ClutchPerformer

So I finally got my body kit put on as a Christmas present to myself. It looks great. The dealer gave me an previous-gen base TL as a loaner. Nice, but I really wanted to try a new TL. Oh well.

First impression: I like torque. And even this base engine (225HP) has a noticable advantage over the TSX. Now I understand why some of you Type-S guys are missing your old engines!

This was also the first time I've ever driven a car w/ a sport shift auto (really!). It was weird. The time delay between the pull/push of the lever and the actual shift drove me nuts. I played around with it for a couple minutes and then quit in frustration. Yuck.

On the plus side, the seats were REALLY comfortable. Not much side bolstering, but nice to sit in. I'd like to have some in my living room. Seriously!

I asked the girlfriend what she thought of it. I got: "this car's nicer, but yours is cuter". I'm still not quite sure what that means....I'm thinking she appreciates the higher tactile lux factor and the feel of the V6, but doesn't like the exterior design. I could be wrong

PS. Killer, if you read this: Yes, I drove it like I stole it.

rb1

Indeed, I came closer to buying a CL-S 6-speed (260 hp) than just about anything else I have looked at lately. My thoughts were that for under 30K, you're basically getting an NSX engine mated to a very serious MT. At the time, nothing else comparable was available.

(I couldn't get past the 40 foot turning circle)

larchmont

I wonder if something was wrong. There ISN'T any delay like this on the TSX; or if there is, it's not noticeable to me. BTW I had the TL-S but, would you believe, I never tried the SS, so I couldn't tell you if it was like you say.

Otherwise.....I didn't like the 3.2 TL nearly as much as you did. And I even had the S!

rb1

IMHO, they missed with the new TL exterior. It looks like several other cars melded into one. Sometimes the rear reminds me of a Buick or a Mitsubishi. The front looks like a Chrysler.

I agree with your girlfriend as far as which car looks better.

jcg878

There is definitely a delay, but I think it's shorter than in many other cars. The total time for it to change gears once you tell it to is still probably no longer than it would take you to do it manually in a MT, but it takes getting used to.

I'm satisfied with the SS.. but still wish I'd gotten an MT.

C_TSX_Go

I would say TSX before I named ANY Chrysler

rb1

Here ya go...

A wee bit of Crossfire...



Maybe hints of the 300M, too...



And now here is the TL...

ClutchPerformer

That's true. I didn't think about that. I guess I just expect the auto to be able to do it quicker (especially after that long discussion with Schalliol about that very same topic). In the TL's case, it was more like push, wait, wait, shift. Drove me nuts. I could see it on a downshift, but not an upshift.

larchmont

Now I see what you're saying.
If it was that fast, I wouldn't feel confident anything was engaging.

dom

Sorry rb1, you have to squint really hard or maybe close your eyes completely to see any TL in those POS's. Me personally, I often get the TL mixed up with the TSX, especially from a slight distance. The front ends are pratically identical from a distance, there's no arguing that.

rb1

Well, it's just my opinion. Yes, the TSX has some of the same elements, but it's a classier, more understated look and I have absolutely not trouble spotting them.


(You may call them POS, but I think the 300M is a far more attractive car than the TL, not so much from the front, but overall)

93Kewl

The TL is one serious looking car. It's lines make it look very aggressive looking (a good thing). The TL will never be accused of being...."cute". As I said before and will say again, I think Acura dropped the ball with the TSX rear-end. Much too square-ish and boxy!

ClutchPerformer

Are you saying TSX rear-end is squareish and boxy and the TL's is not? I can see why you say that about the TSX but IMO, the TL's is much worse.

93Kewl

Clutch,

I think the TL's rear-end fits (integrates) better with the car's overall lines. To me the TL takes on the more aggressive "wedge" shape. The TSX however, attempts to be more "curvy", which is why the squarish back end (IMHO) stands out more.

rb1

I think that the TL's look is too aggressive for it's target audience. The pendulum swung too far.

Anyway, we'll see. There's a bunch of them over at the dealership (about 12 the last time I looked). The TSX grew on me and I continue to like its look more and more. I like the TL less each time I see one. Boxy from the side, square tail pipes, rear-end sort of like a squared off 95 Accord on steroids. Ugh.

93Kewl

Ya think? Coming from the old TL's styling I think the new styling is Acura's way of promoting its cars as exciting and sporty. The TSX also fits in that category but may be still be a bit on the "conservative" Japanese side.

larchmont

It's not just the look.

The TL simply isn't that great a car for what it is. It's real good -- but not outstanding.

The TSX is a lesser car. But for what it is, it's arguably outstanding.

93Kewl

Heh! Kinda like being "King of the peasants"?

rb1

Well, I'd certainly agree that the old TL needed a makeover. That "conservative" Japanese side of the TSX is more appealing to me, although I'm probably older than the target TSX buyer (and probably about the right age for the TL).

ClutchPerformer

Exactly. No offense, but the 9-3 is one of them ("peasants").

dom

Here we go, just like old times fella's.

93Kewl

Noooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!! TL vs TSX styling. Must....keep.....on..........topic.

I......already......know.....that....my......Vecto r.......blows.....away.....that......lesser.....ca r........in.....terms......of.....features.......l ooks.....etc.........

Oh, sooooo, difficult.

dom

I.....won't......even..........ask...........what. ..............lesser.........car......your........ ...talking............about..........or........... ...we'll..........be..........here................ forever............

TinkySD

Seen a few new 9-3s on the road. Not impressed at all.

93Kewl

Same here for those "cute" TSX's. Right back at 'ya!

TinkySD

Good to see you back 93!

93Kewl

Good to see some things never change (nor should they). What kind of world would it be if dogs slept with cats!

TinkySD

Actually I thnk the new 93s look really nice. If i knew about all the amazing incentives on them at the time I would have looked more closesly.

dnb

Wait ... has this turned into an official postwhore thread?

IBTL!

dom

Ya, Saab payed Kewl to take his

dnb

GM is giving some of them away in the Hot Button promo.

larchmont

Say, did I ever happen to mention that the 3.2 TL-S was really a totally different car than the 3.2 TL?

ClutchPerformer

Well, no.... but I knew that anway. Did you have both?