pvn

Hi, I do not post here but I do read a lot. I am driving a 2012 TSX Tech for the last three years and I like it. The lease is ending in two months. The things I do not like are FWD and the lack of power especially when I am on a trip with my wife and baby with luggage and AC is on. For my next car I want RWD or AWD and a little more power. This is a must. I drive always on Sport mode (except on the highway) and I drive rather aggressively. My fuel consumption is 19.5mpg for the last 9000 miles (mostly city driving). If I get more powerful car I expect to get the same if not better mpg. The driving style affects the mpg much more than the engine displacement. My assumption is that I will not have to kick the gas pedal so hard on a more powerful car with more Nm in a lower rpm.

Here are my options:

1. Upgrade now to TLX V6 SH-AWD Tech - Nav is a must

2. Extend the lease with one more year when the new 328i lci will be out with the new engine. I really like this car and always wanted a BMW, but if I am going that road I would rather wait the facelift since the engine will be new and possibly the model will be called 330i. I do not want to go crazy with the features - just Nav and rear-view camera will suffice. At this point TLX V6 SH-AWD Tech is still an option!

3. IS350 - not sure if it is big enough for all three of us. Again I just want Nav and rear-view camera. IS250 is not an option. Do not know if will fit my bugged and do not know if now is a good time for IS.

I really want to stay as close to $40k as possible. Not sure this is possible with BMW. Also the leg room at the backseat is important since my wife will be sitting there because the baby needs attention. Right now she sits right behind me and the leg room is far from great. Automatic transmission is also a must because my wife will be driving occasionally.

So, what do you guys think? I am planning to visit some dealers tomorrow, but I suspect after that I will be in the same place where I am right now.

Thanks!

Stew4HD

Welcome to Azine!

Good questions.

If you need to change cars, for the $, the TLX is more bang for the buck.

I am not sure you'd get a 328 for that price range.

my

mrgold35

I've had an 06 TSX since new and that was always my two main complaints: rear leg room and power. I upgraded to an 08 RDX and few years later and that solved both problems overnight (added roof rack+cargo box). Unfortunately, the kid went from 4'9" to 5'10 1/2" in the last 4 years and we upgraded to MDX (only a Jr. in HS). Any sedan may be too small until the kid can sit in a seat without all the gear (car seat, booster seat, stroller, etc...).

I never thought I would like SUVs; but, the RDX and MDX can get up and go and are a lot of fun to drive. I'll say give them a quick spin just to make sure you are not overlooking the benefits of a sporty family hauler. I got 21-22 mpgs driving from ABQ to Houston at 85 mph in my MDX in complete comfort and luxury. A 2012 MDX Advance would still be $5,000-$10,000 cheaper and give you room to grow. The money you save on the MDX sale price will save you more than the mpg gains/savings from the higher priced TLX sh-awd model.

aIRpeACE

iTrader: (2)

if you have to choose from one of those 3 opinions, the TLX will be your best bet.

Interior space: TLX > 328 = IS350
Price: TLX = 328 > IS350
Performance: 328 > IS350 > TLX
Style: IS350 = 328 > TLX

have you thought about other opinions? such as the Accord V6 or Sonata?

mrgold35

Just to put it out there, I saw a 2014 RLX advance + P-AWS + Krell sound system with 11,000 miles for $40,000 on Carmax:
2014 Acura RLX in Dulles, VA- 10992065 at carmax.com

Depends if you need the sh-awd for sporty driving or weather.

aIRpeACE

iTrader: (2)

The SH-AWD TLX with tech is around 45k after taxes and fee. So not sure if that's within your budget.

MardiGras

By ">" you mean "better value" instead of more expensive.

Nedmundo

For more power, AWD, and a price under $40k, take a look at a Ford Fusion Titanium with AWD. Ford's 2.0T is similar to BMW's, and it supposedly drives quite well. Based on my experience with recent Fords, they do a good job with electrically assisted steering -- better than Acura and BMW.

I'm also curious about the 3 Series LCI, and wonder whether the 320i might get a power boost to around 200 hp. If so, that might be a good choice, because it will be difficult to keep the 328i below $40k with the Sport or M Sport line, which is essential for true BMW handling. The 320i's Sport Package provides this, and is probably the best value within the entire range of generally expensive BMW options.

CARLOS10

Make it simple, if your TSX work , Why bother with a BMW ???

Rocket_man

If you are willing to look in the BMW CPO lot there are some good deals there.

I'm waiting for the TLX market to stabilize but for me the TLX is the best overall value.

The other option is the MMC RDX which may be out in the spring. It is suppose to have some of the new features from the TLX. If the TLX prices don't drop before the MMC RDX is out I may look at this option myself.

hddnav

If money is AT ALL a consideration and you must have the new car smell, understand that you'll get a lot more car for the buck with the TLX. Coming from a TSX, I can guarantee you that the TLX V6 SH-AWD will be a HUGE upgrade in terms of feel, substance, and command of the road.

How do I know? Because I already think that the 4G SH-AWD is night and day compared to a TSX.

With a ceiling of $40k, I'm not sure that it's even worth touching a BMW or Lexus, since their cars at those price points are pretty much strippers (you'll be reminded that you should have spent an extra $10k every single time you get into those cars).

pvn

Thank you for the great input so far.

My wife really likes the MDX but I do not like SUVs. I have been driving sedans since forever. I will ask for test drive though. You never know, I may like it. I did not realize it could be that bigger inside than TLX. Also I am afraid MDX is more expensive than TLX with the same equipment.

Before my TSX I have been driving European Accord for a few years which is the same as 1st gen TSX in US. I love the Acura/Honda brand. Never had any problems with their cars and motorcycles. But I really really want to try RWD or AWD. I live in California, so AWD will be for my own enjoyment and driving experience. If I can't afford Acura with SH-AWD or a 328i I will just stick to my TSX. Buying/leasing another FWD is not something I would do. I know all models on the market and Acura, Lexus and BMW are the only brands I want to drive. But you are right: TLX is the best value and for around $40k BMW and Lexus are "strippers".

I agree that TLX SH-AWD will be massive improvement. It gets from 0 to 60 in under 6 seconds. Although if I get the same colour as my TSX I think no one from my relatives will notice I have a new car

By the way: If I decide to get the TLX, do I still have to schedule an appointment for car inspection 2 months in advance or I can just return my TSX (which is a lease) to the Acura dealer and get the new TLX the same day? What is the procedure?

And one side question: Can I manually input (not by voice) a new destination address in the GPS while driving on the new TLX?

If only I were single it would have been so much easier: WRX with manual

Thank you!

Toddo627

I currently have a 2013 BMW 328 all wheel, and had a 5 series before that. They are great cars, but I am tired of leasing and looking to buy something to keep for a while. So now value and reliability become more important. I am leaning toward the TLX and waiting to test drive and AWD when they hit the dealer lots. So far, I like what I see with all the good reviews.

I also looked at a lexus IS, but did not even want to test drive as the inside felt way to small for me.

Good luck, lots of great cars out there!

weather

Sorry to say that the answer is no.....you can't even enter a phone number manually when the vehicle is in motion.

jjsC5

A word of wisdom. If you are an agressive driver you will use the extra power and you will get worse mileage. I'd bet on it.

Quandry

With the US model you should be able to voice enter the full address in one command, but in Canada we get to drag the entry out, letter by letter by letter by letter...... I guess we like to hear our own voice up here.

Gregg

No, it's because when you finish the address with "eh?" the Navi will think you added another "a" to the end of the address and botch its search.

kurtatx

Good. If you need to type an address, pull over to safely enter the address you need.

pvn

Just drove the 2.4l engine. The car looks awesome - from inside and outside! The leg room on front and back is great! Much better than TSX. You can definitely feel the DCT. I do not think the transmission is "not smooth" and "unrefined". It is just a characteristic of the transmission. This is how it works and I like it. I felt very familiar with the car as a whole. It felt snappier than my TSX. Can't say I felt the rear wheels steering.

I did not play with the electronics because they are not my main concern but the GPS looked slightly outdated but better than the one in TSX. As long as I am not lost with no gas I do not care about the 3D buildings in the GPS map.

And here is my biggest problem: The suspended gas pedal! Why, why why Acura?! I have never liked this small suspended gas pedals. I find them extremely uncomfortable. I can't believe they changed it. All models except ILX have the hinged at the bottom gas pedal. Including TL and 1st and 2nd gen TSX. I am so disappointed. And I thought the lack of exposed exhaust pipes will be my biggest problem.

I sat in IS350. It is so small I do not even want to test drive it. Sat in 328i - much much better in terms of legroom and head/shoulder-room.

I feel I am not making progress

BandwidthExceeded

Tell me about it, its the thing I don't understand about Acura. They push all this tech and the GPS looks like an original Prius GPS.

Maybe I am just spoiled with Google Maps app, but man, its terrible. I wish everyone would pull an Audi and get Google Maps in their cars...