I am the happy owner of a 2002 Sedona EX.  I need a new commuter vehicle to
replace the 7 year-old Chevy Cavalier.  (I can't take the cabin
noise/rattles anymore.)  My interest was piqued by the Acura TL commercials
I had been seeing.  I drove one, and then read about the tires and other
finish problems it is having in its first year of redesign.

I would look at the Accord V6, but I don't care for the styling, which has
been irrevocably marred by the Honda "faces" commercial in the US. I'm also
not a big Honda fan after my dealer experience with the 2001/2002 Odyssey.
Ultimately, I came out the better for it.  It looks like it is going to
happen again.

Today, the Washington Post ran a story on the Kia Amanti and gave it a buy
rating.  I had mostly dismissed Kia in the sedan market (thinking about the
Spectra), but I went back and reviewed it.  I think the fully loaded Optima
V6 EX is more what I need.  I qualify for the $1K loyalty cash, so right now
I am looking at a fully-loaded car with a great warranty, and decent mileage
for $18K  (almost half the cost of the TL).

I also tested a 325ix after the TL and found it too small, too loud and too
expensive as well.  My test drive order was:

Acura TL-->Acura TSX--->BMW 325ix.

I am looking forward to the Optima test drive now and will report back. I
also want to see what Kia plans to do for the 2005 MY. Any ideas?