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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

32413 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2013 at 9:45 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying

Messages Page 2820 of 3242

#28184 of 32413 Re: Jayrider [nyccarguy] by roadburner

Nov 17, 2012 (11:01 pm)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Nov 17, 2012 8:09 pm)
Ditto! Enjoy!!!

#28185 of 32413 So Close... by roadburner

Nov 17, 2012 (11:06 pm)

A good friend is selling his 2002 Z3 2.5. Black with Impala Brown leather, 43k, H-K sound, sport seats, ///M steering wheel, heated seats, power top, 25% locking diff, cross-spoke wheels... Immaculate and Gorgeous!
Except for one thing:
It's a slushbox...

#28186 of 32413 TSX Wagon by breld

Nov 18, 2012 (8:29 pm)

Wife and I went out car "looking" Saturday - looked at the TSX Wagon, a 2011 328 wagon and the Jetta Sportswagen TDI. Surprisingly, we weren't all that into the BMW - I think we're both liking the size, feel and design of the F30. The Jetta is a pretty fun drive - particularly considering the MPG you're getting. And it was the only manual trannie wagon we could find.
 
But the big surprise was the TSX. I had an "original" 2004 TSX and really enjoyed it - in fact I pointed out to my wife that I had kept that car 3-4 years . But then I moved on to my first BMW and never really looked back.
 
But just as you would expect, and as I remember, the Acura offers so much for the money. I really like the traditional wagon style of the TSX (as opposed to something like the Crosstour). I wasn't expecting much from the 5-speed auto and the 201 hp 4-cyl, but it had plenty of pickup - it just lagged a bit when passing on the highway. But as a practical choice for hauling the kids around to school and sports, we both thought it'd be a fun and stylish choice.
 
What really got my attention was that a local dealer had several low mileage, CPO TSX wagons available. So a 2012 model with something like 3,000 miles, with the tech package was being offered for $30k, $27k without the tech package. A different dealer that we had initially visited had the same thing for $33k, and politely said that if this other dealer really had it for $30k, that we should go there. So we did, and I pushed it a bit to see if they would come down to $28k for the tech package example, but they stuck with their $30k and let me walk.
 
So I'll think about it - I like the reliability and practical nature of the Acura. Sort of "offsets" the risks and uncertainties of the BMWs in the garage.
 
nyccarguy - you just recently had a TSX right? How did that treat you?

#28187 of 32413 Re: TSX Wagon [breld] by nyccarguy

Nov 18, 2012 (9:49 pm)

Replying to: breld (Nov 18, 2012 8:29 pm)
Breld - my ownership experience with my wife's 2010 Acura TSX Tech which subsequently became my 2010 TSX when we made the decision (and were blessed) to have a 3rd child was a good one. August 29, 2009 - March 19, 2012. 49,000 miles.
 
Highs:
 
I absolutely LOVED the engine/transmission combination. Drop the transmission into (S)port mode & it won't shift until it hits the redline. Flick a paddle shifter for a downshift & the car will bounce off the redline all day w/o upshifting. Power & Acceleration were adequate. The car was fast enough to get me an 81 in a 55 ticket. However, I can see it becoming a bit wheezy if you are talking AC pumping & Denver's high elevations.
 
Lots of tech goodies which I LOVED. Excellent NAV, Boomin BOSE 10 speaker stereo, backup camera (which I miss), Bluetooth, voice activated everything (I worked ok, but it was cool).
 
The interior was well finished, front seats were thickly bolstered & heated. Trunk was HUGE, the backseat was roomy enough for 2 full size adults (when we took the car seats out).
 
It handled well for a nose heavy, fwd car. Comfortable on the highway. I could sit in traffic & then floor it to 80 mph + once conditions permitted & average 24 - 25 mpg.
 
The cons: the brakes just sucked. Like they were just lifted straight from an Accord LX.
 
The electric power steering was flat out lifeless. Completely lacked feel & feedback. Over posted at low speeds. Artificially firm at big speeds. The only way I knew the wheels were spinning with snow on the ground is the fact that the VSC light flickered on the dash.
 
When I was originally shopping for a replacement for my wife's 2007 X3 (leased, chock full o miles), I figured wagon was the only way to fly. I needed room for infant car seats, a double stroller, & diaper bag among other things. I found most wagons were marketed as "sport" wagons. While their steeply raked rear ends looked great, their cargo room wasn't that great.
 
Does that answer your question? -

#28188 of 32413 Re: Motor Mounts [sandman_6472] by xwesx

Nov 18, 2012 (9:58 pm)

Replying to: sandman_6472 (Nov 17, 2012 11:10 am)
That was my experience after replacing the motor mounts, too! Actually, I think I did the motor mounts, struts, and alignment relatively close to one another. The combination of those three things really did make it feel like a new car!
 
I'm glad it worked out well for you (and your wife), Sandman!

#28189 of 32413 Hurricane Sandy victim? by steve_ HOST

Nov 19, 2012 (5:41 am)

Anyone know anyone? Fezo?
 
A reporter would like to speak to Sandy victims who lost a car in the storm and are trying to replace it. If this fits your description, please send your daytime contact info to predmunds.com no later than Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 9 a.m. PT/noon ET.

#28190 of 32413 Re: TSX Wagon [nyccarguy] by breld

Nov 19, 2012 (8:57 am)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Nov 18, 2012 9:49 pm)
Awesome feedback - thanks!
 
I'll have to take another drive and pay particular attention to the braking and steering feel. But it's good to hear that you were more than content with the power and trannie. Also sounds like you really enjoyed the tech package goodies, which is one of the questions I've been asking myself (whether it's worth the extra $3k).
 
The thing I keep reminding myself is that this would be the choice for general commuting and hauling kids and their sports stuff around. For the sports sedan, I'll still have the E39 and for the real family hauling, we have the Ody. So for the stated purpose, I feel the TSX would be a very stylish and fun choice - as well as reliable and practical. I mean, I also have thoughts on the new CR-V, which I'm sure is very nice - but the TSX is so much more appealing, as long as I'm okay with FWD vs. AWD.

#28191 of 32413 Re: Hurricane Sandy victim? [steve_] by fezo

Nov 19, 2012 (11:49 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Nov 19, 2012 5:41 am)
Thankfully not me this time. I lost 2 cars to floods from Nor'easters but all 4 made it through just fine.

#28192 of 32413 Re: Bad News [isellhondas] by andre1969

Nov 19, 2012 (1:35 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Nov 15, 2012 1:33 pm)
After "only" 113K miles?
  
113K is a LOT of miles and motor mounts don't last forever.
  
It wasn't too many years ago when cars were totally shot at 100K!
 
For some reason, my '68 Dart tended to squash the passenger side mount. I had to replace it a few times over the years I had it. Never had an issue with the driver's side though.

#28193 of 32413 Re: Ticket Punched [jayrider] by andre1969

Nov 19, 2012 (1:54 pm)

Replying to: jayrider (Nov 16, 2012 7:13 pm)
Congratulations on the new ride! Hopefully you and TJC78 can help keep Buick afloat!
 
I drove a LaCrosse at a drive event they had at the GM show in Carlisle PA back in 2010. VERY nice, comfy car. My only real issue with it was that I didn't like the high beltline, thick roof pillars, and small windows. But, I think you're going to get that with just about any new car these days.

Messages Page 2820 of 3242

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