Went to a TL Launch Party at an area dealer last night.

Got a chance to talk to a salesman who drove a pre-production 6MT. He claimed he had it up to 110 mph in 4th and the engine didn't flinch!..or get much beyond 4000 RPM for that matter. He liked it so much he's buying the 1st one coming in next month....doesn't care what he has to pay. He made it abundantly clear that the 6MT is superior in every way starting with (from his driving tests), faster off the line + about 2 seconds faster 0-60. He also claimed that although the brakes on the 5AT are pretty good as is, there's SUBSTANTIALLY BETTER STOPPING POWER with the Brembos. Despite having 5AT's for immediate delivery, he opened up when he learned what kind of car enthusiast and experienced stick shift driver I am and told me to wait.....AND I AM!

I also recently learned from my best friend who owns an auto parts store that Brembo happens to be one of the top high performance brake manufacturers in the world.

There has to be some reason why Acura gave Car & Driver, Road & track, etc. 6MT's for their initial tests and articles.

6MT

 

I couldn't agree more - the stick is the way to go for sure!

However, just be prepared when your salesman says "oh, the TL sticks are really rare, no way can we discount this baby", only to be followed up several years later when you want to trade up, and he says "a stick? nobody wants these, I can't give you a good trade because I can't unload it".

Has happened on just about every manual tranny car I've owned, (but it's been worth it to drive stick)

 

I am an Auto man myself and certainly understand the needs of many who enjoy the MT, but I seriously doubt that it will shave 2 seconds off the already tough 0 to 60 time of the AT. That would put it somewhere near 3.9 to 4.0. Sounds like salesman BS to me and I'm in sales. Hope I am wrong.

Brembo...are terrific. I drove a Hennessy Viper wih them installed and they squeaked when stopping....which is a real problem for me. They should have been set already as they had 2000 miles on them. Anyways....make sure you have your seat belt tight or your will know what the windshield smells like.

 

Many semi-metallic/metallic performance compound brake pads will squeal. 'Tis the price you pay for more stopping power (well, more when they're hot- actually less when they're cold).

+2sec 0-60? No chance. NONE. Nadda.

 

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the 6MT TL turning in 5.7 - 5.9 0-60 times based on the HP of the engine, the weight of the car and the numbers the 6MT Accord has turned in. Better tires will be required to turn the better numbers but it wouldn't surprise me at all to see the manual turn a full second faster then the auto.

 

I read an artical on Temple of VTEC where they tested the 5AT and 6MT although there was no official time tracking done that I am aware of. They estimated 0-60 for AT at a range of 6.4 - 6.6 sec. and the 6MT 0-60 in the 5.6 - 5.8 sec. Again, this is unofficial but 2 full-seconds would be impossible.

We will have to wait for some official testing result to be sure but 2 sec. will not be the difference.

By the way, I have an Anthracite/Ebony/6MT on order to be delivered around Nov. 20. Can't wait.

 

Regardless of what any salesman tells me, no one is getting my $35K for this car until I've test driven the 6MT and have seen every color combination for myself.

 

No offense, but these two comments seem quite at odds with each other. Saying you're a huge car enthusiast and then saying you're just now learning what Brembos are...

Regardless, I'm not saying this to rib you or anything. Just seemed odd to me. I agree totally that anyone who wants the full experience of driving will definitely want the manual, especially one as slick as Acura/Honda's 6M.

 

I think you misunderstood. I never claimed I'm a race car driver that knows everything about every brand of perforemance gear out there. Although I've heard of Brembo brand before, I wasn't fully aware to what extent their performance is known for....until now.

 

I would not be surpized if the Brembos do not offer significant stopping power under normal to moderate braking conditions. What I would expect is a firmer brake pedal feel with quicker response and no fade under hard use. Pad material will be harder thus feeling firmer and requiring more piston power. I had two 8-piston brembos on my BMW 1150gs due to its weight and they were great brakes. Did you know you can get better pedal feel from any brake by changing to stainless shielded brake lines? The firmer line does not expand during hard braking thus more direct pressure to the pistons with less expansion or "spunge like feel".

 

I believe the 04TL will have 2 distinct personalities - the 5AT, and the 6MT. The 5AT is less about performance, and more about comfortable, smooth cruising. The 6MT has a slightly harder edge,
leaning towards maximizing the performance and handling of the car. Both choices have benefits and compromises. If you do most of your driving in the city, in traffic, then the 5AT would be the car
to consider. But if you have to have the highest most potent version then don't think twice about it, you will NEED the 6MT
As for the car's resale value, I am sure the dealers will say anything necessary to convince you that ANY car you trade in is
worth less (worthless :lol2 than what it really is, that's their normal MO. You always get substantially more if you sell private party anyway!

 

I dunno if it will be a full second based on th CLS manual vs the CLS auto, the difference is about 1/2 sec or so. I would count on it being about .5-.7 sec faster than the auto somewhere about 5.9-6 flat to 60.