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nsxt2000
10-03-2007, 10:10 AM
I personally think the TL is an excellent car. My son bought one about a year ago as a wedding present for his wife. (And to think, back in 1968 when I married I bought my wife a corsage and I thought that was doing good). Anyway, they love the car and it is a winner.

The TL is Acura's best selling model and the second best selling luxury sedan in the U.S., closely behind the BMW 3 Series. Other competitors include Cadillac STS / Infinity G35 / Jaguar X-Type / Lexus ES / Mercedes-Benz E Class / Saab 9-3 / and Volvo 560. While all are nice cars, I was thinking that if price were no object and without dwelling on the pros & cons of each too much what order would I choose from this list?

* Probably the M-B would be first on the list. It looks good, although it has rather conservative lines, and the M-B status comes into play. I would have to ignore the rather high upkeep, but then again if money didn't count it would be the M-B.
* The Jaguar is number two. I like the interior and would just not think about reliability and resale issues.
* Number three is the TL. Good but not extremely exciting styling along with and upscale and functional interior.
* The Lexus and Infinity tie for the next spot. Both are fine examples of Japanese luxury automobiles but seem to lack visual punch.
* The Cadillac design is edgy, but I prefer it over the remaining rivals. You must put up with the GM service mentality when having work performed and according to the Consumer Reports reliability survey you will be visiting them often.
* The Volvo and Saab round out the bottom of the list. Neither do much to move me.

So there are pretty much what I would choose if price and most other issues were ignored. However, when looking at this market segment and analyzing the relative merits of each and weighing quality, performance, resale, styling, maintence and value, the clear first place winner is the TL!

Anyone have a different ranking?
-Mike S.

Todd_K
10-20-2007, 05:40 AM
I agree that the TL is a very nice car, you must not be a BMW fan because it wasn't on your list. If money wasn't an issue I would go BMW over any even MB. I have a 01 330i that is getting high miles (115k) and would like to get into something with a warranty, the TL fits into my budget, and I do like the car but it just isn't my bimmer.

nsxt2000
10-20-2007, 08:04 AM
From an "ownership" viewpoint I don't have much personal experience with BMW's. The closest thing is that both of my kids owned them several years ago. If I recall correctly it was they were the 330 series, but I am not sure which specific ones at this point.

My impression of the BMW in general is that they really are more of a "driving machine" than say the Mercedes-Benz. While this could be because of BMW's advertising campaign, I think it is because it is fact. M-B engineering is targeted at more for refinement and comfort than a real hands-on driving experience. Just my observation and opinion of course.

For about 18 years my wife drove M-B wagons I tired several times when she was in the market for another one to get her to buy the BMW sport wagon. I was unsuccessful because her nature was more "geared" (pardon the pun) for more fluff and less fun.

Frankly when I think of a comparison between the BMW's and Acura's I also emotionally feel the BMW to be a little more of a drivers car.

Others opinions???
-Mike S.

GBARONI
10-24-2007, 08:37 PM
I would have to agree with nsx2000. When it comes down to it the BMW 3 series is a great vehicle, but one cannot assume that a vehicle is going to be great just because it has a "German Heretige". When looking at cars one has to look at the entire package. If a vehicle gives you everything that you need to enjoy the driving experience at no extra cost that truely makes for an overall wonder. TL is that vehicle.

nsxtcy21
11-12-2007, 03:43 AM
I would take a TL-S over any BMW 3 series sedan ... well save for the M series.. but now we're nowhere near the same price range