jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

So I am a very happy 3G TL owner with roughly 150k on my 2004. I don't need to replace it, but am thinking I might do so in another year, but there are very few cars out there that have my interest. I'm wondering if I'm missing some good suggestions.

Here's what I want in a car:

• Bluetooth
• Navigation
• iPod/MP3/USB integration of some kind. (Want to have song control from steering wheel.)
• little body roll
• good handling
• stylish look (I know this is subjective, but it is important to me)
• mid-sized 4 door. My 3G TL is the perfect size. For example, the 4G feels too big for my taste.
• decent power, but decent highway MPG as well. 250hp and 35 MPG highway is a good compromise for me.
• long-term reliability. I want to be able to keep the car for 6 years, 150k miles (I put about 25k per year) with little hassle.
• FWD or AWD preferred over RWD. (I do a lot of midwest driving and don't want to worry about RWD in the snow. I realize snow tires and traction control goes a long way, so I won't rule out good RWD options.)

Here is my short list of cars I think I might like, but I'm starting this thread for you to give me other suggestions:

• Kia Optima SX Turbo. (Test drove and liked it a lot.)
• Used Lexus IS350 AWD (or maybe a 250 AWD if the 350 AWDs are too expensive).
• Nissan Maxima
• Used Infinity G37x

For used vehicles, I wouldn't want a used car with more than 2 years or 30k on it. I welcome your input.

charliemike

Sonata Turbo?

I'm sure someone's going to suggest a TSX V6 too.

Honestly, the issue is that there's nothing in that price range I would find interesting at all.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Are you related to Stoned CL by any chance?

Nevermind.

- Subaru Legacy
- Infiniti G35x
or..
- TSX SportWagon
- 3G TL-S?

Will you be interested in modding your car at all?

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

That's my problem is that I find very few interesting options.

I probably should consider the TSX V6 although I'm not too fond of the looks.

I test drove a Sonata SE Turbo which is supposedly the sports trim. I was very unimpressed compared to the Kia Optima SX. Lots of body roll, poor handling and a lot of turbo lag. Kia wins over Hyundai.

I wouldn't be modding other than some simple cosmetics.

Hadn't thought of the Legacy. Will have to take a look.

As for 3G TL-S, that would be near the top of my list. It's just that I'm probably looking to replace in another year and I don't want to purchase a 4 year old car.

Moog-Type-S

Vw cc

charliemike

I'm not saying that a CC won't go 150k but I think it *could* be a painful one

Actually, how about a 2009 Jetta TDi Cup?

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Yes, I heard the handling of Sonata is not very good at all. That's why I didn't recommend it in the first place, even though you just get SO MUCH for what you pay. It can definitely be improved substantially by getting a quality set of suspension, but you are not planning to mod your car, so I would just rule out the Sonata and Optima Turbo.

If you get a 3G TL-S today, it'll be a 3 year old car, so that solves the problem.

Moog-Type-S

I think it's a bit sketchy to try to go 150k on most turbo-charged engines.....but the OP brought up the Optima.....so I threw out the much more refined CC.

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

I hear you on the long-term reliability of a turbo. I would much prefer a V6. Anyone know if Kia has plans for a V6 in their Optimas? They used to have a V6 in 2010.

I worry about VW reliability and maintenance costs. I hear a very mixed bag from VW owners. Some have had tons of trouble. Others say they've had no problems.

The Subaru doesn't do it for me in the looks department and I also worry about Suby reliability.

pttl

Get an accord and be done with it.

Carraway

I've been looking for a nice handling, fun, reliable car with a manual transmission and a naturally aspirated engine, and it's not easy. I think it's going to become even more difficult over the next few years as turbos are a way to keep power while moving to more efficient engines.

Anyway, you'll have to watch out for rust, but you may want to take a look at the Mazda 6, particularly the last generation. My other suggestions are already mentioned (Infiniti G, used Acuras and Hondas).

I think if you stay away from the turbo Subarus, they are very reliable, at least until they get old enough for the head gaskets to have issues.

Sadly, that's pretty much all I've got unless you want to roll the dice on a BMW 328xi under warranty.

007Acura

sounds like everything you want is in your tl. If it drives fine and there are no problems with it I would just keep it. The v6 tsx is more similar to a 3g. AWD is recent option for the is350 so it will be pretty hard to find and the 250 is kind of slow.

Moog-Type-S

You won't see a V6 in the Optima.

Move on to another vehicle.

Crazy Bimmer

A lot can change in a year. For example, no one here would have said Hyundai/Kia a year ago.

meowevil

iTrader: (1)

stick with lexus/acura if u want reliability
If you budget is little flexible, you can find new hybrid lexus in your range (but you have to scarifies handling)
I dont recommend any Germany as "generally" their reliability is lower

Sarlacc

Dodge Charger SE or RT with AWD

F23A4

Although I really cannot accuse the 8G of being stylish, I agree.

Here's a good candidate: LINK

Rockstar21

iTrader: (1)

Moog-Type-S

Taurus or Fusion.

Ford's MS Sync system is nothing short of phenomenal.

charliemike

Oh look, SSFTSX suggested a Dodge. What a surprise

Sarlacc

True, he did say mid-sized.

Sarlacc

Oh look, charliemike is a raging clueless fucktard...shocker

Rockstar21

iTrader: (1)

just pokin fun atcha mr. detroit.

any updates on it lately?

Sarlacc

Not recently, no money, no time. I have a couple more things I would like to do, but nothing major. When they happen I'll update my thread

oonowindoo

You already have your TL for 7 years, do you really want a V6 TSX. It is going to feel pretty much like the same car but slightly smaller.

i'd recommend Maxima or G37X. City mpg sux 16-18. but Highway is pretty good.

But finding a used G37X for $30k with low miles is going to be hard.

Or 328xi

I'd get 3 series within that price range.

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

While a good practical car, I don't find them stylish at all... and while I haven't driven one, I'm guessing they don't have the sporty feel that I'd like.

I'm finding few choices in AT. MT makes it even more difficult. Good luck!

True That very well may be what I end up doing, but then I'll need to replace all my burnt out dash bulbs so they don't drive me crazy.

Hmmmm... I'm still keeping it on the list for now. Maybe a turbo could be okay if taken care of. Optima has everything else going for it. (I didn't mention that the Optima SX has LED tails, HID headlights, heated/cooled seats, USB interface and a lot of other goodies going for it.)

You're right. I just haven't paid much attention to what's out there so I wanted to start thinking about it ahead of time.

I agree and I also don't like the high repair & maintenance costs.

As others pointed out... too big, too heavy and MPGs are a little lower than I'd like.

Hmmm... And I do like the improvements Ford has made in reliability over the years. Taurus seems too big. Fusion is a little bland in the rear, but worth a look.

I'm okay with that.


Okay so here's my updated lists.

Cars on my possible contendors list:

• Kia Optima SX Turbo. (Test drove and liked it a lot.)
• Used Lexus IS350 AWD (or maybe a 250 AWD if the 350 AWDs are too expensive).
• Nissan Maxima
• Used Infinity G37x
• Acura TSX
• Mazda 6
• Subaru Legacy AWD V6
• VW CC
• Ford Fusion (maybe Taurus?)

Cars that have been suggested that I don't like.

• BMW 328xi
• Dodge Charger
• Hyundai Sonata Turbo
• Honda Accord
• VW Jetta TDI Cup Edition

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Weird. We're in the same situation in terms of what we want and when. I'll likely be selling my beloved TL for something else come next spring/summer. The miles keep on piling on and I'll likely look for something with AWD for college in Michigan.

My list (granted, AWD is more of a priority)

07+ G35/G37X
VW CC VR6 4motion
Acura RDX
Lexus GS AWD
BMW 335xi
MB C300 4Matic
TL SH-AWD (still pricier than others though)

I like the new Optima A LOT but I'd have to drive it before I'd really want it. I also am curious about the 2012 Civic SI. But then again, both of those don't have AWD, something I want. The IS250 AWD just seems like it would be boring. I LOVE the VW CC, but reliability scares me. The second that thing started giving me issues, I'd get pissed off knowing I could have purchased a more reliable car. Cheap new sedans with AWD seem to be a rarity.

mrmako

The folks over at Subaru have not made a V6 since.........

H6 man, H6. Flat 6 or Boxer.

Take a look at a 2008 or 2009 Legacy GT. Better styling, and they are very dependable. If you can find a spec B, you're in for a handling treat. Just drive one if you can.

Now, the VW CC. I love the style, kind of like a miniature CLS. but the car only seats 4.

Legend2TL

I've also had to replace 3 light bulbs in the steering wheel and dash. They are not fun to replace, oddly enough until our 2003 Pilot and 2005 TL, I never had to replace a dash light in any of the previous Honda/Acura's we owned (~10 vehicles). I wonder what happened with the new dash lights (bad design, bad manufacturing,....) as to why they seem to not last the life of the vehicle.

I think your 3G TL will go well into 200K+ miles without any major problems. My wife's Pilot has 185K miles and only a couple minor problems. Which reminds me I have to order two instrument lights for the climate control panel backlighting when i order some more oil filters

ThermonMermon

is350 awd slightly used - hands down. the 350 is only 2-4 mpgs worse than the is250. its quick as hell too - think is hits 60 right at the 5 second mark.

try to find the navigation package with the mark levinson upgrade. should be able to find one for 30k with ease.

done.

Legend2TL

Keep driving your TL

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Didn't IS350 AWD just come out last year? How would he find a slightly used one for around $30k?

YEH

At around that pricerange - my list would come down to the Optima SX, the Maxima and a used G37x.

Coming from a TL, just keep in mind that the rear leg room in the IS is significantly tighter - so, if you have rear adult passengers on a somewhat common basis, it may not be the most suitable.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

+1 unfortunately. Anything like that used is around $40K. That's disgusting money for how small of a car it is, not to that body style has been available since 2005. $40K, I'd buy a new TL SH-AWD or G37x for a tad bit more.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Yes. I don't think Lexus IS is a great choice for his case.

ThermonMermon

but have you seen how good they look with yellow lights??

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

dude......... that's just so stupid

Saintor

Passat 2012 V6 SEL (sunroof, NAVI) negociated to 30-32K$ or so - well maybe. But *NEVER* something that is/sounds like a 4-cyl. at that price.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Oh yeah, how's the new Passats doing? Did it come out yet?

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

Without have shopped thoroughly yet, those are the ones that I think I'd end up coming down to. I'm glad to see that you agree.

Why not?

I think the biggest problem would be getting a clean one in my price range, but if it was in that price point then I think I like it a lot. Perhaps I'll stick with my TL even longer so that I can find an IS350 AWD for $30k.

My biggest drawback with IS are that while I really like the looks, it is a 6 year old body style. Not too big a deal, but something I'm thinking about. I'd hate to pay big dollars and then be jealous of the newer body that comes out a year later. Also, I keep hearing that the back seat is tight. I haven't checked one out yet, but I don't have adults in the back seat, but kids. I think it should be okay. I prefer a smaller car to a bigger car, but I do need the option to seat adults in the back if needed as I sometimes drive customers to lunch.



Nice looking.

So what's the difference between the Passat and the CC? Passat is bigger I assume? Never heard of the CC before this thread.