Im thinking about trading the tsx in for a turbo car. My two choices as of now are a Saab 9-3 aero 2.0t or an A4 1.8t. Hands down, both of these cars outhandle the tsx and are a little bit more mod friendly. Owning an 05 AT tsx doesn't leave me with many options for modability. Please tell me what you think, and if you think acura is superior to both of those cars that's cool too. Let's keep the flaming to a minimum please

 

i'll go for audi... not saab...

but that's just me.. I don't like that name. lol.

 

Both of your choices are electronic nightmares. If you want a turbo and you like the reliability of your TSX, think Subaru.

IMO Saab died when the 900 SPG was discontinued. The death certificate was signed when GM bought them.

I've owned Audi's, 2 of my technicians drive S4's. They are always working on something on their cars, and that's no big deal to them as the repair is just buying parts. If you're not a mechanic, it will be parts and very expensive labor.

 

the saaab loooks very nice.. so does the a4... ive been in a saab 9-3 and they just dont feel that luxorious, they are alrte. i would go with the audi.. or u could get a twin turbo vw for a little cheaper =)

 

were looking up info about saab and came across Audi's forum with someone asking the same thing..

they were flamming at each other.. @@
http://www.audiforums.com/m_304028/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm

 

I second the Subaru....I wouldn't touch a Saab, for sure, and Audi....I'd be very as well.

 

Test drove the saab 2.0t extensively....and I never thought it handled better than a TSX. The Saab central guys liked to point out the "ReAxs" passive rear steering make it livelier, but I thought the body roll wasn't as progressive as I wanted it, and the steering wasn't well weighted or again, as progressive as I'd like it. It wasn't as "alive" in my hands as the TSX was....

However, if you do think its a hands down better handler, that's your pref. I do happen to think that both of the cars you are choosing between are going to fun and easy to mod...from what I remember, the saab tuning was as easy as plugging in your PDA and choosing a program. However, both cars can be unpredictable....they could be reliable or they could have a ton of electronic gremlins. Its a roll of the dice; good luck.

 

i would have to disagree about these cars outhandling the tsx. Maybe around equal if you ask me. I would also give a +1 for the subaru. I came from a STi >tsx and im all around happy with the change the power and handles were a lot better the luxury and styling of the tsx makes up for it. plus my supercharger should be coming in soon gl to you.

 

As for reliability, both cars are certified with under 30k each. I like my tsx interior more than the saab's but I wouldn't mind having a simple layout. The a4 seems a little harder to do maintenance on yourself but it's a really solid and good looking car.

 

I drove a turbo'd saab 900s (i don't really remember the letters after the 900). It was pretty nice and fun, and it cornered with little body roll. I also liked having the ignition between the driver's and passenger seat. However, eventually it started having all sorts of problem. The engine died on me, and my dad somehow got it working again by changing the distributor cap wires around. I eventually became scared to drive it. Eventually the car was useless, and we stored it on our driveway for a few years. We tried to sell it to a junk yard, but not a single one wanted it. We eventually had to pay someone to take it away.

As long as there's nothing wrong, the car was very fun to drive. But as mentioned before, reliability was horrible.

Audi is very popular now, but I have no experience with them.

I'm happy with honda/acura...I can abuse the cars and they won't fall apart. The Saab I babied, and it fell apart. =P

I agree with the above...if I were to choose a car, I'd go with subaru. Although I'm kinda waiting for the next generation TSX to see if it's turbocharged...

 

A friend has had several A-4's...and while fun, stylish and capable, they are not reliable long-term.
Another friend has owned several Saabs. (Until recently.)

The cars Saab made before GM bought them out were quirky but fun to drive and well-designed. (They have never been reliable.) But the past several years of Saabs have been much below their previous standards. They are cheap and not well-designed. Every Car & Driver review of the turbo Saabs talks about vicious torque-steer and sloppy handling. And the reliability problems have evidently gotten worse.

 

I wouldn't go for either. Both have MAJOR reliability issues and on top of that... maintenance costs are going to skyrocket for you in the long term. If you really want a turbo car...

1. turbo the tsx =D when you find out how let me know lol
2. WRX/EVO are superb choices for forced induction BUT they are much less refined with exception of the new generation ones.
3. A4 is a great car... when it works a better German option are the new BMW's that are fitted with Turbo's absolutely phenomenal cars.
4. Acura RDX if you are looking at compact suv's (this car has potential to give you whiplash especially with Church Automotive's mods who claim an added +20 whp with just a downpipe!!!)

 

neither-based on our previous turbo car-a 1991 mazda mx-6 GT. recommend a mazda-speed 3 or 6. our mazda, had over 250,000 miles on it, when we sold it last year.it had the original turbo, engine, transmission, clutch and still ran excellant. if you really can afford it go for the porsche. if not, suburu or the mitsubishi.

 

I've always wanted an evo, but I realize that it is totally unreasonable and unpracticle for my age right now. My insurance would sky rocket (I am already paying really high premiums now) and if you look on the evo forums, most don't even use them as their daily driver. I'd say the TSX is a pretty good car for my age right now. Maybe in a few years when I am older and have more money I will consider the move, but right now the TSX is fine. You should do a similar evaluation for yourself.

 

The new Subaru WRX's look A LOT like the TSX and have good engines and are really nice looking. I actually would consider those myself.....

 

Really?

I think the new WRX's look absolutely atrocious . Best WRX body style by far = 04/05 STi.

To the OP, I wouldn't pick either of your choices. I have friends that have both cars, and they're both horrendous for reliabilty. My vote would be to get an 04 ECU and a S/C...

 

I believe you're thinking of the Legacy GT. There are lot of similar design cues between the TSX and Legacy GT, especially around the front of the car.

My buddy has an '05 5MT version of that car and it's quite nice. Tons more power available much sooner in the RPMs than the TSX and it's AWD. The TSX (imo) wins in terms of interior quality and ride quality (quite close in handling with the AWD being the deal breaker). The fuel efficiency of the TSX is much more flexible depending on how you drive. The Subaru is always sucking down gas the way the TSX does when you're beating on it while the TSX can be quite miserly when you're just puttering around. I like the brakes more on the Subaru too but it's just a minor advantage.

If what you're looking for is a TSX with more balls right off the line but you don't want to give up a ton in comfort department, take a good look at the Subaru Legacy GT. They just bumped the motor up to 3.0 liters too so it should be quite a bit stronger than the TSX now (though I'd expect the fuel efficiency to suffer accordingly as well).

 

Driven both and here's another opinion for you...It all depends on how long you want to keep the car. Saabs/Audis are great cars for about the first 5 years. I have an old style 9-3 and it still runs great at 7.5 years old, but I still had to replace a laundry list of items that you wouldn't have to on a japanese car. Also my friend at the time had an A4 and it ran fine till it was around 5 when it needed a piston replaced...good thing for the certified warranty. She now drives a subie.

As for performance the A4 1.8 engine is underpowered on the heavy AWD platform but will outhandle the Saab easily. Also the audi is a low pressure turbo and Saab is a high pressure so you actually get real boost from a Saab and you know there's power under the hood, especially in the Aero model. A4 power will be more like the TSX...good power but will probably leave you wanting more.

After I say all this I'm actually looking to get a TSX this year because I'm tired of european maintenance...just waiting to see what the 09 model will be...

 

Car and Driver comparison test - http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...acura-tsx.html
Kicked 3 other turbos' butts, especially the A4.

 

No, was talking about the new WRX and you think this is ugly?!?!?!






I really like it, A LOT actually!!! You can't say that doesn't have VERY similar lines as the TSX......

 

from the front/side, it definately has some TSX traits.

but i'd have to agree, that thing is freaking ugly. it's like they're trying to appeal to the masses by making it a nice, grown-up sedan, but retain some of the aggressive features of the past generation. except it's not working at all.

 

The front on the WRX is fine, but IMO the back end is ugly. I also have to say that it looks nothing like the TSX.

 

you don't think the more-subtle scooped hood looks ridiculous?

and yeah, the back is atrocious. it looks like a saturn or something.

 

I can't get past the Chrysler Sebring grill personally.

 

i say legacy gt

 

mazdaspeed 3 ftw


or an 04/05 sti/wrx


or if none of them go with the audi

 

umm...does the back not look like a corolla to u?

 

get the legacy 2.5 gt if you want power and refinement...u won't regret it
one of my best friends has it, it now comes with six speed...

it'll blow the doors off the tsx, a4, and saab 9-3

 

For turbo...

$$$$$ e90/e92
$$$ Legacy GT
$ MS3

 

More like Saturn Ion

 

my brother just picked up one about few months ago and I love it... You can't go wrong with turbo and awd.

 

I was going to say Kia Spectra.

 

Go for the Audi you named upscale cars for a reason, and as much as I'd like to say STI or EVO, I think you should stay within the upscale lux cars. You might be disappointed when it comes to the interior of other cars. Also try test driving the, don't forget to drive the S4 if it's in your price range.

 

++ on the RDX. Go drive one - it will surprise you. Check out the TOV article on the Project RDX. Keep it in the family.

 

Subaru Legacy GT (With leather etc.)

AWD, fast, nice refined interior (not as good as Audi), blast to drive.

 

My mom test drove an RDX, it's a fun car but isn't that great on gas mileage due to it's weight, awd, and turbo.

 

It looks like the WRX got drunk and had sex with a Camry and now they have an ugly bastard child that no body wants to acknowledge.

The only similarities I see are in the rear bumper and the general profile with that accent line running down the side. I hope the thing took a big step up in the performance arena because it's a huge step backwards in aesthetics. It looks like they're trying to make it compete against cars that it has no business with.

 

Fot the Legacy GT, do you think the Spec B model is better and is it worth the extra cost? This is assuming that you wanted a manual, not the automatic... the GT is a 5-speed manual, the Spec B is 6-speed.

 

that subaru does look like a Kia from the back, A LOT

for me i didn't like the 06 A4 1.8T b/c i test drove my cousin's car a few weeks ago......and it didn't surprise me at all........kinda feel like driving my sis's old car 04 Jetta.......

 

Legacy GT or a Mazdaspeed6
If you plan modifying, go for the Legacy GT- responds well to mods