so my folks are looking for a new car for me since my tl was involved in an accident and is looking like insurance isnt going to pay to fix it but rather just give us the car's value. its a shame, i didnt even do anything wrong; a lady skidded one night during a downpour and hit the side of my car pretty badly.

so my parents are looking at a new car for me.. they are very satisfied with acura because it did save me in that accident. they were looking at getting either-

2010 tsx v6 (automatic)
2010 tl fwd (automatic)
or
2010 subaru impreza 2.5gt

the subaru is in the list because they too have a pretty good safety rating according to my dad.

wanted to know what you guys thought, the v6 tsx and the fwd tl have like the same exact engine so which would you say to choose? price wise they are almost equal. the 2.5gt has a 224hp turbo engine.

what i want out of the car is acceleration. i dont like driving too fast, but i like having a good acceleration off of a red light. really i want something that is safe, but also gets some looks. tech is another thing, ive always been a fan of hi-fi car tech and acura does a pretty good job of it. but out of those three, what would win a race off of a red light? which would you think is the best buy? which looks the best to the ladies? lol whichever one i do end up getting is going to have a black exterior and black interior.

thanks for your help guys

 

Go test drive all the cars that interests you and pick the one that best suits your wants and needs.

 

Nice parents to be buying you a TL/TSX or Scubie.



I'd go test drive them all...Personally, given your age, I'd suggest the Subaru.

 

I'm going to guess this is going to get moved to car talk.

@ 17, I would get a beater car, definitely not something new... Or at least something older than you can work on yourself, learn a little bit about how to maintain a car.

If you do decide to go new, from your choices, the 4G is going to be too big of a car. The TSX is probably the best choice.

Why not look at the used market for a 3G TL? Safe, good looking, and will last a very long time.

+1 on a subie, but if I was your age, and had parents with deep pockets, I'd get a WRX.

 

How bout the 4cyl. TSX? It had enough pep for me. It would be better on gas, cheaper in insurance, and cheaper in price. As far as a race off a red light??? Don't do it. There will always be a car faster than yours. Also, at your age, the last thing you need is a speeding or reckless driving ticket.

 

Well the 4G will get you looks, just not sure if they are the kind you want.

I'd go with the Subaru if you really want to get a new car.

 

i want a wrx the most, but because of their shift to a manual transmission it doesnt really suit my parents if they every had to drive it. i know how to drive stick but they dont so thats why manual cars are out of the question. also, my parents are against buying used, dont know why, but its just a rule of the house. our luck never has been too good so they really dont want to get something used. my top picks were either a wrx or a 3g tl-s, but neither of them fit the criteria of what my parents are going for. thats why this decision is quite difficult

 

The V6 TSX is going to cost almost as much as TL and the TL is built far better and is bigger and bigger is better in most accidents!

 

Nice parents.
I say go for the 4 banger TSX and then take a few extra bucks they would've spent on a V6, and cure the 2nd gen's factor.

Doesn't take too much to make the new TSX look good.

 

lol I actually like how it looks without any cosmetic fixes.

 

my parents already have a 2010 tl, (they got it after i got my license as they gave me their old '03tl) so ive gotten pretty used to it. they got the tech package with it. i think its a really luxurious car but i feel like it doesnt really have that sporty feel to it.. (maybe just cause its quiet) but i really do like the body work, idk why so many people dislike it. reminds me a little bit like a batmobile

 

Lucky guy!!!

Ya I would look at the TSX or the Subie. It's seems like it would be more your style (young).

 

How about an 07-08 TL Type S? It's not in your choices but I would take it over all the cars that you mentionned.

 

i would go for that but i cant buy used ;/

 

what about a Infiniti G?

 

was trying to convince my parents on that but they said they really only want to buy an acura or a subaru. its really only between these two manufacturers. im not getting too much leeway in other companies from my parents

 

Check out all three cars, then pick the one that you like driving the most and that has the best interior.
All three cars are pretty even from an acceleration standpoint.

 

thats what makes it so hard to choose from. i like the tech in the tl/tsx as the subaru doesnt come with shit.. although the hood scoop on the subaru gives it a nice look that appeals to me (17yr old boy in high school lol)

 

3g tl-s

 

Why not a WRX? Just as safe as the 2.5GT and less expensive than the TSX or TL.

And it certainly meets your first criteria which is acceleration.

 

the WRX only comes in manual transmission.. neither of my parents can drive stick shift so they dont want to buy one for me if they cant drive it if for some reason they would need to take my car

 

^ darn

let them learn. they will see the whole new world.

 

I don't think I've ever come across an adult who was not able to drive stick. Weird. I've met a few that don't want to ever drive stick again, but that is different.

 

my parents are pretty much conservatives.. lol. my dad drove mopeds and all with stick but he says that was like when he was a teenager about 30 years ago. my mom only learned to drive when she came to the states and met my dad. he taught her pretty much how to drive in his first car which was a 1990 acura legend. parents been only going with acuras since lol. i think ive got my dad convinced to let me drive stick, but my mom is the bitchy one in the family so getting her to let us get a manual car is the problem now

 

ive never actually owned a stick shift car, just kinda learned from friends with stick shift cars. how different is it for everyday driving? is it really jerky? my friends mazda is a manual and it jerks everytime you switch gears and it hurts!

 

The driver of the Mazda needs practice on shifting technique.
A properly driven manual transmission car should not jerk or buck-- shifts between gears should be imperceptible to a passenger.
A good manual transmission car is more engaging and more fun in many situations, but some drivers don't like manuals in rush hour congestion. I never minded traffic, but I had cars with good clutches & shifters, not cars with annoying or difficult manual setups.

 

how long does it take to get used to a manual car?

 

It can take a few hours of driving/shifting-- starting in a wide open parking lot and shifting between at least 3 gears-- to get used to the general feel of the car and to drive it relatively smoothly.

But to get the shifts perfect every time can take forever-- that's the fun part.

 

haha okay, someone told me it takes like 2-3 months to get used to it

 

24 hours

 

good to hear lol

 

I say go look at a Legacy GT. In stock form, the 2.5 turbo is rated about 250 HP, and the car does not scream like an Imprezza can. Or you could hook your parents up with a lower cost, and get a CPO Legacy GT. Either way, the Legacy is bigger and just as safe as the Imprezza.

Now, if money is not an overriding issue, then an A4 or 335i would also work around the same price as a TSX. Albeit with varying features.

Edit: The Legacy GT in a manual form has a 0-60 in 5.6....You would have a sports car with AWD, and a lower payments ($25K start)

 

how about BMW 3 series? I think it's kindda cool for a 17 yr old to drive a BMW. I wish I had one when I was 17.

 

Anything 4 cyl. Insurance will be much less expensive for you. Your parents should really check into used for the same reason. Insurance for a 17 year old is high....even higher on a new car, and especially high on any sort of high output engine.

 

GTI? Or an A3?

 

I think that you should get maybe a 2 yo. Subaru STI. It is well suited for your age, and it isn't brand new.

 

7th gen Accord V6.??.

 

GTI always for me.

 

requirements from parents as of now are:
under 35k
automatic gearbox
NEW CAR ONLY
pref. AWD
high safety rating
sedan or coupe only

my preference is something quick with a good acceleration. nothing too big, size isnt an issue as i dont carry much stuff or people in my car. need something awd due to the rain and snow here in nj and also has to be automatic since neither of my parents can drive stick lol

 

Lets see, I'll name a few off my head. Some might not be what your looking for though.

Cadillac CTS
2011 Mustang GT
Infiniti G37
Dodge Challenger (what 17 year old wouldn't want this car?)
Camaro SS
BMW 3 Series
Mercedes C Class
Acura TL, TSX
Audi A4