robphelan

If you didn't buy your TL, what was your alternate choice?

The reason I'm asking is that I am considering trading in my 2009 Tech for something that's a little smoother and quieter.

My wife sustained brain damage from a catastrophic accident and the noise and bumps in the road are sometimes too much for her to handle.

I tried the CTS, but the 3.0L (more affordable), was very lacking. However, my commute now is all surface streets where I rarely go over 45 - 50 mph. On occasion, I do get to highways where it sure does feel nice to be driving my TL.

Treblig

I was considering the VW CC.

C8N

Smoother and quieter? perhaps the Lexus ES or the GS?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Look into a lexus!

Dymondawg

Sorry to hear about your wife. Hopefully she's doing better.

When I hear smoother and quieter, I think Lexus and Buick. The former brand being my preference if I had to choose.

Limelight

Nissan Maxima or Inifiniti M37. Didn't like the Maxima and didn't want to spend the extra for an M37 - but very nice car.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

RL with a good set of tires.

shurik74

Buick LaCrosse...

Mr Marco

Cts

VQPower37

lexus is probably your best bet ... sorry to hear about ur wife, hope she is/ has recovered well from the injury

robphelan

thanks for all the well wishes.. we're 354 days out from the injury - we're having a re-birthday party for her to celebrate her being alive and her progress so far.

I really like the design of the LaCrosse every time I see it, but is Buick still considered an "old folks car"? We love the Lexus reliability but the outward appearance seems too Camry-ish - well at least the GS.

I have a cousin who works at a local Cadillac dealer - i'm going to see if I can test drive a Lexus if they have any available.

jspagna1

Godspeed to your wife. As others have mentioned, the smoothest and quietest cars I have ever been in and driven is the Lexus. My mother-in-law has owned two of them and I would highly recommend them.

BEAR-AvHistory

I buy what I like because I like it but in the image world Buick like Cadillac is trying to move to a youthful market because us old farts are dying off. They have been doing pretty good with their new products in the car mags like C&D or R&T.

KarKraze

Best wishes for your wife,with regards to smooth quiet cars,i have the same suggestion as others ie Lexus ES 350,Cadillac Cts 3.4 Direct Injection,Buick Lacrosse,Buick Regal.

I drove in all the cars above and the Lacrosse is really smooth,quiet and impressive as a package.I also have an 01 Olds Aurora and after almost 200k kms i have had minimal issues with it.

Good luck and i hope all work out well for you and the family.

LawnPro

A 3G TL for sure

Tech12

I test drove most of the cars mentioned except for Cadillac. I liked my 2012 TL ride better then similar priced Lacrosse IMO. Lexus, of course, very smooth and quiet, but priced too high for me. Infiniti G37 was on final list for me, but TL won out. How about Toyota Avalon? 2013's just came out, 2011 and 2012 probably have some nice deals.
Good luck to you both.

lji

I'm going to suggest the Lexus as well... the ES and GS will do, but look into an LS if you can... maybe even one slightly used... Good luck!

stars_fan

RL but I choose the TL based on availability

C8N

How about the Hyundai Genesis?
Should be a soft ride

cagilber

No real backup plan for me as I was coming from a 2011 RDX. I did look at the new 2013 RDX, but couldn't pass up the deal on out-going 2012 TLs.

I had considered looking at a G37, but didn't really like the styling. Everything else loaded to the point of my Advance TL seemed to be quite a bit more money.

CerberusKy

iTrader: (1)

I was looking for an AWD with a manual tranny, so with that in mind...
in order of preference at the price point:
Subaru Impreza GT
Audi S4
Subaru WRX (not sti - to firm a ride)
used 2010 Infiniti M56x (yes I know it does not come in a manual)
Infiniti G37x (no manual tranny option)

Oswald Vater

I was looking at the ES and test-drove one but it was just too sedate for me at the time as well as too pricey with comparable TL/tech equipment. However, it sounds like that is what you need at the moment so I'd give it a look. If I were looking today I'd also consider the 2013 Toyota Avalon or even a 2012 leftover that you should be able to get a good deal on.

PS - prayers for your wife and hope she can fully recover from her injuries over time.

Booya4139

G37... it was smaller, slightly inferior interior, and equal options pricing put it a bit more expensive...

I'd get the Lexus ES if i was you... buying a 'cool looking car' should be much lower on the criterion list as your wifes health while riding in it. Hell buy a lincoln towncar. A sofa on wheels is what you need.

jspagna1

^^^ This is a great suggestion. My brother-in-law had a 2000 Avalon and he drove that car for 250,000 miles before he sold it and that car rode very smoothly and quietly.

diamondmit

I disagree with many of the recommendations except for the Avalon, and Genesis - I've had a GS430 for 215K miles and it was an attempt by Lexus to build a "sportier" car - it did not have a cushy ride (it wasn't sporty either but that's beside the point). The Infiniti's I've driven have been firm too. The Subaru's may be nice as their interiors have improved dramatically in the last couple of years (I had a 2001 Outback....nice car but not in the class of the Acura...it's much better now.)

Check out the Hyundai Genesis. We have a 2012 and were mildly dissatisfied with the ride. When we switched to winter tires, the darn thing absolutely floated over bumps - really, really comfortable. It handles well, is very comfortable, full of features, has been totally reliable, gets decent gas mileage, is wicked quick (we have the 8 cylinder) and my wife has been fully satisfied (no wife fully satisfied jokes please - the car achieved this, not me).

I haven't driven an Avalon in some time, but it has been getting very positive reviews. I think you've got to avoid low profile tires as the short sidewall gives up too much compliance for your needs.

I hope this info is helpful - good luck.

dd

Edward'TLS

What's best for both you and your wife is a sedan, such as the 3-series, that has driver adjustable suspension.

Switch to the comfort mode for the easiest ride for your wife, and switch to sport mode for the some thrills in life when you see fit.

jerlands

Sorry 'bout the wife...
Our daughter has a Lexus RX350 and I really like the ride.

Don1

My friend whose wife has similar issues to yours bought a Lexus ES 350. I also test drove one but found it too boring for my tastes. I also drove the Genesis but on rough roads it had a terrible harsh ride and ruled it out on that basis. The Avalon had a cushy ride but too uncontrolled for my taste. I didn't try the Buicks because I have had them in the past and found their reliability to be lacking.

Chilinout

Rob...
First...Prayers for your wife...I just traded my 2007 LS 460 for a 2010 TL because I missed my 05 TL that I sold in 2010.
The LS to me was like floating on the road. A very quiet and smooth ride. That's what I would suggest for you. For me I missed that firmer ride and my Acura!

Shellyduchsk8s

Other two contenders were a Jag and a BMW 5 series. Still love the Jag XF, not so much on the BMW.

PeterPort

I was looking for a manual Lexus IS. They are hard to find. Also considering Audi.

robphelan

thanks again for the well-wishes. I test drove the 3.0l CTS and was bitterly disappointed with the acceleration - or lack thereof.

I'm supposed to test drive the Buick LaCrosse next - there's a dealer right across the highway from work.

I'm trying to get the cadillac dealer to let me keep a 3.6 overnight so my wife can ride in it.

JM2010 SH-AWD

^^I just had a CTS rental a couple of weeks ago for a day/250 mile trip.

It was OK (and I still like the styling), but suffice to say I was glad to get back into my TL.

Plus the thing got terrible gas mileage - 23 on the freeway.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Believe it or not, I actually put a deposit on a Toyota Camry Hybrid.


I'm so glad I didn't get that.

compewterbleu

...Ford Mustang GT or Nissan 370Z. Not into GM even though I checked out the newer Camaro and CTS, there is something about there quality and finish that just doesn't set well with me. When it comes to getting another ride I'm looking at going German again, Porsche of course.

silverrevlis

I had two backups, I think you can call them backups, if either Audi had come back with a decent lease on the A6 3.0T, or my BMW dealer would have not tried to shaft me on a 535i lease I would not have had the TL today.

AtotheZ

I wish your wife continuous improvement and a quick recovery. My friend has a lexus ES 350 and its so smooth on any kind of road, I would recommend that. As to answer the question, I was looking into Mercerdez c63 amg before finding out about the TL. Reliability horror stories for the c63 amg made me shy away, I do miss those roaring 451 horses though

saturno_v

Not much alternative to me because at the time of my purchase AWD and a manual transmission was a must.

First ranked alternative was the Subaru Legacy GT Premium, not too much in love with some of the styling but at least it was cheaper.

Second and third alternative were the BMW 335i xDrive and the Audi S4......I do rank them lower than the Legacy because, as with the Subaru, I was not in love with the styling and they were smaller and more cramped than the TL but these two were actually pricier and statistically more troublesome than Subaru and Acura as reliability goes.

A 535 xDrive with a manual may have won me over. (I love the BMW inline 6 turbo)

I was lucky that I got exactly what I wanted...I would not trade a RWD M5 for my TL SH-AWD living in the northwest.

Nowadays, I may consider a dual clutch transmission for my next purchase.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Really, I lied about the Camry. My backup car was an Aventador....

AtotheZ

@Steven Bell: I was looking at used 2008/2009 Mercedez c63 amg and there were many around 37-42K. I had a 2008 V6 mustang and wanted something with more power and better interior. The interior of c63 amg is not that great, car is RWD, but what a nice feeling it is to floor it. I also read a lot of complaints about reliability and since I was looking for used, most of the cars did not have much warranty left.

I saw the 2012 Acura and I liked the interior(much better than c63) and it was FWD with years of warranty since it was CPO so I went for it. So c63 amg and Acura TL are comparable but a hybrid Camry and Aventador? lol thats a far stretch