Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

Kirstie_H

Are you a 20-something who recently bought a new car or who is right now in the market for a new car? A reporter is looking to talk with young Americans to see what they are looking for in their next new vehicle. Please contact pr@edmunds.com with contact information and a brief description of your experience by Friday, January 20, 2012.

nyccarguy

One of the major gripes I have with my 2010 Acura TSX is its lifeless electric power steering. The complete lack of feedback doesn't help when trying to navigate the snowy, unplowed, unsalted roads of Stamford, CT on my way to work this AM.

Up until today, I haven't had the chance to put the TSX through its paces in the white stuff with its Michelin Pilot Arctic Alpin snow shoes. For those of you who've been paying attention, up until this past May the TSX was my wife's car and my DD was my Prelude (15" snow shoes in the winter of course).

The only way I knew the wheels broke traction was by the flickering stability control light on the dash.

FWIW, 4 driven wheels don't help you if you don't take it easy. I saw a couple in a Range Rover who must've spun out & hit the guardrail.

tlong

One of the major gripes I have with my 2010 Acura TSX is its lifeless electric power steering.

There was a time when one of Honda's strengths was the nimble handling and steering agility of its vehicles.

That was a long, long time ago.

nyccarguy

My 2001 Prelude Type SH

cdnpinhead

That was a long, long time ago.

Maybe not so long -- my TSX is the previous version and has conventional steering and what I consider pretty decent handling for a FWD car.

That said, Honda's recent offerings are bloated beyond belief.

sweendogy

Have faith brother - the Ilx is coming along with a new rdx- they'll be fine.

m6user

I thought I read that the TSX V6 version still has the hydraulic steering. I wonder if the new RDX with the the same V6 will have electric or hydraulic steering.

nyccarguy

The TSX V6 does have conventional, hydraulic power steering. While its no BMW, it does provide decent feedback. The problem is that the V6 weighs so much more than my 4cyl TSX that it adversley affects the vehicle's handling. The 280 horsepower was nice though.

sweendogy

I'm sure the 10 people that bought one would agree the 280hp is nice.

sweendogy

Now we all know how I feel about this category - just because you have a brand does not get you entry to this group- many disagree- hosts have no solid answer why certain cars are here- but since BMW, the standard is ditching its work horse 6 for a better 4- let's throw this car into the mix a well-http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/future_cars/audi_a3_2013.html

Yep new a4- rocking the turbo 4- lets make some room and finally delete the tsx from this forum - why 2 acuras, with combined sales of a housing suburb.

sweendogy

A3 not 4.

Tsx: tl- comment - housing suburb in Detroit - sorry -

fedlawman

I don't always (often?) agree with you Sweeny, but that is one gorgeous sedan! And of course it belongs here - it's a sedan from a luxury brand, and it's drop-dead sexy.

Now BMW needs a four door 1-series to compete.

A3 is the new A4
1-series is the new 3-series

sweendogy

If the new a3 is the new a4- And the 1 series is the new 3 series- I can't wait to see the new g series as it should take advantage of both as they move up.

So happy you also Agree that the tsx should also be moved into the accord and sonata forum. Nice -happy times !

flightnurse

Sweeny your comment about "since BMW, the standard is ditching its work horse 6 for a better 4" Please define what you mean by better? please don't just say it makes more power...

sweendogy

We mentioned this before but Better Mpgs and Power - pretty simple if you ask me. - I don't know the weight but guess its lighter as well.

nyccarguy

That is one sharp looking sedan. Give it to me with Quattro, Diesel, & Hydraulic Power Steering and maybe I'll look for an excuse to ditch my TSX:)

flightnurse

Sweeny that doesn't make the car better, according to all of the experts the best 5 series was the E39. It was better in the handling department, and overall design. I guess when it comes to better you have higher Priorities then others.

I have to say, the new 2012 BMW 550i is a watered down M5 has caught my eye, but the styling isn't what I would call stunning...

sweendogy

Not talking about a whole car here-

Mpgs and power and lighter has nothing l do with my taste _ it's what BMW and the world is doing to fight higher costs of fuel- and govt mandates

Enjoy

flightnurse

With the evolution of each generation of car, the series gets bigger. Now your E30 is just a tad bigger then the 1 series, and now with the new 1 series coming out, I'm sure it will be the same size or slightly bigger. Now the A3 is growing into what the A4 was when it first hit the shores and the A4 is growing in the perfect size sedan (IMHO).

So when does these cars stop being entry level luxury cars?

fedlawman

"your E30 is just a tad bigger then the 1 series"

Actually, the E30 is smaller than the 1-Series.

flightnurse

Well size doesn't really matter...

rayainsw

Speaking of the 550i - this is even more interesting.
[ 550d = tri-turbo. ]
[ To me. ]

http://www.insideline.com/bmw/5-series/bmws-m-division-unveils-new-m-performance- - -diesels.html

rayainsw

[ More 'on topic' ]
Now, if they put that 550d's motor in a 3 series...
- Ray
[ Wow ]

kdshapiro

An Electronaut? BMWs all electric car available early this year?

flightnurse

Very interesting sounds like fun, however the cost of rear tires would be a problem after a while. I have a friend who has a Touareg V10, he goes through a set of rear tires a year, with over 500lbs of torque at 1200rpms it becomes costly. It is fun to come off the line and leave everything behind too, but it cost to do that.

I also wonder if they did bring the 550d to the states, how much it would run, considering the 335d is about 6K premium over the 335i.

nyccarguy

Seems to want to drive up demand for their CPO cars up. I just "built my own" 2012 328i and with a few options, the MSRP quickly balloons to $48K.

A used 4 cyl Turbo X3 (MY 2013) is looking more and more like a reality to replace my 2010 TSX a few years from now.

flightnurse

The only turbo 4, 3 series that is being sold in the US is not an xdrive that wont arrive until later this year.

New 2013 3 Series starts off at 34K, however if you want the sport model, that bumps the price up a couple of grand, you can build a "strip" 2013 sport for roughly 37K. Of course when you add leather, premium package add $3600, Tech package and Cold weather package you are looking at 45K. What other package do you want?

dino001

Yeah, I've seen the new pricing scheme. While it has nice sound to it (Sport - Modern - Luxury), it is basically a racket to extract more money. Want certain color of exterior or interior? Pony up for 18" wheels, too. I've never been a big wheel afficionado, as long as they are not too drab, 17" wheels generally sufficient, heck even 16" would be OK with me. The whole scheme of binding wheels with colors/inlays is clearly done to disguise a real price hike - which is to be expected, considering material, development costs, etc. One can still find one color/leather combination without the whole "line" thing, but that's probably left just to feed those $399/month (or whatever) or "starting at..." commercials when the model makes it to the TV.

But there is nothing new. If one wants to be first on the block, pay up. Couple of years from now, the price will stay the same, but some of that stuff will be a no-cost option. Just like with the outgoing model - leather, Ipod/USB integration, couple of other things were either added to standard, or became no-cost options. Just a matter of time.

nyccarguy

I'll build it again @ lunch & see what it comes out too.

nyccarguy

Base MSRP $34,900
Destination $895
Sport Line $2,500
Melbourne Red Metallic $550
Technology Pkg (Nav & HUD) $2550
Heated Front Seats $500
Xenon Lights $900
Premium Package (Req'd for Xenon) $3600
Rear View Camera $400
Park Distance Control (req'd for camera) $750
Sat Radio $350
Total MSRP as built $45,345

It was more when I did this last night :confuse:
They'll charge another, what, $2000 for AWD?

The Turbo 4 328i X Drive is coming later this year. I think production on the 2013 X3 Turbo 4 starts in April.