There seems to be an opinion that there is nothing about the RL that justifies the $15,000 premium over the TL. Well, I have been driving the TSX as a loaner car today and I'm amazed with the feature content of that car. My question is, what is it about the TL that justifies its price premium over the TSX? Having a V6 isn't that big a deal when it results in torque steer, plus the TL's 0-to-60 times aren't much better than the TSX's. And both the 2006 TL and TSX are small (at least the RL can be considered a midsize car instead of a compact). Both the TL and TSX can be had with XM radio, Bluetooth and a Navigation System. And neither car's GPS does traffic. The TL has DVD-Audio, but who uses those, or even knows what that is? At least the RL can play MP3s off of a CD.

So I ask all of you, why not the TSX?

 

The TL is quite a bit bigger than the TSX.

The DVD-A would be even better if a greater selection were available, but it is something that the TSX does not have.

And people are definitely caught up in the "it must have a V6" mentality (which I don't understand since the TSX is much more nimble.

In terms of feature content, the TSX does have just about everything the TL has, but in a smaller, tighter package. Some people don't want this and are willing to pay the premium for it. Others, like me, prefer to have a smaller, nimbler, more driver oriented car.

It's all about preferences.

 

The TL's 0-60 times are MUCH better. Let's consider the TL 6-speed to the TSX 6-speed, since neither are more expensive than their automatic counterparts. Several members on the TL forum have ran very low 14.0-14.2 1/4 miles with their stock, or intake-only TL 6MTs. Show me a TSX that can do that, modded or not. Supercharger.. perhaps, but by that time you could have had a TL.

The TSX is more nimble, but doesn't handle any better.

The TSX is a four-cylinder, but gas mileage differences are extremely minute. There's no legitimate fuel efficiency argument that can be made. The 6MT TSX is rated at 31 on the highway (last I checked) and the TL at 30 by the EPA. Members on the TL forum consistently post numbers equal to some of those posted at the TSX forum. There are extremes in both instances. I had a TSX loaner for a month and it was not any more fuel efficient than my 02 TL, which doesn't handle or look as good inside but would bury the TSX in straightline acceleration.

The TSX is a good car, but it is not on par with the TL in terms of anything. Yes, it's smaller and therefore more nimble - but even the weight difference isn't drastic - around that of a good sized male passenger.

The TSX owners are what turn me off to the car. It's fine if the TSX suits you better than the TL or the RL, but let's not be delusional. The facts are that the TL is significantly faster, larger, and more refined. The sound system is superior, the seats are more comfortable, the headlights are bi-xenons, the rims and tires are wider for more grip, the 6MT has LSD and brembos, it has LED taillights, etc.

But I digress... if you can't drive what you love, love what you drive! Have fun with all your cars!

BTW - this has nothing to do with the RL, so

 

Though the TL and TSX are similar in terms of their standard features, the engine in the TL makes it more desierable.

The engine in my dad's TL makes me wish I had it in my TSX. However, when driving in my dad's TL, I see the difference in the build quality (TL= America, TSX= Japan) and it makes me content with my TSX.

All in all, both are excellent choices for the educated consumer. What makes no sense to me at all is why someone would want to go and spend an extra $10K on a BMW or Mercedes that offer FEWER standard features than the TSX or TL but it's all about one's personal preferences.

To me, the RL is the TSX and the TL all blended together in one goregous package. I envy those of you with an RL.

 

This thread does not apply to the RL. I will close this, if you would liek to have this discussion, feel free to search the TL and/or TSX forums and you will come across tons of threads covering the two.