Author Topic: Tossing ideas around (Read 5808 times)

mmret · « **on:** July 23, 2010, 06:52:29 pm »

Not saying I'm going to do it....

The TSX has been good. No doubts. Had some early rattle issues which have been cured by some combination of elbow grease, foam tape, radio, and mellowing out.
But I lately have become more irritated by two things:
1. Its supremely slow below 3k RPMs.
2. Lots of road and wind noise.

I basically want something to waft around in. I could try to adapt the TSX, or I could try to get something else. The problem with getting something else of course is that it costs quite a lot of money in normal circumstances let alone trying to sell a car with a $10k front ender on it...

Option 1 - Fix the TSX

Hondata ECU: Very cheap at $300 plus a week without the car and some elbow grease. Can probably say goodbye to powertrain warranty if anything goes. Improves responsiveness. Peak gain about 24lb/ft @ 6000 RPM. Gains at the low end are around 5-10 lb/ft.

Dynamat: $240 for two door kits. Will have a hell of a time installing this stuff. Heard that it works well though. Sadly the extra weight will probably take away a lot of what the Hondata does for me. Plus, always the risk of creating more rattles while playing around in the doors. Faustian bargain.

Option 2 - Flip!

The expensive and higher risk way to go. Absolutely used cars only as I don't see the value in buying new.

Would like something that is:
Comfortable, quiet, fast, handles well enough, reasonably reliable.
Not necessarily all in that order. Two or four doors don't really care.
Would like something with Navigation just for the cool factor.

Ideas:
IS350 - hits pretty much all the boxes. Reasonable prices. Does absolutely nothing for me emotionally. Very left-brain choice.

CLK350 Coupe - probably a reliability disaster and used values are on the high side I think but I have a soft spot for it.

A5 2.0T - massive style points and AWD. Not sure if they've aged enough for me to get a used one at the magical 50% depreciation mark. APR chip gives great power gains for cheap!

G37/x/S - pretty nice but oddly neither the sedan nor coupe does much for me emotionally. Not sure why I'd get one over the Lexus.

Passat CC 3.6 4MOTION - If I remember correctly these can actually be bought for sub $30k in the US with relatively little mileage! Have a soft spot for big, wafting cars. A poor mans Phaeton?

328/335 - I list this here out of default respect. But used values are quite high and I've already got a BMW. Also, the BMW equation leans more towards the performance/handling which, considering my commute is mostly done at 30-40km/h, isn't as important as quiet and comfortable. If given the choice of driving the Z4 or the TSX to work, 90% of the time the TSX would be my choice.

I figure I'd have to drop $15-20k between the TSX and any of these choices right now. That is a tough pill to swallow mostly because I am cheap. I guess the trick will be to have enough patience to ride out the very flat depreciation curve on the TSX until this spread comes down, and make some more money in the meantime. Blech! But given time and money all problems can be solved....

Leviathan · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2010, 07:12:52 pm »

Buick Regal turbo when it is available

dr_spock · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2010, 07:17:46 pm »

If you are cheap as me, I would say drive the TSX until it no longer drives. The money can be better invested elsewhere. But if you are going to spend money, get something that you can emotionally connect with. Nothing worse than owning something that doesn't click with you.

You might be able to reduce some of the road noise with quieter tires.

initial_D · « **Reply #3 on:** July 23, 2010, 07:21:50 pm »

Genesis Coupe, Turbo 4 + 5 speed, Under $20,000 cash. Should not be that much dollar difference after selling the Acura.

TopGun · « **Reply #4 on:** July 23, 2010, 07:48:59 pm »

Man, hold out until something really tugs at you. Cars make little sense anyway...so have fun with them.

How about an '02 to '04 911 Carerra 4S?

Just not this one...'cause it's mine!

http://www.scottsdaleferrari.com/detail-2003-porsche-911_carrera-2dr_carrera_4_s_cpe_6~spd_manual-used-5667717.html

Erik · « **Reply #5 on:** July 23, 2010, 08:10:49 pm »

I agree with TG. Find something you love. The TSX, for all of it's issues, is a pretty darn refined and nice car, so you are gonna have to shoot pretty high to get something you like that won't feel like a big step down.

Anything pushing your buttons on that list? Your list seems more performance oriented, if you are looking for something soft and comfortable. How about a Lincoln MXZ or a CTS, if you want soft, quiet and comfy. Saab 9-5's can be picked up for next to nothing right now, and they are certainly a comfortable car.

Julie · « **Reply #6 on:** July 23, 2010, 08:15:44 pm »

IS350 - hits pretty much all the boxes. Reasonable prices. Does absolutely nothing for me emotionally. Very left-brain choice. - NO, no left brain choices when you're talking of flipping the car and losing money, so to speak.

CLK350 Coupe - probably a reliability disaster and used values are on the high side I think but I have a soft spot for it. - This is good, 'soft spot' is an important criteria!

A5 2.0T - massive style points and AWD. Not sure if they've aged enough for me to get a used one at the magical 50% depreciation mark. APR chip gives great power gains for cheap! - This is also good, you like this. And they look awesome IMO. I had a good look because an A5 2.0T tried to race me the other day - I ignored the idiot but liked the car. Edit: Is it possible this car has an S-Line Option? Anyways, that might have been why I thought it looked better than I thought...

G37/x/S - pretty nice but oddly neither the sedan nor coupe does much for me emotionally. Not sure why I'd get one over the Lexus. - NO. same reason as Lexus.

Passat CC 3.6 4MOTION - If I remember correctly these can actually be bought for sub $30k in the US with relatively little mileage! Have a soft spot for big, wafting cars. A poor mans Phaeton? - I think you like the Merc and the A5 more.

328/335 - I list this here out of default respect. But used values are quite high and I've already got a BMW. Also, the BMW equation leans more towards the performance/handling which, considering my commute is mostly done at 30-40km/h, isn't as important as quiet and comfortable. If given the choice of driving the Z4 or the TSX to work, 90% of the time the TSX would be my choice. - NO. I agree, you'll be bored out of your mind driving at 30-40km/h with these cars and, for what you're looking for, the run-flats will tick you off when you go over bumps/uneven pavement.

I'd leave the possibility open. Just keep saving until your gut says 'Now's the time to trade'. Don't try and improve the TSX IMO.

airbalancer · « **Reply #7 on:** July 23, 2010, 08:16:11 pm »

goodbye to powertrain warranty
it is 06 what warranty would be left?

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #8 on:** July 23, 2010, 08:20:28 pm »

Why settle for a "poor man's Phaeton"?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Volkswagen-Phaeton-/360281181748?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item53e26e8e34#ht_45571wt_1137

Only 67,558 miles!

mmret · « **Reply #9 on:** July 23, 2010, 10:46:16 pm »

Good points all around.

Quote from: Leviathan on July 23, 2010, 07:12:52 pm

Buick Regal turbo when it is available

Sorry, just can't do the Buick

If it said Opel I'd be ok though.

ID: the GC doesn't strike me as something that would be particularly comfy and quiet....but I'm not against a test drive.

Erik/TG/Julie: Good point, there is a lot of value in a car that, when you walk out in the morning and look at it, makes you go "nice."
The CLK or A5 would probably have the most "nice" effect for me. That said though I very much appreciate a well built car with absurd attention to detail and the IS350 is nothing if not well built (and ferociously quick). I think I'll have to see them all up close to really sort things out though.

But the G37 will always just remain a paper champion.

Spock: Good idea about the tires. I've probably got at least another 2 years left in the summers though. =\ And they are grippy which I love.

Actually you remind me, I can probably get some trade credit for the 6/32" RFTs on the Bimmer and get some non-RFT tires. Will correct my biggest gripe with that car.

AB: Its an 06, but I got it in March 07. The PT warranty is 5/100 so I've got another 1.5 years and 38k left. Hondata doesn't seem to cause any reliability issues though which is good.

S.O.L. (...

) Beautiful car, that Phaeton, but truly terrifying reliability. Not sure if I'm ready for a car with more rear seat legroom than front.

airbalancer · « **Reply #10 on:** July 24, 2010, 08:15:53 am »

Sorry, just can't do the Buick
If it said Opel I'd be ok though.

That

stupid thing to write, if the car is good does it matter what badge it has

The name opel is dead in NA. It been tried and did not work

Buick is a hughe name in China, and there more people coming to NA from China then probably Europe so it make a lot of sense to use the Buick name

mmret · « **Reply #11 on:** July 24, 2010, 12:10:12 pm »

That stupid thing to write, if the car is good does it matter what badge it has Huh

Left brain right brain.

Julie · « **Reply #12 on:** July 24, 2010, 12:41:40 pm »

Forgot to mention: I think this would be awesome for RWD luxury driving for a steal of a price. While I'm dead set on 'sporty' cars for myself, my husband still has a soft spot for very comfortable, spacious cars - and this one drives well too. A used one with a depreciation drop would be hard to resist... so I might let him pick one up later.

Hyundai Genesis Sedan:

http://www.drivingtelevision.tv/?cid=756

safristi · « **Reply #13 on:** July 24, 2010, 12:56:49 pm »

..Talk to a shrink......and buy a 2nd hand Genesis............floater...........

Julie · « **Reply #14 on:** July 24, 2010, 01:00:45 pm »

Quote from: airbalancer on July 24, 2010, 08:15:53 am

Buick is a hughe name in China, and there more people coming to NA from China then probably Europe so it make a lot of sense to use the Buick name

I didn't know anything about this Buick until it was mentioned here and I decided to check out the CD review. Sounds like a great contender, but man the name! I completely ignored reading about it because of the names Buick and Regal, thinking that it would float like a boat! At least if they had named it something different...

initial_D · « **Reply #15 on:** July 24, 2010, 03:59:18 pm »

Pre-owned 5-series have a bigger depreciation the the smaller 3'er.

mmret · « **Reply #16 on:** July 24, 2010, 06:05:49 pm »

Quote from: initial_D on July 24, 2010, 03:59:18 pm

Pre-owned 5-series have a bigger depreciation the the smaller 3'er.

Not a fan of the E60 styling when its sandwiched between the wonderful E39 and F10.

Sadly the former is too old and the latter is too new.

tortoise · « **Reply #17 on:** July 25, 2010, 01:03:26 pm »

Frankly, I think you might be better off making a left brain decision. You strike me as the kind of person that wants their car to perform to a pretty high standard. When people say "make the decision with your heart" what they're really saying is they're willing to put up with the oddities and foibles. They're willing to make a sacrifice to have the chance to drive something they love. These sacrifices often include rattles, reliability and road noise, things that you have shown to not enjoy.

I say buy the IS and love it because it does everything you want it to, all the time. You'll find it hard to love a car that isn't living up to your standards, regardless of what the right brain is telling you.

TopGun · « **Reply #18 on:** July 25, 2010, 06:42:41 pm »

Quote from: tortoise on July 25, 2010, 01:03:26 pm

.....They're willing to make a sacrifice to have the chance to drive something they love. These sacrifices often include rattles, reliability and road noise, things that you have shown to not enjoy.
.....

Some folks know I have had some pretty big issues with my RX-8s steering. This post got me thinking of the things that I will and won't put up with in the name of my right brain choice:

Generally things I WILL put up with:

Higher fuel consumption
Little cargo room
Wind/road noise
Higher maintenance costs
Fit and finish
Interior quality
Niggly reliability stuff or niggly little processes that must be followed to ensure the car runs right

Things I WOULDN'T put up with:

Uncomfortable for it's purpose - If I drive for 3 hours a day...it's gotta be comfy for 3 hours
Major reliability issues that take away from the joy of driving the car....or driving the car at all!

mmret · « **Reply #19 on:** August 08, 2010, 05:43:28 pm »

Tested an IS350 yesterday.
2006 model with about 100k on it.

Whole car felt super new. Some wear on the seats but nothing major. For 100k it looks pristine. Very impressive.

Highs:
Massive power. Holy crap.
Also has the Normal/Power/Snow mode (sort of like D / SD in BMW land) mood-button which is nice.
Good seats with power lumbar.
Navigation screen is huge and very legible. Has voice commands for a lot of stuff.
Has a gazillion gadgets and such. Adaptive lighting, Nav with voice control, power steering column which raises away, Mark Levinson audio, backup camera, power rear sunshade (!!), TPMS, etc etc....and this is the 1st year model.
Good visibility. Anything is better than a top-up Z4 though.
Road noise is pretty muted, although engine noise does come in (I don't mind).
Makes you say "nice" when you get in.

Lows:
Shifts pretty hard. Very un-Lexus. That said I was driving in Sport/Manual mode the whole time. Perhaps D is better.
Steering feels dead. Accurate enough, but dead. On center feel is fine, even better than the RFT cursed Z4. Overall not as good as the TSX's.
Back seat is very tight, trunk also.

Overall it was nice but they wanted way too much for it ($31k!), even if it is CPO. Also it was a smoker's car so that kills it too.

But importantly I came away with a very good impression of the car itself. I can see why Lexus didn't bother updating the IS much. Since 2006 it has completely fulfilled its design goal, so don't fix what isn't broken.

Next week I will try to find something else on my list.