Ok,

I have a down payment on a 2005 TSX with Navi (27,400 with a kick ass trade in..) It is due in Mid september from Japan.. I just test drove the TL for giggles and now I am contemplating going with that instead. TL with Navi off the lot would be like $34,000. It is a lot of car but for a good price difference too. I am not sure I want to pay that much, but the TL seems like alot of car.. Unfortunately, I only test drove the TSX once and it was not a Navi like i bought..

What do you think the best thing to do is.. With rising gas prices, TL burns a bit more too.. Any thoughts?

thanks

john c

 

TSX, but that's just my opinion.

 

i wonder what theyll say....... TSX forum, nah we love TLs here =D
did u post this in the TL forum too?

 

better handling > 0 - 60; but that's just my opinion.

 

If I could afford the TL right now, I would've probably got it. I say probably because after having my 05 TSX for the last two months, I fall in love with this car more and more each day. When I got my ground effects and spoiler put on, the dealer gave me a TL for the day, and I must say, I like the handling of the TSX better and the interior layout better. The TL just has more power (which I like) and a few other goodies.

Take that for what it's worth. Either way, you can't go wrong.

MK

 

When I drive the TL, I feel like a family man because it's a bigger car and a lot of older people drive it vs. a TSX where you feel single and your age.

 

That's funny... I had a Prelude, so the TSX feels like my "grown up" car! 4 doors! But I agree, the TL is more of an "old man's" car than the TSX is.

As for whether TSX or TL, there are a bunch of cars that are more expensive than the TSX may have some more power, but you'll pay for it. Thousands more for the car and hundreds more for gas... I guess it's up you if it's worth it, we all have to draw the line somewhere.

Personally, I'm with mg -- if I have to choose between handling and power, it might be better to go with handling. Asthetically, I like the smaller size over the TL.

 

I totally agree, the handling is the reason I compare the 2005 TSX with the BMW 3 Series. I rode in my friends 2004 BMW 325i modified with AC Schnizter everywhere, and yes it does outperform the TSX, but the TSX Competes very closely with it as opposed to the TL's more conservative road handling. The 270 HP just burns more gas and I really favor the rear styling of the TSX as opposed to the Galant style of the TL. I still like the TL and TSX. both kick ass cars, but love the TSX.!!!!

 

I can afford the TL and that is the car that brought me into the showroom. What made my decision was the better mpg and the fold down 60/40 rear seats. The mirrors with the signal indicators were a bonus. The fact that it was several thousand cheaper for basically a similar car helped me make the choice.

With the new features on the 06 TSX there is not a huge difference in features either.

I don't think that you will go wrong with either vehicle. If money isn't a big deal and the folddown seats isn't a big deal, go with the TL. I chose the TSX though.

Excited

 

when my parents took me to the dealer i went in for the tsx but my mom saw the tl and offered to get it for me but i sticked with the tsx cuz the tl seemed too much like a family car. i test drove both of them and i liked the handling of the tsx muxh better than the handling of the tl even though the tl had a faster acceleration. my cousin got the tl and he loves it, i think its a great car but for now i love my tsx.

 

Let me begin by stating that I love my TSX! For the price, you can't beat it. Great gas mileage, superior quality, fantstic stick shift, you don't see one on every corner and it is just big enough to handle like a smaller, spotrier car.

Having said that, if you are considering upgrading to a the TL, you need to go drive a G35 and perhaps even a used BMW 5 series. They are both GREAT and SPEEDY cars that handle great and are in the same $$ range as a loaded TL. Gas mileage is going to be about the same for all of them. Only downsides...the Infiniti's interior feels cheap and the BMW is...well a BMW. But, they have powerful engines, they handle well and most importantly, they will smoke the REAR tires.

The TL is a fantastic car and much more powerful than the TSX, especially with the 6-speed. Only problem is, all of that power is going through the front wheels. In my humble opinion, dealing with all the torque steer in a car with anything much over 200hp is a waste of time and money.

If Honda can somehow configure the TL into RWD or all wheel drive, I would find the extra money for one. Until then, I'll keep my speedy little 4 banger.

 

I am in the similar boat. I was going to buy an RL, but my job commute will be alot shorter now, so I nixed the RL. My wife has a 04 TL and I test drove a 05 TSX today. I can't see buying two of the same car.

The TSX engine screams drive me @ the redline. Its a fun car to drive and I would definitely mod it out and drive it to the max. Besides with about 30 mpg highway, thats much better than a TL. Our TL gets 22/24 mixed city/highway, which is NJ in a nutshell.

I like the larger trunk and split seats on the TSX. The TL is quieter and the engine isn't as loud. But as my wife says, who cares, you crank the XM radio anyway...

I'm personally waiting for the '06 TSX. I want need the bluetooth + NAV.

I'd get the TSX and bank the $7K difference. Good Luck on your decision.

 

TL with GPS 34K out of door?
get the TL.power and acceleration is nothing like tsx

 

I'd got the TL if it weren't for the $5,000+ price difference. And plus I wouldnt' feel so underpower with an auto that has 270 horsepower

 

If you'll have 5 people in the car, I'd go TL. If you are having only 4 people or 3 kids at the back, then TSX.

 

I was considering the TL/TSX also. I am going to go with a 06 TSX, but I'm single, so I don't need a ton of room, although it might be nice. The changes for 06 made it easy for me, especially the aux input for a mp3 player. I also want the fold down seats, and the TSX is rated for towing, and the TL is not (might eventually use it to tow my jet ski). I also see alot less TSXs than TLs.

 

I was planning on getting a TSX, but ended up in a TL. If you want to mod your car, especially in the suspension/handling dept., get the TSX.

I love my TL, but I still think the TSX looks better w/ a kit (esp. the kenstyle)...

BTW, TL is not a buick... it handles pretty well, and it'll almost always outrun a TSX, unless very heavily modified/perfectly tuned, on a road course. I've gotten as low as 17 mpg (pure city), and as high as 33.x mpg (pure highway).

Reasons not to get a TL:
Blindspots are bad on the TL... A-pillars get in the way a lot... A LOT.
Excessive amount of brake dust w/ the brembos
Shitty stock tires (EL42's)
No fold down seats
Steering feedback, lock-to-lock travel can get annoying on sharp/hairpin turns.
4-spoke steering wheel... 3-spoke is the way to go

That's all I can come up with for now.

 

lets trade!

 

I definately agree. I think one has to keep in mind the torque steer issue when thinking about getting a TL. That said,........the TL is a great car,....but so is the TSX. The value of the TSX is really good. I guess you just have to look at the specifics of what YOU want if price is not an issue. Roominess, gas mileage, power, etc.

Note to Acura,......make the TL RWD.

 

For some reason I think cars that are made in Japan tends to be better build.

TSX = made in Japan
TL = made in Ohio

 

I've yet to see any auto-x times for the TL. After test driving several times (was originally my first choice) it just felt too big for me.

 

you mean make the TL sh-awd

 

http://www.panamscca.org/forms/fast%20five_pax.htm

That TL was driven by a member here... must be a damn decent driver - I remember him saying that the car was stock (6MT) except for the tires.


I re-read my post, and I guess I should've added "IMO" when I was talking about road courses. I sound like I was stating facts, but I'm willing to bet that on an average road course, the TSX will not have a big of an edge in handling to stay ahead. It is still a FWD, and if 6MT vs 6MT, the TL w/ more power & LSD will pull much faster out of turns.

But then again, the lock-to-lock ratio is probably worse on the TL, and the steering feedback isn't as intuitive as the TSX.

I don't know where I'm going with this.. Stick with the TSX.

 

No -- you proved a good point. I was one of those who thought that taking a TL on an auto-x course make as much sense as bringing an astro van. That was pretty impressive -- do you know what setup the TL had?

 

i don't think you can go wrong with either car.

ultimately will come down to what you want, and how much you are willing to spend for your "wants."

 

drools

 

I looked at both cars, but I too favored the "nimbleness" of the smaller-feeling TSX. When I test drove the TL, I felt like I was driving a large car. Yes, the power of the V6 is readily apparent... and driving both cars back to back makes it that much more noticeable. If you want the straight-line acceleration, it's a no brainer. The TL wins, hands down. However, I agree with others that there's a lot of juice going to the wrong wheels... so there is some torque steer there.

For me, it came down to the TL's creature comforts (rather than its power) versus the TSX's handling... I would've really liked the Bluetooth compatibility among other things, but in the end, it was the enjoyment of running through the twisties that made me choose the TSX...

And just on a side note, after installing the Comptech rear sway bar this weekend, this car handles even better!

 

C'mon...is there any detectable difference? I own a TSX and have a co-worker with a TL and when I ride to lunch in his car, it feels just a nice as mine. They are both well put together cars and I think it is irrelevant and borderline racist to insinuate that the car that was assembled in Japan is somehow better than the one built in Ohio. The people who work in that plant in Ohio are just as dedicated to making a better car as their counterparts in Japan.

Each automobile manufactured by Honda from the Civic to the RL must meet a very high standard of quality before it ever hits a showroom. In Japan AND the U.S..

 

about Japan VS Ohio.

But honestly, look up the TL's handling numbers. Car and Driver found the TL to have more grip than the TSX in instrumented testing (.91g for the TL, .85g for the TSX - although the TL had summer tires and the TSX the standard Michelins)

Anyway, a lot has to do with "feel" rather than actual competence. The TSX has a nimble, engaging feel even though it is barely, if any, more competent in the twisties than the TL.

 

As a manufacturing manager, trust me -- there are TONS of differences between manufacturing philosophies in Japan compared to the US. The gap is so wide, many US manufacturers continue to attempt to emulate some of the Japanese tools that come from the Toyota Production System (Mistake proofing, Kaizen, one-piece flow, etc)

However, I must say that a company mature as Honda attempts to design quality into their product rather than manufacture or inspect quality into their product. In the end, in an ideal world where systems are in place, it really shouldn't matter "where" the product is made.

 

Hopefully it has gotten better, my 01 CL made in US sucked in term of fit/finish, compare to all my other acura and lexus made in Japan. Hey im US Citizen, no bias here, but Ill buy whatever product is best made. I also had a 97 CL that was made in USA, the fit and finish is just not as good as the cars I had thats made in Japan. I drove the new TL recently, and quality is excellent! Hope its a sign of uniform excellent standard from Honda!

 

You guys all must've seen the movie Gung Ho right?

There is a stereotype that cars and electronics that are "Made in Japan" are of higher build quality and will last longer than cars "Made in Ohio" or electronics "Made in China".

Ever since the mid-80s Japanese built cars have had few problems and greater reliability than their US built counterparts.

 

I agree... a lot of it DEFINITELY has to do with feel. However, the summer tires also make a huge difference IMO. I'd be interested to see the skidpad numbers on a TL with the same all-seasons that the TSX and "base" TL use... the slalom would be interesting too, as I'd guess that the TSX would easily "out-maneuver" the TL in that test.

 

heck...I agree it has to do with FEEL more than anything else often times its what the car make u feel u dare to do rather than test number right?... a destroyer would definitely be more manuverable than aircraft carrier right? though carrier have much more power... just like yrs ago.. during the twisty road.. in my 95 integra. I killed a camaro Z28, that car just could not hang with me despite beefed up suspension and WAY wider tires.. but as soon as we hit the straight road.. im smoked...

lots of times people forget 1 thing... no matter the grip of the cars..we are all subject to the same amount of gravitational force from the earth...smaller oftentimes are more agil .. less mass. less gravity upon them~