99 (Mar 19, 2012 9:04 am)
Ivan, my partner and I were in the market for a SUV, he is real big on reading consumer reports (CR), so after checking CR we went to the Acrua dealer. After talking to the salesmen, he handed us the keys to a MDX, and told us to take for a drive. When I quizzed him on what he meant by drive, his reply was, we close at 9. We hoped in the MDX and off we went, we were gone for about an hour (or two), we drove surface street, highway (rush hour) played with the nav system, we got a good sense of the vehicle, we ended up buying one a week later. We knew more about the MDX after that drive then any other SUV we drove, I remember the MB dealer telling us, we don't like to put a lot of "useless" miles on our vehicles, so we only drive about 15 minutes or so, no problem, turned the ML350 around and headed back for the dealer.
 
I really believe if the dealership understands their target audience then they will allow people to take a longer drive in the car.

#13507 of 16251 Re: My 2012 TL SH-AWD, my first and last Acura [flightnurse] by sweendogy

Mar 19, 2012 (11:01 am)

Replying to: flightnurse (Mar 19, 2012 10:17 am)
i agree i think its more dealership then specific car company-- for the G I bought the dealer actually came to my home and we test drove a car around my town for almost 2 hrs -- I was able to take it on the highway and do the local stops I would usually do. Great way to buy a car-

#13508 of 16251 All Quiet Here by nyccarguy

Mar 24, 2012 (5:48 pm)

I guess everyone here is waiting to hear what I think of my new 328xi. You guys are a tough crowd, so I hope I can deliver. I also know some of you have read my story on "Real World Trade In Values" & "Stories From The Sales Frontlines," so I'll try an tailor to the enthusiasts here comparing it to my (former) TSX and my all time (personal benchmark) 2001 Prelude Type SH.
 
There was nothing wrong with my TSX except for the fact that I inherited it from my wife. I bought it on 8/29/09 on the last day of Cash 4 Clunkers to replace 2 BMWs. My 1990 E30 325i Coupe failed project car that my trusted mechanic declared dead. We were also leasing a 2007 X3 that had 38,000 miles after 2 years. We were allowed 45,000 for the total 3 years. So I bought the TSX with the intention of it being my wife's daily driver that I'd get some seat time in on the weekends.

#13509 of 16251 Part II by nyccarguy

Mar 24, 2012 (8:19 pm)

When we were blessed with having our 3rd child, we needed a bigger vehicle with the ability to handle New England winters, haul kids' stuff, and hold at least 3 (our vey are they big) child safety seats. We bought a 2011 Pilot. Given the fact that the TSX was less than 2 years old at the time I didn't want to take a steep depreciation hit, so I kept it, made the Pilot my wife's daily driver, & put my beloved Prelude into semi retirement.
 
So on Thursday night, I traded in my TSX for a 2011 BMW 328xi.
 
So far I'm completely blown out of the water about how well this car drives. I hate to sound like I've been reading too much Car & Driver, but the steering is perfectly weighted (nice & heavy, how it should be) & telepathic.
 
I love the chassis' balance. Driving a car with RWD just feels very natural. The inline 6 is just so amazingly smooth. The brakes are strong. Suspension tuning is wonderful. Firm & solid, but nowhere near uncomfortable.
 
My Acura was a nice car. Excellent fit & finish. The 2.4L 4 banger loves to rev. The transmission is crisp and doesn't struggle keeping the engine in its sweet spot. The suspension is tuned to allow road feel. It's good, until I drove the 3er.
 
The electric power steering is artificial and lifeless. The brakes are weak.

#13510 of 16251 Some Pictures by nyccarguy

Mar 24, 2012 (9:37 pm)

of The Departed
 

#13511 of 16251 Re: Part II [nyccarguy] by sweendogy

Mar 25, 2012 (5:26 am)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Mar 24, 2012 8:19 pm)
Brad I know we have had battles in the past over the tsx- so given the wide performance gap between the BMW (the standard) and the Acura - does it truly belong in this group?

#13512 of 16251 Re: Part II [nyccarguy] by fedlawman

Mar 25, 2012 (8:46 am)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Mar 24, 2012 8:19 pm)
Congrats NYC, it sounds like a great car.
 
I've never driven an xi but from what you say, it sounds like it's not much different from the RWD 3er - probably don't really notice the difference day to day.

#13513 of 16251 Sweendogy by nyccarguy

Mar 25, 2012 (7:03 pm)

The hosts won't take it down, no matter how much you scream. I think the Acura for this group should be the TL/SH AWD. I really don't think any car in this class actually "competes" with the BMW. I'm that impressed. However, there are many who don't put the premium on driving dynamics that those of us here do.

#13514 of 16251 Re: Part II [fedlawman] by nyccarguy

Mar 25, 2012 (7:12 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Mar 25, 2012 8:46 am)
Thank-you so much fedlawman. I appreciate it. I'll readily admit that my driving skills are merely average, especially compared to you, Flightnurse, & Roadburner. As far as I'm concerned my car is RWD.
 
The biggest difference I notice between my 328 & my Prelude is weight. My Prelude only weighs a little more than 3000 lbs, the BMW a lot more. The other thing I notice is that my Prelude's cable actuated throttle is much more linear & responsive.

Messages Page 1352 of 1626

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement