SFLA_Type-S

I love my CL, but I have a baby coming in January and need a 4 door car. I only want to spend about $26,000 to $28,000. I have been looking at the Acura TSX and Subaru Legacy GT. I love the power of the Subaru (TURBO>>AWD>>250hp/250tq>>5.7 to 60mph and 14.2 in the quarter). The interior is not bad in the Legacy, but I love the fit and finish of the TSX's interior. As far as exterior styling, I think the TSX is a little more appealing, but would not be a deciding factor. As far as the exterior goes, I like them both. The problem I have with the TSX is that it is a slug (200hp/166tq>>7.1 to 60mph and 15.7 in the quarter)!!!

What would you do??
http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=1

http://www.subaru.com/servlet/showro...mmand=overview

http://acura.com/models/model_index.asp?module=tsx

BC2G

get the subaru.... i've driven it, it is nice, the inside isnt too bad either.... the tsx is a major slug

evilone

saw a dope as legacy gt limited at a carshow in bmore sunday. i would go subie alll the way allwheel drive and trubos aviable no question

mattg

i haven't seen the legacy in person yet, but i'm seriously considering it for my next car. i'm actually planning on taking a look at them tonight.


i've driven the tsx as a loaner and it's a nice car but it does nothing for me. not even on my list. i have not driven a 6mt tsx though.


the fact that i live in oregon means to enjoy my car year around i need AWD. and i want a turbo car.

Sarlacc

i think the legacy is bigger then the tsx. so if space for younguns is concerned that is a factor.

both are nice.

SFLA_Type-S

Thanks, so far you guys are thinking the same way I am feeling. I drove the Subaru and it drives sweet. I haven't driven the TSX, but Car and Driver pulls on it so hard it makes me wonder what is so great about it.

mattg

what did you think about the interior, fit and finish etc?

Sarlacc

I really like the tsx, also had one as a loaner. its comfy, amazing interior. No its not a speed demon (neither is my 2.3 cl) but its not a slug either. the engine is actually pretty amazing and has lots of potential. Ride is great and handling is awesome. features are very good.

subie, i sat in a new legacy outback this week so i think interior are the same...nice interior, felt like some quality going on. its has awd and turbo....i love wrxs, and Stis....my autoX team is all wrx and sti...im one of two non subies...

So, its really whatever feels best to you.

SFLA_Type-S

The interior is nice, but I think the TSX is a little bit nicer. See my problem is, I can't just buy a car because it has a nice interior...I need POWER!!!

mattg

i obviously agree.

Moodist

iTrader: (2)

Get the October road and track, they did a head-to-head comparison of the two.

Python2121

its pretty much, if fit finish and interior is more important to you, tsx, if engine is more important, legacy is the way to go, both are good cars

SFLA_Type-S

Yes, I saw that issue. Road and Track had the Legacy as the winner. I think I will more than likely go with the Subaru. There is so much more potential in it than the TSX. I think with a little tuning I can get 300+ to the wheels.

kumar6

all wheel drive.... full time now doubt.... subaru... no question....

safer overall in my opinion.. i know your in FLA... but that all wheel drive is awesome if you ever come up where it snows...

lokman

I sat in the new Subaru last week and was impressed. Fit, finish and feel of materials and switches weren't quite up to par with the TSX, but they weren't bad either - maybe just different? I've always liked Hondas and Acuras but the power, AWD and overall packaging of the Subie were very compelling. Given that you want power and room, I'd go for the Legacy.

Zoot

tsx

F23A4

This really reminds me of the E55 vs M5 comparison. Only on a lower part of the food chain. One is a can of straight line whoop-arse and the other has superior balance w/decent performance.

As I'd rather have the M5 over the E55, I'd take the TSX over the LGT. (I do wonder if Cybernation will develop a turbo kit for the K24A.)

Black CL-S 4-Life

250 hp vs 200 easy choice for me.

mantis23

TSX interior is off the chain, but I'd rather get the legacy. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Do a full TSX interior conversion to get the best of both worlds. :P

anothercls

If you don't need a nice interior, but want power, get the Mazdaspeed6, and it doesn't look half bad and it's AWD. I guess the only issue it is a Mazda, but it appears that a lot of the Volvo S60 came over to it.

Subaru would be my choice of the two.

BEETROOT

legacy gt without a doubt. I had a tsx for a week as a loaner... possibly the most boring car I've ever driven.

Beltfed

Legacy GT.........the TSX has a nice polished interior, but its a snore to drive imho (slow).

GreenMonster

Soobie... They are making some nice stuff nowadays...

Even tho' I'm a coupe guy I like the forester too...

SFLA_Type-S

Thanks for the input guys..you all confirmed my thoughts. I was leaning towards the Subaru from the beginning, but the TSX is a nice car and I just didn't want to overlook it.

anothercls: Is the Mazdaspeed 6 out already? What are the specs?

F23A4

2006 model year:

Mazdaspeed6

anothercls

I guess the Mazda is out of question, didn't realize it was coming out till 2006.

SFLA_Type-S

That's a bad ass car!!! I think I might have to wait for that one.

kumar6

subaru for sure... you will be happy

Python2121

this is the article in question comparing the two:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....&page_number=1

C The "S"

Why limit yourself to a TSX or Subaru. Why not look into the used market. You can find some GS400s and GS430 in the upper 20's I think new cars are kind of over rated let someone else take the hit on depreciation.

By the way, the TSX interior looks good at a quick glance, but if you really look at it, I think its kinda cheap. Wasn't too crazy about some of the materials used in the car. And in the auto tranny model you can definitely tell its low on grunt. My $0.02

importtuner

what about a Maxima; the new ones look pimp as hell!!

kumar6

true importtuner>>> i took a new maxima to chicago and i balls out on the hwy and it was a nice ass ride....

i almost bought one, but the one i wanted was hella expensive...

nice ride and look.... nissan is comin with some nice shyt...

but i love the subaru all wheel drive... especially in michigan....

95gt

Tough call,

Luxury, TSX wins hands down. No nav in the Subie which is a big deal to me. Fit and finish much nicer in TSX, seems to be quiter but road tests by mags have them pretty close. Engine is much smoother

Performance, got to go Subie. More grunt all over the place. Handles pretty well too but TSX may actually handle better

One issue on performance i noticed is that while the Subaru felt much stronger than the TSX according to the road and track they are real close in real world situations (aka 5-60 mph) the subaru was in the low 7's in that test. Only about .5 seconds ahead of the TSX. As i don't clutch dump cars every time I leave a light that was a bid deal

Of course if you are going automatic choice is easy = Subaru. Tsx is a dog with the auto. Stick though makes choice much harder. Performance or performance luxury. i am leaning towards the TSX myself

gdubb

My .02.

I have an RSX-S and yes the car is fun but the 4 banger just does not cut it in traffic and light to light situations. On the freeway its no bigge... doing 60mph and go from 6th to 3rd and your in VTEC and your gone. I went from a 3.0CL and I regret it everytime I get in it. Torque is the key thing and the Subie does have that for sure. I drove the Subie at a ride and drive event and came out very, very impressed. True the interior could use a little work compared to the TSX, but its still nice and clean. Given the TSX has the ALMOST the same motor I couldnt see myself buying that just for that reason. In face thinking about picking up an 04 Accord V6 thats certified just to get out of this car.

03 CLS

You having a kid............slow down.

SFLA_Type-S

Bad news...I drove the Subie again at the dealer yesterday & I was not impressed with the interior (cloth). It was very small (more rear legroom in the CL) and cheap feeling. I felt like I was in a WRX with a ($26,500) sticker. The leather model was nicer, but for 28K-29K I can get a Maxima or a fully loaded Altima (BTW: The 2005 Altima is 250hp/249Tq). The Legacy was very fast, but I felt like Subaru cheaped out on everything else.

3.2cl-s

When exactly does the mazdaspeed6 come out?

Junkster

hehe... you beat me to it, I was gonna ring in on this...

I would personally go with the TSX. The performance is definitely nice in the GT, but the quality of the car isn't up to par.

Yea, the leather option is expensive as hell, although the Maxima feels cheap as well.

I say TSX, the car's only recieved praises and the lack of pep in it's get-go isn't too bad, considering you are getting a pretty nice car overall.

good luck in your search.

Junkster, who would maybe pay 26k for a leather GT... wagon of course

SFLA_Type-S

I test drove the new 2005 Altima (5 speed manual) and I think I might go with that instead. The car is very fast and has a nice clean interior. For $24,500 I can get a 3.5 SE model with Bose AM/FM/CD6 System .• Power Glass Sunroof .• Heated Seats .• Leather-Appointed Seat Trim .• Automatic Temperature Control .• HomeLink Wireless Control System .• Auto-Dimming Inside Rearview Mirror .• Heated Outside Mirrors .• Rear Spoiler .•Xenon Headlights

The 2005 Altima has 250 hp and 249 lb-ft of torque. The 2003 Altima had only 245 hp was able to hit 60 mph in 5.95 seconds & a quarter-mile time of 14.46 seconds at 98.6 mph.
**Motor Trend Test, February 2003. (3.5 SE with manual transmission.)

F23A4

SFLA, ironically I considered trading my 02 Maxima for a loaded 05 Alti 3.5SE w/5MT. The interior is much nicer than the 02-04 Alti and now DVD Navi is offered.