Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I've driven quite a bit in Dallas and Houston (god that city was awful to drive in!) for a 4 month period, so I'm somewhat familiar with it. That said, I personally never experienced any traffic situation where I'd feel like 170hp (BMW E46 320i) wouldn't handle.
I was driving a 2.0L Ford Escort (don't know the hp, but doubt it's over 120hp) with some... mood problems , and I was by no means the slowest thing on the road.
Personally I think it's more of a case of the bigger engines being cheaper, so the price difference might not be big enough to warrant going for the smaller one, from what I saw, few people who had high power cars really used the power available.
Well, BMW and MB have inculcated the "luxury/premium" brand & image for a while in the US. Cloth upholstery and manual/crank windows disappeared long before they did in Europe (if they did), as did 4-cylinder engines (which didn't). Every engine and transmission combination needs to be expensively certified for import, so cost also played a big part in the decision.
Gasoline/petrol has been relatively cheap in the US, so MPG didn't matter as much and "image" mattered more. 3- and 5-series and C- and E-classes have been 6+ cylinders in the states (no 4s sold here) for a while now, while 7-series and CLS-, CL- and S-classes have been solidly V8 and V12 (6cyl available in Europe).
Even when BMW brought over the fuel-efficient diesel, they brought over the most powerful version in the 335d - not the 320d, 323d or 330d. Same for MB, which brought over the 320CDI and not the smaller 2-litre versions.
Neither. The BMW is fun to drive, but the German makes are never very reliable. The Acura's are reliable but I'm constantly frustrated by Acura's inability to distinguish itself both mechanically and esthetically from it's lower cost brethren, Honda.
In fact, Honda, I mean Acura, is so lazy sometimes that Acura's will have Honda labeled parts in the engine bay!
The eshetics are horrible this year on the acura coupes. I mean, horrible. It looks like a sixth grade art project gone terribly wrong. Chrome touches can be nice, just check out the Audi's, but it's incredibly garish and ugly on the Acura CL coupe.
The Acura's are all essentially Honda's with V6 engines, longer warranties and (hopefully) lower pressure showroom floors. Very unoriginal uninspired cars.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Checkered24
3 series out of these two.
Both are nice cars but I am not crazy about Acura's styling too much. I think if I went Acura I might be more interested in a TSX over a TL too.
It would help to say where you are, if this would be a "weekend" fun car or a daily, how much of a motoring enthusiast you are, your ability to DIY or tolerate paying for the more extensive maintenance of the BMW, how long you plan to own the car, etc.
The BMW is, as noted already, the more refined car, but it's running costs will be more. It will cost you money, time, or both.
The Acura would be less trouble, and with FWD it's easier for most "non-car-people" to drive in snow, but it's not as rewarding to the real enthusiast.
well, it's not for me, but my DH (i'm quite happy with my 98 corolla with 145000 miles). we're in suburban NJ and the car would be used about 80 miles a day for his commute to work in medium to heavy traffic. toleration for repairs is LOW, LOL
the plan is to own the car until it runs into the ground if I have anything to say about it!
I think DH is trying to fancy himself (or "become" is probably a better word) an enthusiast, which is why he's considering the BMW. driving in snow is something he'll have to contend with.
It really depends upon what you need the car to do. The 3-series is a tad smaller in terms of a back seat, than a TL. You can also shop around for a TL-S if you want a more sporting feel. The TL is a completely different experience than an Accord, and I have driven both many times. Road noise seems to be a Honda issue, since I have noticed it in a TSX, Accord, and TL, but it's nothing so obtrusive where I'd not buy the car because of it.
Both are very good cars, and it really depends upon the car's use. If it's largely a single-occupant vehicle, where the back seats are used as a parcel shelf, then the BMW is fine. If, however, the vehicle must do duty as a family sedan, transporting more than people the size of small children, then the Acura will offer more room.
we have 2 preteens so we will be driving places with them, but it wouldn't be the primary vehicle.
yes, i think i mentioned the road noise issues. between the 2 of us, we've owned 4 hondas (and 1 acura) and all have been on the "loud" side. obviously it's not enough to dissuade us from buying them, but when you get into the TL range, I'd hope that road noise is less of an issue, KWIM?
I've driven the latest model TL and the latest 3 series.
The 3 series car I think will cause problems for those who are obese (so, roughly 1/2 of Americans). The seats hug you and give you a composed feel, something akin to being "connected" to the road. Thus, for 1/2 of Americans, I would suggest the TL because its seats are more made for them.
For the normal people though, I would highly recommend the 3 series. Despite the fact that they have run-flat tires, the suspension is so well done that I could hardly feel the bumps in the road (and I live in Seattle, home to some raelly crappy roads with ruts in them and some nasty potholes). The sport automatic and steptronic system also give the person who likes control (myself) some joy and will still shift at the appropriate times if you dwell too long at the higher revs, then the other who doesn't drive manual (my wife, not saying all women only drive autos, just giving an example) a chance to drive it too.
The TL felt like a car that is confused. It's trying to be a lazy cruiser whilst giving the glitz (poorly, I might add) and attempting to have the horsepower of a sports sedan, and ends up in the middle. And that's what all Honda owners are, really, "middle of the road", "settle for watered down" type of people if it will save them some money.
he's not obese but that's a good point! he's actually thinking of getting an manual (which I'd love, I miss driving one), but since he has a commute with potential of being extremely crappy it may not be the wisest choice. The steptronic (or tiptronic, that's VW, correct?) is an option. thanks!
this is interesting and i'll mention it to him. he just sold his altima so i'm not sure if he's soured on the nissan name.....thanks!
I second the G-series.
Almost as good as the BMW for driving, but I prefer the Infiniti car.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
, and I was by no means the slowest thing on the road.
