EJH

Went to the two local acura dealers and neither have a manual TSX. So before I make a 45 min trip to a dealer that says they have only one I need some advice.

Right now I drive a 2000 Saab 9-3 SE but it's coming time to replace (older euro maintenance ). The girlfriend has a WRX so I drive that a bit too. I drove the auto TSX and while I didin't expect turbo performance from the TSX I had it floored and there was no pep to it at all, especially down low. Heard the engine revving, it just didn't feel like I was getting anywhere. I've seen a few former Saab guys post here so I'm looking for a comparison from anyone on the manual...I'm used to 209 lbf at 2200rpm, I know I'm looking at a lower powered car but can I get some feeling of torque in a manual TSX or should I search for another car with more power?

I also drove an auto TL, sure didn't feel like 270hp/230lbf or whatever it's supposed to be, but it does feel like you have some decent power under the hood and it's a really nice car too. Just not crazy about it being built in the US and the higher price tag.

thanks,
EJH

dmassott

I've had my six speed for a couple months now and have no regrets with the power. i have never driven an automatic in the tsx so im not sure if there is a difference that you can feel. All i can tell you is that i do like to drive fast and ive never had any problems with that

CarbonGray Earl

The 6 speed is going to be WAY better. The 6 speed's gearing is definitely going to make it feel zippier than a 5at. It makes up for the percieved torque deficit. A 5at stock can be driven fast in the right hands and the right mods, but it has its spots where it can lag, namely whats called 2nd gear (it should be 3rd gear).

waTSX

The 6 speed will provide substantially better response and overall performance, IMO. You'll also have way more control. I don't want to offend AT owners, but in my opinion, the TSX just isn't the same without the 6 MT.

dom

Having owned both an AT and MT I'm of the opinion that if the AT didn't feel powerful enough for you, neither will the MT. Than again mine are/were an 04. The 06+'s are more powerful.

DLTSX6MT

Judging from what I've read here at AZ, if you have decided on a TSX and can drive an MT (or are even willing to learn) then DO NOT get an AT - as they are completely different animals, and the consensus is that the MT is "responsive, and not that slow", while the AT is just plain "sloooooow". As for whether or not the TSX should be your choice of car, based on power, I will say that I am often wanting for a little more power from my 2006 TSX 6MT, but YMMV.

IIIII

Stay way from the TSX, AT or MT if you want something "fast or powerful".

wackura

I think it's worth a 45 minute drive to try out the MT, and not just because it performs better, but shifting with this car is particularly fun. It's an end unto itself.

The TSX is as fast as I need a car to be, the only thing that bothers me is the climb up to the 6000 RPM range to extract the most power from the engine. It feels like you're straining to go fast whereas I imagine a car with a lower end torque would feel effortlessly fast by comparison.

The car feels light weight, not boatlike at all so it's easy to command, and the shifting is fun. You ought to take that into account when looking at various cars becuase you'll only be casualy driving 98% of the time. The high rev engine is very fuel efficient at low revs, that has to appeal to your practical side a little.

CGTSX07

I was in the same situation as you and decided to hold out for the MT.

When they recieve an AT loaner when their car is in for service, MT owners usually say that there is a night and day difference between the AT and MT.

EJH

Wow!!! Thanks for all the quick replies guys. On the Saab boards I would have to wait half a day for 2-3 responses. Looks like I'm gonna be calling the dealer to make sure they have the car available for a test drive.

wackura

If I were in your shoes I'd ponder just trading in for the next model TSX in MT. You take a hit but if you've been paying off your car for a year or two then it's not that bad.

nj2pa2nc

i own a 06 6 spd tsx for 10 months, bought new, with almost 25,000 miles on it. it has more than enough power for me. drove 700 miles to get this car so i really do not think 45 min is a bad drive. i am not a big fan of vehicles with automatic transmission.

CarbonGray Earl

I agree with this. Its changing next year....you could get the new one, or if you really like the old one, you might be able to get a good end model run deal.

wackura

Oh sorry I misread, I thought he said he wish he had held out for the MT, I redirect that comment to the AT people with buyer's remorse.

james41

I'll be honest with you, if you're looking for torque and the associated off the line pull, the TSX is not the car for you. I came from a VW to the TSX and I feel I have to work a lot harder to win at stop light pole position.

That said, in my VW I was always pissed off that the engine became anemic before hitting 5 grand. The TSX is only waking up at that point.

The overall driving dynamic is wonderful: the gearbox is phenomenal and the car feels so precise with weight of the steering and the handling balance. Passing and hitting the twisties are great in the TSX.

The philosophy difference between the Japanese and European sport sedan is evident on paper, but doesn't really show itself until you've lived with the car for some time.

On most days I'm very happy with my decision, but there are moments when I don't want to end up at 80 mph because I wanted to feel the power of my engine.

jeffb

I own an 2004 MT and would not consider owning an AT. It's a completely different driving experience in my opinion. If you're serious about the TSX, you owe it to yourself to make the drive to test a MT model.

MN-TSX

I have a 2004 6MT, and have driven a 2006 5AT when mine was in for service.
My 6MT felt much more responsive, even with the lower (vs. 2006) HP rating. I think the 6MT makes a big difference (still not the fastest car out there).

aaronng

I've driven both, and I reckon it's a BIG difference. The TSX is not a fast car, and having an MT on it makes extracting all that power much easier. The AT already loses roughly an 5% of power to begin with.

Wisc Badger

to sum it up....

The 6MT DOESN'T compare to the 5AT ... it outdoes it by far.

It's such a different feeling car... I always ask for anything BUT an AT TSX when I get a loaner from the dealer... if I can't get an MT then at least I have more power to make up for it.

I've been driving Stick since I was 15 and never looked back... so this post is obviously biased.

jlukja

dom

lol...

But me thinks the gap in AT vs MT isn't as big as some here are making it out to be.

wackura

It might be a perceived gap. Do you want to perceive your riding a turtle's back to work or do you want to perceive each stop light as an oppurtunity to reach VTEC?

dom

No doubt there is an actual gap in performance but its not big enough to make a significant difference, certainly not in everyday driving where most TSX's spend most of their time.

I currently have a MT, have for the last 1.5 years. I really don't perceive any performance advantage over the AT I had for the 2 years prior. Not in 90% of the driving I do anyway. No doubt the MT is more fun to drive (why I got it) but to say there's a night and day difference is an big exaggeration IMO.

wackura

Driving an MT in general is very different than an AT because of the demands the car puts on you to even launch from a dead stop, but the difference is compunded by how nice the TSX shifter is. I imagine with cars that aren't so fun to shift the difference is less if not reversed entirely.

DVS-TSXER

how much faster is the Manual vs the Auto TSX? one car length the most?? just wondering

timd38

The salesman asked me how I liked all the power when I test drove it. He forget to look at the car I got out of that had 400+ HP and 400+ FT of Torque......

I am going to get blasted for this again, but the power is like a Ford Escort I had for my kids...

The TSX is nice, reliable car that doesn't do anything spectacular, but does everything well.

wackura

IIIII

Exactly.

The TSX is a great car, but being fast and powerful is not its strong points.

ibthedrivercantdrive

wackura

Oh please.

DAYTA

Wow, whoever recorded those times REALLY sucks at driving...

I guess he must've forgotten to put the car in 1st for the first few seconds.

timd38

It stops really good based on the chart above.

I just got new rotors from R1 concepts and ceramic pads to put on my car with 350 miles on it, maybe I don't need them.

CarbonGray Earl

Well, if we're going to post the slowest stock times we can find, might as well post the contrasting fastest stock times.

Vtec.net

06 6spd - 0-60mph - 6.9secs
06 5AT Full Auto - 0-60mph - 8.7secs
06 5AT SportShift - 0-60mph - 7.7sesc

Article here: http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-a...3&page_number=4

As for the continued escort reference, I'm not to sure if a stock Escort that can be bought in the US (not some insane Cosworth Escort rally car) could really match a TSX numbers, especially overall. If so, I'd gladly like to see a reputable source. Otherwise an Escort (which was discontinued for the Focus eons ago in car terms) isn't an appropriate reference.

wackura

There's no logic he won't torture to justify posting yet another reference to his compensation mobile.