Hey all new here and new to the Acura community in general.

Both of my parents own an Acura and absolutely love it, I got addicted to some of the higher end cars more recently.

I currently own an 03 325i and I love the car, but alas its 12 years old and its getting to be time to upgrade.

I've test driven quite a few cars Mazda 3, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, and they are all quite nice. However, I feel like the Acura may be more up my alley.

Everyone on here claims and raves about how much value you get for the 4 cylinder with the tech package. Can you guys explain or help out some with what kind of performance I can expect from the car. I love the acceleration on my 325i which isn't even all that much at over 7 seconds 0-60. The car will also take off from 60+ and imo handles really well.

What can I expect from this new Acura as there isn't a whole lot of information out there about it. A 5k Tech package seems like a lot to me, when something like a Mazda 3 offers a similar Tech for 3k. That said I'll be the first to say I haven't done a lot of research on the higher end market as I don't want to be spending over 40k to get a fully loaded car.

Any advice or input is appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

Are you considering a BMW? The 328i is faster than the I4, but the 320i is slower. The 200 hp and 180 lb/ft is fast enough to be able to pass and any car on most highways, and in the real world that's what matters.

The J series I4 is extremely quiet at high speeds and lower RPM.

As far as the tech package, my TSX doesn't have one. I bought it in 2013, but my next car will have tech for sure. I think (not certain) the Acura tech package (all the bells and whistles) is better than the Mazda pieces. Not to mention, if you're cross-shopping the Mazda3 and the TLX, it's really not a contest.

Somewhat scattered thoughts here. Maybe you expected this, but go with the Acura if you're planning on buying and keeping. That J series engine is likely to last.

 

Well I was originally looking at Mazda, Ford, etc. Couldn't find the deal I wanted. I had been looking at the Mazda 3 GT s edition, which is a pretty nice car MSRP is 29.9 and I was offered OTD at like 27.2 with everything.

I'm just not a huge fan of the front end of the car, which is why I stood it up. I did look at the BMW's, but as much as I like my 325i. I'm turned off from BMW's as I have a good friend who quit the dealership a few years back. One thing I really disliked about BMW is you can't even do something as simple as changing the battery. The voltage has to be set to the cars ECM to work properly from I believe 06 and up models. That to me is just crazy.

If were talking bang for buck I believe the Acura has bmw beat as MSRP from a rough look for one with a tech and safety features are pushing 40k pretty easily.

 

I also came from BMW and am considering going back. What do you think about the M235i? I know it isn't the value proposition at all. The 228i is not bad at all for a commuter.

 

basically you are comparing TLX with BMW 3 on performance, but comparing TLX to Mazda in terms of price.

 

If I am comparing the Acura to the Mazda3 its not really my intention, that was simply the car I had been pricing. Later in the stages I was turned onto the Acura TLX.

I realize that Acura is a superior car to the Mazda3, but I don't know a whole lot about Acura sedans. My parents own one of those 50k MDX's on the road and an RDX. So not like I'm comparing Apples to Apples in regards to their sedan lineup.

 

You won't go wrong getting a new TLX. TLX gets my vote.

 

nab - I know you said you didn't want to be spending over 40K for a fully loaded car, but this thread might be worth a quick read - https://acurazine.com/forums/5g-tlx-2015-2020-415/those-fence-what-other-cars-price-range-you-considering-916367/.

Besides the TLX, you might be able to find a new TL or TSX if that is an option you would consider.........

 

Funny you should say that was just looking at some TSX's online today and they can be had for 6-7k+ cheaper then a TLX. The price I got quoted for a new TLX i4 today was 38k invoice.

Same motor different transmission if I'm not mistaken? What else were the major changes aside from size of the vehicle?

 

Not the same motor at all, TLX is DI....big difference in fuel injection technology.
With tech pkg, you get navi of course, but also get nicer leather, way better stereo and several other nice upgrades over a base. The internet and the Acura website are your friends.....no go do your research

The Ford, Mazda and others you mention (except BMW) are not even in the same class. You do know that Honda is the parent Company of Acura? Acura is the best bang for your buck in the sport luxury category. Reliability, longevity and resale value is all icing on the cake

 

I haven't done a ton of research on the TLX as I am not in the market but the TLX is supposed to represent and take the place of both the TL and TSX.
I know there has been a fair amount of discussion/traffic here on AZ so a quick search might turn up a thread with the major differences/similarities, but yes the two transmissions on the TLX are brand new.

 

Didn't realize about the FI, I do know my fair share about cars. No need to point out hapless things like Honda being the parent company of acura. I don't know everything, but I do know they both use k block engines and vtec albeit a fairly generic statement.

I mentioned the cars as that was what I was previously looking at and was wondering what Acura had to offer. The only thing I compared on an Acura to a Mazda was the tech package.

Acura TLX tech package offers the following things that Mazda doesn't. Memory adjustments for seat, voice activation for AC, universal garage door opener, speed sensing interval wipers, 16GB HDD, a slightly better sound system (mazda has a centerpoint 2 surround 9 speakers), LED headlights, remote perimeter lighting, the remote does windows/sunroof/lighting, larger tires 225-215, and radio theft deterrent system.

Is all of that worth 2.4k more? That was the only comparison I made between the two cars. Obviously the drivetrain and engine are different. Its a completely different transmission and engine block.

The thing that turned me off the absolute most about buying a car like a Mazda3 and having the 2.5 engine with tech package, is the effect on the resale value of the car. If I was ever to try and sell the car privately people who search for Mazda3 are expecting a certain price point. Take a base model mazda3 it starts at something like 16k add all the features and your at 25-29k depending on the motor. People are expecting the cheaper car, thus making the car harder to sell down the road.

Take the Acura people searching for an Acura are looking for certain amenities with their car. Some even expect this stuff so they already know there going to be paying more.

My quick analysis of the value of a vehicle 6-7 years down the road from now was that people searching to buy a Mazda3 would be looking to pay less then what the car is actually worth because it is their perceived idea of the cars value before they even do a search.

 

^^ i too share the same reasoning - which is why i will never opt to get a lower tiered car with all the goodies. the entry level pricing kills you on marketability of resale. all of those options could get you to a resale asking price of the next generation base, which is mind boggling. i.e. take a 16k jetta, optioned out to high 20ks...youll be screwed trying to sell it in 5 years, when next bare bones jettas in 2019 may be sold for 18k-19k (with inflation), which would be inline with your hopeful resale asking price.

the depreciation on car options/packages doesnt translate well to true market resale value (what someone/dealer is willing to pay).

IMO, if that if your train of thought, then push for a more bare bones car at a higher tier. i.e. acura > loaded mazda

 

To a person's worth is relative. To Acura's marketing team, the answer is absolute, they believe in the worth of the difference. Many tech package buyers also agree in that difference. If you are worried about the value of a vehicle a few years down, then lease may become a good option; that is if you are not bound with the mileage/yr constrain. There are also other things not mentioned, such as the included road-side assist and the one extra year of warranty, donuts & coffee and loaner car at the dealer... I am curious though as in the reason behind comparing TLX with Maz3 instead of the obvious Maz6? Adding feature in coherence to a larger and more upscale car cost more can be logical. This, however, cannot answer your question of worth...you are the only person who can make that call...

 

^ yes, options appear to depreciate more than the base car. However, there are so many standard features on a base TLX that may not even be offered as options for cars in the Mazda 3 class. I could be wrong, but there probably isn't a huge number of cross-shoppers for a Mazda 3 / TLX or even TSX. These are entirely different classes of cars.

With that said it is interesting that the TLX can compete on a cost basis to a Mazda3- that's pretty impressive and shows the value proposition of the Acura.

I say it's also the desirability that drives a purchase 6-7 years down the road. An Acura will likely hold up its value far more than a Mazda, Ford, Dodge, Nissan, Suburu, VW and handful of other car makes. In some ways the 'boring' styling is a reason for this observation because there is usually a strong DNA resemblance of older Acuras with newer Acuras in general (4G TL not as much).

 

Seems weird to cross shop a Mazda, ford and Nissan with an Acura, your talking apples and oranges. My 2014 escape (company car) has things my 2011 MDX does not have and at a much lower cost, does that make it better? Maybe in your mind, but it doesn't hold a candle to the the comfort or performance of the MDX.

Oh and as for the stereos, you mention that the TLX "has a slightly better system" are you saying that because the Mazda has more speakers? Have you heard the ELS system in the Acura? Slightly better is a huge understatement as the ELS system kills the Mazda stereo.

 

Acura ELS plays Dolby 5.1 surround, has dolby pro logic ii circuitry, 440w amp, 8in sub woofer

http://forums.audioreview.com/off-to...tml#post375193

was really the only review I could find that was worth a crap on Mazda's sound system. It uses a pseudo 5.1 effect so not true 5.1. It ranks higher then most compact cars and beats a lot of comparable systems, but Acuras is better.

I'm not trying to say a Mazda is better then an Acura as I pointed out my reasoning for not wanting to purchase one at the end of the day.

I've been pricing out the TLX and TSX through different dealers. I may end up holding off until 15.5 comes out of I decide to go with the TLX though as I assume dealers will have a much better inventory by then and their invoice won't be several k higher then MSRP.

 

You won't get your answer on this forum as to which car you should get.

You need to go and test drive them both back to back. Bring a CD/iPod/w.e to the test drive and test the stereo.

You can run numbers all day long, and compare them however you want, but the test drive is whats important.

 

My parents are considering a Mazda 6, Mazda 3, and TLX.

I'm advising the 3. They want the 6 or a TLX 4-cylinder base.

(For comparison, I have a 2013 535i, 2009 GT-R purchased new, and 2014 MDX - 7th Acura in a row and my last - I hate it)

 

Why are you still driving a vehicle you hate?

 

Based on helping my parents deciding on their car recently... here is what I would suggest: Sell your MDX to your parents. You will be hitting 2 birds with one stone. They will appreciate the ride height and easier entrance/exit. 6 and TLX offer ride quality on the [too] firm side for older people. Mazda 3 is even worse as not only the ride is firm, it is really not friendly for older people...

Different age people see the world differently, I learn to respect that... Further, depending on their personalities, you may need to encourage them to be either less or more conservative...

 

My wife has a 13 Mazda 3 with the Bose sound system. It's sounds pretty good, but you don't get the car for the sound system. It's a great car for what it is - fun to drive and great on gas - but it's noisy and you feel most of the bumps. I like driving it but it's a completely different type of car than the TLX and even the Mazda 6.