I would be willing to go the ~35K price for an i4 TXL Tech (don't want/need a V6 - HP isn't a big deal to me) if I really like it - curious what other cars in the up to 35K price range you would consider in an apples to apples comparison?

 

Top of my head: CLA250, 320i, IS250, A3/A4, ATS.

 

A few:

1) Base Lexus IS 250 - worse MPG and less features for 35K. Plus the styling doesn't appeal to me with the sh1t eating grin front grill.

2) Base BMW 328i or a 320 with a few options. Less features but you get a BMW.

3) Volvo S60 with a few options. (No heated leather seats etc)

4) Audi A3 - lightly optioned.

5) Cadillac ATS - Lightly optioned - not really the same type of car (RWD) though.

Am I overlooking anything obvious here??? Based on options the TLX looks to compete very well is this price category.

 

Ah - the MB CLA 250 - fits well too. You lose on the options when fitting it into the 35K range but you get a MB.

 

Although a few years old now, I might also take a look at the VW CC.

 

I actually had a CC (a 12 or 13 not sure which) as a rental car for a week in April this year. I never really warmed up to the dash (a little too "European" for me) but it was a very nice car. Rode nice and the 4 cyl turbo was pretty spunky.

 

CPO Lexus or Audio A4, though still not comfortable with VW reliability or lack thereof.

Personally I think Acura should give you a car simply based on the great username you came up with on this board.

 

Honestly - it isn't in the same "segment" but the Honda Accord V6 Touring at $34,270 MSRP is right in the same price range. You're getting a V6 for the price of the TLX's I4 with less features and perhaps a worse badge - but it is worth comparing I think.

 

If you're open to non-luxury brands, I'd encourage you to look at the Fusion Titanium. Good bang for the buck, little over $30k nicely equipped.

 

^^^^^
True. The Titanium, fully optioned, comes to a touch over $35k, and that includes the options of park assist, CMBS, lane keeping assist, blind spot assist, and AWD. Plus, they are great-looking.

 

I would consider a 4cyl only if the 0-60 were at least a liiiittle faster than the 4 cyl sport accord. Maybe 6.3 or so.

 

second for Accord. a little bit less options but V6 and regular fuel

 

Of course your missing the obvious. The TLX doesn't have tail-pipes...

 

+3 for the Accord..

However, if HP isn't a big concern for you what about an ILX.. Yes, not "apples to apples" and it's smaller, but so is the A3, CLA and IS.

But since this thread has drifted slightly off what you originally asked I figured I would mentioned the ILX. Which BTW would save you some money over some of the others mentioned.

 

I should add that I currently drive a 13 Accord EXL that I'm quite fond of.

I would, however, be willing to trade and pony up an extra 15k or so for something a little more refined (premium) and sporty looking/feeling. Hence my interest in the TLX - will have to see it in person and drive it of course to see if it fits the bill.

That said - I don't have a burning desire to trade the Honda - it would have to be a serious upgrade to make me do it.

 

Isn't a I-4 EX-L Accord (MSRP) $28k-$30K to start?

If that's the case, an additional $15K puts you in the $43K -$45K range which changes things up a bit in regards to your choices..

 

I agree with the assessment, unless you care about luxury brand name, better resale value as well if you decided to change down the road

 

KBB reports my trade would top out around 22k - assuming they're in the correct range. The car is paid for so if I add 15k to that it takes me to 37 which would be close enough for the TLX sans discounts with tax and title and the whatnot.

 

Apples to Apples the TLX is the winner in the price/value department. When you compare the A4, ATS, CLA, 320i, A3, Q50, IS 250, etc, the TLX absolutely demolishes the competition in the feature/price department.

Also, while it may not be the fastest among this group, it's one of the most fuel efficient. The 320i and CLA may be more fuel efficient but once you check the boxes on the feature to price ratio, it doesn't even come close.

The big question? How does this thing drive. I hope Acura isn't spouting BS when they talk about the 4 cylinder being no slouch. It sounds like they're really trying to help with the limitations of the 4 cylinder's torque by adding the torque converter to the DCT. Also, with the diminished power loss provided by a DCT it should help matters too.

A low 7 second 0-60 time appears to be the magic number for "acceptable" for this class of car, at least in the entry level.

I hope the curb weight is competitive with the entry level cars. Acura has said a lot about shedding weight from the V6 and SH-AWD models, but has been very quiet on the 4 cylinder's curb weight. I hope it's at least similar to the TSX.

 

Your thoughts mirror my thoughts on this.

I would like something a little more sporty/aggressive looking - something that my Buick-driving neighbors could use as a measuring stick for their relationship with me - but nonetheless I would be okay with the looks of the Kia Optima, uh er, I mean the Acura TLX, provided it drives like a really upscale sporty Accord.

Truth be told I like that it's a little smaller than the Accord - which is borderline too big for my tastes. 85% of the time it's just me in the car and the other 15% it's me and the wife - I rarely have live humans in the back seat and my dogs won't car about the diminished leg room.

 

Ditto. Acura was smart to price the TLX where it did and resist the urge to price it up. One has to wonder if the RLX taught them something. I'll be honest the price is a main attraction now. I love my Audi, best driving car I ever owned, but the damn payment is insane. I was looking at 15 Genesis thinking the TLX would be $50K, but at $46K that is $7K less than loaded AWD V6 Genesis and $20K less them my A6. Even if I drop $2K on new wheels and tires it is a great deal.

 

WIth some negotiating you could get the Genesis for far less

 

I'm cross shopping the 320i, ATS and A3 with this thing.

As much as I love the idea of AWD...I can't justify not having the features that are in the TLX w/ tech that are only available in the above models for an extra $5-10k (and in the case of the A3, it gets cramped at that size).

I priced out a non-xDrive 320i with comparable features and I ended up at $45k. And I would need xDrive in my area of the country.

 

^A3 actually feels pretty nice in the drivers seat....not cramped like I thought it would be. But I just can't handle the repair bills on the German cars. Great to lease and change in three years, but crazy to buy....at least for me. All of my Acuras have been super reliable and out of the shop and that for me also factors into the cost.

 

At that price level, I think the 328i could be a better deal depending on the options you want. The 320i makes the most sense with minimal options IMO, otherwise you end up close to the 328i that comes with more power and standard equipment. When I price out the 320i, I add Sport Package, folding rear seats, lighting package, and just a couple of other things, which leads to an Edmund's TMV of around $38k, while the 328i ends up about $4-5k more, albeit with more equipment along with the additional power. Not sure which way I would go, but I won't consider the 3 Series at all unless they fix the numb, lifeless steering. Regardless of configuration, the TLX will be a better value, and the IS350 probably is too.

 

True, am waiting a few more months for plenty TLX inventory and Genesis inventory. Big issue for me is Hyundai is not realizing their AWD is full time 40/60 and has dry weather advantages so their dealers here in the south are not stocking the AWD version.

 

It should be quicker than low 7s to 60. The Accord EX 4 cyl/6MT has been clocked at 6.6. The TLX is heavier, but has a few more ponies and a couple of extra gears. I'd think mid sixes is pretty realistic.


And don't forget, compared to the German cars you're thinking about, the TLX will be uber-reliable. Just rode in a friend's brand new 328 over the weekend. He's unhappy (among other things) because the tail light lens is flopping around (about to fall off) every time he closes the trunk lid. German quality.

 

Maybe it was assembled during the world cup finals?

 

That along with the content/price ratio and lower cost of maintenance have me thinking Acura.

I would rather lease my next car but my commute has been extended due to a new position in my company, and since I can be moved even further away I may have to purchase my next vehicle.

 

Got it, I was adding the $15K to a new car and you are talking about adding $15K your trade..

 

I forgot to add this in my original reply:

Mid 6's would be crazy, and would definitely have me hooked. That's puh-lenty of power to merge on the highway and get around a semi with ease. I'm not exactly looking for a street racer so much as a car that I can confidently get up to speed with.

What's the TSX 5-speed AT 0-60? I read somewhere that it's 8.6 seconds. It didn't look too fast when I saw a YouTube video. That's how I got my original calculation of around 7 seconds.

 

If I remember correctly I think the 0-60 for the TSX I-4 5AT was something like 7.5- 7.8. The V6 TSX was around 6.4.

I think the 1G TSX was in the 8's.. But I could be mistaken.

 

I own a '13 Accord EX-L Navi (four cylinder) so I'll definitely be comparing the two. Though honestly if I went for a TLX i'd get a SH-AWD 6 cylinder.

 

I have an EX-L V6 and, like you, would get an SH-AWD. I liked it in the '12 I had.

 

TSX Wagon 5AT:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...on-test-review

0-60mph: 8.1s

A slightly lighter TSX sedan 5AT is probably at around 8.

 

TSX 5AT was tested by Edmunds. O-60mph in 8.6 second.
but Edmunds tested Civic 2014 CVT 0-60mph in 9.1 second.

http://www.edmunds.com/honda/civic/2...est-specs.html


TSX 5AT has not been tested by C&D or MotorTrend. I would say 0-60 in 8 second is right for C&D and Motortrend. TLX will be closer to 6.5 second.