my dad is looking at acura 3.2tl and lexus es300, which one's better?

[LongCoolMother]

well, there are a lot of opinions and ive done a little resarch on the two but id like to know our guys' opinions because they are such similar cars.
basically, my dad wants a comfortable car, hes not going to drive fast, so he doesnt need a whole lot of performance (hes an old man, haha). so to my knowledge, both cars are quite comfortable but the lexus cars are a tad bit quieter and have a smoother ride. anyway, the es300 is about $3,000 roughly more expensive at base, and obviously hed want to add the leather trim. the warranty for the es300 is also better.

which ones do you prefer? and why? thanks for opinions.

 

[isekii]

buying a new car ? ?or a used car ? ?

If Lexus ES300 still comes in the Coach Edition

I'd definitely get that~


but the ES300 itself is quiet~ smooth and very comfortable

 

[NFS4]

If he wants a quiet car with a smooth ride, then look no further than the ES300. Also, the 3.2 TL is rather spartan on the inside and isn't nearly as polished and comfortable as the ES300.

The TL is more sporty, but that doesn't appear to be what your dad is after.

 

[Dragnov]

Well, I don't know jack sh1t about numbers wise in tersm of power, quality, etc.

But I had an ES300 before I totalled it.

It's a big car. Quite heavy. But it does have enough umph/power to be satisfied with. Don't expect to be racing or anything, but like you said its for your dad.

Extremeley quiet, and I LOVE the white/blueish interior dashboard lights. I'm biased though, I'm a Toyota/Lexus fan. Family always got em since they've always provided for us well.

And I give additional props to it because it is one of the safest cars out there. I believe it got 5 star rating for front end crashes...and from experience its true. At freeway speed driving and rear ending another card (while side swiping 5 lanes), the car didn't flip and I got out w/ aboslutley no injuries, pains or soreness whatsoever. The car sustained some front end damage but FAR less than what you would expect in the conditions.

 

[NFS4]

ES300 interior...yum

3.2 TL interior....BLEH!! BOOOOOOOOORING.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: NFS4
ES300 interior...yum

3.2 TL interior....BLEH!! BOOOOOOOOORING.

um... the only difference i see is that the wood trim is a different color (which you can change btw).

 

[gopunk]

if he isn't going to be driving fast and doesn't mind paying a little more, i think the lexus is a good choice. the acura is really nice because everything comes standard and it is a pretty sporty car, but that doesn't sound like what your dad is looking for.

 

[LongCoolMother]

thanks for the info.

yea, hes looking at new cars. see, we have a honda accord, and a toyota camry. my dad prefers the camry because the suspention is softer and quieter.

so i suppose that tradition sort of carries onto those two cars.

and when my dad drove my brother's S2000, he couldnt believe why anyone would buy such a car. its as loud as a devil and cramped up.

so what about reliability? the es300's reliability should be pretty decent right? my dad's camry hasnt yet needed major repairs since he bought it in '95.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: gopunk

Originally posted by: NFS4
ES300 interior...yum

3.2 TL interior....BLEH!! BOOOOOOOOORING.

um... the only difference i see is that the wood trim is a different color (which you can change btw).

The look completely different. One looks warm and inviting, the other is as cold and drab as Hillary Clinton on her wedding anniversary. You need your eyes checked

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: gopunk

Originally posted by: NFS4
ES300 interior...yum

3.2 TL interior....BLEH!! BOOOOOOOOORING.

um... the only difference i see is that the wood trim is a different color (which you can change btw).

The look completely different. One looks warm and inviting, the other is as cold and drab as Hillary Clinton on her wedding anniversary. You need your eyes checked

right, and why is that? because of the frickin' wood trim color! that, and the leather color. these are both configurable options.

 

[vi edit]

At the price of the ES300, you could get a TL-S. I really think the TL-S is a much better looking car than the ES300 and it pretty much outperforms it in every way.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
At the price of the ES300, you could get a TL-S. I really think the TL-S is a much better looking car than the ES300 and it pretty much outperforms it in every way.

yea but his dad isn't going to race or even go fast

 

[LongCoolMother]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
At the price of the ES300, you could get a TL-S. I really think the TL-S is a much better looking car than the ES300 and it pretty much outperforms it in every way.

thats what my brother said. he was actually looking at the 3.2CL-s before he bought his S2000. but remember, my dad doesnt really care much for performance. as long as its not a sluggish car, it should be fine, and im pretty sure 200 hp and above would be sufficient for an old guy like him.

the reason why i see that the 3.2 might be a better choice is because it has more standard features, like leather trim, rear seat heating, a lot of features that the lexus has as options. (minor things like seat position memory, 6cd changer) but the overall ride of the es300 would probably be more comfortable.

we'll probably go test them out this weekend.

i rather like the design of the 3.2. it looks cooler in my opinion and sharper.

 

[vi edit]

One thing to take into consideration about the TL is that it's what, 4 or 5 years old without a significant redesign? Not that it's a bad thing per se, but it's not bleeding edge.

 

[Static911]

Both are respectable vehicles.

If you want more information regarding the ES300, take a look here: ClubLexus ES300 Forums. Otherwise, your father will not go wrong with both vehicles.

Good luck.

Ethan

 

[Doggiedog]

Depends on what your dad wants. If he wants sporty with luxury then get the TL. If he wants luxury, get the ES.

The interior of the ES is fabulous. It is so quiet and plush. Also, the stock stereo in the Lexus is infinitely better than the crap Blose stereo in the Acura. The TL is like a gussied up Accord. While the ES, though based on a Camry, does not feel like one.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
One thing to take into consideration about the TL is that it's what, 4 or 5 years old without a significant redesign? Not that it's a bad thing per se, but it's not bleeding edge.

That is also true. The TL is based on the old '98 Accord chassis. The ES300 is based on the '02 Camry chassis. Not that it really matters if he's just going to be loafing around.

 

[vi edit]

Are you guys completely ruling out German? I may be biased, but I actually prefer my Passat over the two lexuses that my boss's have. Can get pretty much the same options as the Lexus - minus the navigation system - for about $5,000 less.

 

[LongCoolMother]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Are you guys completely ruling out German? I may be biased, but I actually prefer my Passat over the two lexuses that my boss's have. Can get pretty much the same options as the Lexus - minus the navigation system - for about $5,000 less.

i think its because german cars are too much more expensive. like, a mercedes benz would be infinitely more expensive for the same features. and i also thought german cars had a little harder ride, not a bad thing, but different preference.

we are not, by all means ruling out german cars, but its just that it might not be as justifiable for the $$.

 

[LongCoolMother]

and isnt the passat smaller? or no?

 

[vi edit]

Is your Dad "below" a Passat? The Lexus owners that I work with were quite impressed with my Passat. It's not a budget car by any means. You can get a very nicely equiped one with a V6 for about $27,000.

 

[vi edit]

Passat has no less passenger space than the Lexus or the TL. In fact, because of the way the front seats are shaped, I feel like there's more.

 

[N8Magic]

Tell your dad to check out the (optional) Mark Levinson audio system in the ES300.

It would sound like your dad is looking for a soft, plush, quiet ride... if thats the case, I'd steer him towards the Lexus. I don't think he'd be happy with the sportier ride of a TL, let alone the Type S.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: N8Magic
Tell your dad to check out the (optional) Mark Levinson audio system in the ES300.

It would sound like your dad is looking for a soft, plush, quiet ride... if thats the case, I'd steer him towards the Lexus. I don't think he'd be happy with the sportier ride of a TL, let alone the Type S.

exactly. i dunno why so many people seem to dislike the TL... i love mine. but TL is sporty hotness, lexus is old man hotness

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Is your Dad "below" a Passat? The Lexus owners that I work with were quite impressed with my Passat. It's not a budget car by any means. You can get a very nicely equiped one with a V6 for about $27,000.

(non-W8) Passat = Accord

(non-W8) Passat != Lexus