Doug's RDX

As an owner of a 14 RDX and my wife wants to upgrade her Hyundai, we have been looking at the TLX 6 cyl AWD and a used Lexus GS 350 AWD CPO. Got a great price on 2016 TLX, about $5,000 off sticker, but after reading all the blogs on the TLX we have concerns about purchasing one. Her last car was a TSX and she loves Acura's, but after reading pages of blogs I'm scared to buy another one. The GS 350 gets a much better review, costs less, but it is two years old. Having been through a "Lemmon law" buy back Camry, I really don't want to go through that again. Your thoughts would be appreciated!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^you need or your wife needs to test drive the TLX.
she needs to do an extended test drive to see if the car is right for her.

if you read those blogs, you have insight in what may go wrong with the TLX, DRIVE THE TLX and see if those blogs are correct......

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

then drive the Lexus for an extended test drive...

then ask her, which car she liked better

mrgold35

I purchase a car with logic side of my brain (most HP, owner satisfaction rating, top rated stereo, higher skidpad number, etc..). I noticed my wife likes cars for the way they feel (feel good behind the wheel, comfortable, easy to live with, extension of her personality, etc...). I usually narrow down the choices to what I can live with my numbers brain and let her pick from there. All three of my Acura final picks were made by her and it actually turned out better in the long run and we are both happy with the our choices. If I let her pick first before running the numbers, we would be driving a cute CR-V or a mini cooper convertible right now.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

The '16 MY TLX seems to be much, much better than the 15's as reported here through real world experience. As stated previously, you need to test drive both extensively and pick the one that is best for you (or your wife).

Midnight Mystery

As much as I hate to say it, I'd go with the GS350...

It's rear wheel drive...

The 2GR-FSE 3.5 V6 is one hell of an engine...

Now is this the base, crafted, or F-Sport?

The TLX does have the SH-AWD, and will likely hands a little better, or atleast better than the base...

I had a 2016 rental Camry SE, and it handled itself pretty well, I've gained a trust for Toyota/Lexus's handling department...

Also, I've seen videos of GS350s hitting 60 in 5.1 seconds, and it should have better low end torque...

Honestly, it's your, well her, call, but I just think the GS will be better overall, but they're both excellent choices...

From what I understand, the driving experience will be very different, but I've always had a soft spot for the GS350, when the 3.5 came out in 2007...

Best of luck!!!

CTNYC

Also, depending on how much you drive, the Lexus CPO program can't be beat -- 2 year/unlimited mile bumper to bumper warranty after the 4/50k factory warranty expires. The GS350 is (IMO) on a different level with fit + finish and the solid feel of the car. However, it does seem that the Lexus might need slightly more maintenance (5k maintenance intervals, sparks at 60k miles - at least on the IS series, would assume it's more or less the same for the GS), but the Lexus CPO program does include free maintenance for 2 yr/20k miles.

thoiboi

Gs > tlx

saturno_v

From a financial point of view, getting a 2 years old vehicle (assuming is in top shape and priced reasonably) makes a lot of sense since depreciation, especially on premium cars, is a killer in the first years.
I agree with the advice to let your wife decide taking the two cars for as spin.
The GS 350 is definitely a superior vehicle to the TLX, fit, finish, architecture. It is one class above as well.

mondster

Gs 350 all the way... i like my tlx, but its not even on the same level as the gs. Actually considering a cpo one once my lease is up.

TacoBello

Gs > tlx

dezymond

We have a 2013 GS350 F Sport in the family that I drive every now and then. Just like my 2015 TLX it's a first generation car, and it feels far more refined than the TLX, as it should as it's about $20k more...and it doesn't have any driving aids like LKAS and ACC.

The driving modes in the GS are far more noticeable compared to those of the TLX's IDS. Everytime I take the GS, I find myself messing around with the driving modes and I like Sport+ the best because the suspension chances, as well as the steering feel.

I find both cars to be equally quiet, but the seats in the GS are far superior to those in the TLX.

Different cars for a different market, imo. The GS is a significant upgrade over the TLX though. Value wise though, the TLX wins, hands down.

youngTL

The GS is a more expensive (initially) vehicle. Since you'd be getting it CPO, you might want to go with it. It's overall a better vehicle and that is reflected in the rather large price differential (here in Canada a new GS350 similarly equipped to a TLX costs almost $16k more).

The AWD system in the TLX is far superior though. The car actually does handle better power-on, especially with proper tires. The GS is competent though, but a little softer.

samsausage

Watch for the transmission issues on 2015 models, I just got a 2015 TLX and in three weeks it has had 6 false neutrals where twice I was launched into traffic! Right now I wish I would have gone for the GS350 or an E350...

Mr Hyde

The GS is a more premium vehicle a class above the TLX. I would drive both and decide as everyone has said. I tried looking for late model AWD GS models with the F-Sport package when I bought my TLX, but didn't find any at the price point I thought would be a good deal. Ended up getting the TLX for much less, and the rest is history.

Don't get too stressed about Blog Posts. Having owned, and been on Forums for multiple brands, no one would ever want to buy a new car if the only info they received was from forums. People without issues never post, so its alwats just the issues you see everyone posting about, and how quality, driving feel, cost cutting, etc, etc are just not as good as they were in the old days.

wlkeel

So true!!

csmeance

The GS only comes with 2 extra years of warranty. Compared to the 4yr/50K miles you get with the TLX, they will end around the same time so CPO is of no benefit to you with the lexus. If anything you can get Acura to add in the extended warranty plan for a total of 7yrs/100k miles up to 10yrs/100K miles for a nominal amount. You can negotiate it into the price of the car.

LKAS and the Forward Collision warning are def. must haves (at least for me when purchasing a car thats going to be in the stable for at least a decade. Why invest in old tech?) Plus your insurance may be cheaper with the TLX thanks to the active safety tech.

The TLX might not be as soft and cushy as the GS, but it certainly makes up for it with it's tech (Siri integration on the 2016) and with it's value. Plus you won't need new brakes or other maintenance for at least another 3-4 years besides oil and filters.

The 2016's have had almost all the issues worked out and is a great buy vs a preowned car.

shurik74

I went from 2011 TL SH-AWD 6spped to 2014 Lexus GS350 Fsport RWD.... I do really like Lexus but it's not giving me perfect feeling like when I drove TL. SH-AWD system is great + 6speed manual makes it even more great. Sometimes I regret that I sold TL...

Saintor

A "Lemmon law" buy back Camry.... there was at least *one*? Weird. BTW, Lexus = Toyota.

Don''t let the 2015 TLX issues deter you. The 2016 TLX has little to do with it. Honda is a company that takes care their problems; I'll give that to them.

Why a GS and not a new IS350 AWD? The GS is larger, better built vehicle, but I wouldn't take one over my TLX - I find its styling insipid. Treat your wife right, get her a new car.

TacoBello

No it doesn't. Not even close. Clearly you haven't heard of the over abundance of issues people have had with their Acuras over the last ten years, that Honda would either refuse to acknowledge as being an issue, or would force customers to pay for at least half, or on the very rare occasion, Honda update cover in full. Let's not forget the class action lawsuits against Honda for various items they refuse to acknowledge as problems.

oil consumption issues, paint issues, transmission issues, dashboard issues, etc, etc, etc...

Crock of shit statement of the year, goes to: Saintor!!!

Saintor

That's utter dumb.

To prove me wrong despite your obvious mental condition, you'd have to bring 2016 TLX owners with the same serious 2015 issues.

Oh wait, You can't.

TacoBello

Read the TLX section. There's plenty of 2016s with issues, though, I'll admit, not as many as 2015.

I'm glad you dip down to insults, since you can't admit you're ever wrong. Must be *my* mental condition though

And I like how you totally deviated from your initial statement- you really like moving those goal posts to suit your needs, eh? How did Honda take care of people from, say, 2001 to 2015, or even 2016? They didn't? Right. That's what I thought.

mlody

With sizable number of issues and cost cutting measures that are apparent on TLX, I would be more confident buying a used/CPO Lexus GS350 than a brand new TLX SH-AWD. This is coming from a guy who had only owned Honda and Acura products in the last 20 years and recently sold 2015 TLX after being fed up with the crappy 9 speed transmission and highway vibrations. SH-AWD is definitely a class above many AWD systems, so I do not know how that compares to GS350 AWD system, but everything else in the TLX is class or two below. To add insult to the injury, in my opinion, our 2013 TSX is a notch above (quality and material wise) than TLX which is not a good thing for the TLX.

Personally, I would stay away from TLX until mid-cycle refresh to see if there are any significant changes and improvements to the cabin quality materials and power train. If enough people bashes the TLX Acura will have to do the same thing they did to the Civic. After making a dud for two generations, they finally got a competitive package. Right now it feels like TLX is that dud in their lineup.

dseag2

Exsqueeze me? You are accusing him of insults and you called his opinion the "crock of shit statement of the year"? YOU are the one that can't admit you've done anything wrong. It is always someone else's fault, isn't it Donald Trump?

csmeance

Lets keep it civil guys, no need for insults or personal attacks

csmeance

^exactly, when I drove the GS it felt to "numb" and "isolating" to feel as sporty as the TL is.

saturno_v

....but the TL was a very different animal compared to the TLX.....

hadokenuh

Not exactly a bad thing. Just depends on what you want.

thoiboi

How so?

quanaman

iTrader: (4)

I'll be honest I didnt even read your post, but GS350 ALL DAY EVERYDAY.

KeithL

so I doubt the MMC will be radical. The civic is a bread and butter high volume car for Honda's bottom line, so the negative impact was bigger. The TLX while important is still selling well enough that they will hold major changes (hopefully good ones) until 6G. Acura really needs to keep tuning their car strategy. RLX is a lost cause, scaling back the TLX hurt them because the 4G was quality enough and big enough to entice folks that were not interested in the RL. The need either a better high end car or move the TLX more up stream.

saturno_v

Sportier and more substantial feel all around....better interiors too. It punched well above its price tag waist line where the TLX doesn't.

saturno_v

So Keith where do you think you will go at the end of your lease?? Back to Audi or Infiniti?? Did you read the Q50 Red Sport 400 road test on C&D?? I test drove one myself, I was fairly impressed.

atl7

To get the tech features in the Q50 Red Sport that the TLX has, you have to load the Red Sport to $60k. Hell no for a mid size Infiniti sedan. For the same money you can get a loaded C450 AMG Benz.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

I really do like the Red Sport. Solid vehicle. That being said, I'm willing to bet five bucks that even with 400 hp, this thing isn't any faster than the 320 hp 340i and won't out handle it either.

KeithL

I like th Q50, but it will have to see. I am closing in on my end run retirement plan so I figure I have one more lease then will loom for a long term buy. For long term buy I would probably be looking at G80 Sport, Q70S, Continental or maybe a CT6 or CTS type sedan. For the next lease that is a tougher choice, maybe an A4 or Q50, but also deepening on how aggressive I want to save the next few years the Kia Optima is on my radar. I am eager to see the 6G TLX, but the infortainment needs to get a radical overhaul. I have had an itch for the Chrysler 300S since they did the recent MMC, but their reliability and safety ratings suck. May do an ATS lease as when I test drove that I was impressed other than run flats and lack of even a spare option.

I know now I am all over the map, there are just too many decent options out there. If I was picking tomorrow it would be A4, Q50 or Optima if I want to save more.

dj5

+1

saturno_v

You can get more tech than the TLX in cheaper cars as well...what is your point??? Tech nowadays is commoditized. You get much more than just tech on the Q50 Red Sport in comparison to the TLX...

atl7

It was in comparison to KeithL thinking about a new car. He'd obviously want the same tech he has in his TLX if not more on the new car, and to get there in the Red Sport you have to load it up to $60k. I wasn't comparing the TLX to the Q50. I was stating $60k for a Q50 is crazy. God forbid someone do anything but praise the Q50 or Maxima and you flip out.

KeithL

Infiniti is following others but pricing the real sporty version up the food chain. A loaded S4 pushes over $60K, look at IS-F well up there as well. It is going to depend on how well that Red Sport really performs.