mlody

I have 06 TL 6MT Navi and have been thinking about moving up to the 2nd gen TSX i4 6MT Navi. I know for the fact, that the power difference would be noticeable, especially passing power.
Besides power, and mechanical things like lack of Brembo brakes, has anyone noticed any options or features that are present on the 3rg gen TL, but are not on the 2nd gen TSX. The only thing I noticed, so far, it is that the TSX does not have the blue tinted outside mirrors to reduce glare, but I wonder if there is anything else.
On the other hand, are there any options on the 2nd gen TSX that were not present on the 3rd gen TL.

Thank you for any opinions.

HeavyDuty

Oh....lol, that's about it.



Brakes are lagging a lot, if you ask me. The power issue I've gotten used to because I drive a lot (24k miles, 1 yr old) an I'm totally digging the 28-29mpg mixed use.

As far as techno features, etc, I'm not aware of too many other major differences.

LuvMyTSX

Not sure if the 06 TL has the aux in for iPod. I wish my 1G had this feature.

mlody

That would be one of the features 06 TL does not have for sure

SSFTSX

electric power steering, rear view camera/real time navigation traffic updates. shorter turn radius of 4 cylinder compared to V6 TSX(I am sure shorter compared to 187inch TL).. same button for rear defroster/heated power mirros.
power difference will not be noticable once you get used to paddle shifters. It is pretty easy. i drop from 5th to 3rd at 70mph and car zoom pass the traffic.

Colin

You give up: 85 hp, Brembo brakes, limited slip differential, summer tires, reverse gear tilt down on the left, power lumbar, LED tail lights.

You gain: Better fuel economy, (arguably) better clutch feel, a timing chain, folding rear seats, USB iPod integration, NavWeather, (you still have lumbar, but it's manual).

SSFTSX

2006 TL is only 258bhp. TSX also tilt down left side mirror on reverse.

ressling

It would be an economically-savvy upgrade for you. Might not be a bad idea.

I came from a Maxima so I feel you on losing the 6 cylinder, but the 6MT i4 has plenty of pep and the MPG cannot be matched comparative to most cars in its class today.

ed_423

it tilts on the left?! how !

Farage

if the TL doesnt have any problems, id stick with the TL. btw, i thought the brembos only came on the type-s..

Colin

I mis-read, thought OP has a Type-S, but the TSX does not tilt the left side mirror.

BOOSTED09TSX

Brembo brakes came on all 6speed TL's from 04-08. All the Type-S models have Brembo's auto and manual trans.

mlody

My TL is far from bullet proof car that one would expect from honda/acura. The approaching end of original warranty kind of scares me. Majority of the issues have been already addressed by my dealer (including famous 3rd gear issue), but at this point I am very hesitant to keep this car past the warranty, as I do not want to end up with few hundred or thousand dollars bill for something silly. I still got about year of worry free driving under the warranty, so I am not in any rush for a new car, but for sure the 2nd gen TSX caught my attention.

Things like backup camera, phone book transfer/integration with Bluetooth system, folding rear seats are all really appealing and I could see myself using them most of the time, so it is nice to see some extra features that I currently do not have.

Going back to the TSX, can someone confirm if the TSX has the following?
- A movable arm rest (forward/backward)
- A coin box that can hold more than 5-7 coins of each type except penny’s
- A sunglass holder that actually works

patcracks

Yes the arm rest moves forward and back, the coin box holds alot of change, just a flip down pocket not one spot for each individual coin and the sunglass seems big enough for most glasses.

omelet1978

What kind of issues have you had with the TL?

If you think it's reliable I would suggest holding on to it until about 80k miles. The timing belt needs to be replaced at 105,000 miles, that gives you plenty of room to sell it without people bugging you about that one.

I think that the TSX V6 would be an great upgrade!

SSFTSX

TSX I4 torque peaks at 4300 rpm. TL 06 at 5000rpm. torque difference is 172 vs 233.

mlody

My car has about 36000 miles and so far I had the following things replaced/fixed:

Major issues: - all fixed under warranty
-3rd gear problem
-Master clutch cylinder (slave cylinder)
-Rack and pinion components
-Engine sub- frame
-Sunroof frame/rails replaced

Minor issue:
-Center speaker rattle – not fixed
-Subwoofer rattle – have not had a chance to bring up the TBS for this
-Loose driver seat – it moves few millimeters during acceleration
-Front door pockets rattle – fixed myself
-Front driver window squeaking noise

Cosmetic issues:
-Misaligned right side dashboard silver trim that carries over to the passenger side
-Over half an inch gaps on both sides on dashboard between the A-pillars and the dashboard itself


I was thinking initially about V6 TSX, but it is priced unreasonably high for the content it offers and lack of 6MT is a deal breaker for me; it also does not help that if it was offered with 6MT, the torque steer would be even worse than my TL. The~ $39k MSRP price tag is within $500-$1000 of the MSRP of A4 6MT Quattro with Premium Plus package and Navi package. I know that engine is not as powerful as the V6 in TSX, but engine itself is not the deciding factor about the performance, but overall drivetrain itself has a lot of to do with it and Audi is really great about making efficient drivetrains.
I know there are tons of Audi haters on this site, but after having not so great experience with Acura, I would not be afraid to touch Audi; there are also extended manufacturer warranties to keep peace of mind after the original warranty expiries, so really there are not that many reason to be afraid of German engineered cars.

Still the $39k-40k MSRP tag is a bit too much for me, so this is why my original upgrade choice is more inline with my limits which is around $30k-$32k MSRP and in that price category the TSX i4 is really great buy and value in my opinion.

RPJ28

I went from an 05 Accord V6 6-speed w/ navi which, due to the weight difference was about as fast as your TL, to the 09 6-speed Tech. I gave up 39hp/40ft.lbs and added some weight. I don't miss the Accord at all. The TSX is not as slow as I was expecting, although obviously you will notice a power difference. I'm loving the better gas mileage as well as a better nav system IMO. (bluetooth, rear cam, ELS surround) The tranny shifts so much smoother and there is no third gear problem I was actually debating buying a pre-owned TL 6-speed, but I like buying new cars and felt like the technolgy is better in the new TSX. I'd go for it, but honestly, I'd wait to see if a fix comes out for the engine pinging problems within the nexts few months before buying....

LuvMyTSX

^ The 2010s don't seem to be having the pinging problem.

Colin

Wondering about the special SSFTSX package he has that tilts the left mirror on reverse?

HeavyDuty

Wasn't sure about that one, but, there ya go!

Dan6MT

With 2010 TSX Tech 6MTs unavailable in my area, I bought the same car in an 09 to replace an 06 TL stick. Although I have nothing to add to the features comments, I can echo what RPJ28 and Colin said about the clutch and tranny on the TSX. Gone are the tough shift from fifth to sixth and the need for a long pause between first and second. The TSX clutch is liquid smooth and only light effort is necessary, whereas the TL clutch had to be babied. As an urban driver, I benefit from the smaller turning circle and greater maneuverability. All in all, the improvement in driver enjoyment has convinced me that I made the right move. Mlody, if you can live with the slightly tighter quarters—a one inch reduction in total legroom from an 06 TL, little difference in other respects—I think you would be happy with an 09 or 10 TSX.

Colin

I even went to check it again. Maybe they guy doesn't even have a TSX

mlody

This comment really makes me want to test drive the 6MT TSX.
For most part, I am happy with the clutch and shifter (no issues with going from 5th to 6th) on my TL, but it is challenging to shift smoothly from 1st to 2nd.

As far as the size, I can fit in Civic no problem, and in my TL I sometimes feel like I got too much room J , so I should be comfortable for sure in the TSX.

JD23

Does the mirror tilt down on an A4? Hmmm.

nj2pa2nc

the tsx has a timing chain and the tl still has a timing belt.

SSFTSX

surely. there are no RHD Eura Accord. . I never used left side in reverse so dont even know if there is function there. but since i never used. there is no need for it in LHD cars.

Nedmundo

Mlody, I'm in a similar situation. I drive a 2001 Saab 9-5 Aero, which like the TL is a larger, more powerful FWD sedan, and I'm probably going to buy a TSX soon. I've now tested three with 6MT. Aside from a lack of power (and a small trunk), I think it's an upgrade over my Saab in every respect. The handling and suspension tuning are vastly superior, and, having driven a 2004 TL, I think you'll find the same thing relative to your car. As someone else mentioned, the tighter turning circle is a plus. The lack of power is an issue, but at least it's all easily accessible via the excellent tranny and clutch, and the smooth engine. Yes, I'd prefer a 328i with Sport Package, but I'm having trouble getting that expense past the Watchful, Inquisitive Financial Executive, who probably doesn't want to be seen in a Bimmer anyway.

Go drive one, and let us know what you think.

Colin

Of for crying out loud. Why don't you just say "ooops I made a mistake" Grow some balls and be a man!

Colin

And that's why I haven't upgraded to the iPhone 3Gs yet.... LOL