I'm about to sell my 2004 TL which has a little over 200k. I've narrowed my next vehicle to the 2010 year models of the TL, TSX, G37x, or Benz C300. Can't seem to choose between the four. What do you guys recommend?

 

Well your 10 year old TL has over 200K, seems like a pretty good endorsement for Acura...Benz went through a few years of poor reliability...the G is a nice car and Nissan/Infiniti are good companies. Drive em and see which you like.

 

I love the new TSX's

 

A 4G TL SH-AWD or IS350 would be at the top of my list. G37 is also worth a test drive. The TSX is too slow and the C300 too expensive to maintain.

 

My answer depends on yours:
-How much mileage per year (you may want a higher mpg car)?
-What features do you want, or are willing to live without
-What's your budget?

Given the choices, I'd go for the TL

 

The 4g tl get's a lot of crap but it's still a very nice car. I have an 08 type s and I love getting the chance to drive my girlfriends 09 base TL. It has a good amount of pick up for the base model thanks to the 3.5L engine. It's not as "planted" feeling as my type S due to a number of factors and it's not a bad thing, just different, definitely more luxury tuned. And say what you will about the looks but I think it's stunning in it's own way, ahead of it's time really with everyone else just now coming out with a more radical look. Gas mileage ain't half bad either, especially if you managed to get a good deal on a '12 plus with the higher fuel economy/updated looks.

I personally have driven at least a dozen 2g TSXs and while nice, are nothing special. Compared to the 4g TL it's not even half as nice in any category outside of looks. It's suspension makes you feel like you'll fly off the road and though peppy, it severely underpowered. On top of that the fuel economy isn't THAT much better to be that weak.

Personally I'd never look at a MB C class. If I didn't go Acura it'd definitely be a Lexus or Infiniti (though the older IS's looked a little too feminine for me). Regardless there are a bunch of good cars out there and testing them all out to your liking is half the fun. As I said I love the 4g but based on what most people said here I'd never have considered it such a good ride until I drove one myself. Hopefully I'll get a good 200k out of my TL like you did before I'm in the same predicament lol. Good luck and keep us updated

 

335i

 

My family has a C300 so I've driven it quite often - it's a pretty lackluster car that will cost a lot to maintain. I agree with JBlessing & UKwrath on pretty much all accounts.

The 4G definitely isn't my cup of tea out of the factory. However with some aesthetic tweaks, it can be a really good looking car.



Taken from eazy's thread in 4G section:

 

i'd go with the g37x

 

get the g37 4 door bro.

not as nice in the inside but still nice. or get a type S.

the benz and tsx are not in the same class as the g37 or TL.

BMW twin turbo engines are unreliable and you should only get one if you have a total warranty on the car.

lastly how much are you trying to spend? look at 2009 pontiac G8's as well if you like power and space.

my pops has a GXP and its a monster. but the GT has plenty of power and room for improvement.

 

That White 4G is so damn sexy. There's quite a few nice one's I've seen on these boards. I always thought people overreacted to it's looks. A-Spec kit, paint-matched grille, drop on some nice fitted wheels and that car is money!

 

Not sure if it's out of your budget, but if you could swing a 2012+ 4G TL then out of your choices that would get my vote. IMO the 2009-2011's are pretty bad looking, alright really bad looking. The updated 12's look worlds better even though it's still not the best overall body style.
The Benz interiors are super boring looking IMO. TSX is pretty nice, but won't be anywhere near as fun as driving a 4G TL SH-AWD. I have never been into the G cars. They are just a dime a dozen and nothing special to look at. Again, just my opinions.
If you are 100% set on the ones you listed, I guess my vote would go to the TL only if it's SH-AWD model and would require some cosmetic work with that grill. If it's a base TL then I would get the G.

 

the G37's replacement is the Q50, as infiniti will permanently discontinue the G37 by 2015.

the Q50 is essentially a rebodied G37. between the two, I'd go with the Q50

 

As much as I love the styling, isn't the Q50 experiencing a TON of issues? I swear I've read nothing but electrical issues from owners. I'm pretty sure some posters here can vouch for what I'm saying. And as James said a 4G, especially the '12 plus models are the best coupled with the better fuel economy. It's hard to beat a tastefully modded 4g TL no matter which year. Especially the blacked out ones

 

i work for lexus but we own an infiniti dealer as well, i would avoid the q50 until things get worked out. i work for parts and its a small crew.

a 2010 g37 is an amazing car with hardly any issues. again the interior leaves something to be desired compared to the TL IMO. but, its a great car either way with tons of power

 

Wrong.

Don't buy a BMW but get a Pontiac instead? Seriously

 

I agree with the 4G TL with SH-AWD, especially the 09-11 with lip kit as posted above. I actually don't like the rounded off style of the 12+. I actually test drove one, and it was certainly a nice car.

I've also gotten into the 2015 Hyundai Genesis sedan...as of now, I think it might be next car, once a used one comes into a price range I'm comfortable with. 429hp V8, AWD, amazing interior, great styling...I really am looking forward to seeing it at this year's auto show. Pics for anyone who hasn't seen one yet:

 

I don't know. I would have a hard time buying a hyundai or kia

 

That's the standard reaction...but Hyundai/Kia are different brands than they used to be. The wife's new Sonata has been solid as could be, and I'm sure the Genesis 5.0 would be the same. The value factor there is huge, and it would be a total sleeper.

 

I say, "Go big or go home..........Aventador!"

 

You would be surprised when you find out how many problems people are having with the new Q50. From the electric power steering assist to the in-car infotainment system. Definitely a car everyone should try to stay away from for now. It's a good looking car though. Those headlights really stand out at night.

I like the Kia Optima SX Turbo. Panoramic sunroof, heated rear seats, cooled/heated front seats, a good amount of power from the small turbo 4. Very good car for its price point.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe in both 2.0 and 3.8 also make a good amount of power for the size of the motor and RWD and priced good.

10 year / 100,000 mile powertrain warranty is very nice...

Both Kia and Hyundai have come very far since 2006-2007. The cars they make now look way better than anything they had in the past and the features are all there.

I do admit the Kia Cadenza and Kia K900 are both ugly, but I would trade my 3G for a Optima SX Turbo, 2.0T or 3.8 Genesis coupe.

Equus and Genesis Sedan both look very nice but that's a lot of money

 

Good comments by viet. The brands may as well be entirely renamed IMO, which would eliminate the stigma of times past.

The Cadenza and K900 I would prefer to like, but the grill especially just doesn't work for me. The Genesis may be considered an Audi ripoff, but even if it is, I could afford the Genesis way before I could afford an A6/7, especially the maintenance costs of the used German cars. Like I said, it would be a good year after it is released before I could really start looking at the Genesis, especially since I want the 5.0 R-Spec, but I really think it is a lot of car for the money, coupled with maintenance costs that wouldn't worry me.

 

i will give them credit for improvements. the design for most of their auto lines is vastly improved.

i think what it comes down to is we can mention and recommend many types of cars, but the end of the day the op and any other person with a "what should i get?" thread needs to go drive and compare the cars they are contemplating

anything we say or recommend on here really comes down to personal preference or brand loyalty anyway, which is inherently biased. buy the car you want, not the car everyone else wants.

my.02

 

True words by Graf. I just re-read the OP and realized 2015 Genesis doesn't really apply here anyway since he wants to buy now and a 2010 model. Could certainly consider the previous gen Genesis, but I don't think it looks near as good.

 

Those cars are hawt...painting the beaks is the trick.

 

Thanks guys for useful information that's been posted. My budget is 20 and I drive around 25 miles per year. I've eliminated the C300 due to the dull interior and repair cost/reliability. The Tsx is fun but I would only get the 2012 with the tech package but that's out of my budget. The 2009-2010 TL will looks nice with the body kit that's posted earlier. Are there any common problem with those model years? Also does the G37 have better gas mileage? (I'm assuming it takes only premium gas like the TL)

 

go with a TL SH-AWD for comfort and a bit of power or g37 for speed (lacks the interior of the TL. you can find a tl for 22k with 40kmi

 

the G37x takes premium and does not have better gas mileage.

but... its a fun car to drive

 

6MT 4G TL SH-AWD or Used S4..

 

Out of curiosity, how much did you sell your TL for?

 

Another vote for the 4G TL. There seem to be a few aftermarket grills out there that will make it look pretty nice. It's kind of a different animal from the 3G's but I think it's a nice car.

 

Yea....hard not to vote for the 4G at that price point. I've more than once wavered and thought about picking one up, might even test drive one this week while I'm off just for fun.

Just like the 3G, lip kit, slight drop, and wheels do wonders for the car. Difference is you also need to paint match the grill. After that tho, the car can really look fantastic.

 

Whats the resale value on that 200K TL? That answers it.

 

God that new Genesis looks good KJ.

We've got a 2012 G37 with the sport appearance package in the house and it's a pretty nice car. It's not as smooth as the ES350 it's replacing and I still prefer my TL to it but the power is there, the fun is there, the "look" is there... It's a great car in my opinion, just wish it was 6MT.

Stay far away from the Q50 for now. Too many electrical gremlins, sounds like they ditched the E46 M3's and hopped on a new car. hahaha

*Edit: If it was me, my options would be

- 4G TL 6MT SH-AWD
- IS350
- Used IS-F
- Used E9x M3
- Used S4
- G37S

Some of these may or may not fit your budget. Congrats on keeping your TL till 200k by the way.

 

i had a 2007 acura tl type s i traded it for a limited edition g37 sport sedan

 

Well maintained E39 M5 will keep a big smile on your face all the way to redline.
They are pretty cheap too.

 

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j...89998394997554
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j...89998473804907
Well maintained E39 M5 will keep a big smile on your face all the way to redline.
They are pretty cheap too.

 

I'd say go for the 4th gen and color match the grill.

 

Ha! My thoughts exactly.... my MIL has a G6. You haven't lived until you have experienced the brilliance of the G6. It has that rare, sought after feeling of being big on the outside and small on the inside. I can only assume that it was designed for primates who do not yet walk fully erect or perhaps nobody at Pontiac actually ever sat in the car before they released it to the public?...???

I hit my head on the sun visor EVERY time I sit in her car. Until that car, I didn't think it possible to bump the sun visor with your temple when entering a car.

//Rant//