Lycos

...talk me out of it. Why should I keep my TL-S? I'm very close to this, but something is holding me back. Maybe it's the pull of the 3.2! I just love the way the TSX looks.

fla-tls

Every time you are the first at a red light you will regret having traded in a Type S for a TSX. Every on-ramp you take to the highway, you will curse the lack of torque and horsepower. Every car you try to pass.....

The difference in looks between the two, good or bad, do not outweigh the lack of power in the TSX.

LiQiCE

If you're willing to mod the hell out of the TSX you should be able to get it to speeds faster than a TL-S (stock). I've seen RSX-S's run 14.0s flat with no nitrous and no forced induction ... but a ton of mods under the hood.

That said, you're going to lose lots of money trading the TL-S in for the TSX, and you're going to lose lots of power as well.

Not to mention with mods the TL-S will be faster than a TSX.

Test drive the TSX and see what you think of it ... If you love it, then go for it. Personally, I'll be sticking to my TL-S (although I will be test driving the TSX soon)

provench

Which ever way you go ... you should check out http://www.clubtsx.com/

I can tell you from have a CL-S that the torque is not the same, but with the 6MT the TSX is gonna be just under 7 sec to 60 so it is not "slow".

Now ... where the TSX does win is in handling ... so you just have to figure out if you want a smaller more agile TSX, or a larger more comfy and smoother/torquier TL-S.

Personally - I don't think you can go wrong, but the TSX was a better match for me

acnup00tl

If I were you I would wait until the tsx type S comes out. Its supposed to have 240 HP. A very reputable person at my acura dealer has told me this.

badazzTL

aw c'mon, at least look into the neon srt-4

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

Do you ENJOY taking large financial hits due to your impulsiveness?

this is me

Just think llike this. Cars are like girls, you'll find a better looking one after awhile. So if you trade in for the TSX, after about 6-7 months, you gonna think the 04 TL is hotter and will you trade in for that one too?
Just keep whatever you have, and if you can afford another one, get it! dun trade in your old one.

SilverCL225hp

Both 3.2TL Type S and TSX are excellent cars. Get the new TSX, so you wouldn't feel outdated when the new TL comes out because by then you would still be driving the "old" TL.

fla-tls

You must work for a car manufacturer.

Style changes are an everyday/every-year change of life. If the standard was to "own the latest design," we'd all be spending way too much on cars.

Get the most from the money you've spent.

Allout

How much will you take for your TL-S?

lodoss22

iTrader: (2)

Dang, is the TSX really that great of a car? I've seen pictures of it and I'm not that convinced. I know, pictures doesn't do it justice. I live in So-cal and I've yet to witness one on the streets. Strange, don't you think?

That's because it's probably not economical for what you are paying and what you are receiving. It's very expensive I think. Like the other person have suggested, maybe you should wait for the '04 TLs so you can weigh your options because you might regret trading in your current '03 TL for the TSX when the new model TLs arrive.

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

Test drove one last week. It was nice, but I wasn't too impressed. After navigation, body kit, foglight, etc, it tops out at over 30 grand. Plus you'll be paying full price, as no dealership would be willing to come down from the MSRP.

I liked it, but I'd much rather keep my TL-S.

bloo_tls02

I wouldnt see why you would trade your car in for the TSX. The interior may be a bit nicer than the TL, but the exterior is lacking when it comes to styling, and it's too damn overpriced. Plus, I wouldnt want to give up the power behind a TL-S.

AndySara

I have a couple of friends that work in Acura sales (two different dealerships).
Just out of curiosity, I asked them the same question (since they can get me the lowest deal possible).
Nobody is willing to go lower than sticker for the TSX right now. Perhaps in about 6 months.
However, to trade out, I would be looking to take about a $8,000 hit. $4000 for my 03. Another $1500 markup for the TSX, plus it loses $2500 off it's invoice value as soon as I drive it off the lot.
For that king of money, I could buy a KIA "cash and carry" and use it as a second commute car.

Lycos

Ouch, Double ouch! :wow: After looking into this a bit more that is what I found out too, ...well, close. I have less than 6,000 miles on my TL-S. I really need to practice restraint here and just hold on to a great car. I've come to the conclusion that I am just car obsessed.

You guys are right. Hell, even if I wait and purchase the 2004 TL, what about two years after that, when they come out with a type-S, or give the car a facelift. I'd be going through this all again. I guess it is Acura's job to make us think we need a new car, when we really don't!

fighting fish

i agree with thisisme.

cars are like women, and the TSX is the hot new cutie on the block. all of us want to have it. but looks will pass, whats important is how the car treats you.

why dont you dress up your TLS and you might appreciate it more.

keep the TLS.

hemants

If I were faced with the buying decision I *might* buy the TSX to save money.

But if it came down to taking a financial hit to downgrade to the TSX???? NFWay.

r10apple

Besides the obvious financial stuff, you'd get whooped up on by a Pontiac GTP with a Nascar sticker! What could be worse than that???

AcidHorse

no doubt...heh, once you own that TSX and have your way with it for 6 mos. you're gonna be looking for a new ride...

VQ35DE

IMHO, the TSX is geared towards folks looking to upgrade from a 6G Civic rather than downgrade from the TL.

provench

Well - from a Maxima owner I can see why you say that. But there are other folks that will give up .5-1 seconds 0-60 for some handling -- like me. Also ... you are assuming someone wants to spend more money if they have it which also might be a bad assumption ... some of us like nice houses and other non-depreciating assets too ya know

r10apple

Um, I drove the car. Yes it could outhandle the TL-S stock, but with another $300 for some Comptech springs and another $300 for some sways, it would handle just fine. Add that to the $29k for a new TL-S (which is less than what they want for the new TSX) and you've got power and handling...

Doesn't make sense right now...

Monte TLS,MAX

Agreed, I know so many folks that are broke and so far upside down on car loans trying to keep up with latest styles dumb!

VQ35DE

You're not just giving up ".5-1 second 0-60". You'd be giving up a powerful V6 luxo-sports sedan (arguably the best Jap USDM sports sedan this side of the GS400/430) in favor of a 4 cylinder entry level sports sedan.

Bottomline: Going from a TL-S to a TSX is as much an upgrade as going from a GS430 to an IS300.

FYI: Bought house for $170k July 1999; House appraised @ $280K Sept 2002!! (Somerset County, NJ) SLAMDUNK, bro!! :smokin:

Peace.

yield2s

THE NEXT TIME THAT NEW CAR BUG BITES, JUST WASH AND WAX THAT BEAUTY YOU OWN.

fla-tls

Just remember, equity does not equal cash. Equity is based on a determination of what you house might be worth to another buyer now - it's HIGHLY variable. There are WAY too many people out there spending money, financed on their house, that they can't afford.

If our economy doesn't pick up, there is no place for the housing market to go but down - especially if/when rates start going back up.

If that happens - we're in for a depression, not a recession.

Sorry for the doom and gloom boys, but the only thing that's cash is CASH (or near equivalents).

therockshow

My brother just got a TSX and I have a regular TL, and if the choice was up to me, I'd stay with the TL. Despite the fact that the TSX has awesome interior and better handling, it pales in comparison to the utter beauty of the TL. The TL, much less the TL-S is definetly a pimper car than the TSX could be, but that's just my opinion. Do what makes you happier, I know I'm gonna keep my TL forever.
Good luck
-david

provench

Congrats on the house ... that rocks.

I am just curious what luxury features you refer to that are not on the TSX? The TSX might be more loaded than you think.

r10apple ... not sure we want to start with the modd'ed discussion cause obviously the same type of upgrdes can be done to both cars.

Anyway ... I for one am glad Acura is finally delivering CHOICE to us as consumers in the sedan line up!

VQ35DE

Yeah, Somerset County NJ rocks if you're a homeowner.

Given Acura's placement of the TL in their model line, I don't believe that they would have their premier sedan (forget the RL) less optioned than their entry level sedan. (This will especially be the case for the 2004 model year.)

Dont get me wrong about the TSX. I'm in NO WAY accusing Acura of putting out their version of a Saturn ION. But there's something to be said about a sports sedan that can be as fun to drive as much as it is comfortable in bumper-to-bumper traffic. The TL-S is that type of sports sedan.

But the TSX is aimed at giving the buying public an alternative to the BMW 323 and Audi 1.8T. Similar performance with much higher reliability. IMO Honda will succeed at this.

Who knows maybe high sales of the TSX will prompt Toyota to export the real Toyota Altezza to the US instead of that Lexus wannabe (IS300).

Just my $.02.

Peace

r10apple

provench: My point is that you can get a similarly equipped '03 TL-S, "right now", for the same price of the '04 TSX--or even a tad less according to my dealer. The level of luxury and performance is greatly different in the two, and the point is if you want it to handle similarly to a TSX, spend another $600 in a/m suspension upgrades and it will. Conversely, there are no performance mods remotely availble for the TSX to compete with a TL-S's acceleration and certainly not without costing a lot more money and pushing you out of the TL-S bargain price for now...
And as far as performance goes, while I might be able to throw a TSX in a corner a bit quicker stock for stock, it's body roll scared the shi+ outta me when I drove it, but not nearly as bad as it's sticker of $29,400 before dealer add on crap!!!