TSX successor shopping

[Madman]

How about the new MB C-class wagon? Do you get it?

The C-Class wagon hasn't been available in America since 2005.  A used E-Class wagon, however, could fit the bill.

[Raza]

2 hours of stop and go per day means that automatic is awesome.

Yeah.  Exactly like I said.  Domesticated.

[veeman]

two hours of stop and go per day means that automatic is awesome

Yeah.  Exactly like I said.  Domesticated.

ever since I got a manual, i've gotten a new found appreciation for driving.  i would never go back... with the exception of long stop and go daily traffic.  i don't experience this very often but when I do, having a manual just sucks.  there's no other way to describe it.  there is no pleasure at all to be gained by constantly depressing and lifting your left foot off the clutch while meandering about at 5 miles per hour. 

[Raza]

two hours of stop and go per day means that automatic is awesome

ever since I got a manual, i've gotten a new found appreciation for driving.  i would never go back... with the exception of long stop and go daily traffic.  i don't experience this very often but when I do, having a manual just sucks.  there's no other way to describe it.  there is no pleasure at all to be gained by constantly depressing and lifting your left foot off the clutch while meandering about at 5 miles per hour.

All love is sacrifice.   

I do my fair share of stop and go in the Z4.  I wouldn't change out to an automatic for anything.  Even when looking for my winter car, it must be a manual. 

[cawimmer430]

How about a classic car?

In 1974 Dodge produced an awesome car called the ________. 

[mzziaz]

How about a classic car?

In 1974 Dodge produced an awesome car called the ________. 

Crapola?

[GoCougs]

All love is sacrifice.   

I do my fair share of stop and go in the Z4.  I wouldn't change out to an automatic for anything.  Even when looking for my winter car, it must be a manual. 

I never understood the hate of a M/T in traffic. I did ~150,000 miles in a M/T vehicle and never saw stop-n-go traffic as an issue (but then again I didn't have to do it every day).

[giant_mtb]

I definitely love not having to deal with any real traffic. I didn't mind it in Ann Arbor. Whether it was an automatic or manual, I'd still be slightly annoyed. Stop and go traffic here consists of stopping at a stop sign and going.

[Laconian]

I never understood the hate of a M/T in traffic. I did ~150,000 miles in a M/T vehicle and never saw stop-n-go traffic as an issue (but then again I didn't have to do it every day).

Traffic is getting something like 20% worse YOY on the Eastside.

[SJ_GTI]

I never understood the hate of a M/T in traffic. I did ~150,000 miles in a M/T vehicle and never saw stop-n-go traffic as an issue (but then again I didn't have to do it every day).

I kind of agree.

Lived in Montreal with a manual and it didn't bother me (traffic plus plenty of steep roads at stop lights). A couple of positions ago I was working at an office that was still in south jersey, but much closer to Philly. My ~12-13 mile commute normally took ~45 minutes, but on busy days it could take a couple of hours.

Shifting a manual transmission just doesn't seem that hard. 

[giant_mtb]

It isn't. But some people have bad knees or they're just...old.

[cawimmer430]

Crapola?

It's spelled correctly as "Corolla".

And nope, Dodge never made something as boring as that in 1974. 

[MexicoCityM3]

3 series GT. Really. It's not ugly, very practical and drives very well.

[Secret Chimp]

3 series GT. Really. It's not ugly, very practical and drives very well.

The roof slopes so much it unwagons itself though

[Laconian]

Yeah, the vertical cargo space is really compromised.

Hey, I asked - BF will keep his mind open about the VW GTD. Now that would rule.

[Madman]

3 series GT. Really. It's not ugly, very practical and drives very well.

In that case, he may as well just get a 328i wagon.  Both the 2014 328i Gran Turismo xDrive hatchback and the 2014 328i xDrive wagon start at an identical $41,450 (plus $925 destination charge).  And both are way above his $35K budget.  A used 3 Series wagon could conceivably work, however.

The more I think about it, the more I think keeping the TSX wagon is Laconian's best course of action.

[SVT666]

CTS wagons are pretty rare.

Do CTSes hold up over time, or do they suffer from accelerated aging (or "GMness" as 280z likes to call it)?

I really liked the CTS, but the center console squeaks like a motherfucker  in every corner.

[GoCougs]

Yeah, the vertical cargo space is really compromised.

Hey, I asked - BF will keep his mind open about the VW GTD. Now that would rule.

GTD? Man, the new GTI is gonna be rockin'!

[Laconian]

If the numbers suggested that we keep the TSX, what are some things we could do to it to make it feel new and fresh and worth spending another N years with?

I was thinking of adding sound insulation and equipping it with new, high-end shocks. Maybe some ASR tires that are superior to OEM spec.

I suggested chipping it, but jeopardizing reliability is a no-no for the BF.

[Soup DeVille]

If the numbers suggested that we keep the TSX, what are some things we could do to it to make it feel new and fresh and worth spending another N years with?

I was thinking of adding sound insulation and equipping it with new, high-end shocks. Maybe some ASR tires that are superior to OEM spec.

I suggested chipping it, but jeopardizing reliability is a no-no for the BF.

Then don't tell him.

If you're going to be married, you may as well start acting like it now.

[68_427]

RDX wheels

[Madman]

Slap a few of these on and feel that extra POWWWWWER!!! 

[Laconian]

Today is Volvo day.

[mzziaz]

Today is Volvo day.

Best seats in the business.

[MexicoCityM3]

Today is Volvo day.

So, how was it? Did you feel very safe? :)

[Laconian]

Today we test drove a T-5. 240hp turbo I4 V60... yeah, doesn't make much sense. We liked the car well enough, but to be honest, aside from the seats most other aspects of the car are a wash when compared with the TSX. Interior build quality is quite good - but not noticeably better than the Acura's. The interior was also surprisingly dark! The rakish windows take their toll in visibility from the rear seat and overall lighting in the cabin. I thought that Volvos were supposed to be like glassy greenhouses!

Prior to the test drive I was thinking that 240hp turbo >>> 200hp N/A which a priori would tip the balance in favor of the Volvo, but the comparison was not so straightforward. Engine feels weak for the rated 240hp. I gave the turbo plenty of time to spool up, but it never felt like it was pushing harder than what the TSX has on tap. It sounds noticeably rougher, too. The TSX has a high-pitched cammy song which IMO sounds nicer than the Volvo's growl.

Steering and handling are very similar to the TSX in terms of overall feel and capability. A wash here too. I was happy to see that the steering radius was much better than the last Volvo I drove, the S60.

Anyways, the seats. The seats! Wonderful in the Sport model - they support and hold you in all the right places. But are they worth the $23k cost of switching from our used TSX to the new Volvo? Ummm... no. Most of the positive qualities that the V60 has to offer--neutral handling, cargo space, decent engine, sporty looks--are already available to us with the TSX. IMO the marginal benefits aren't compelling enough for us to pay a hefty premium to switch.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Sounds unfulfilling. How about a nice, exciting Focus ST?

[Laconian]

Now that I've been given the go-ahead to look at hatchbacks, maybe...?

We can't give up too many em pee gees or ride comfort though, because this is will be commuter car first and foremost
.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Mazzda 3 with Skyactive!

[Madman]

You have a perfectly good car that fits your needs and does everything you need it to do.  Why change?