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Acura TSX vs Acura TL
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And yet the car is an absolute blast to drive. What difference does it make if six bangers have more power? It does not change the fact that the TSX is an excellent sport sedan.
Technology-driven 6 cyls? The K24 may be the most advanced production NA four available. No lack of technology there.
Again, a couple of opinion-laced posts from individuals who likely don't own the car, but sure seem to know all about it.
I've settled on the TL without NAV in copper color. I love the color, but the only choice was that or white. Either would be fine. The car drives fine, and I'm looking forward to learning about all the features.
Thankfully, I don't go through buying cars very often.
Good choice, the TL.
Several people at the dealership (I presume they were customers) also said that carbon bronze was their favorite color. It is now my favorite, too.
This some awsome car.
I'm looking at the three options in the title and I am leaning towards the TSX or the Accord right now (mostly for $$ reasons). I currently drive a '01 Toyota Solara which seems to have a lot of torque for a 3.0 L V6. I like how the TSX drives overall, but during a test drive could not ascertain whether it feels quicker than my current car. I am afraid that if I owned the TSX, I would be disappointed with the power, but maybe not.
Has anyone else been in a similar situation? I'm thinking that now is the time to get a good deal on a TSX with it being winter in the midwest and the new TSX just around the corner. The reasons I don't want an Accord are because everyone has one, the stereo isn't very good, and there is no manumatic shift feature. Thanks.
Welcome!
Buick Lucerne CXL and Mercury Montego Premier seem to be direct competition
Why? I was considering a new hardtop retractable Mazda Miata XM-5. But my wife had problems getting in and out of it for health reasons. Only could take one other person of course. I have wanted a Miata for years. Deam gone . . .
So I began to look and look. Note: we also have a 2001 MDX Acura with navigation and love that car, it has 105,000 miles on it and we will trade it when the 2008 autos come out.
So, after looking hard at a Prius (Toyota, I would have gone there but when my wife drove the car, she did not like looking out the rear view mirror with the "bar" across the back and she really did not care for the ride), a Mini Cooper, and others I had a vision . . .
So I went to our Acura dealer and said, "Let me look at your small car." I did not want "my fathers sedan" -- to have a car to feel like I was sitting in my living room feel to it. I wanted a car that felt good in my hands and under me.
The sales guy (showing me the TSX), started with the motor, then took me around the entire car, slowly. Then we went for a drive. As soon as I took the wheel, I knew this was all of the car I needed. Smaller, quick, and it had the things I really wanted as extras that most of the other cars I had been looking at did not have: navigation and XM Radio (I like baseball, and Sirius does not have that). And voice activatived. Great.
I considered looking at a Camery (owned a 1996 one a while back) -- but realized that cars like the Toyota Camery -- were big lease cars, fleet cars, rental cars -- they are all over and the value in the future would probably be less than an Acura.
The final kicker -- our Acura dealer service department is tops here. With Starbucks coffee and fresh donuts all of the time. Plus, I get free wash and vac. any time I bring my car in -- servicing it or just for the wash.
Plus, I love the way the TSX feels on the road. Added a spoiler on the back, extra decor. pieces inside, light strips on the side -- and it is red. Looks great and feels great -- oh, I am 65 and watch me go.
I did not want the TL or a larger car -- it is for me, not a family car -- and it cost a lot less than a TL.
I have 135 miles now on the car. Or, also got wheel locks, mud flaps, and the light interor color. I also had them do the paint / inside coating -- for the 5 or 6 years coverage. No fading, or spilling of stuff, or pen marks ont he seats (I do that a lot) -- if I cannot get it back to normal, they come out and do it, if they cannot get it out or fix it like new -- they replace the carpet, seat covers, or fix the paint on the outside.
I want that Milano red to look like new as long as I have it.
Can you say -- geatty up . . . and go.
I would like some more power I was somewhat underwhelmed with the test drive of the auto. I will need to test drive again on an expressway without the salesman. I like the looks both inside and outside. The ride might be a little stiff for some, but I have been driving a Jeep GC for the past 10 years so the ride is fine for me. I don't need a big car just me and the wife, kids are grown. I could do fine with an Accord or Camry V6 much more value. I still have many cars to look at before my lease is up. One other thing is that I can get supplier discounts for Nissan,Ford,GM,Chrylser, but I don't believe Honda, will have to check into that.Old Mike
Then I suggest you visit zainostore.com.
Someone just contratulated me on my shiny "new" Abyss Blue TL. Why, thank you! It's a 2005 that I bought over 26 months ago with about 18 coats of Zaino. Last coat about 5 months ago and after a quick wash the glassy, mirror-like finish is once again dazzling me!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
What else does this car need ???
Thanks
The products I use (currently as I may order some of the newer stuff. I may be addicted...):
Z2 (ultimate shine)
Z5 (for light scratches and swirls as my TL is Abyss Blue)
-both of these with ZFX
Z6 between coats of Z2 & Z5 and sometime after a wash
I basically follow the instructions provided by Sal. No secrets, fairly easy though time consuming. One trick is to first wash with Dawn dishwashing liquid to remove any other waxes (and you can clay, I haven't done that...). You only Dawn once, don't use Dawn again or you'll remove all the Zaino!
Actually, besides zainostore.com, there is a discussion here in the Town Hall, just search for Zaino, much real world info there.
May buy the Z7 wash, I'm told the leather stuff is fab. The new Z-aio sounds intriguing.
Great stuff, smells good too...!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Matthew
Frankly I think there probably the exact same systems, my TSX might have been set-up a little better than the TL. I do miss the extra 2 cylinders, but I think thats an ego thing:)
Matthew
I still LOVE the TSX. However I think the backend is ugly compared to the TL which someone else in this forum said the exact opposite. Again, personal tastes. My best advice is to do what I did: Drive both cars, play with the features, determine what is most important in a car for YOU not anyone else and then buy the one that fits your lifestyle best. Don't regret either decision just because people on here think the TL sucks or the TSX is an underpowered whimp. It's all in how you percieve it and if it suits your needs!
-Cj
Does anyone who drives these cars still care to post?
Apparently not.
Driving the TSX in SS mode on mountain switchbacks is more fun than humans are allowed to have. :P
I'm looking forward to her review.
It should be something like "it had a light on the side of the vanity mirror, was a pretty shade of blue, and fit into the parking spots at Starbucks with room to spare"
I should have her swing it by work for a quick beat run.
My wife, before going to the MDX, had a Honda Accord.
She dropped the TSX off and got right back into her MDX, and talked to me last night about how much she missed it.
She's lovin the whole SUV thing and couldn't stand being back in a smaller car.
The traffic around here has no respect for cars and the SUVs rule the world.
She couldn't wait to have her SUV back.
I recently gave up SUVs for my 07 G35.
Now I'm in the smaller car but I get my respect by keeping everyone else behind me!
Of course there's the underwhelming straight power of the TSX, but it just didn't handle the same - it didn't feel as planted to the road as my TL.
I will admit up front that my TL is a 6MT with summer tires and the TSX was a basic AT, so that could have had a lot to do with it, but even when I test drove both back in 2005, I didn't fall in love with the TSX as I did with the TL.
Both fine cars, the only way to truly define which is better is to buy it! :shades:
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
If anyone has any notable experiences on a CPO Acura, pro or con, please chime in!
End of the month and/or year end are the best time to purchase from a dealership. The only real advantages of a dealership is selection and the ability to haggle for added accessories like a trunk tray, extended warranty, free service, window tint, rear spoiler, etc.. The really big disadvantage of private owner is “Buyer Beware”. You’re stuck with the car if there are problems after the purchase.
I don’t know about the TL, but the sweet spot for the TSX is the 06 models because of the following upgrades:
- XM radio (antenna on back/center rear of roof, 05 model also)
- Bluetooth hands free link
- Upgrade MID display, can personalize display per key fob
- Thicker steering wheel with grips at the 10 and 2 o’clock positions
- heated side mirrors (05 model also)
- Two position driver memory seats that adjust automatically to the driver when the door opens when the fob is used to unlock the door.
- power passenger seat (05 model also)
- Wider side bolsters on driver seat
- Faster Navi with restaurant guide, calendar reminder, points of interest, and 650 voice commands.
- 06 Navi can integrate a back up camera easier because of the DVD unit design.
- up to 10-15 extra HP with the larger intake, exhaust, higher flow cat
- You will get more HP/TQ from aftermarket parts (Hondata, I/H/Cat/Exhaust, S/C for 6MT only)
- Slightly revised rear tail lights starting in 06
- More angular side-marker lights
- Integrated fog lights
- No metal trim from grill on hood
- More aggressive side sills
- Low profile windshield wipers
- You would have a longer bumper-to-bumper warranty period with an 06, 4yr/50,000 miles
- Everyone’s favorite, new 9 spoke alloy wheels
- Upgraded shift knob for 5AT
- +2 years of corrected TSB (less rattles/electrical problems/squeaks, etc..)
Make sure they include the latest Navi disk that is available since Nov of 07 with the daylight savings fix (White disk v4.62, not v4.55 or v4.56) My Navi disk in my 06 is v4.55 and it is starting to give me wrong data. The DVD disk usually cost $185+shipping.
Yeah sometimes the CPO prices don't seem to be that much better than buying new, but I'm hoping to haggle the price closer to a private seller price.
After 18 months, I still get a stupid grin on my face when I drive the TSX. You will find out at dealerships the prices for a used TSX will only be $1,500-$3,000 less compared to buying new. The TSX really holds its value very well.
There were not a lot changes with the 07/08 models except tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). I can live without because I have aftermarket rims for summer, winter rims for my TSX. As far as I'm concerned, the only difference between an 06/07/08 TSX is price and mileage.