Rep Power: 282

Background - I'm very unhappy with my civic sedan, looking to upgrade to a ~25$k car or just get a beater with no car payment. I'm 25, g/f, daughter, need a 4door. So, I grabbed the g/f and dropped off my baby with grandma for a few hours to go have some fun.

04' Infiniti g35 Sedan - Engine. Engine. Engine.
The engine note is awesome, by far the most satisfying / bearable for a daily driver of any car I've driven in a long time. I like the styling very much, except for the rear end. The interior and road noise was lacking a bit for a car this nice, but not bad either. Brakes were extremely touchy, overboosted for my tastes. You just think about the brake pedal and you're fealing that seat belt dig in. Overall I liked it very much, but my g/f thought it wasn't well-rounded enough. The interior was scratched already and the seat controls are strangely on top of the seat.

04' Lexus is300 - help please? Ignored for 15 minutes, so we moved on. Shame too, I wanted to compare it to my friend's 3series and that Infiniti.

05' Accord EX Leather Sedan - Much nicer than my civic, much. In fact, I probably should have got the lx accord over my ex sedan 2 years ago when I chose the civic. The interior is actually very good, accords have come a long way from our 97 model. I didn't really like the chalky hard leather steering wheel, but it could have just been this particular one. The driver seat even had a cool adjustable lumbar support mechanism. The suspension is still way too soft, but very smooth. Brake pedal a little underboosted, but made butter smooth stops. I wasn't really considering this car too seriously, but you've got to have a baseline. Also, 3 years and I still can't get over that rear end, what were they thinking?

04' Mazda6i Sport leather - Steering. Steering. Steering.
Yeah it was only the 4cylinder, but jeez they still wanted way too much for this heap. I mean coming from the Accord to the 6 sucked, except maybe the exterior styling. Seriously, how could you not like it (sports package)? The interior was horrible, I know they put everything into the suspension but jeebus. The engine was rough, tranny sucked, felt like a tin can, etc. And I say this with an open mind, I really was considering this car for all the rants and raves about its road manners. Maybe the rx8 took all their attention. Oh yeah, the steering. Wow, if there was a car that felt like you could navigate a go cart course with, with only 2 fingers, while sleeping, this is that car. Just nudge the wheel and this thing darts, digs, and turns beatifully. Oh well.

05' TSX Auto - worth every damn penny.
I had the lowest expectations of this car, and yet liked it the most. It is by far and away the best overall sporty sedan package per dollar. I might prefer my friend's $40k 3series sport package, maybe, but definetly not if I had to make the payments. My only real complaint was the fly by wire throttle, it felt weird and lagged a tad, but you get used to it. If it's a rebadged euro accord, or whatever people say, that says a lot about the accord. It's no sports car, but it's sporty enough that it's enjoyable and yet not punishing, a great daily driver. The interior is superb. I felt bad because I roasted the brakes and revved it way too much for a breakin period, but the salesguy was very cool about it. It's still FWD and the oem tires suck, but this is the only one I'd put down my money on.

If I would have had time I would have driven the Legacy GT and the Mini Cooper S, yeah it's not a 4door but I hear its a go-kart... maybe next weekend.

ps. These are just things that I noticed about these particular models I drove, feel free to correct or remind me of things I didn't put down.

Give me some feedback

 
Rep Power: 0

wuz it hte hybrid v6 accord u test drove? i watched car and drive today on tv and they test drove it. the hybrid is actually more powerful then previous accords.

 
Rep Power: 269

Whats wrong with you Sedan? I liked it. Oh my motor isn't messy anymore, hahaa.

 
Rep Power: 269

Its actually the same J30 engine with the Hybrid Motor. The Hybrid Motor makes 16hp, thus, giving it the 250 hp.

 
Rep Power: 329

tsx is oh so nice. i think the suspension in the mazda6 is the best for the $ though. pokey, but corners like a champ for a stock car (had one as a rental for about a month). accord will always be soft suspension wise, and g35 sedan new for 25k might be dreaming.

i love IS300's, but they are overpriced anymore. legacy gt was a nice car, sat in one at auto show, and mini's are very nice too. but NOT a family oriented car you are looking for (god they are even smaller in person...)

 
Rep Power: 282

The accord was the 4cyl, I really wanted to compare it to my girlfriend's 97 accord se 4cyl. The interior is way better but engine/suspension/brakes isn't much different, so I might as well buy an old accord and do without the carpayment. Although, the new one has side/side curtain air bags so it would be the safer choice.

I'm unhappy with the civic not for any mechanical problems, just because I'd have to replace so many things I feel are inadequate. The suspension, brakes, wheels, are all inadequate IMO. And, even if I upgraded I'd still have the poky little 1.7l that's only getting me 26mpg. I'd be happier not having a car payment or paying a bit more for something that was way better. It doesn't help I used to drive a sports car for so many years so I have high expectations. Glad you cleaned your bay John, my USB deserves it!

The TSX and accord were brand new, the g35 was used for $26k and the mazda was used for near $20k I believe. I hear you on the Mini, but a test drive is always fun.

 
Rep Power: 282

double post

 
Rep Power: 0

LEGACY GT > ALL

have you seen the tach when you turn on the car?
..::drools::..

I say legacy GT, if not... TSX.

 
Rep Power: 328

Yes, I have to agree, Mazda really dropped the ball with the 6 interior, however...the Mazdaspeed 6 has a beautiful interior...almost as nice as an RX-8...

 
Rep Power: 282

After our experience in the 6, I doubt my other half will let me even say "mazda" ever again lol. The mazdaspeed would be over my budget anyways. How you liking the interior/quality of your rx8?

I took my civic in for the typicall civic annoyances saturday, rocking seat, fogged headlight, sqeaky clutch, and they left my windows down all weekend! My interior was soaked when I went to pick it up this morning, so they're going to detail it and got me a rental Altima...I'll have to add a review of this thing later.

 
Rep Power: 328

That's cool...

To answer your question, the RX-8 has the nicest interior of any car I've owned...did you sit in one?

 
Rep Power: 0

TSX TSX TSX TSX!!!!!!!!!!! You will probably like the Legacy GT also, but I still vote TSX!!!!!

 
Rep Power: 282

I sat in one at an auto show a long time ago...can't recall how nice the interior was. Yeah, the TSX is a very well-rounded car.

 
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if you're considering the Mini Cooper good luck...i hear that Crevier BMW is asking like 3k markup and Irvine BMW has a LONG waiting list.

I would probably get the TSX as the first choice and the G35 as a second option.

 
Rep Power: 288

legacy gt or tsx

 
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i like the tsx legacy gt seems like a nice car too

 
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G35>TSX>Accord>Mazda 6

 
Rep Power: 294

g35!

 
Rep Power: 288

i think its 255hp. electric motor puts out 100lbs of torque. i think it was road and track or one of thoese other car mags, they test drove the hybrid. you could spin your wheels going 30mph cuz theres so much torque.