Right now i drive a 95 gs-r (i love it and i hate it) buttt im going to be starting in the real estate business in a few months and i need a 4 door which can seat an adult comfortably in the back seat. hows the room back there? i want something that looks classy, looks expensive, looks succesful, but since im broke right now also something thats relatively cheap! ive been looking at TLs and TSXs a lot online but its hard to tell online how they really are. id like to get something that will be fun to drive while im by myself, but also that is classy. i hear the TSX handles well and it seems like it may be a bit less expensive than a TL which is good. im looking to spend hopefully under 18k PP. the lower the price the better.. right now im looking MOSTLY at TSX and CTS.. but i hate to NOT buy an import so im reluctant to get a cadillac. i can go just off of looking at the specs and the design of the car, but i want to know how everyone feels about their TSX after driving it for 5, 10, 20k miles. theres more to a car than its specs and design. how do u think it compares to a CTS? how pleased r u w ur TSXs? and damnit ill have to get auto! = / i know this isnt the TL section but how do u think the TSX compares to the TL? bc the prices used PP r pretty close.. any suggestions welcome!

 

Seems like you want a luxury brand for the image, but since you're broke I'd really look closely at an Accord. I know it's not a luxury brand, but it gets the job done very well and will be easier on your budget, plus it has more room in the back for your clients. You will be very hard pressed to find a TL in your price range unless you go with a 2G, which isn't a bad choice, but with bad trannies I'd stay away from them.

 

If you are split between tsx and tl, because of rear seats, I will say go with TL. The back seats in TSX is quite small. Personally, I think it is similar to toyota corolla (size wise), which my sister drives. One time, when I gave my family a ride to a dinner, my dad kept on complaining how the rear seats are so small. I have no knowledge of CTS ,so I will not comment on that.

Hope I was a bit of a help.

 

i may consider the accord. i only plan on driving the car for a year or 2 at the most until i can afford something better. i just hate to have the honda badge.. people look more up to acura and down on honda. sad as it is. i hate having to buy a car based on image. butt it is cheap.. and it is temporary..

that damn back seat! ermm thats disappointing. i really like the interior styling of the TSX!

 

not trying to bump, but can anyone elaborate on the back seat space? how bad is it? terribly uncomfortable? is it REALLY as bad as corollas?

 

You should go check it out for yourself and see if it's something you can live with, as it can be cramped, especially for taller people. If I had to haul people around more, I'd probably get something a little bigger, but it's just me most of the time so I don't care. A nice well-kept Accord with some layers of Zaino would like pretty nice for you I think. At 20 years old, I don't think people would expect you to be driving a luxury car anyway.

 

If you are shopping primarily because you want a good start for your real estate career, then you should go with the TL because it gives a greater luxury and class impression than the TSX, which is a more fun drive but offers less in the image dept. Even though I am a TSX owner and fan, I really believe your clients will definitely more appreciate seeing and being in the TL.

 

The back seat of the TSX might be a little too small if you're driving people around constantly. I'd go with a used Accord/Camry/Maxima with a good trim package instead. It won't have the badge or the class of a TL or an ES etc but it should work.

What part of the country are you in? Now doesn't seem like a very good time to be getting into the real estate business.

 

I love how much space is in the back seat. It was one of the selling points for me. I wanted a car that was comfortable for people to ride in the back, and in comparison to the cars I was looking at the tsx is it. If you want to see a small back seat lookat an a4. ridiculous.

I have yet to receive a single complaint about the back seat. I'm 5'11" and I've ridden back there myself just to see how it is, and I was very pleased. I would say that unless you attempt to pack the car with 5 people who are all 6'6" and 300 lbs you will be quite alright.

This is of course personal opinion. I think calling the back seat small is ridiculous, but I'm sure the people who feel that way would say the same of my opinion. You should go to a dealership and ask if they can give you a test ride as you sit in the back seat. That way you can form your own opinion.

 

I think TSX, TL or Accord (which you absolutely should not be ashamed to drive because of your clients). Now, at 20 years old, WHY are you even considering a CTS?????? Is it to try and impress your clients? A 20 year old driving a Cad, just does not equate, actually anyone choosing to purchase a GM car over a Honda or Acura does not equate. Good luck on your choice.

Oh yeah, we had another couple ride in our back seat and they thought it was very comfortable.

 

i would look into something mid-sized, and slightly used. camry, accord, altima, and get them with leather and navi, if you can find them in your price range. it will take sometime to find one like that, but when you do, you wont be able to tell the interior difference between their luxury counter parts.

 

Listen, I love my TSX but the back seat room is not a strong point. The fore and aft room (knee room) in the back is just barely adequate with a normal sized adult driving. Around here most realtors drive full size SUV's or crew cab pickups (the dreaded Avalanche seems to be popular). I remember sitting in a CTS a couple of years ago and don't remember it being that big inside.

This is an investment for work. Check out what other realtors in your area drive before deciding.

 

There is enough room in the backseat in my opinion, but whether or not it's good enough is subjective. Here's what I do when looking at cars -- sit in the front seat, adjust things, make sure that I (and my feet) can fit in OK. (If that fails, there's no point in continuing). Then, leaving the front seat adjusted how I want it, crawl into the back. (In other words, don't let a salesman push the front seat up to make it seem better than it really is.)

IMO, the TSX backseat is better than Corolla, but you'll still have a tight fit if you put 3 people back there. For two I think it's pretty good, but larger cars will have more room.

I wanted to look at the CTS, but the salesman was a toolbox and didn't seem interested in having me look at the car. Odd.

I have seen RE salespeople use larger cars, like larger Cadillacs, Lexus ES, etc., but I don't see why any mid-size sedan shouldn't be more than enough. I think the TSX is classified as a compact?! If it were me, I'd probably still get the TSX. At least the seats are leather.

 

very helpful! unfortunately image plays a BIG part in this business, but it is also true that I'm only 20.. not THAT much is expected of me. and as far as driving a CTS at 20, they start at 30k, so theyre not that expensive. base is less than a TL actually. and im completely in agreeance with u about driving a GM over a honda. ive completely ruled out not only a caddy, but american cars in general. they just dont meet my standards and specifications in this price range. it seems ill have to stop by a dealer and check them out for myself. If i can afford a TL im kinda leaning toward that, otherwise i think itll be between the euro R and our regular accord. i hope to be back soon w pics of my new euro r! i was completely sold when i looked at the equipped interior. so beautiful! ur all so lucky! haha anyway, thanks for all the advice. very helpful

oh and for the guy who asked about real estate i live in LA.. well, SFV. the market sucks here too although experts say its just about bottomed out. agents who are in it for the long run learn to make it in times like these. when the market goes up, new agents flood in. by that time ill have my foot in the door and a few years of helpful experience.

til next time!

 

It would be very wise of you to stick with a Honda/Acura As far as room the back seat in the TSX is only about an inch smaller then the TL but a 06-up Accord is two inches larger then the TL so if its back seat room you're looking for maybe you should get a pre-owned fullly equipped Accord V6 w/ Navi and you could get one of those even as new as 2006 for about $20k- $23k.... and believe it or not most people dont know too much about cars and once they're inside a fully equipped V6 Accord w/ Navi they wouldnt even think they're sitting in a Honda. Not to mention the TSX and Accord share the same seats/interior. Dont get me wrong Im all about Acura (I own a TL) but if your budget is $18k you cant get a 3rd gen TL for that much unless it has like a salvage title and 100k miles... and a TSX well you could get one but with very high miles and it would be an 04-05... so go test drive them and see what you think but for the money you have I think your best choice would be an 06 Accord V6 w/ Navi. ... just my

 

My agent was an assistant district manager of the Seattle area. She deals regularly with multi-million dollar homes (median home value in seattle is somewhere around $5400k) - no, ours is not even a million dollar home... yet. She drove us around in a Toyota Camry.

Perhaps her experience and integrity speaks for itself though, and she didn't need to drive a luxury car?

In other words, are you SURE you need a luxury car vs. a very nice, very clean Accord or Camry?

 

I could see how you'd want to have the extra rear seat room of an Accord just in case several clients are larger than an average size man. If this aspect is important enough for you, a 2006 Accord with the redesigned tail lights is impressive enough. If you keep it clean and make sure you have some nice wheels (even the stock alloys will do, but wheel covers will not). One other thing to consider, maybe clients don't care so much what you drive as long as it's clean and not a junker that's not fit to drive people around in. The TSX is nice and I'm glad I have one, but I'm a little older and saved for a bigger than average down payment. You also mentioned that the vehicle will be a one or two year arrangement which is not that much time. Plus in the meantime, you could better afford a more expensive car when the time comes to upgrade. Actually, maybe you want to consider leasing if you absolutely know that you will move up to a new vehicle in a short period of time. It does actually cost more than buying, but since you want to buy some image without using as much cash upfront, leasing is a good way to do this.

 

I forgot to mention that I have about 6k miles right now and I'm pretty happy with the car. With the gas prices over $3 per gallon, the four cylinder is just about right for me. I need to keep the speeds down anyway with my recent speeding ticket, but I still have enough power for short or precarious on-ramps. I know you're not considering the Caddy anymore, but I wanted to say a few things. I'm sure the CTS is nice for the many features it has. The biggest advantage over the TSX is power, but the TSX has so much more going for it such as better handling, interior design and my favorite quality which is the unbelievably smooth, balanced, efficient Honda engine that sounds great too when you need to get the revs going. Plus I really like the driver oriented design of the controls, gauges and steering wheel.

If you want more refinement, better design, better engineering, more quality, more durability, better materials, the TSX is the way to go. I know I recommended the Accord for the rear seat room, but I also think that the Accord has the same fundamental advantages that the TSX has. The Acura just has a little more style and status. Obviously, the TSX is not perfect, but for what it costs, you get so much more out of the car over any American car. Actually, I think the value that you get is hard to beat for any car at any price from anywhere. Yes, I like my TSX, but I think the 2006 Accord will get the job done for you.

 

You need image in LA like you need an umbrella in Seattle. It's sad to say, but it's true. The people who are looking at properties will judge your ability to sell by the amount of money you SEEM to be making. It would be nice if everyone made judgements based on experience and integrity, but it's not true everywhere.

 

Heh. You can tell I'm a "country boy" (well, in comparison to LA!).

The TL's wide back seats is almost a must have if you're schlepping marks, er, clients to and fro. Or, as the previous poster said, a new/virtually new Accord with navi.

 

Get a Maxima or new Altima, both have more hp than an Accord and are about the same price.

 

I think the TSX's back is a bit small to be schlepping clients around in. Nobody's mentioned yet how hard it is to get your feet in past the very narrow bottom opening of the door. You really have to lift up at the knee and twist at the ankle to get your second foot into the car.

Stay away from the CTS. I peeked into one the other day, and the interior design was atrocious. Nobody will be impressed.

If all you're looking for is a premium badge and a decent back seat to shuttle from point A to B, how about a used ES300? Even the ones from like 5 years ago look pretty sharp (that's about the only thing I'll credit them with) - although the previous generation was pretty hideous!

 

fwiw, our broker had a Lexus ES something. We only went with her once, the other times we simply met at the property.

 

good point, and i dont think its NEEDED, but like one of the other guys said u need image in LA like u need an umbrella in seattle. people r REALLY superficial here. i think i could get by without it, people definitely do. but i spoke to a couple real estate brokers and both said that a nice car is really a plus because of people need to see success. i think my personality overlooks it though. i guess ill find out in a few months!

 

yeah ive completely ruled out CTS at this point and by the way a lot of these people r talking it seems TSX may not quite be as practical ad id like it to be. its funny u shud bring up an ES cuz i was driving behind one on the way home today and i thought to myself wow.. thats actualy pretty nice.. went past and saw wood grain interior. may be somehting to look at..

thanks again for all the input guys! dude let me tetll u, this forum is TEN times better than team-integra.net... theres a lot of good information there, but its just TOO strict! im afraid to ever post bc mods lock and delete EVERYTHING.. people r way more laid back here. well hoepfully in a couple years ill be more active here with a TL type s!! hehe ill keep u all updated on wut i get.. tghanks again for the advice!

 

Nissan/Inifiniti have a horrible resale value so he would just be throwing money down the drain buying a Maxima or an Altima... for a $18k budget your best bet is either a certified 2nd gen TL or a fully loaded Accord V6...

 

I agree with the less bulbous, slighltly angular 2001 ES300 suggestion. It's conservative, stylish and Lexus has almost as much status as a newer Acura even a used one. Well, not quite, but you get the picture. Resale value will be almost as high as a newer Acura.

Lexus/Toyotas are great products. If your preference for Acura/Honda is not a requirement, the older ES300 is a good way to go. Just a closing word about Lexus versus Acura. The quality in the Lexus is top notch and probably slightly better than the Acura. The Lexus is more luxury oriented and meant for an older crowd that usually has a little more money. Acuras are a better value and more driver oriented which I like. My car pleases me with its design and engineering with less emphasis on impressing others.

Who knows, maybe a Lexus is in my future down the line, but I'll wait until I'm into my forties before I consider that option. That may be a tough decision because I'm a Honda guy in case you haven't noticed. Honda engines have qualities that no other manufacturer can duplicate. If you've owned or driven Honda products you know what I mean. Good luck in your upcoming purchase!