Deciding Btw Audi A4 2.0, IS250 and Acura TSX
10-09-06, 09:50 AM
#16
Heh... speaking of reliability, the GS400 that I sold to my best friend has ~85k miles on it and just today he called me describing the classic symptonm of the starter going out. Ridiculous design that you have to remove the upper and lower manifold, replace the gaskets, spend 8+ hours to get to it. Lexus will charge him 1 grand, minimum, to replace it.
Many other vehicles it could be done in an hour by a shade tree mechanic and 100 bucks in parts.
Now that's not to say the car is unreliable - it has been very trouble-free for the most part, and a very well put together car. But it just goes to say that not everything on Lexus vehicles is designed with the utmost ease of repair or reliability in mind, Most V8 Lexus models experience this problem around the 100k mile mark and have to spend between 600 and 1200 bucks to get it fixed.
Many other vehicles it could be done in an hour by a shade tree mechanic and 100 bucks in parts.
Now that's not to say the car is unreliable - it has been very trouble-free for the most part, and a very well put together car. But it just goes to say that not everything on Lexus vehicles is designed with the utmost ease of repair or reliability in mind, Most V8 Lexus models experience this problem around the 100k mile mark and have to spend between 600 and 1200 bucks to get it fixed.
10-09-06, 09:51 AM
#17
Thank you all for all your comments which I really appreciate.. I have pasted the hole thread to my email and have sent it to my fiancee and she is suprised to the fact that Audi has so many problems and it's never a good idea to keep the car after warranty.
She has decided to test drive a TSX this weekend and since I have driven a IS250 (loaner) before I can compare the drive comfort and feel. I myself am leaning more towards the TSX jsut for one reason the $$$ as compared to IS which is great car no doubt!!..
This has concluded that we are never going to have an conversation about Audi so it's now an IS or TSX.. will keep you guys posted.
Thank you very much..
She has decided to test drive a TSX this weekend and since I have driven a IS250 (loaner) before I can compare the drive comfort and feel. I myself am leaning more towards the TSX jsut for one reason the $$$ as compared to IS which is great car no doubt!!..
This has concluded that we are never going to have an conversation about Audi so it's now an IS or TSX.. will keep you guys posted.
Thank you very much..
10-09-06, 09:57 AM
#18
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I actually almost purchased the TSX when it first came out. Thankfully I didn't. Yes, the manual transmission on the TSX is a lot smoother and such than the IS, however besides that, I really don't think that the TSX has much more to offer. From what I remember, but I may be wrong, the TSX also has a short shifter which makes it a lot easier as well. I had actually just learned to drive stick when I test drove the TSX manual tran. and I had absolutely no problems.
In my opinion the TSX has an odd shape to it, and looks too much like the Honda Civics/Accords. The IS on the other hand has a smooth and luxurious look to it.
Considering the TSX has been out for a few years as well, you can also probably work out a better deal with the sales guy...
But when you're buying a car, money shouldnt really be worried about since you'll be living with the car for 5+ years.
In my opinion the TSX has an odd shape to it, and looks too much like the Honda Civics/Accords. The IS on the other hand has a smooth and luxurious look to it.
Considering the TSX has been out for a few years as well, you can also probably work out a better deal with the sales guy...
But when you're buying a car, money shouldnt really be worried about since you'll be living with the car for 5+ years.
10-09-06, 10:02 AM
#19
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I helped him change a small bypass hose that developed a leak and the procedure was to basically remove the front of the car to get to the hose. It was clever how the nose swung out of the way, but it took a good bit of the weekend just to change a hose --- again ridiculous.
I had an '00 S4 and my sister had a '99.5 A4; both cars were great during the warranty period, but became maintenance nightmares starting at about year five. Control arms, tie rod ends, wheel bearings, window regulators and other such parts constantly going bad, as well as exhorbitant charges for regular maintenance items like brake pads/rotors made these cars too expensive to keep long term.
My S4 was a blast to drive; my IS350 may be as quick, but it isn't nearly as much fun behind the wheel. My take on Audi: I may someday own another Audi, but I won't own another one that isn't under warranty.
Last edited by Bichon; 10-09-06 at 01:24 PM.
10-09-06, 10:13 AM
#21
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Clutch shudder when engaging 1st gear upon take-off, and gears grinding when shifting into 2nd and 3rd. I'd include the issue with revs hanging in between shifts, but I'm pretty confident that this is a symptom of lazy, half-hearted emissions control techniques employed by Toyota.
Last edited by PhilipMSPT; 10-09-06 at 10:24 AM.
10-09-06, 10:15 AM
#22
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Hi all,
I currently own a 06 ES330 and planning to get another for my fiancee by the end of this year. She loves the IS but also thinking about Audi A4 2.0 and Acura TSX simply because of the better price range for 05 used. I am very skeptical about Audi because I have no clue of what kind of maintainence $$ costs will I have to bear plus how reliable is the car as compared to IS.
I am pretty sure I am going to get more answers leaning towards IS but I would really appreciate if someone could give me some real facts btw Audi and IS in all aspects..
Thank you guys!!
I currently own a 06 ES330 and planning to get another for my fiancee by the end of this year. She loves the IS but also thinking about Audi A4 2.0 and Acura TSX simply because of the better price range for 05 used. I am very skeptical about Audi because I have no clue of what kind of maintainence $$ costs will I have to bear plus how reliable is the car as compared to IS.
I am pretty sure I am going to get more answers leaning towards IS but I would really appreciate if someone could give me some real facts btw Audi and IS in all aspects..
Thank you guys!!
10-09-06, 10:42 AM
#23
I like the value of the TSX, i have always owned honda cars. What drew me to the IS was the style, its very aggressive looking. The TSX to me is still rather boxy and could use a facelift from honda but the value is outstanding with the options vs. the price. We looked at the TSX the year before the IS250 came out, i was really tempted to get one until i saw the IS. Both are outstanding cars and have great reliablity and value. cant go wrong with either one........
10-09-06, 10:52 AM
#24
I like the value of the TSX, i have always owned honda cars. What drew me to the IS was the style, its very aggressive looking. The TSX to me is still rather boxy and could use a facelift from honda but the value is outstanding with the options vs. the price. We looked at the TSX the year before the IS250 came out, i was really tempted to get one until i saw the IS. Both are outstanding cars and have great reliablity and value. cant go wrong with either one........
10-09-06, 10:55 AM
#25
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The IS250 has nicer styling but the TSX is a better value. It truely is a great car for the money. What part of MD are you in? If you're in the DC area I would suggest talking to Alan Eden at Rosenthal Acura. I bought my RSX and TL from him and he's always given me the best price and service.
I am in Columbia,MD.. will take it as a recommendation... will get their number online.
Thanks for the input..
10-09-06, 11:03 AM
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Heard a lot of bad things about Bmer's .. although I would love to own one of their latest 5 series.. it's gorgeous.. The bad things are nothing but high maintainence vehicle if it runs out of warranty and it makes freq visits to the dealer with some issues.
I had a lexus tech once dropped me off told me about the look of new LS ('07) is almost the similar as to the new Bmer 7 series.. relatively when we started discussing more and comparing, he mentioned that the Bmer's maintainence is a lot more expensive than Lexus.. like for an ex. he said a simple brake job in Lexus will costs +/- 600.00 but the same will costs over +/- 900.00 with Bmer.. He also mentioned that lexus owners have the flexibility of going to Toyota dealerships for a cheaper service to save more unlike Bmer's.. you got to go to a Bmer dealer.. and their certified tech are less to find as well.
So Bmer is out of the topic.. sadly!!!
I had a lexus tech once dropped me off told me about the look of new LS ('07) is almost the similar as to the new Bmer 7 series.. relatively when we started discussing more and comparing, he mentioned that the Bmer's maintainence is a lot more expensive than Lexus.. like for an ex. he said a simple brake job in Lexus will costs +/- 600.00 but the same will costs over +/- 900.00 with Bmer.. He also mentioned that lexus owners have the flexibility of going to Toyota dealerships for a cheaper service to save more unlike Bmer's.. you got to go to a Bmer dealer.. and their certified tech are less to find as well.
So Bmer is out of the topic.. sadly!!!
10-09-06, 11:03 AM
#27
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I know there's a price differece but you gotta remember that TSX is coming near to the end of model cycle. They might have all new TSX in 2008 with turbo motor from RDX.
I would pay ~3K differce and get IS250. TSX is a great car but i feel a little underpowered driving it.
I would pay ~3K differce and get IS250. TSX is a great car but i feel a little underpowered driving it.
10-09-06, 11:07 AM
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Thanks..
10-09-06, 11:17 AM
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10-09-06, 11:21 AM
#30
That's good to know.. any idea when this is going to happen? any spy pictures out there yet?.. made a mistake with my ES330 .. got it in Dec 05 and they changed the body style in Apr 06... but I truely love my car.. plus I got the car for a really good deal.. probably I can take adv of this situation..
Thanks..
Thanks..