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Comments
Acura has never been known for styling, but they had at least something with the TL/TSX. Why they chose to completely abandon that I have no idea. The "Advanced Sedan Concept" unfortunately foreshadowed the horror that has come.
I remember back when the M1s were released, they were pretty incredible. One of the audio mags called them speaker of the decade. Since then I haven't been that impressed with the company. The funky upward facing midrange/tweeter setup they use now certainly looks interesting, but there are better sounding omni-radiators.
Hey come on down! 75-85 mph is the norm on I75. Just watch it on those 35 mph roads.
My condolences to the fine people of California who do seem to be issued summonses for such trifles as going 65 mph in a 45 mph zone and having to actually stop for of all things, a red light! Where DO these officers get their trainin'?
Virginia is absolutely brutal. Maryland I haven't found to be too horrible, at least not the highways north of Baltimore. Pennsylvania usually isn't bad, but every now and then they like to send out the Troopers just to keep you on your toes. Fortunately they always use the same spots.
Audi's quality and reliability turnaround has been remarkable. Take the A6, the old one was infamous as a shop hog, and now it has some of the best CR scores in the segment. While I still think the "German car out of warranty" rule applies, an Audi just isn't the risk that it once was. Combine that with Audi's continuing design leadership and their latest TFSI engines, and I think they are going to do very well.
We've got that here in PA on I83 as well, sometimes even faster at 85-90mph. On rare occasions, the needle has touched the triple digit mark, and I was still only "keeping up" with left lane traffic! :surprise:
When those traffic lights are flashing overhead next to the school, you had better not go more than 15 mph! You will get busted.
The last time I got stopped on the interstate, I was doing 87 mph. The officers here must be told "give 'em 85 and then use your judgment."
All I will say about left coast is that its the RIGHT COAST to be on...
I have been looking (Confused) about my next car purchase for a year now. Had heart set on MDX but evil-green-wife has veto' ed
I have driven from Camry Hybrid, RL, 5 series, E class, Genesis, 09-Maxima, A6, GS 350, and 400h...Still undecided (Leaning towards GS 350)
Currently I drive first generation Infiniti G20 (P10) and absolutely love the drive. Its low on power but driving is pure & unaldurated by tech gizmo's. I think perfectly fine car is the problem in trying to find right car.
May be I should follow Mr H & test drive VW
Sanjay
If I change my mind about going back to a 3 Series with SP as my next vehicle, the Infiniti M will be at the top of my list. I didn't care for the first generation of the new design, but I definitely like the new M.
"The problem in trying to find the right car." That pretty much defines my life and its main purpose. Sad, isn't it?
Well, just based on those cars let me give you my 2 cents:
Camry Hybrid - Great car if you want above average mileage, want the toys but don't care about the badge and don't really care about the handling.
RL - Personally I like this car, a lot as matter of fact, but only for the ones before Acura decided to give it the "transformer" treatment. I heard that Acura are literally giving them away now and one can easily get one for around $40k. If you are not offended by the new Acura styling and do not need/want a V8 then this is probably your best choice.
5-series - What can I say, it's the leader of the segment... that's if you can justify the premium it has over others. If handling is not on the top of your priority list then I say look other ways.
E-class - Getting a redesign soon so you can probably get a killer deal right now. Still like the look but can't justify getting it over the 5-series.
Genesis - Can't beat of value of this car, especially the V8 model. If RWD is a must and you are on a budget then this is possibly the best choice. Still can't get over the fact that it is sold through the normal Hyundai dealerships though.
09-Maxima - FWD + bloated + over $35k = Not a fan... A G35 or even the Genesis are much better choices with the same kind of money in my opinion.
A6 - If you don't need/want AWD then I don't see the point of getting the A6 over other cars in the same segment... unless you REALLY REALLY like its interior.
GS350/450h - Since the GS really isn't selling that well I am sure you can probably get a good deal on it, especially for the GS350. If handling is not one of your top priorities then personally I would take the GS over 5er due to better interior design and NA engine over FI (GS350 vs. 535i).
This is a good thing, because I gave up waiting for Audi or BMW diesels (the economical ones, not the 335/135) and wanted a new car. I bought the Honda as a placeholder while I see what settles out over the next 3-4 years.
With the disproportianate diesel fuel pricing, I'm not so hard over on wanting a diesel, but I'd still prefer a manual RWD with real tires and a dipstick.
Slim pickens, but could improve?
Probably not.
I could have this Honda for the next decade. The good news is that it'll still be working for that long. 28 mpg -- works for me
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Love that dirty water? Oh, no. That's the Charles River. Boston. The right coast which surely is the right coast, especially for all you sports fans.
No denial, LG. Just a fervent hope that ACURA CAN'T BE SERIOUS! It just has to look better in the flesh. Doesn't it? Have to? Really, it has to...
Well, maybe my TL just increased in value a few more $$$.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
No I'm no fan of Bose, the papercone tweeters are just plain cheap, and look at the retail price...omg. I'm still looking for a nice set, have yet to find the right one.
I havent checked around lately, but tried the Mirage not long ago, theyre good, but the design is just weird imo... I wonder if it'll turn me off. What about Infinity, B&O or Definitive, anyone got any experience with it?
lovemyclk, I dont really like Klipsch due to its overloud tweeters, but that was 4 years ago, I wonder if they've changed.
Different people, different flavor, I like deep bass (not loud) and soft, flowing midrage.
Acura tl, hmmm.... one word: deadbeat. :P
In all honesty Its Evil-Wife only when its Cars, Big Screen, Speakers, etc... its like
"Oh you can get gas guzzler Land Cruiser/LX if you really want... but please dont tell me to ride in it ever"
And here is the kicker I cannot say "Honey you can buy that 22K diamond necklace... but please dont ever tell me to wear it"
I am sure if there is a jewelry lounge out there "evil-husband" is mentioned umpteen times.
Thanks Louiswie for your opinion on cars I am considering... They kind of mirror my thoughts.
So far I have ruled out Infiniti only because we have been driving Nissan/Infiniti products since graduate school days... From Sentra to second gen Q45. I just want to buy some other brand New Maxima is not all that bad
Could not bring myself to spend 40K on Genesis. I must say I got extremely good treatment at the dealership when I went for a test drive
Over priced mass lux cars like BMW's and MB are dime a dozen in the area I live in. In my 15 mile drive to work I see at least half a dozen "real lux" like RR, Bentley, etc.
Camry probably will be an exclusive car in SoCal.
As we say here "So Cal is famous for Cars, Beaches, and Structured bodies"
RL and TL type S are good value and good design (Pre transformer era)...I agree Acura really have dropped the ball here
The quest continues
Talking about speaker I have Definitive Technology Bipolars and would recommend any speaker buyer to check them out. Have been very happy with them.
Bose, in my mind, is a good entry level speaker supported by EXTREMELY good marketing team.
I love my evil wife; it must be she cast light on my dark side.
Welcome to the forums, Sanjays.
Regards,
Jose
(Sanjays, TM, Louis, don't forget Dewey as a part of the West Coast Team!)
Wait, I thought Dewey resides in "somewhere north of the border" :P and not in Vancouver. No?
In particular on winding roads she's really glued to the pavement. Not that I am always looking for her limits, but I can keep a quick yet comfortable pace through laced corners.
On the highway, I have to say me too I am waiting for two possible speed tickets coming from hidden radars.
The bad news is that my wife likes driving the 335 more than she loved the 530d and much more than she loves her Mini Cooper. So, she insists in her driving the car for herself or took over me behind the steering wheel when touring together. Devil wears Prada or whatever she does.
I can only imagine the pleasure of driving your convert. Enjoy!
Regards,
Jose
Regards,
Jose
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Anyway, sorry that Dewey isn't part of the West Coast team, but he's got himself a good situation.
TM
Regards,
Jose
Forget Team Lexican. Since I am in the Great Lakes Team I will employ alll my ammunition against West Coast Team members.
Thanks, Tony, but when it comes to that sort of thing, I implement the "don't ask, don't tell" policy!
TM
lovemyclk, what do you think of those Mission speakers, any good? Personally when it comes to subs I prefer the B&W, we call it the ball-sub around here lol, but the asking price is just insane, maybe I'll try Polk Audio's.
What about CPO suvs? Any good deals out there?
TM
Nah... count me in as well.
What about CPO suvs? Any good deals out there?
Are you kidding? Right now it's probably the best time to buy SUVs, whether it's new, used or CPO.
Howard your VW Golf is compelling value when compared to this new gimmick vehicle called the Tiguan.
Also the Audi Q7 and Q5 are nothing more than a "me-too" and "too-late" vehicles for Audi. Audi Avants makes all Q models look like a redundance.
And soon we will have a Chrysler Caravan rebadged as a VW. Another Me-too, too-late vehicle?
The following is from the Wall Street Journal:
But even among the VW faithful, the Tiguan seems a suspect choice given its paltry size advantage over the much-less-expensive five-door hatchback Rabbit, not to mention the wagon versions of the compact Jetta and midsize Passat. Both wagons trounce the Tiguan's cargo-carrying abilities and get better gas mileage, and the Jetta is less expensive. Even better, the Jetta SportWagen will be available next month with a 50-state-legal diesel engine that gives it a combined fuel-economy rating of 34 miles per gallon.
Combined with a stiff suspension and an available six-speed manual transmission, the Tiguan could have pretensions to being a sporty little number. Perhaps there is some combination of available equipment that would cause this to be so, but the top-of-the-line Tiguan I tested wasn't it, despite a whopping $37,230 price tag.
link title
I am personally disappointed, as I was keeping an eye on the Tiguan. Not any more.
TM
We’ve previously heard that that BMW’s M division is considering V6 turbocharged engines for future M models to cut CO2 emissions. Well, now BMW M GmbH is reportedly considering hybrid-drive in the long-term. Currently, output of conventional combination of a gasoline-engine and electric motor is still too low for the high-performance division to put into production models.
According to BMW M GmbH head of development Albert Biermann, BMW is looking to transfer over the technology it will start using in its Formula 1 cars in the 2009 season called KERS. KERS, which stands for Kinetic Energy Recovery System, has a hybrid module consisting of an electric motor, generator and a battery.
The hybrid module is said to be five times smaller and about five times more powerful than in a conventional hybrid. At low speeds, the energy is recovered and saved to the electric-motor and then used later for additional power.
There is no word when BMW will use the technology in production M models.
link title
And IIRC, briteone and blckislandguy had suggested that BMW had no powertrains for the future. This seems to roundfile that idea.
TM
Regards,
Jose
Time for the good TagMan to get some much-deserved R & R. Nothing like our world-traveling fellow-poster Hemi... only two weeks for me, and I'll have my mobile with me, as usual. However, I will be in an area of the country that has spotty cellular service. While I am away, my primary vehicle will be...
a boat.
So, hopefully my 'ol body will hold up to the water skiing, knee boarding, wake boarding, wake surfing, and wake skating.
And, on this vacation, there will be way too much beer and bar-b-que.
When I return, I will be pissed off, as I will have that accumulated pile of awful bills to pay, I'll have to go back to the damned office, where there will be paperwork and messages stacked up on my desk, and, of course I'll have gained an extra few pounds from all that beer and bar-b-que I'll need to work off. Yes, it will be back to the grind. Well, as the saying goes... you play, you pay! :sick:
But for now... two weeks. :shades:
TM
Tag, I saw two 1 convertibles today. One black, one white, both just so adorable! The Lab puppy of cardom! Actually liked the white more...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
thanks for the info. I like Definitives, but havent checked the latest Bipolars, if they do have that sweet flowing midrange I'd definitely consider it. When it comes to price-quality relation I personally find Definitive pretty much a bargain. The one and only thing I dislike about Definitve is the way they all look the same from time to time, not sure whether to call it timeless or lacking creativity.
Yes the Bose is actually an entry level product in quality, and yes, supported by an amazing marketing team that somehow manages to make Bose look better than it actually is. The bomb is the price. For the same ammount of money, or even less, I can get myself a set of Jamo speakers, less known but plenty of quality for the price, definitely better sounding than any Bose system. From what I see the only advantage BOSE has over competition is in its size (think the "JEWEL" speakers). Theyre small but loud, yes, but thats about it.
Wannabes buy BOSE, those in the know buy something else.
Same goes to Tannoys, I'm somewhat disappointed by their rather flat sounding midrange, especially for the retail price....
I pretty much like the Bang Olufsen products, and theyre very space efficient also. However I admit there are better products out there, as they push the prices to almost reach the B&W area.
I just realized as much as I dislike the odd styling of current Mirage products, i cant help but take another look at them thanks to its attractive price (for the quality, of course).
Btw anyone got any comments on Infinity or HK systems?
Speaking of cars, if now is the perfect time to get great deals on suvs, does this mean its possible to get big discounts on CPO X5s? Its practically the only suv I'm considering, since the other choice (range rover) is just too darn huge. Also I heard horror stories about their dealership service.
As for sedans my heart is almost set on Audis (be it A6 or A8, they both give amazing deals). I find it amazing though that the midsize luxos depreciate more than its compact siblings. I looked at price quotes the other day and found the price for 06 A6/530i is barely more than the smaller A4/330i....wow... I dont know what to say.
If this is the case, why do people still settle for the smaller CPOs? Because of the fuel?
I know you're fascinated with the Niagara Falls but please try to keep your boat a fair distance from it.
Thanks!
Have a good time.
Maybe that is the case for BMW performance cars but I do strongly believe that BMW's new so-called "Green Cars" (currently rumored as i-series models which may have something to do with the name Isetta?) will need a plug in battery if they want to compete with various green cars of the future.
Almost fifty years ago BMW almost went bankrupt trying to compete with Mercedes Benz luxury and as a result they redefined themselves as a performance sedan company.
Now that the car market is changing so fast BMW will be trying to redefine itself beyond mainly performance sedans (MINI and premium priced luxury green cars). But one lesson from the past that BMW should learn is not to imitate the market leader as it tried doing with MB. It should try to create green cars that are distinct and desirable when compared with the market leader (i.e. Toyota/Lexus hybrids)
.
Unhealthy,
Immoral, or
Illegal...Go figure
So true. That applies to everyone except maybe a hedonistic German Porsche owner who lives near the Autobahn in order to go with unlimited speed to Amsterdam for servings of psychoactive hemp that are legally served in Amsterdam bars" (hemp is considered healthy you know).
Nothing unhealthy, immoral and illegal about that. Unless of course you are a North American moralist. :surprise: