You really think a RA handles better than an IS300?

 

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All I'm saying is that compared to my own set of criteria on how I like a car to feel, I like my RA better... the IS300 is boring (to me). I'm not saying the RA is a better all-around car... I'm just saying I enjoy driving it more.

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the tsx is actually the honda accord euro-R rebadged in the U.S.

 

The new IS350 looks pretty dope. I'd love to go for a ride in one of those. I'm guessing they're not cheap though...

 

it doesnt now! Not after I put a new sway bar, tie bar, tein coilovers on it I have the best handling FWD ive ever been in.

 

Wow, I did not know that. But I coulda swore the honda accord euro-r had more than 200 hp???

 

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Chassis and engine are two different things... manufacturers see them as modules they can assemble at will. Rember a small car called the Lancer? It got a 2.4l in the North-American market but not in Europe.

Cars in Europe always get smaller engines though (for reasons of fuel economy and because many countries calculate taxes/annual fees based on displacement) for a given class. You might be surprised to see many underpowered Audis, BMWs and Mercedes when you go over there. Taxes are killing them... especially in France. They buy turbo diesel sports cars to save money! My brother in law bought a turbo diesel 115HP Alfa Romeo 156 because he just couldn't afford using a gas engine... all-in-all, it would have cost him almost double in everyday expenses!

Can you imagine the fun he had when he came over in the spring and test-drove my RA?

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I'm not trying to kid myself here, maybe the one I drove had a better package but theres no way my RA would touch it. After all those mods, it would still be hard to out handle the is300...rwd drive with an lsd and traction control...

 

You can't compare the Ralliart and a IS300... well, not as equals anyways.

Hell, I was looking at a used 2001 (I think) and it was still almost 20k!!

 

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For my part, I'm only comparing my feeling behind the wheel of both cars to my own tastes... so this is a very personnal opinion. As a whole, both cars can't really be compared... one is an very affordable sports compact car that happens to be gifted with decent handling, while the other is a luxury-oriented car following a current trend of performance for the category.

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i would personally choose a bmw

 

so many of thoes cars are overated, it seems 50% of what u pay is for a name.

 

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I partly agree... since in Europe, Audis and BMWs are not priced that high compared to other brands like Peugeot or Renault. That means that they are normal cars... and don't enjoy the reputation they acquired here.

But also remember that the reason why these brands have such a good reputation here is because domestic cars were so crappy that driving an european car was a night and day difference... it's still partly true, but asian makers got in the game since then, and their offerings are priced much lower. That being said, finding the right car for you always comes down to your personnal needs and tastes... which is different from one person to the other.

If you don't see the reason why you would buy, say, a BWM instead of a Mazda 6, that's probably because the areas where the BMW is superior (luxury and handling) are not important criterias for you. In that case, you're quite right that the higher price won't bring you anything but higher payments at the end of the month...

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