SamDoe1

The turbo 4 has two trim levels already.

Joneill44

Im in the same boat. Love my TL-S but the crave for more power is strong. I've looked at 335/435i and S4/S5(B8.5) but the stereotypical reliability issues and cost of repairs/maintenance keep holding me back (I understand that comes with the territory but I plan on modding, so it doesnt help) Also like you, I've waited too long for Acura to step their game up, hoping they would come out with a performance TLX.

Sarlacc

Yes but the issues have widely been noted for being with the Quads.

dallison

How about a lexus gs-f? or even an f-sport.

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

i so wanted to make the GS-F part of my stable... i was a long time 2GS owner and loved the size, platform and reliability... i still regret selling that car... nonetheless, when it came down to pull the trigger, nothing can beat the CTS-V's value... at the time though, the GS-F was just released and they weren't budging on price... now you can probably get huge discounts on them...

SamDoe1

I don't disagree, but it's not just the Quads, its everything.

Consumer Reports' 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Basically Lives at Dealer

Lexus is offering $7k cash on the hood for selling a new GS-F. That's before any dealer discounts lol.

You can easily get at least $10k off the price, if not a lot more.

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

Scenario 1:
a: Buy CPO
b: Don't tune it
c: Enjoy a faster car than your TL-S

Scenario 2:
a: Buy something that's been well cared for (Recent maintenance records) & out of warranty
b: Tune it
c: Knock the doors off pretty much anything on your daily commute.

Both scenarios sound better than sitting there waiting for the performance TLX ...

If it's any indication of their A-Spec version ... Acura has a ways to go

Rick_TL-S

The Lexus GS line is the closest I’ve found and we ended up getting a F-Sport one in the family; it’s great updated alternative to my TL-S.

Waiting now to see how dirty my work will get on a GS-F as my new daily and semi-retire the Acura.

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

If I had the money .. I would daily a 3G GS350 in a heart beat.

TacoBello

the only problem is Alfas are some of the worst, unreliable junk out there.

I give them praise for styling, handling, power and all out fun... but the reliability factor is enough to not care about the rest.

OP being a fan of Acura, would hate himself if he bought an Alfa.

TacoBello

I highly doubt that. A guy that came from an s2000 and a modded S4 will not be happy driving a luxury barge with camry like handling. Don't get me wrong- I too love the GS, but it's the last thing I would buy if I wanted something engaging to drive.

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

Considering my daily commute is ~25mph ... I don't need anything engaging

I adore the Fit, but a comfy GS350 would be tits.

TacoBello

It's like I don't even know you anymore

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Rick_TL-S

If a Camry handles like a GS, that’s quite a feat for Toyota. The GS handles just fine for its size; better than the RC does.

00TL-P3.2

Not sure if mentioned, but a Fusion Sport may fit the bill.

I'd also put the GS a good bit above a Camry in handling.

TacoBello

ugh... still soft... and anemic feeling

SamDoe1

Fusion Sport was an epic disappointment overall. It was billed as a cheap Audi S4/340i competitor. What it actually ended up being is a more powerful Ford Fusion.

And that's fine if that's what one is looking for but it isn't what I'm looking for.

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

just don't get the 2006. they had an insane oil burning issue.

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

What about a hot hatch? Focus RS or Impreza WRX? Not sure about the interiors though.

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

This. When I was debating between the GS and the Q50 I has the same sentiments. Having a modded TL and S2000 the GS felt too "cushy and comfortable" IMO. Ended up with 360hp/400 tq hybrid and I'm still happy with my purchase 2.5 years later.

SamDoe1

They are terrible for a $40k car. Golf R is much better for interior.

TacoBello

I disagree. I really didn't feel like I was sitting in a 40k car with the Golf R. The only step up it has these days is the full digital gauge cluster, but that only became available for the 2018 model year. Otherwise, it's nothing all that special. Plenty of hard plastic all around. One of my tenants has a 2016 STi and it feels maybe marginally worse. I personally like the look and layout of the STi better.

The Golf R, as compared to the other hatches, is one of the worst options to go with, if you stick with the 6MT. If you opt for the DCT, then there is reason to go for it. But the 6MT feels awful. Nothing as crisp and satisfying like a Honda, or Nissan, or Mazda shifter. The clutch is meh also. I've read recently that it's suspension setup can't hold a candle to it's competitors. It felt pretty good from my test drive experiences, but apparently the critics say it's not as good as the rest.

That, and their reliability is still junk, even though they're built in Germany. In scouring VWvortex, the general vibe in there is "well the car likely will never leave you stranded, but expect regular trips to the dealership for stuff that keeps failing. It's all part of owning a VW" As someone used to Honda reliability, it may be a tough pill to swallow. Especially on a new, 40k car.

TacoBello

For the Subaru, you'll likely be okay until you have to replace the head gaskets at like 60-100k miles

Consider it like doing a timing belt change on a Honda. A bit expensive. But necessary as part of ownership.

deviant_customs

It pains me that the Zoom-zoom company opted to not offer a manual for this...

https://jalopnik.com/behold-the-turb...cer-1820851215

Sarlacc

motortrend car of the year.

Id take the risk. I’ve had great experiences with fav products over the past 6 years and 4 of their vehicles.

Joneill44

Not trying to thread jack but have any of you had experience with the RCF? Fits most of the OPs desires

Rick_TL-S

He'd likely be better off with the GSF instead. The RCF isn't bad, but it's only real perks over the GSF is 2-doors & cheaper MSRP.

Joneill44

I brought it up mostly because of the price. They can easily be found for mid $40k. The GSF is still $60k+

SamDoe1

It's certainly not going to be as good of an interior as you get with a luxury car but you are paying for the performance and not for the interior. That said, it's MUCH better than the Focus and STI (haven't been in a CTR) and feels that it's far better put together than either of those as well. The seats are also FAR better than the recaros in the Focus. The STI just feels like it's ancient in every way...because it is. The Golf R also comes standard with all the safety and driver aid gizmos along with a bunch of other things that the others don't come with at all let alone standard.

...and then there's the ride quality...the Focus RS is horrendous in that department. The ride on anything but smooth roads is punishing even in normal mode. The STI isn't nearly as bad but the interior is so cheaply put together that it rattles and shakes all the time regardless of road. When it comes to performance though, it's not as good as the RS and probably on par with the STI. The manual in the RS isn't all that good either, it's not even close to the feel of the S2000. At the end of the day though, I want a fun, fast daily driver and not a track car. I want something that will play hard when I want to hoon for a few minutes and then turn it all off and become a normal car the rest of the time. The RS isn't even close to that, it's in race car mode all the time with the suspension and seats and the STI is just too old without any modern tech. The S2000 is a blast when you want to play but when you just want to get to work in traffic, it kind of sucks because it's still stuck in #becauseracecar all the time. To that end, the Golf R fits all the bills and I don't even care that it's not the fastest or best performing out there. It's not the best performer but is definitely the best all rounder and that's what counts for me.

YMMV of course.

As far as reliability goes, all VW's from 2018 on have a 6/72 warranty so should be good to go for a while.

I'm not sure MT factors in reliability for that title though... I'd lease one but would never buy it.

I've also had good luck with my FCA Jeep over the past almost 3 years I've had it but Alfa is different than the American brands.

It's big, heavy, and handles like a boat. If you're spending that kind of cash, you're much better off in a German car. Lexus works at the lower end of the price spectrum, not up there. Which is why there are huge incentives to move high end models. The LS is the exception.

For a similar price, I'd just get the M3/4...

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

^ I'm seeing GSFs slip into the low to mid $50k range... so they're on their way down...

AZuser

Didn't usdmJON trade in his ILX for one?

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

Wait .. they make dash tables for the RCF?

SamDoe1

For a new one or used?

You can also get current gen CPO M3's for low to mid 50's as well.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

just checked out his IG....
still has ILX, but said in a recent post... "ready to move on to something with more power, more aftermarket support, something with 300+hp, value over half it's MSRP and a car people actually spend time on"
he's considering the Q50.

Joneill44

Please don't take this the wrong way. Are you saying this because that's what the reviews are or because that's your experience with it?

The problem I have with Motor Trend and everyone else is that 90% of their reviews is based on how the car does on the track, which in my opinion is pointless seeing about on 1% of the buyers actually take it to the track. (I understand Motor Trend wouldn't exist if they didn't do track videos/reviews)

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Used. I don't buy new

SamDoe1

My neighbor had one for a year or two. I drove it once because he offered. I always skip reviews about track performance because I don't really care about it. In general, when compared with a M3 at least, the car just feels a lot more heavy and less motivated to do stuff. It's definitely not slow but it's not the excited eager puppy you'd hope it would be, it's more of the middle aged dog that will play for a while and then want to nap. In comparison, the M3 is always ready to party.

Another awesome car I don't think has been mentioned yet is the ATS-V. That thing is a party in a can and sounds fantastic.

00TL-P3.2

CTS V-Sport is just a hair more in base price as well.

Our receptionist has a '17 CTS Luxury & it's a decent handling car, without the power/speed.