Thai
Elite Member
endosj3 said:
Here is my system: http://www.martinloganowners.com/~tdacquis/forum/showthread.php?t=3492
Please HELP me pick a car for my wife! PICS included
- Thread starter Thai
- Start date
Here is my system: http://www.martinloganowners.com/~tdacquis/forum/showthread.php?t=3492
Thai said:
That looks like an awesome system...similar to what I'd like to get eventually once I trade up my Bostons
Purity Fronts
Matinee Center
Scripts in Rear
Abyss Sub
But I'm lookin to put this stand under my plasma
http://www.bdiusa.com/theater/avion_noir.shtml
I think it would look almost like yours except for the stand.
Clemsonfan15
New member
Just wondering why you can't add HID's after you buy the car?
Mark86
Super Moderator
Thai- First off, congrats!!!
I have become a big fan of Acura over the past 1.5 years after driving my brothers 07 MDX. I would either recommend the TL or TSX like you have been saying. The technology in an Acura is unbeatable and they are reliable. I would not recommend the RDX, especially for your wife. The RDX is probably the bumpiest ride I have ever experienced.
I don't know much about Hyundai, but how about the new Genesis? That car looks very interesting.
I have become a big fan of Acura over the past 1.5 years after driving my brothers 07 MDX. I would either recommend the TL or TSX like you have been saying. The technology in an Acura is unbeatable and they are reliable. I would not recommend the RDX, especially for your wife. The RDX is probably the bumpiest ride I have ever experienced.
I don't know much about Hyundai, but how about the new Genesis? That car looks very interesting.
KellyJ
New member
Thai said:
I second you on the ride. It is pretty rough. Mileage isn't the best, but if driven modestly, it can return 24 MPG easily, which isn't bad for an SUV that can haul as much as it does. The sound system is excellent (I have the Elliott Scheiner upgrade on the Technology Package [410 watts vs 300+/- watts for the standard radio]), handling is sharp and precise, great power through the entire range. I could sing the praises of my 07 RDX all day. The only things that were of note about it are the choppy ride and mediocre mileage. The HID's on it look awesome - many people have said it looks like there are robots inside my headlights haha. Light output is insane on them, but they were angled a little low for my taste so I had the dealer adjust them to shine a bit higher
Thai
Elite Member
KellyJ said:
Remember, this is for my wife, not me...she is not the best driver in the world...so, i don't want her to have a vehicle that encourages her to explore the limits!!
The ELS system that i heard on the TSX was somewhat disappointing. It sounded good in the front seats, but the staging and imaging in the rear seat were just horrible. The rear seatback vibrated with the bass (setting was ZERO). This is why i am OK with the base TSX audio. ELS in TSX was advertised as premium sound for "every seat in the house"...hmmm, this was not what i heard.
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KellyJ
New member
Thai said:Remember, this is for my wife, not me...she is not the best driver in the world...so, i don't want her to have a vehicle that encourages her to explore the limits!!
The ELS system that i heard on the TSX was somewhat disappointing. It sounded good in the front seats, but the staging and imaging in the rear seat were just horrible. The rear seatback vibrated with the bass (setting was ZERO). This is why i am OK with the base TSX audio. ELS in TSX was advertised as premium sound for "every seat in the house"...hmmm, this was not what i heard.
I'm disappointed with the radio quality, but every other medium is amazing to listen to, whether it's the AUX input, direct iPod input, CD or DVD audio. Its amazing what difference there is between a normal CD and a DVD-audio. Maybe the speaker layout isn't as optimum as it is in my RDX (2 tweeters in the front doors + 1 center speaker on the dash below M-M display + 4 door speakers + 2 forward facing speakers mounted in rear hatch pillars + 1 subwoofer = 10 speakers total), and if tuned correctly, it's incredible.
On another note... my mom used to drive my RDX and is probably one of the worst drivers I have ever known (still love her though), and it never was a handful for her, nor did she try to explore any limits either - even when I encouraged her. I tried to explain riding the boost curve on the turbo, and she had no idea what it meant, which in turn prompted her to buy an 08 MDX (mainly because of the ride), but she also noticed and commented that there was just not enough power off idle.
Thai
Elite Member
KellyJ said:
TSX ELS speaker layout:
2 front door tweeters
2 front door woofers
1 center channel
2 rear door woofers
2 rear deck woofers
1 subwoofer
The problem is that the rear door woofers are mostly SILENT!! There is hardly any sound coming from them. When i test car audio, i set eveything to neutral (zero). So, for the rear passengers, ALL the sound is coming from the rear deck, including pounding bass. The bass may not have been well-isolated because i could feel the vibration from the sub in my back. In all, for the rear passengers, it feels like you're standing with you back to the front stage at a concert!
If Acura made the rear door woofers louder while cutting some juice to the rear deck speakers, then all is well...balance sound for EVERYONE. For the base TSX system, there are no speakers in the rear doors...which is probably good because ELS does not use them anyway! No center channel. However, for the front passenger, the sound is actually pretty good despite the lack of the center channel. The base system still has the rear deck speakers along with a subwoofer.
IF i were to get the TSX base, then i would take the rear deck woofers out and relocated them to the rear doors...simple fix.
Thai
Elite Member
Ok...my wife is putting an upper limit of price of $30,000 or less for her next car.
Hmmm, another car for me to consider...Camry V6 XLE.
2009 Camry XLE V6 vs. 2009 TSX:
Camry has Smart Key, bigger trunk, and a super V6/6-speed auto powertrain over the TSX.
TSX has HIDs, memory driver's seat, and better safety (active headrest & superb crash test ratings) over Camry.
Fuel economy is a wash because TSX gets about 2 mpg advantage over Camry, but Camry uses regular fuel, while TSX uses premium. Both have bluetooth. Both have homelink. Both have leather (puke resistance). Both have good sound system (not a biggie with my wife, but it is for me).
And while Camry does not have HIDs, it does have projector headlamps, which i think is better than halogens??
This is getting tougher than i thought....
Hmmm, another car for me to consider...Camry V6 XLE.
2009 Camry XLE V6 vs. 2009 TSX:
Camry has Smart Key, bigger trunk, and a super V6/6-speed auto powertrain over the TSX.
TSX has HIDs, memory driver's seat, and better safety (active headrest & superb crash test ratings) over Camry.
Fuel economy is a wash because TSX gets about 2 mpg advantage over Camry, but Camry uses regular fuel, while TSX uses premium. Both have bluetooth. Both have homelink. Both have leather (puke resistance). Both have good sound system (not a biggie with my wife, but it is for me).
And while Camry does not have HIDs, it does have projector headlamps, which i think is better than halogens??
This is getting tougher than i thought....
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I have the 2007 Camry V6 LE & I regret not getting the V6 Sport.Thai said:
The XLE has the Smart Key & rear vents, but the yellow wood is extremely ugly.
Sport is the best...comes w/ a stock kit & get the spoiler, nice 17" wheels, steering wheel & gauges. You can also get it w/ Navi & it'll have bluetooth.
I believe Sport has power driver seat, but XLE has both driver & passanger.
Only thing I see that you're missing is that Smart Access...but hey, you've probably never had it before, so it's not really a lost.
The V6 is a rocket. I like how you pointed out that the Camry uses regular & TSX uses premium...I totally didn't know that.
Another thing...it's weird how the RX & ES uses the same motor as the Camry, but it needs premium. (2GRFE)
The IS350 & IS350 I understand, because it's the 2GRFSE motor
I stopped liking Honda/Acuras since 2003, because I'm not convinced that they fixed the Notorious 5 speed Automatic Transmission Problem.
Camry doesn't have stock HIDs. It has projector halogens, not projector HIDs like the TSX. The Camry has the same projectors as my 4Runner. I have the XenonDepot HID Kit on my 4R, but left it stock w/ halogens on the Camry. Both are the same projectors & both have the squirrel finder. I get flashed when I drive my 4R. I eliminated the squirrel finder, but never aimed the lights down. If I had the same HID Kit in the Camry, I wouldn't think there would be any problem.
I don't know about the current TSX Projectors, but a member here had the older TSX projectors in his 4R & they are gorgeous!!
I would choose the Camry!!
Or how about the Infiniti FX...it has all the luxury amendities & it's higher compare to a passanger car. I don't know about you, but ever since I was introduced to a 4Runner, I cannot ever go back to a passanger car. I like how I'm sitting higher, back is straighter when I drive, the clearance, because I like to hop curbs haha & most importantly, when I get in and out of the vehicle, I don't feel like I'm lying on the floor.
Thai
Elite Member
KC,
Thanks for the input. Question: how are the projectors on the Camrys???? Are they good at night?? This is the MAIN reason why i want HIDs...our Corolla halogens suck to no end at night.
Highlander is too big...this was why i also ruled out Venza. We already have a Sienna minivan (with HIDs).
This car is mainly for my wife to go to work with...and to carry our kid(s) for short distances.
I agree with you that the SE looks the best among the Camry models. However, the reasons why i am going with Camry XLE over SE are:
1. Multi-information display with outside temperature, average fuel economy, driving range, average-speed and travel distance since start. (I cannot believe that the SE does not have this at it's price! It's a small thing, but i really like to have it.)
2. Smart Key is optional...not a big deal because we never had a car that has it.
3. Leather is standard. Around my neck of the woods, SE come either in fabric or aftermarket leather (put on by someone contracted with the Port).
4. Split folding rear seat bench!!! (SE apparently does NOT have this...no folding anything!!)...this is a BIG deal for me!
5. 4-way power passenger front seat...not a big deal, but i will take it.
6. Standard JBL sound system with Bluetooth...so, i do not have to upgrade to NAVI/JBL system to get bluetooth!
7. Driver's up AND down window
8. Manual rear sunshade to provide shade for my kids
So, as you can see, i prefer to have the XLE extra luxury features over SE's performance features (stiffer suspension and better looks).
I am back and forth between TSX and Camry V6 XLE...i like the HIDs, memory seat, and active headrest.
Thanks for the input. Question: how are the projectors on the Camrys???? Are they good at night?? This is the MAIN reason why i want HIDs...our Corolla halogens suck to no end at night.
Highlander is too big...this was why i also ruled out Venza. We already have a Sienna minivan (with HIDs).
This car is mainly for my wife to go to work with...and to carry our kid(s) for short distances.
I agree with you that the SE looks the best among the Camry models. However, the reasons why i am going with Camry XLE over SE are:
1. Multi-information display with outside temperature, average fuel economy, driving range, average-speed and travel distance since start. (I cannot believe that the SE does not have this at it's price! It's a small thing, but i really like to have it.)
2. Smart Key is optional...not a big deal because we never had a car that has it.
3. Leather is standard. Around my neck of the woods, SE come either in fabric or aftermarket leather (put on by someone contracted with the Port).
4. Split folding rear seat bench!!! (SE apparently does NOT have this...no folding anything!!)...this is a BIG deal for me!
5. 4-way power passenger front seat...not a big deal, but i will take it.
6. Standard JBL sound system with Bluetooth...so, i do not have to upgrade to NAVI/JBL system to get bluetooth!
7. Driver's up AND down window
8. Manual rear sunshade to provide shade for my kids
So, as you can see, i prefer to have the XLE extra luxury features over SE's performance features (stiffer suspension and better looks).
I am back and forth between TSX and Camry V6 XLE...i like the HIDs, memory seat, and active headrest.
alaskaman
Senior Member
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