It really boils down to...

commute - do you have / planning to have a long commute. It might not be fun all the time in bumper to bumper traffic for couple of hours every day.

resale - I got my TL at/ below invoice b/c my dealership has a hard time selling it. Unless you can find another enthusiast, be prepared to take a hit when you trade it in.

relatives - can your SO drive stick? How about your siblings or parents? If you're the only one know how to drive a stick be prepared to be the chauffeur when they visit you.

I prefer 6mt over auto. But 6mt is not for everyone/every situation. Look at the entire picture before making the decision!

 

Stick shifts cars are hard as hell to resell. I got mine with the intention of keeping it till one of us dies. I think MT cars are going to become more rare as traffic gets worse and worse pretty much everywhere.

 

They also are hard to find in the color you want when you want to buy one! Just ask that poor unlucky fellow who wanted mine when I snatched it at the dealership!

 

I find the people who choose sticks generally do so because it is a passion. That is a stick is something they have to have. They dont need to rationalize it with traffics, more power, significant others, etc. So if you truely feel you need a stick, go for it. I love them personally and can't imagine buying a car another way. But if you dont have a passion for it, I would point you towards the slushbox. You'd probably never miss the difference and there are really less "issues" to the average joe.

 

You're most welcome, friend. Though I can't stress enough to learn the basics and iron them into your soul with no bad habits or misinformation. Then move on to the finer points. You'll be glad you took this route.

Good luck to you.

 

Amen. Very well stated.

I suspect that for some people, the issue of traffic is really an excuse to convince them they don't really want a manual. Those to whom driving is a passion could care less about these things. This is not to say that people who chose an automatic for reasons of traffic of whatever are wrong in their decision.. just that they don't have the same approach as manaul loves.

Anyway, you echoed my sentiments with your post.

 

I have one of each so I can shuffle back and forth (the '05 automatic TL is my wife's). Believe me, there really is a difference in handling between these two platforms. Her TL is certainly nice. But mine is a manual as it should be, and offers me enjoyments her's never could.

 

Yeah, I know what you mean! My gf has a 07 Rav4 and loves my car but can't drive a stick! I told her we need a "hooptie" for me to teach her! No way in my car! I can drive both, and she seems plenty happy driving her Toyo. So it's a good thing. I bought my daughter an automatic 07 Mazda3. Really cool car for a teen! I wish I could have had that when I was younger! At any rate, she will be in that automatic for a few years, so my TL is mine! All mine!

 

Go with the 6spd! You get those nice fancy black brembo front brakes! I've got 6600 miles on mine with no real problems with the 3rd Gear. I'm planning the transmission fluid "mod" in the next year or so.

Besides...all the ladies like the stick

 

the 6MT is great! Smoothest MT, Feel like a automatic when driven right; actually it might be even better than some ATs on upshifts in terms of the jerk you feel when it gets into gear.

But all this comes with one little downside.. its a really different MT meaning harder to get use to. if you do a search you will find that ppl that driven MTs for years and years find it harder to get use to this trans. My neighbor who owns 3 cars all MT stalled a few times when he test drived my TL.

and I have an 2006 6MT that i am selling for a Honda S2000 if i can get a good price from the seller am looking into now. It has some cosmetic issues on the front bumper..damn flying rock... but I have some goodies on it like AEM cai, UR pulley(this makes driving the 6MT TL wayyyy better) and i have cleared and smoked headlights, plus aspec suspension and rims. PM me if your interested.. I will be posting on the market after I get my new camera.

 

Stay....... Away.......... from.......... the............ Acura TL 6MT.



The chance of getting 3rd gear problem on the TL/TL-s is at 97.2 %.

you know what that means...


but the power is great. It's rediculously fast.



.

 

Here kitty, kitty...BAD KITTY! BAD KITTY! lol!

 

And the chance of fixing the 3rd gear problem with a simple fluid change is at 99.9% - that's as good as a condom for birth control!!!!

you know what that means... don't listen to the bad puddy-tat. j/k meowCat

Go test drive both and see what you like the best. If it you don't agree that the 6MT is the best choice I'll send you a free napkin from whatever pub I'm drinking at this weekend

Good luck and let us know what you choose.

 

Personally, I find this to be an advantage. No one asks to borrow my car, because no one can drive stick.

 

I love my 6 MT! I had a 2000 TL-P auto and while it was a lovely, solid car, I really missed the manual transmission I had on my Accord Coupe. I have had no problems with my late build date 2004 transmission. I took some time to learn to use it but it is a nice trany, certainly better than the 2006 BMW 330i a friend of mine leased.

I fear that in a few years only bottom line econoboxes with be available with a stick. Given that Ferraris and BMW M cars are coming with auto boxes, the end is near.

 

You're right, but probably in the form of a DSG. So there is still some level of control, and the whole thing will shift faster than my right-hand/left-foot combo, but no more heel-toe action!

 

you don't need heel-toe action anymore... some automatic manuals will blip the throttle for you when you downshift.

 

NEED? Who said anything about NEED? I love the heel-toe....keeps my aging ankle joint flexible. Once DSG/SMG/whatever replaces the traditional clutch, my early arthritis is going to take over.....

 

I was going to buy an '04 AT ...but because of some issues I canceled my order and ended up buying a 6MT. Man was I glad I didn't get the AT. I love my 6-speed and do not have any shifting issues. I did but the GM Synro fluid in ... but it shifts just fine.

Go for it!