I had the TSX in for clutch pedal binding, sunroof rattle, and a-pillar rattle.

They gave me an '03 3.2TL as a loaner.

This gave me an opportunity take make a few observations.

1. I wonder if they decided to spend all the TSX money on the sound system, figuring you wouldn't hear the rattles. The TL Bose stereo is simply weak.

2. The 3.2TL (non-type S) still had a pretty powerful feel. It felt faster than the TSX from the seat-of-the-pants meter.

3. The 3.2TL had a really stiff chassis. If felt more solid than the TSX.

4. Back to the sound system. It was definitly not up to "near-luxery" standards. I would be very disapponited it I spent $30K and it came with that weak set-up.

5. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised at the way the base TL drove.

 

I'd have to agree with most of what you said, but I beleive the TSX chassis is far stiffer that the prev TL. Acura has boasted that this new chassis is stiffer than its competitors from BMW and Audi.

 

I agree. I think the TSX is stiffer. It definitely makes the bumps feel worse.

 

A stiff chassis wont make the bumps feel worse. THats the stiff suspension doing that.

 

acura's still doing the type s thing? i thought they weren't going to do that since the new TL has like 270HP.

 

Notice it was an '03 TL-S, not an '04.

 

nm

 

The lower-profile sport-biased tires also don't help much in cushioning your ride either.

 

Having driven the 2002 TL, which is essentially the same as the 2003, extensively, I too have discovered that the TL feels faster, but I think this may be the result of the softer suspension and more comfort oriented tires. I don't think the TSX is truly that much slower, but because it feels more stable at high speeds, it doesn't feel as fast at a given speed when compared to the TL. Also, before listening to the TSX sound system, I hadn't realized how bad the TL sound system was, but now when I get in the TL, I really notice the poor sound reproduction and weak bass, despite the presence of a 9" woofer on the rear parcel shelf.