Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

benjaminh

One of the features I like on my TLX's stereo is that it has built-in memory/storage for CDs. The new Accord and many other cars have taken out the CD player entirely, but the TLX with ELS sound has a player that downloads every CD into its memory in about 5 minutes and then stores it in an album folder. In the first pic you'll see that it's at 29% for downloading the 1958 classic album from Nat King Cole called St. Louis Blues....

andres3

benjaminh said:

One of the features I like on my TLX's stereo is that it has built-in memory/storage for CDs. The new Accord and many other cars have taken out the CD player entirely, but the TLX with ELS sound has a player that downloads every CD into its memory in about 5 minutes and then stores it in an album folder. In the first pic you'll see that it's at 29% for downloading the 1958 classic album from Nat King Cole called St. Louis Blues....

What's the storage capacity in GB? If uncompressed WAV files, about 700 MB per album.

benjaminh

andres3 said:

....What's the storage capacity in GB? If uncompressed WAV files, about 700 MB per album.

Good questions. Tried to look it up at the Acura web site but the info doesn't seem to be there. Perhaps its in the owner's manual....

In any case the ELS sound system is better than my home stereo. I'm hearing details on albums I haven't heard before. I've been thinning out my CD collection over the last ten years, but thank goodness I still saved c. 150 favorites! I'm planning to start downloading them to the car each week as I drive.

sda

benjaminh said:

andres3 said:

....What's the storage capacity in GB? If uncompressed WAV files, about 700 MB per album.

Good questions. Tried to look it up at the Acura web site but the info doesn't seem to be there. Perhaps its in the owner's manual....

In any case the ELS sound system is better than my home stereo. I'm hearing details on albums I haven't heard before. I've been thinning out my CD collection over the last ten years, but thank goodness I still saved c. 150 favorites! I'm planning to start downloading them to the car each week as I drive.

That's cool as I still play CDs in the Accord and Pilot from time to time. I still listen to vinyl about once a month at home. Some cassettes, rarely, thou no 8 tracks.

henryn

Back in the late 80's or early 90's (don't remember what year) I donated two high end turntables and slightly over 400 vinyl record albums, and never looked back. I spent years protecting and cleaning and fussing over records like each one was the hope diamond. No more, never again, thank you very much. And then when I got divorced in 1999, I donated some uncounted number of CDs. All ripped and stored on the computer, no need for optical disks anymore. In those days, if I was going on a trip, I would burn custom CDs, a "road mix" if you will, just for that trip. These days, it's all on flash drives with a playlist. Some things do get better.

And I will extend that to cars. Yes, cars really are a lot better. Faster, cleaner, MUCH longer lasting. If I don't enjoy them as much (although I still do enjoy, just not as much), then I attribute that to being a grouchy old man.

You kids get off my lawn!

roadburner

The hard drives in late model BMWs have a 20GB storage capacity- it is convenient.

Michaell

henryn said:

Back in the late 80's or early 90's (don't remember what year) I donated two high end turntables and slightly over 400 vinyl record albums, and never looked back. I spent years protecting and cleaning and fussing over records like each one was the hope diamond. No more, never again, thank you very much. And then when I got divorced in 1999, I donated some uncounted number of CDs. All ripped and stored on the computer, no need for optical disks anymore. In those days, if I was going on a trip, I would burn custom CDs, a "road mix" if you will, just for that trip. These days, it's all on flash drives with a playlist. Some things do get better.

And I will extend that to cars. Yes, cars really are a lot better. Faster, cleaner, MUCH longer lasting. If I don't enjoy them as much (although I still do enjoy, just not as much), then I attribute that to being a grouchy old man.

You kids get off my lawn!

May I suggest you check out a copy of the book "The Revenge of Analog" from your local library?

Goes into detail about the revival of things like vinyl, books, board games, notebooks and the like. Great read.

Mr_Shiftright

sda said:

benjaminh said:

andres3 said:

....What's the storage capacity in GB? If uncompressed WAV files, about 700 MB per album.

Good questions. Tried to look it up at the Acura web site but the info doesn't seem to be there. Perhaps its in the owner's manual....

In any case the ELS sound system is better than my home stereo. I'm hearing details on albums I haven't heard before. I've been thinning out my CD collection over the last ten years, but thank goodness I still saved c. 150 favorites! I'm planning to start downloading them to the car each week as I drive.

That's cool as I still play CDs in the Accord and Pilot from time to time. I still listen to vinyl about once a month at home. Some cassettes, rarely, thou no 8 tracks.

Funny...I just had this image of feeding vinyl records into the dashboard.

Michaell

Mr_Shiftright said:

sda said:

benjaminh said:

andres3 said:

....What's the storage capacity in GB? If uncompressed WAV files, about 700 MB per album.

Good questions. Tried to look it up at the Acura web site but the info doesn't seem to be there. Perhaps its in the owner's manual....

In any case the ELS sound system is better than my home stereo. I'm hearing details on albums I haven't heard before. I've been thinning out my CD collection over the last ten years, but thank goodness I still saved c. 150 favorites! I'm planning to start downloading them to the car each week as I drive.

That's cool as I still play CDs in the Accord and Pilot from time to time. I still listen to vinyl about once a month at home. Some cassettes, rarely, thou no 8 tracks.

Funny...I just had this image of feeding vinyl records into the dashboard.

Oh, you mean like this?

Mr_Shiftright

Yeah but the BIG ones.

Michaell

Mr_Shiftright said:

Yeah but the BIG ones.

You asked for it …

Mr_Shiftright

Oh, it even has a stacker. This new technology will change everything.

ab348

A new name, Shifty?

Mr_Shiftright

ab348 said:

A new name, Shifty?

A minor glitch we are working on . But it's still me

Ah, fixed!

laurasdada

I believe my XF has a 10gb hard drive, it allows me to upload 10 CDs. So 10 on the HD, one in the player = the Spinal Tap nirvana of 11.

benjaminh

Another little feature I like on the TLX is the built-in compass....

Sandman6472

Was watching the Mecum auction at Harrisburg the other night and they had a DeSoto Firedom go through the line with that same record player. Outstanding looking vehicle!!

The Sandman

sda

benjaminh said:

Another little feature I like on the TLX is the built-in compass....

I like the location and look of the compass and assume that the nav is linked to that display as the street name is shown. Does it show speed limit, too? The large, clear easy to read gauges are a big plus.

benjaminh

sda said:

....
I like the location and look of the compass and assume that the nav is linked to that display as the street name is shown. Does it show speed limit, too? The large, clear easy to read gauges are a big plus.

Yes, the AndroidAuto navigation is linked to that little top display. There's actually a dial on the right of the steering wheel that lets you scroll through your various choices for that display, including tire pressure, oil life, compass/navi, performance mode, etc. When on compass/navi and you've asked it to go somewhere it also displays an arrow to show the direction of your next turn along with a mileage marker for how long that will be. All of that is also displayed in much bigger form on the center screen with the map, but it's a nice little addition to keep you on track to your destination.

PS Now that I've driven both the TLX and my wife's CR-V a lot, I've decided I like non-turbo engines slightly better. The 1.5T on the CR-V does have maybe a third of a second delay in acceleration when you floor it—but in certain situations that can seem like a substantial delay. And so turbo lag has been reduced with these new engines, but not completely eliminated.

PPS My guess is that the next generation TLX, due in maybe a year or so, will go turbo and take out the 4-wheel steering. I'd rather have a naturally aspirated engine and the 4WS. Right now I am hoping to finance the residual on the TLX when the lease is up, if we can afford it at that time. It's a really nice car that I'd like to keep long-term.

andres3

benjaminh said:

sda said:

....
I like the location and look of the compass and assume that the nav is linked to that display as the street name is shown. Does it show speed limit, too? The large, clear easy to read gauges are a big plus.

Yes, the AndroidAuto navigation is linked to that little top display. There's actually a dial on the right of the steering wheel that lets you scroll through your various choices for that display, including tire pressure, oil life, compass/navi, performance mode, etc. When on compass/navi and you've asked it to go somewhere it also displays an arrow to show the direction of your next turn along with a mileage marker for how long that will be. All of that is also displayed in much bigger form on the center screen with the map, but it's a nice little addition to keep you on track to your destination.

PS Now that I've driven both the TLX and my wife's CR-V a lot, I've decided I like non-turbo engines slightly better. The 1.5T on the CR-V does have maybe a third of a second delay in acceleration when you floor it—but in certain situations that can seem like a substantial delay. And so turbo lag has been reduced with these new engines, but not completely eliminated.

PPS My guess is that the next generation TLX, due in maybe a year or so, will go turbo and take out the 4-wheel steering. I'd rather have a naturally aspirated engine and the 4WS. Right now I am hoping to finance the residual on the TLX when the lease is up, if we can afford it at that time. It's a really nice car that I'd like to keep long-term.

Floor it in a Audi with DSG on sport mode, and see if you still think turbo lag is a problem.

My guess is that the delay is more due to programming and transmission ineptitude than on the turbo lag. Does the CVT make an appearance in the CRV?

stickguy

CRV is now a CVT, yes.

andres3

stickguy said:

CRV is now a CVT, yes.

Bingo, there's the problem, and I haven't even test driven the 1.5T yet.

benjaminh

andres3 said:

stickguy said:

CRV is now a CVT, yes.

Bingo, there's the problem, and I haven't even test driven the 1.5T yet.

Yeah. I think the CVT combined with a little bit of turbo lag results in a so-so performance for acceleration when you first start out.

stickguy

Plus it’s not a lightweight, and us pushing an AWD system.

andres3

@benjaminh

Alltrack pictures:

flightnurse

So what is up with Edmunds these days? logging is a pain..

On a side note, took a little trip to San Diego, my 330i averaged 35 MPG with an average speed of 85. At 85 my car is at 2000RPMs I'm still amazed on how the MPG of this car.

henryn

https://cars.com/articles/kia-stinger-gt-vs-alfa-romeo-giulia-ti-who-does-luxury-and-lap-times-best-1420702781441/?aff=emailac&emc=emailac&smtrctid=779136862

Interesting read. Especially considering two of our regulars here in the forums have just purchased Alfa Romeos.

Who's going to step up and buy a Stinger? (smile)

circlew

Thinking about it....

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/kia-stinger-gt-reliability-long-term-update

qbrozen

henryn said:

https://cars.com/articles/kia-stinger-gt-vs-alfa-romeo-giulia-ti-who-does-luxury-and-lap-times-best-1420702781441/?aff=emailac&emc=emailac&smtrctid=779136862

Interesting read. Especially considering two of our regulars here in the forums have just purchased Alfa Romeos.

Who's going to step up and buy a Stinger? (smile)

Stinger interests me, but not the horrible lease rates.

roadburner

qbrozen said:

Stinger interests me, but not the horrible lease rates.

The Stinger is too big for my tastes, and the transmission overheat issue would also nix it if I wanted to use it as a dual purpose car. For strictly street use I still prefer the Giulia Ti Sport, even though it's a bit on the slow side.
I still think my next car will be either an M2 or an M2C.

dino001

If they keep it around in next four-five years, I think I will make myself to put on a hazmat suit and visit our friendly Kia dealer (oh, boy are they horrible here, or what) to check it out. It's got a lot of good stuff, but seems like they are still behind on a few things, such as relationship between power and gas mileage (e.g. BMW 340/440 has similar performance, but much better gas mileage as a daily driver), but with appropriate price difference, those objections and shortcomings are not insurmountable. Biggest thing will be the "first contact" with a sales person. Hope it won't start from "are you buying it today?", "what can I do to make you take it home?", or "let me wash your BMW - oh, I can't find the keys", "How about I show you the deal - square one, two, three, four".

circlew

The lease rate is the factor that stops me cold from taking the leap.

Since I don't track my cars, it would do fine for my needs but I would assume an M2 would surpass the Stinger on the track compared to the Giulia.

qbrozen

circlew said:

The lease rate is the factor that stops me cold from taking the leap. Since I don't track my cars, it would do fine for my needs but I would assume an M2 would surpass the Stinger on the track compared to the Giulia.

Yes, the completely noncomparable M2 would beat the Stinger on track, as would a corvette or sportbike, BTW.

FlightNurse2

roadburner said:

qbrozen said:

Stinger interests me, but not the horrible lease rates.

The Stinger is too big for my tastes, and the transmission overheat issue would also nix it if I wanted to use it as a dual purpose car. For strictly street use I still prefer the Giulia Ti Sport, even though it's a bit on the slow side.
I still think my next car will be either an M2 or an M2C.

Why not a Genesis G70 with a manual?

roadburner

Again, the local dealer are hopeless at best(What can I do to put ya in a car today, pal?)- and with the well know Hyundai proclivity to void warranties at the drop of a hat I could see problems with using it as my instructor car.

FlightNurse2

roadburner said:

Again, the local dealer are hopeless at best(What can I do to put ya in a car today, pal?)- and with the well know Hyundai proclivity to void warranties at the drop of a hat I could see problems with using it as my instructor car.

Are you talking about Genesis Dealers or Hyundia dealers? If you go out to the Genesis web site, I think you will see a completely different type of experience. Just like Infiniti, Lexus and Acura changed the way people looked at Asian cars, Genesis dealers aren't Hyundia dealers. Granted there are no Genesis only dealerships yet, but when Rich and I went and looked at a Genesis G80, the treatment was miles a head of what you get at the Kia or Hyundia salespeople. No pressure they weren't looking to be your best friend. Just have to wait for the G70 to show up at the dealers.

roadburner

Thanks, but I am more than aware of the distinction. The dealer group that owns the future Genesis store(and the current Hyundai store) has less than a stellar reputation. I suspect that their Genesis sales "experience" would still require me to take a long hot shower afterwards. Not worth my time.

dino001

roadburner said:

Thanks, but I am more than aware of the distinction. The dealer group that owns the future Genesis store(and the current Hyundai store) has less than a stellar reputation. I suspect that their Genesis sales "experience" would still require me to take a long hot shower afterwards. Not worth my time.

Yeah, I went once to an AutoNation Lexus store. It had nice decor and everything, but the experience wasn’t the same as my local BMW dealer. It was polite, but you could still feel primary focus on sale and closing, not the product exposition and its potential fit into your life, which I felt at BMW, Audi, or even Volvo stores, every time I visited those. Something you expect at a good Toyota dealership. The difference is subtle, but perceptable. It’s mostly in the types of conversations you have with the salesman, or the manager, if he/she introduces themselves. After the visit I even received generic template follow up emails from two different managers, even though I made it clear to the sales guy the product was not interesting to me (I was looking at CT200h and it was a total dog, real disappointment). To their credit, when I responded to them saying don’t call/write and explained why, they left me alone.

benjaminhf

I am the poster formerly known as benjaminh and now as benjaminhf. Just wanted to say I'm still alive, but my 17 year history with Edmunds has seemingly been erased. Also I've been very busy with work. But I wanted to briefly say that I'm still really enjoying the driving experience with my leased 2018 Acura TLX 2.4 Tech. Great car for the money imho. All best wishes out there to the chronic car buyers, etc. @stickguy: are you still considering a TLX?

stickguy

Still on the list. Just have not been looking actively right now.

kyfdx

benjaminhf said:

I am the poster formerly known as benjaminh and now as benjaminhf. Just wanted to say I'm still alive, but my 17 year history with Edmunds has seemingly been erased. Also I've been very busy with work. But I wanted to briefly say that I'm still really enjoying the driving experience with my leased 2018 Acura TLX 2.4 Tech. Great car for the money imho. All best wishes out there to the chronic car buyers, etc. @stickguy: are you still considering a TLX?

I sent you a message

benjaminhf

A new and mostly positive review by Kelly Blue Book of the TLX. The reviewer says the TLX is likely to be more reliable than some other luxury cars in the long run, which is good news for me since I'm hoping to keep mine for quite a while....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F81DMMd0jdA

stickguy

If I do manage to upgrade to a TLX it would have to be with a 10 year horizon.

That was the deal the wife made to get the RDX. that just had its 6th anniversary last week, and sitting at about 48,000 miles. Though getting used more now. Wife just started a new job Monday, with a 27 mile RT commute. Going to wear the poor thing out. Another reason for me to upgrade. Get something she can share for commuting duty.

benjaminhf

kyfdx said:

benjaminhf said:

I am the poster formerly known as benjaminh and now as benjaminhf. Just wanted to say I'm still alive, but my 17 year history with Edmunds has seemingly been erased. Also I've been very busy with work. But I wanted to briefly say that I'm still really enjoying the driving experience with my leased 2018 Acura TLX 2.4 Tech. Great car for the money imho. All best wishes out there to the chronic car buyers, etc. @stickguy: are you still considering a TLX?

I sent you a message

Thanks. I'll give it a try at some point to merge my accounts.

benjaminhf

stickguy said:

If I do manage to upgrade to a TLX it would have to be with a 10 year horizon.

That was the deal the wife made to get the RDX. that just had its 6th anniversary last week, and sitting at about 48,000 miles. Though getting used more now. Wife just started a new job Monday, with a 27 mile RT commute. Going to wear the poor thing out. Another reason for me to upgrade. Get something she can share for commuting duty.

I'm not sure if I'd have the patience and discipline to really keep a car for ten years—maybe eight?—but if I did this TLX would be the car for that. So far I really like the TLX on all levels—driving dynamics, comfort, awesome sound system, looks. It's by far the best car I've ever had. And given that it's an Acura I can see potentially driving it past the standard 70,000 mile engine and transmission warranty.

Not surprisingly it seems like the incentives on the 2019s are less than what was available over the summer for the 2018s. Maybe even by Thanksgiving the lease incentives might be higher again?

stickguy

They usually go up as the year goes along. Christmas ind Presidents’ Day are good options.

I try and stagger the cars, so always at least one newer. Also helps to only have one loan at a time, max.

benjaminhf

Yeah, I was and am a bit concerned with getting two new cars at once. But so far we haven't regretted it. The CR-V is also an awesome vehicle. We love it for what it can do in terms of large cargo space while still carrying passengers. We use that a lot, actually. And the CR-V is also fun to drive. Anyway, we put an extra 4k down on our the 15k loan we have for the CR-V, and so now the amount owed on it is down to 11k. If we can make another 4k extra in Dec., which might be possible, and then yet another 4k extra early next summer, that along with our monthly payments might get us free and clear on the CR-V by July or so. Then we'll just have the reasonable $229 a month lease on the TLX.

benjaminhf

The KBB reviewer makes some good points about the infotainment system on the TLX. As he says, it's not intuitive at first, but over time it becomes pretty good. And I'm now used to it and can use it pretty easily. My wife's new CR-V has just the touchscreen, and in some ways I prefer that, but believe it or not in other ways I prefer the TLX's 2-screen system. Let me try to briefly explain. So with the one touchscreen like with the CR-V—and many new vehicles these days—you are either in one display mode or another for the screen. In other words, if you've called up the stereo controls on the screen, then the map you might be using from AndroidAuto or CarPlay goes away. Same with the climate controls on the CR-V. With the system on the TLX, however, you can have two things going on at the same time. And so your navi screen at the top (which is a good place for it, right below the line of sight outward) can be doing its thing directing you to where you need to go, while the lower screen on the TLX is displaying your stereo and climate controls. Plus the touch screens, to state the obvious, are magnets for dust and fingerprints, and since you don't touch the upper screen on the TLX it stays pristine. Finally, the TLX's touch screen is more responsive than the one on the CR-V. Sometimes you need to press an electronic "button" on the CR-V's screen twice to activate it, while one gentle touch on the TLX's screen almost always works the first time.

In terms of handling, even my wife has said she really likes the way the TLX drives. She likes the 4-wheel steering (although it took her a couple of months to actually feel it), the handling, and the smooth power.

stickguy

I like the 2 screen set up, for just the reason you said. More real estate, and dedicated map when needed.

benjaminhf

My local Cadillac dealer has their last ATS available for lease for $200 a month with "0 down":

"2018 CADILLAC ATS Sedan 2.0t STD
Lease For$199/MO $0 DOWN"

https://www.courtesycadillac.net/MonthlySpecials

Quite the deal for that car imho.