Getting A New Car! =)

[Zot09]

So I am pretty sure that I will be getting a new car once I go back home for winter break(this December). My price limit is $35k and I have narrowed down my choices to two cars: The 2007 Acura TSX w/ Navigation(I have an 06 without nav, and I love it, but I would love to have the nav in it)(31k) and the 2007 Lexus IS250 with Premium Package and Adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights or Sport Package(35k). If you could choose any one of these two, which would you get? Neither? Then what would you buy? I am looking for a nice comfortable car(sedan), due to the long commute I would have going back home or going back to school(6-7 hour drive without traffic), with great safety and reliability. I plan on keeping this new car for a long time(10 years).

Unfortunately the 3-series is out of question. I would consider it if I could still find a 2006 325i on the lot, but not the 2007 328i. Because BMW raised the price of the car by $1900, that automatically limits the options I could get on it. A 6MT 328i with ZSP, and Adaptive Bi-Xenons is already 36k Add in power seats w/ memory and an automatic transmission(which I want because of the commute and horrid So. Cal traffic) the car comes out to 38k.

[davide]

I'd go with the Lexus, just for it's styling. Looks good and rides pretty well too I think.
Ever thought of Audi A4?

And if you are planning to keep the car for a long time I would def go for the lexus, they have an excellent services from what I've heard and almost never break down. Great build quality...!

[novass]

Question; since you have a 2006 TSX without nav but want a 2007 with nav, why dont you just get nav installed on your 2006 and save 30 grand?

2006 is pretty new, why are you getting rid of it? Im not saying you shouldnt, just asking why you want too.

Personally, niether of those cars do much for me so I wouldnt look at either one. What about an Audi?

[Zot09]

Originally Posted by novass Question; since you have a 2006 TSX without nav but want a 2007 with nav, why dont you just get nav installed on your 2006 and save 30 grand? 2006 is pretty new, why are you getting rid of it? Im not saying you shouldnt, just asking why you want too. Personally, niether of those cars do much for me so I wouldnt look at either one. What about an Audi?

The 06 is probably going to go to my younger cousin, so that is why I am getting another ride.

As for the Audi, I really do like the B7 A4's styling, I'm just worried about its reliability.

[TopGearNL]

I would look at some German cars first, as said by others

[ae86_16v]

For some reason, I find spending $35k on a TSX is a bit ridiculous. I don't know, I understand entry level luxury, but that price seem waaay too inflated for a 4 Cylinder car.

I personally per German cars, but nevertheless, I have to hand it to Lexus for making a good package car. Especially when it comes to luxury, the IS is right up there. Sporting wise, it will be hard to beat the 3 Series, but since that is a bit out of your range, the IS is close.

Of course, I would take the A4 2.0T over the IS. But given that personally I own an A4 and girlfriend own a IS300 (last generation), reliability wise, I must give to Lexus. But overall package wise, I would still take the A4 over the IS.

[novass]

Originally Posted by Zot09 Originally Posted by novass Question; since you have a 2006 TSX without nav but want a 2007 with nav, why dont you just get nav installed on your 2006 and save 30 grand? 2006 is pretty new, why are you getting rid of it? Im not saying you shouldnt, just asking why you want too. Personally, niether of those cars do much for me so I wouldnt look at either one. What about an Audi? The 06 is probably going to go to my younger cousin, so that is why I am getting another ride. As for the Audi, I really do like the B7 A4's styling, I'm just worried about its reliability.

Gotcha. My Audi has been pretty good reliability wise, but there have been some problems. I know the drive you do from Irvine to Monterey as I have done LA to Monterey a few times and thats about 45 min shorter than you, so I know you want a car that you can just jump in and go.

I would say test drive a bunch of cars that you like and see what fits you best.

[vexor]

MazdaSpeed 6 (MPS) ? considerd that?

my parents just bought a Mazda 6 Sprot wagon GT last month and i've been driving it once in a while and it feels very good. plenty of power, smooth ride, and spacious even for a 6'4" guy like me.

Plus Jezza likes it (apart from the nose) so even the "pros" say it's good.

[Neema702]

i think the IS250 is the best choice. i have the B7 A4 and i love it, but the reliability is embarrassing. I'm actually planning on getting a Lexus for my next car. I've had a ES300 and a RX300 and they both worked perfectly for me. Obviously ur losing a little bit of sport with lexus, but it makes up for it, and all around i think its ur best choice.

i know its out of the question, but from one car lover to another, i freaking love the new 335i. the new 328i IS the 330i, fucking BMW, anything for profit.

[spanky]

Of those two i'd go the lexus...

[Skaala]

Originally Posted by davide Ever thought of Audi A4?

:good:

Im with davide here

[Chaos in 1983!]

I would go with the Lexus...i like i's sporty look, and it will be reliable for sure since after all it's a toyota...

[nthfinity]

huh, wha?

35,000$?

Id get a 2004 C5 Z06, and put nav on board ... and still have at least 5,000$ left over

but thats just me I'm a serious sporting kind of guy

neither the Lexus, nor the Acura do much for me

I know i'm not helping you, sorry

[Zot09]

Thanks for all the help guys. Keep your opinions coming!

As for the Audi, I really do like the B7. Especially with the S-line package in black. Even though a few of you are trying to sway me on the reliability of it, I am still a bit skeptical. I'll consider it, and will deffinitly go test drive it once I am back home, but in terms of the Audi vs. Lexus vs. Acura, the Audi is on the bottom of my list for now.

There is a new 2006 6MT 325i with ZSP, ZPP, and Adaptive Bi-Xenons at Stevens Creek BMW in Santa Clara, so I hope that the car is still there when I get back home so I can check it out. Any Nor-Cal member want to check it out for me? hahaha j/k

Originally Posted by dani_d_mas I would go for a E46 330d - great engine, good performance, and low fuel consumption... ask TransAm, he's just bought one! If I had to chose between the two you've suggested - I would go for the Lexus... love the styling, and with the SPort Package - big wheels I asume - should be nice!

A diesal would be pretty interesting, but unfortunately they are not readily available in California. Even if they were, I'm not sure if I would purchase one. Sure the torque and mpg are nice, but I don't like the low redline

Originally Posted by TopGearNL I would look at some German cars first, as said by others

I would love to have a German, they have something about them that just separates them from other cars on the road.

Originally Posted by thamar Audi is reliable, otherwise they wouldn't sell so many cars in europe...

I've heard a few different things about Audi, but you do make a good point.

Originally Posted by ae86_16v For some reason, I find spending $35k on a TSX is a bit ridiculous. I don't know, I understand entry level luxury, but that price seem waaay too inflated for a 4 Cylinder car. I personally per German cars, but nevertheless, I have to hand it to Lexus for making a good package car. Especially when it comes to luxury, the IS is right up there. Sporting wise, it will be hard to beat the 3 Series, but since that is a bit out of your range, the IS is close. Of course, I would take the A4 2.0T over the IS. But given that personally I own an A4 and girlfriend own a IS300 (last generation), reliability wise, I must give to Lexus. But overall package wise, I would still take the A4 over the IS.

If the TSX were $35k, it would deffinitly be ridiculous, but it's actually $30.5k w/ Nav. A lot of people do have the same complaint as you in terms of the 4-cylinder engine, but it does pack the same punch as the IS250 which has a 2.5 V6. But it wouldn't hurt if it did have a V6.

As for the IS250, I was pleasently surprised as well when I test drove it. It is a huge upgrade from the IS300 that my friend has. The drive is so much more comfortable, while keeping a lot of the sportiness that the IS300 had(it's still nowhere near as sport as the 3-series though). In terms of a comparison between the 325i and IS250 I test drove, I found that the IS was much more comfortable, and it had a more upscale interior, but the 3-series just kicked it's butt in everything else.

Originally Posted by novass Gotcha. My Audi has been pretty good reliability wise, but there have been some problems. I know the drive you do from Irvine to Monterey as I have done LA to Monterey a few times and thats about 45 min shorter than you, so I know you want a car that you can just jump in and go. I would say test drive a bunch of cars that you like and see what fits you best.

Good to know that you Audi has been pretty good reliability wise, you guys are starting to sway me a bit on the Audi.

Deffinitly, I already test drove a lot over the summer, but I will do it's once more in December before I choose a car.

Originally Posted by vexor MazdaSpeed 6 (MPS) ? considerd that? my parents just bought a Mazda 6 Sprot wagon GT last month and i've been driving it once in a while and it feels very good. plenty of power, smooth ride, and spacious even for a 6'4" guy like me. Plus Jezza likes it (apart from the nose) so even the "pros" say it's good.

The MazdaSpeed 6 would be pretty rad, but I am not the biggest fan of the styling. But the Mazda 6 deffinitly is not bad at all. Thanks for the recomondation though, this is what I'm looking for.

Originally Posted by Neema702 i think the IS250 is the best choice. i have the B7 A4 and i love it, but the reliability is embarrassing. I'm actually planning on getting a Lexus for my next car. I've had a ES300 and a RX300 and they both worked perfectly for me. Obviously ur losing a little bit of sport with lexus, but it makes up for it, and all around i think its ur best choice. i know its out of the question, but from one car lover to another, i freaking love the new 335i. the new 328i IS the 330i, fucking BMW, anything for profit.

Recently I have been thinking the same thing with the Lexus. I love the styling, and the ventilated seats! It's kind of like my Mom's S-class in terms of luxury, just smaller. Good to hear that you had a good experience with your Lexus's.

As for the 3-series, I'll push for it, but I'm not sure if it will happen. I can hope.

Originally Posted by spanky Of those two i'd go the lexus...

Thanks for the input!

Originally Posted by brembo I wouldnt worry about the reliabilty of tha Audi, but you have to like the car if you are buying a new one...

Oh yeah, I love the A4, I'm just worried about the reliability. But you guys are starting to sway me in terms of it's reliability.

Originally Posted by Skaala :good: Im with davide here

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Chaos in 1983! I would go with the Lexus...i like i's sporty look, and it will be reliable for sure since after all it's a toyota...

That is exactly what I was thinking. I haven't heard anything bad at all in terms of Lexus's overall reliability.

Originally Posted by nthfinity huh, wha? 35,000$? Id get a 2004 C5 Z06, and put nav on board ... and still have at least 5,000$ left over but thats just me I'm a serious sporting kind of guy neither the Lexus, nor the Acura do much for me I know i'm not helping you, sorry

Hahaha I was waiting for you to say something like that Nth! lol! It would be pretty cool owning a Corvette, it's one of the few American cars I actually give respect to, but its power would give me too many speeding tickets hahaha It would be nice having a sports car, but there wouldn't be enough space for me to carry around my stuff when going back and forth from home to school, or when moving to a new apartment in Irvine. If space or comfort weren't a problem, I would deffinitly consider the Z06, or a S2K Thanks anyways Nth!



Thanks again everyone!

[e46drew]

it sounds like in your financhel position reliability isn't all that nessary , but still with out sbjecting your self to a car with out a warranty, get a WRX sti, it's much more a drivers car then the rest listed here