How are you all?

I was a huge fan of BMW 3 since 1995. I liked the edge exterior style which was very german like. The style has evolved to have nicer interior, and espeially the coupe version has nicer curves along the side with mid-edge-line accents. I have always dreamed to own one of those (grey coupe).

Now I am graduating, and fortunatly, with some job offers, and got one, now I need to decide what to buy. My 1999 maxima was very loyal to me but I want her in some good hands before I see her piss on the street.

I did some research, figured out that it is a very tough market for many car makers. I liked the Audi's style best somehow (I had pretty good chance to have one of these because my housemate was selling one). However, it was not easy to just say yes becase it was used.

Now I am comparing BMW 3 (outdated style with overpriced sticker), Mercedes C230 turbo (pricy with so-so option), and TSX.

Somehow, TSX maches my needs. I may change my minds after I see the new BMW 3 in the future because it was my fantasy, but now I want to get TSX. My first car was 1995 Honda civic, and it was very fun to drive.

Now, my question is I don't know if I should get a manual or automatic for TSX. 95 civic (my first car, manual LX) was very fun to drive, but I cannot say anyting about conviniance (after 2 hour jamming experiance drinving up to George Washington Bridge in NJ with the clutch buring smell). I want to get some information if this car is everyday fun to drive even if the car is jamming in the traffic.

Thanks.

Jae

damn man, I didnt understand half of what you wrote, but test drive them both and decide what you want.

I dont know what car is THAT fun to DRIVE if it is "jamming in the traffic".

oh and welcome!

I love the 6MT, but that's just me. I also find that the cllose ratio gears are slightly easier to use compared to a long-geared 5MT. But it most probably isn't as driveable as a 5AT in traffic jams. But once the traffic loosens up, ooh, baby, it is soo worth having a 6MT.

6Mt rules, i have never owned a car with automatic, becasue mt is so fun to drive, but tsx is best of them all

Jae, I was also choosing between the 3 series and the TSX. I chose the TSX in the end because the TSX offers so much more as a "whole package", for $6000 LESS! OK, before the BMW owners here get upset, I do agree that the 3 series has slightly better performance, but I don't buy a car for just performance. It is only part of the whole equation. I wanted luxury, reliability and luggage space etc and the TSX wins in all these areas.

The new 3 series does look nice, but you will have to wait for a long time (2005) before you can get it.

Between 5AT and 6MT, I chose the former because I do mostly city driving and constantly changing gears would just drive me crazy! LOL

Good luck!

If you felt okay with your Civic MT in the city traffic, why not 6MT for your TSX?

I have owned MT ones such as Infiniti G20 and VW Golf amongst others. They were all fun to drive for me. Particularly, I loved my G20 with 5MT. The last two years, I have been with Subaru Legacy 4AT, but IMO, its AT completely diminished the fun part of the driving. It is a great car in terms of safety & convenience in all driving conditions, but it is the AT, but not Subaru, that made the driving with the car just an easy but boring thing.

Now I am getting a 6MT TSX. Some said TSX is a reincarnation of Infiniti G20. This was almost the killing statement for me to decide.

Your situation sounds similar to the one I was in before I purcahsed my tsx. I looked at the 3 series but didn't think it was worth the price, same with the audi a4. The second I sat in the C230 kompressor, I hated it bc the interior looked hella cheap and it was uncomfortable. The Lexus is300 was the closest competitor and I would have bought it had it not costed $6000 more! I also looked at the saab 9-3 which had one of the worst interiors i've ever seen for the price of an is300.

I'm completely satisfied with the tsx, IMO, there's no better value for $27,000.