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While trying to keep the G37 in my sights, I was trying to pass a Lexus RX350 and he just kept gunning it on the straights.
A G37S sedan or Acura TL-SH AWD would have suited me just fine.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I don't want to sound like I am boasting but a TSX would not make it to my long list.
For me, I always try to upgrade on my next car purchase, through my short life here is what I have gone through-not counting the beaters I had through high school and college.
1994 Camry ($19k)
1999 Millenia ($23k)
2003 TL Type S ($29K)
2009 TL AWD TECH ($37k)
My next purchase (God willingly) should be in the 50K- 60K range, hopefully the RL would be a V8 with AWD or I will probably shoot for a use E63 AMG.
Please note this is not boasting, it's just personal goals I set for myself.
A $44,000 TSX - You must really like Acura! :surprise:
Sween... I second getting the E63 AMG Mercedes! Hopefully will own one some day when I am old and gray.. because that's prob the only way I will be able to own one!!! Gas and Insurance alone is a fortune!! :P
As for reliability and cost of repairs, I wouldn't say a BMW 3 series will cost any more to own than an Acura. BMW's have their fair share of problems, but Acura isn't exactly known for their robust clutches, transmissions, or brakes. And let's not forget about poor paint quality, interior rattles, and failing radio/nav screens.
Go check out the BMW forum- I think I saw one poster returning his 2011 5 series.
Thats just the way it works out. Mercedes is the same way as BMW once loaded up with the same equipment, tech, etc as a loaded up Acura is. They both are going to cost more. And people pay that by the droves, except for Lexus, MB and BMW have the highest luxury sales b/c people flock to them because of their ridiculous prestige badge, despite having to spend more money to get that in their BMW or MB then for the same stuff in a Acura, Infiniti, or Lexus for a few to several thousand dollars less.
FWIW, I've had two BMWs and driven them for a combined 150,000 miles. The single unscheduled service event that I've ever had was a burned out taillight. Sounds pretty reliable in my book.
While I agree with a lot of what you say, your implication in the bolded text is not entirely correct. There are reasons that those badges have certain reputations. As a former Audi owner and a current Acura owner, I can tell you that the Acura has been a LOT more reliable than the Audi. But do you know what? I MISS the Audi. It inspired more passion as its interior was nicer, its handling was better, and it was more solid. But it was less reliable and cost a lot more to fix. Sit in a Mercedes and then sit in an Acura. Can you feel the difference? I can. (and no, I've never owned a MB). Different people have different preferences. Some might want reliability or more tech gadgets. Others might want better leather or a more solid feeling or a better handling drive. There are real reasons why people pick things, not only for prestige.
That works out to a little over $19 per month, or about 60 cents per day. I spend more than that on coffee.
You'll find that the 3-series is a very reliable car, particularly when it's equipped according to God's wishes - with a stick.
Yes, Acura gives you more bang for the buck if you are a tech guy. But the TSX is cheaper because it is built on a FWD Honda Accord chassis. A 3 series is built on a dedicated RWD platform which is more expensive to build & design.
Yes some people buy BMWs, MBs, Audis, Lexuses, Infinitis, Acuras... for the badges, but there are many who do drive them because there is a noticable difference in the steering, the brakes, the handling, the responsiveness.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Personally, Audi to me, has sales similar still to Acura and Infiniti in quantity but even Audi is different from MB and BMW in that like the japanese, they have nicely priced trim levels that include a whole bunch of features so that you don't have to get really expensive option packages or pay extra for each luxury feature you want. But then again, you have the reliability factor with them so your right that there a huge set of factors, prestige being just one of them, to consider with each luxury automaker.
I've found out recently over the years, customer service at the dealership and headquarter levels is coming into a sales factor for me because some of the companies are terrible where as others are great.
I think if your looking to spend 40k on a car - you should compare what 40k buys you. A 40k BMW 335 is not going to give you the same options as a TL but will give you better performance. It's all what your looking for - performance or convenience.
On a side note I think audi a4's are way overpriced for size and performance.
My 1995 3 Series has 121,000 miles on it and the cost of scheduled maintenance and repairs(including four sets of summer/track rubber) averages a bit under 5 cents per mile. As for my wife's 2004 X3 2.5, at 101,000 miles the sole unscheduled repair has been a bad passenger SRS sensor- which was replaced under warranty. Maintenance costs are again averaging @5 cents per mile, and that takes into account the fact that I change the oil and filter twice as often as the SI system calls for. I better be looking for a good Chapter 7 attorney... :P
In contrast, my 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 has 64,000 miles on it and it has needed a
LF strut, a turbocharger, and a VVT Actuator- all before it hit 50,000 miles.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport 2020 C43 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Acura is good, but whether the marque will endure with serious enthusiasts is debatable.
Point is- a five year old NSX will blow the doors off a 335XI.
20 years ago, Nissan built a $35,000 300 hp 3.0 litre 6 cylinder twin-turbo RWD 3500 lb. sports car. Three years ago, BMW built a 4-door version.
Wow. I've been an Edmunds member since the fall of '98 - 12 years ago - & that's the longest single sentence I've ever seen here.
Congrats!
Your absolutely right that Acura currently has lacked in the hardcore sport performance offerings of RWD and V8 but not every body needs that. I certainly have no issues with performance out of my 3G TL's but not everyone is so happy and wants more. If you want sport performance with a V8 and RWD go get a BMW or Infiniti, plain and simple. That is why there are choices in the luxury market.
1990 -- $35,000 = $58,000 in 2010 dollars.
I remember by mid 90's they were selling for around $50k...which = $71k in todays dollars.
Makes the 370Z look like a bargain (even the 3 series)...of course there are new features, equipment, safety on the new models...different times of course.
Wasn't cheap.
But you're right. The 300ZX turbo, RX7 Turbo, Supra Turbo and 3000GT were too expensive in their day. Nobody wanted to pay German money for a Japanese car. Looking back though, it's amazing how ahead of their time these cars were.
The fact is, every car maker has issues on occasion, Acura included (thinking transmissions here among other foibles). As a suggestion, unless you can say something positive and helpful to the group, don't say it at all.
Like it or don't, believe it or not, many-many of us have owned and driven BMWs for many tens (and even hundreds) of thousands of miles with nor or very minimal issues.
I had the 2003 TL Type S, the car was bullet proof for 30K miles then the transmission gave way-repalced under warranty (according to dealer).
The 5-series BMW's rating is only "Average", but that's mainly because of problems that owners have had with its sound system. The critical major systems - engine, transmission, fuel system, electrical system, etc. - get mostly "Much Better than Average", with a few getting "Better than Average". And let's face it: a bum car stereo is annoying but it won't leave you stranded 500 miles from home.
Don't spoil their fun, they need those urban legends to justify their "sour grapes" attitude...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport 2020 C43 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
An almost fully loaded G37S w/ six speed stick stickers for $39,XXX & sells for what, $35-36K?
I'll take 108 extra horsepower for $2000 please Alex
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD