doopstr

I'm looking for a car that I can put about 100 miles a day on. The Accord EX-L V6 and base TSX are similarly priced. Accord V6 offers 30MPG highway while TSX I4 is rated at 31MPG. Accord V6 calls for regular gas while Acura recommends premium to achieve max power and fuel efficiency. On paper it looks to me like Accord would have more power and run cheaper since it calls for regular gas instead of premium.

Has anyone cross shopped these two cars? What's your opinion? Is there anything else around $30k that can get at least 30MPG that I should be looking at? I would keep this car a long time so reliability is a must.

CCColtsicehockey

Haven't cross shopped them but my vote is for TSX. Just looks better really.

SuperTrooper169

iTrader: (2)

^ I agree if you're not planning on modding it, then stock the TSX looks better hands down.

Now if you're talking about driving experience, Accord V6 no doubt. Don't get me wrong, the TSX is a great driver, but it can't hang performance-wise with the AV6.

And if you plan on doing some appearance mods the Accord can be made to look just as good as the TSX can.

I had an Accord V6 coupe with the 6 speed and I would see 33mpg all highway crusing at 75mph.

SatinSilverAV6

iTrader: (2)

Test drive both and see which one you prefer. It will be hard to pass up the extra power that is provided by the V6. IMO I would go with the Accord. Fully loaded it is less expensive than the base TSX I-4. As far as premium fuel vs regular unleaded, the cost difference is minimal. On a refill of 14 gallons your talking 2.80 cents difference. But If you put on 100 miles per day though then that can add up fast!

Both cars are reliable, and have great resale value.

My accord gets 24 city and 31 highway all day. 27 mixed driving. I test my mileage every time I fill up. I use premium fuel.

sanjbaby

I own a 09 Accord EX-L V6 sedan with Navi. It's a great dd, has passing power when you need it. VCM (a little annoying at as times) helps acheive better gas mileage but the fit and finish could be better. The seats aren't the most comfortable but they are fine for me.

Due to the last 2 issues I would go with the TSX. I got a great to deal on my car and had to pay cash, so couldn't spend too much more to buy a 07-08 TL. I wanted a V6 so didn't consider the TSX.

I'm sure others on here will suggest some nice rides around the $30k mark for you. Good luck with your search.

I bought the car with 38k miles and it have 53k now (in 6 months time) I drive alot as well. I haven't had any issue come up as of now.

silver3.5

I would pick the Accord V6. More power, bigger, almost equally nice interior, regular gas, and cheaper! If it was the V6 TSX, then I'm for that!

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

V6 moar powaaaaa

doopstr

This is what I'm thinking, plus it likes cheaper fuel. I don't want to step up in $ to get the V6 in the TSX. I will give both cars a test drive.

Infamous425

kia optima sx. 274hp, regular gas, 34mpg. pano roof, memory seats with heat/cool, navi, hids, led tails... you can get this for well under 30k.

Mr Marco

Go to the Acura dealer and find a suitable used 4G TL. Much better choice than either Accord or TSX.

Moog-Type-S

Optima 2.0 T

34 MPG HWY....more features and tech than Honda or Acura.

phee

iTrader: (5)

x3 on the optima. boy that thing is

dom

At least test drive one.

Why not also have a look for a slightly used TSX V6. More on gas yes but sounds more like what you're looking for.

KillerG

test drive both, see what you like, i know that in most enthusiasts minds tsx = accord, but youd be surprised how different they are in their feel and and how you will feel in the interior

having driven both, i enjoy the power of the v6 from the accord, and i enjoy its price point, but i would much rather actually be in a tsx.

I also had the chance to rent a kia optimo 2.0T for 4 days while i was on a trip, I started very enthusiastic but ended up feeling very underwhelmed by the car at the end of my trip. I dont feel like going into reasons and nitpicking the car, and im sure the majority here who disagree are only going to have talking points from caranddriver and motortrend, but i wasnt quite impressed and i feel like the accord is still a better place to be, and subsequently, the tsx is an even betterer place to be.

For the record, i own a TSX, so just let some of that bias seep in for you.

If you want some more biased opinions, stop by the 2G tsx section

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

Here for the Kia Optima Gangbang.

doopstr

Okay I will add the Kia to my list. It looks like you get a lot for your $ there. The warranty is a big plus too since I will probably put on a lot of miles. I'm not sure that I want used but maybe something will catch my eye.

Moog-Type-S

Optima looks 100 times better than the Accord and TSX too.

silver3.5

The current Accord is and the TSX just looks weird. I like the 1st gen better!

KillerG

one thing i hate about car talk is the hivemind and orgy fest that goes on about certain cars... but im here for the gangbang too

Mr Marco

Speak for yourself, Borg.

dom

Do you disagree that he should at least test drive it? It meets all his criteria.

My brother in law complained about horrible turbo lag and an engine that didn't feel like 274 horses in his test drive, but that's one man's opinion.

nj2pa2nc

my mom owns a 08 accord ex-V6 which I drive when I visit her. Since it is automatic I prefer my tsx which has more standard equipment.
the accord warranty is 3yr/36K and the tsx 4yr/50K.

KillerG

I think he should test drive everything, what better way to decide how to spend your own money, but regardless, im not a fan of the massive jirkle-cerks on here sometimes

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Well, I'm in for the gangbang too.

Optima 2.0T

alexSU

iTrader: (3)

Test drove one and felt the same way. I liked the interior a lot but not the way it drove. The sticker was $34K and it had $1800 "market adjustment" added to it wtf??

I'd recommend the TSX

SuperTrooper169

iTrader: (2)

That's about what the prices are here for them, too. I'm not sure you can find one under $30,000, new at least.

F23A4

A few weeks ago I picked up a 12 Accord EX 4cyl....and wished I'd picked up the Optima EX instead. The Accord is a solid car with respectable performance for a 3300lb sedan with an auto tranny mated to an NA 4 cyl. But the Optima's value hard to pass up and I only did so because the wifey doesn't want to see a Kia in the garage.

As far as the Optima 2.0T not feeling like it has 274hp, that's how I feel about the Accord V6's 271hp. While it will walk my Accord K24Z3, it's not going to disappear over the horizon in the process. (On that note, there's a reason why Car and Driver excluded the Accord V6 -- not Accord 4 cyl -- from its Top 10 this year.)

Infamous425

i would also pick the 2012 camry se over an accord

WILLDOGS

Holy shit the Optima is Sex

Look at all those features!

S14 n Tsx

+1 for Optima.

S14 n Tsx

paging NJ SHAWD

silver3.5

Holy! I didn't think the Optima would be loaded like that! Way more features than any Honda or Acura products, I believe!

doopstr

This thread is a little concerning about the turbo. A few people complaining that the turbo doesn't kick in sometimes after a cold start. They need to restart the engine to get full power.
http://www.optimaforums.com/forum/6-...-power-sx.html

I will test drive one this weekend. No way in hell I'm paying MSRP let alone a "market adjustment"

mn2trance

Yeah, that Optima is hot. I wish Kia would bring the K7 over to the states. I was thinking about getting one as a replacement car, but their top of the line model didn't come in MT.

doopstr

Wish granted. http://www.edmunds.com/kia/cadenza/2013/
http://www.kia-cadenza.com/

mn2trance

Very nice! Time to go for a test drive.

Mr Marco

.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Optima is nice. Really a great car for what you get. My only complaint is that there's just some kinda cheap feel to it. I sat in one and was just able to tell some corners were cut in terms of design, build quality, etc. Something you wouldn't have to worry about in a Honda Accord. Plus that startup beeping in the video would drive me crazy after a day or two.

doopstr

I decided that I can't look at Accord without giving the Camry a shot. The SE V6 looks pretty nice and can go 0-60 around 6. So i think my shopping list is looking pretty good now.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

The new Camry doesn't look bad at all. I kinda like it.