Sister's New Car - Which would you choose?

My sister just got her nursing degree and is looking for a new car. She's enlisted my help, but she's more than a little difficult to deal with. She currently has an '01 Civic with 115 horsepower. Understandably, she wants more power for merging into traffic and ease of driving, etc. However, she's convinced that she needs a V6 for this. Maybe I'm crazy, but I think a luxury 4 cylinder with ~200hp should be plenty for a 22 year old girl to feel "fast". Here are the three main options she's looking at, with ads indicative of cars she would look at (not necessarily ones she is looking at). She will not spend more than $20k, and she does not like domestic cars. So of these 3, which would you pick for a 22 year old woman?

1. 2007-2008 Acura TSX - 4 cylinder VTEC, 205hp, 5 speed auto.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...kId=20001&rpp=50&feedSegId=28705&aff=national

2. 2007-2008 Honda Accord EX-L V6, auto

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...kId=20088&rpp=50&feedSegId=28705&aff=national

3. 2007-2008 Toyota Camry XLE or SE, V6, auto

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...kId=20088&rpp=50&feedSegId=28705&aff=national

I'm trying to convince her to look at the Acura, because I think it's the nicest and best value of the three types, but she's reluctant to try another 4 banger, even though it has 90 more horespower than she's used to (and VTEC, whatever that's worth). What do you guys think?

 

Try looking into Sabaru. Great, safe, all wheel drive. What more could you ask for?

 

It depends on which RPM range she's looking to get more power from. If she's a relatively sedate driver who needs a little more oomph at lower RPMs then a V6 would probably be a better bet. However, if she keeps the RPMs up and likes to zoom in and out a bit then a 200HP 4 cyl would be great.

Having said that, for a 22 yr old woman and the three cars you listed, definitely I'd choose the TSX. Just IMHO...

Has she driven any of them yet? That might be a good approach. Not knowing how much she knows about cars, you could try the "double blind" approach of locating a dealer that has two of those three cars (or similar... Camry, Accord, Altima... all about the same) and test driving them without saying which engine is which.

 

I have driven all of those models of cars and would recommend the acura out of all of them. The creature comfort level is excellent.
Maybe she should take some test drives and see if she would need more power.
Also, I didn't believe in the power of vtec until I was in my sister's car (civic); when she hit the higher rpms I could feel it push me back into the seat.

 

This is a good suggestion too....great little cars

 

Mentioned it. She wouldn't even consider them. I was frustrated to say the least.

She's driven a Camry XLE V6 and liked it. She's spent a lot of time in my uncle's '03 Accord V6 (essentially the same) and liked it alot. I thought about getting her in the Acura, telling her it was a V6, and seeing if she liked it, then tell her it was a 4 cylinder after she liked the power.

She'd be able to tell the brand and model of them (purely because she likes to be "fashionable" and "hip") but she wouldn't know a 4 cylinder from a V12.

 

Those of you with Acuras, how quiet were the 4 cylinder engines in normal driving? Quietness is a big thing for her. I've driven a TSX, but it was a 6 speed, and I wasn't exactly testing the quietness of the engine (more like the upper RPM limit).

 

Cool, that makes it easy. Go test drive a TSX just so she can compare to two other vehicles that she's already familiar with. I suspect if she liked the Honda then she'll really like the Acura, at least with regards to comfort, convenience and appearance. Does she know they're made by the same company?

 

As far as looks I would go with either the acura or the accord. I would have to drive both of them to make a final decision. I would also consider a v6 nissan maxima. They are really nice cars and have plenty of power, for what they are.

 

Get er in the acura. If I was goin to buy a new car id go for one of those. Stylish, comfortable, and fast. Reliable ta boot, of course cause its a honda product. My '94 hatchback civic has 214k on it. Still runs strong

 

I agree. The hard part will be getting her to give it a try. She does know they're made by the same, which is actually a bit of the problem. She doesn't like her Honda 4 cylinder now, so she's reluctant to give another Honda 4 cylinder a chance. Plus her boyfriend drives a TL, and she doesn't know if she wants to have almost the same car as him.

Can you tell she's the ultimate "chick"?

 

TSX hands down. Thats the best built car for the money, nicest interior, running gear... And if I'm not mistaken a lifetime warranty on the motor (or the salesman was blowing smoke up my ass when I was looking at TL's)

 

Mentioned it (and the Altima) as well. Not her style, supposedly.

 

Acura TSX is the best handling of the 3. The new Accords feel too bloated and the Camry make me yawn. I've owned 2 Accords and an Acura RSX in the past and loved them all. The TSX has a nice exhaust sound that is throaty for a 4 cylinder, very nice throttle response and a tight feel, plus front double wishbone and independent rear suspension.

 

07+ Camry SE V6.

My Dad has one and its awesome to drive. Extremely comfortable, plenty of power, handles well and looks damn good. Every time I drive it I like it more.

 

I would say the TSX. It is quiet and is very peppy for a 4 cylinder 2.4L. That was the car I test drove before buying my tacoma. It was quiet and is a lot faster than civics. I've owned civic and integra and they do not compare to the TSX performance. On the other hand have you tried looking at the is250's? Those are 2.5L V6 and is very nice. My fiancee has the is250 AWD. If your lucky you can find a used one with decent miles for under 20k.

 

Tell her to read this ... If she's going to work as a nurse, then she should expect to be classified "essential personnel" ... which means no such thing as a snow day or late start. If she's going to work in Wichita or any other area where it snows and/or ices, she's a fool not to look at Subarus. Their symmetrical AWD is awesome, and they have a lot more power and class (not to mention great gas mileage) than I guess she imagines. And weather worthy transportation for essential personnel is a must. Her job could depend on it.

 

Tell her to get a TL type s.

 

Of the two, the Camry SE... Its a sharp looking car.

 

mazda miata....good car ..reliable and fast enough