So my girl wants t get a new car. Of course, me being biased and all, I want her to get a CL Type-S. Well she likes the TSX and the CL-S but hasn't driven the TSX yet. Has anyone here driven one? I didn't want to ask on the TSX threads because I didn't want a biased opinion like mine is on my CL. Are they quick, do they handle good, are they fun cars or did Acura take all the fun out of it when they tossed the Integra name? I drove a RSX with an AT once as a loaner when mine was in the shop and it sucked, do they compare? I really hated that car, it was the nastiest loaner I have ever had. BTW - Don't take your car to Denver's Courtesy Acura's service dept, they weren't friendly and they didn't fix anything.

 

Well I have driven both. I slept on the TSX for awhile considering it's power is the same as the RSX Type S but way more expensive. Once I drove it I was very pleased to the point I would buy one, considering it has the luxuries of a TL. There are plenty of aftermarket parts for it also. But the CL-Type S is what I really want 6pd of course, but for a girl I say the TSX is a good choice.

 

my buddy has aTSX with navi 6spd and i must say it drives pretty nice...IMO it is a bit pricey but like CL Platano said, you get the luxuries of TL...i also agree that for a girl, a TSX would be a better choice....

 

I had a TSX loaner car for a day while my CLS was getting its dashboard replaced... ummm.. I'll make it easy on u... if I had the money to buy a car like that.. I would NEVER EVER consider TSX... it lacks power, interior seems nice but only to find out it's an imitation of TL but not exact, car seems too small for me at least,.... list goes on and on... I guess I could be biased since I had 05 TL loaner car week prior to this but TSX to me seems like RSX type-S with automatic transmission with two more doors added to it so they can get more resale value... Then again, since this is for a female driver, i think it has more appealing than CLS... so yeah, if u are planning on driving hers whenever she gets one, then recommend CLS if not, let her get TSX just b/c it's more of 'female' car IMO

 

I've been driving a TSX for nealy 3 weeks now. I've put about 1,400 miles on it and I can say it is the ultimate "daily driver." Enough power for day to day driving (don't expect it to get up and go on the highway in the same manner as the CL-S). 4-doors and a nice trunk is great. The headlights are amazing. The seats are comfortable, the gauges are very easy to read and look great, XM radio is sweet, and overall the interior is very very nice.

If money wasn't an option. TSX w/navi beats the CL hands down in just about every category other than acceleration.

 

A TSX is not a 4 door RSX, nor is it an updated version of the Integra. It's an Accord.

And sorry to say, but the TSX isn't an imitation of the TL. The CL9 chassis (TSX & Euro Accord) is there since 2003. TL 3rd Gen is there since 2004. TL's design was actually based off the Euro Accord.

And as for the TSX lacking power, you should ask Jeff of TOV: http://www.vtec.net/forums/one-messa...ge%5fid=205155

Sorry to be biased, but I feel a few facts need to be pointed out already.

 

^^^Agree with mrsteve about the TSX being an awesome daily driver

 

correct me if im wrong but isnt the TSX 3-4k cheaper then the TL ?

when I was shopping around before getting the CL, I saw a TSX demo for 35k, and a TL for 37k .. so why settle for less ?

(the TL had 10k kms but still .. )

 

The "headlights are amazing"? Are they HID's like we have or regular halogens?

 

Actually thats backwards. The TL is around 5K more. The TSX starts at about 27+K

 

ya lol.. fixed that .. The TSX is expensive for what it is ..

 

Projector HID's

They're pretty good.

 

At 35K, that was a major ripoff. Especially if it was a demo. Even in Canadian $. I bought mine new within the first month of availability at 34800(S&H included).

Here's a thread we have in TSX of the prices paid: https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17063

 

Recent quotes I recieved for a new TSX were:


$25,500 6MT no navi
$27,300 6MT w/ navi

 

It has every bit(or better) the performance of a a4 1.8t or 325 for thousands less with more features. No one will tell you it's a drag car, it's far from it, but it's a great overall package for the price.

And before you say: "but it's not a 6 cylinder" I don't think you want to get into the dyno comparisons of the j30 in the previous gen cl vs the k24a2 in the tsx.

 

I'd pick the TSX for a girl. They are totally different cars, but the TSX is a lot more practical.

 

who said anything about the 97-2k CL

I was comparing the TL to the TSX

 

I would recommend getting the TSX, with a 6-speed. I owned one for 12,000 KM (7500 miles) before i hit a patch of ice and wrote it off. I loved it. I thought it handled better than a CL-S (which I now own), and the fit-and-finish also seemed better. The TSX has decent low-end power for a 4. It gets great reviews by auto enthusiasts, who drive everything.

Babber

 

 

Another thing to consider if you are going to keep it a long time;
TSX=Made in Japan
CL-S=Made in Ohio
I have a 2001 CL-S and if I planned on keeping the car a long time and had to choose between these two, it would be the TSX.

 

Agreed, and not to be off topic, but I though the comment "the tsx is expensive for what it is" seems a little uniformed. Especially coming from someone it appears drives an older 3.0cl. (username)

Before I bought my tsx I had to think long and hard about getting a 03 tls. Straight line performance blows away the tsx(at for at) but there are a lot of plusses on the tsx side. It is a great overall package for the money.

 

Let's get back on track fellas. No more 3.0 CL vs. TL vs. TSX malarky! This is about a girl deciding between a TSX or CL Type-S.

 

What about a base G35 sedan? I know this is an Acura forum, but we're all car lovers right?
Just a thought.

 

What are the warranty considerations? Would she be buying certifired pre owned with extedned warranty? The tsx hasn't exhibited the same symptoms as the ATs in the cl/tl if she is going the AT route.

For me some plusses I see for each.

cl-s:

power
memory seats
auto down mirror

tsx:
handling
gas mileage
projector hids

Resale value for both is strong.

I would rate the exteior/interior of the tsx higher but that is subjective.

 

What??? Trade in value for the CL-S SUCKS!!!! I was offered 11K for my trade in by 90% of the dealers. Find me another 2001 $30K+ car that has such a low trade in value.

As an ex CL-S owner and someone who's driven the TSX a few times, I'd totally choose the TSX, especially for a girl.

 

Expensive compared to the TL

What does my '98 CL have to do with being informed regarding price\value ?

You simply get more bang for the buck with the TL.

 

Id get the TSX for her.

The TSX is more boxy, depending on her hight, shed be better seated in the TSX, regarding dead angle .. blind spot ..

And its a 4 door .. baby seat one day maybe ...

And spends less gaz tho im not sure about that one.

 

TSX seems better suited for chicks....and if you consider resale value, the TSX will hold more of it. Not to mention insurance should be cheaper too since it's got 2 more doors. But I personally feel the TSX lacks power for the price you pay.

How does the price of a Lexus IS300 compare to the TSX?

 

That's where we disagree. I don't think the originator spoke of actual money that would be paid for either car(I'm guessing they should be comparable). In my opinion the only place the cls comes out on top is acceleration. If that's what you mean by bang for the buck then yes it's a better deal. If you mean handling/interior or anything other than straight line performance then I think it goes the other way.

EDIT: I'm sure there are some othe rplaces the cls comes out on top. But I think with the tsx you are likely to see lower cost of ownership(maintenance), better gas mileage, lower insurance which makes me think it's hard to see how the cls is the better bang from the buck other than straight line performance.

 

You forgot quality, quality of the TSX far exceeds the CL.

 

It all depends on what shes looking for...
If shes looking for a comfortable sedan with exceptional handling TSX is right for her.
If shes looking for a sporty coupe with emphasis on power the CL is right for her.

I really do like and respect the CL and I know J32's are fast. But the TSX and CL are both on other sides of the spectrum when comparing them.

 

There both 2 different cars, I've seen a few nice TSXs around. IMO the TSX is way over priced, yes nice car, gets good MPG in the city, but the fact it needs 91 fuel and by the time your out the door paying close to 29K out the door with TTT included just does not do it for me.

Had the 04 TSX as a loaner, true its nice inside, but i just dont see how its worth the money, Buy a Honda Accord instead.

CLS, there are some great deals out there...but its a car not for everyone....

 

Get the CL-S or get an Accord with a V6. The TSX will make you wish you got something with bigger balls.

It's a nice car, but meh.. the power just isn't there, esp. in automatic.

 

I will tell you what my wife decided. She was driving a 1990 Integra GS and last year I took her to test drive the TSX. After driving it she then wanted to go to the Lexus dealer. Long story short, she now drives a Lexus IS300. I had a TSX for a week over the New Years Holiday as a loaner while the trans in my CL-S was being replaced and IMHO the IS300 is a much better driving car than the TSX.

 

The IS300 would be a good choice, too. Wonder why no one else thought of that?

 

Funny, I traded a 7th Gen Accord V6 Coupe for a TSX and never looked back.
I enjoy my TSX so much more than the Accord because unlike the Accord, the TSX is more of a drivers car and is so much more fun to drive.

In response to the IS300, that car has an interior worse than a Celica/Corolla! Even Playschool has better plastics than that car.

 

I don't see how the Accord V6 is a better value...

Lets break it down:
- The TSX brakes better.
- The TSX handles MUCH better and gives more feedback to the driver.
- The TSX is safer thanks to VSA.
- The TSX looks better (subjective)
- The TSX has a 6MT available in the sedan which the Accord doesn't offer.
- ...and is about as quick as the sedan thanks to the 6MT or Hondata
- Higher tech i-VTEC engine (is also chain driven instead of belt)
- No transmission recalls for the TSX
- More reliable
- Better designed, more ergonomic, and higher quality materials used in the interior.
- Superior sound system.
- Standard HIDs
- Integrated LED mirror turn signals
- Heated side mirrors
- Powered passenger seat
- Standard 17" wheels
- Better Acura service, I have experienced both first hand, Acura dealerships get stuff done.
- Free roadside support (Acura TLC)

 

Not enough hot girls driving cl's so get a cl-s for her.

But if she's not hot then get a tsx

 

We're in CO and it's gotta be a front wheel or all wheel driver... IS300 is out of the question and a bit pricey IMO. Nice car, I think tho.

 

She's Gorgeous man!