What are the upkeep costs for a '07/'08 TL vs '09+ TSX?

I test drove two '08 w/ low miles and a '09 and it's really hard to decide. The cost may eventually be the deciding factor. Just seems like TL=more bang for buck. But I feel the MPG is ALOT worse than TSX (not by 1 or 2 MPG). I do mainly highway commute 90% for work.


BTW, I was looking at this thread:

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/j32-mile-per-gallon-official-competition-637938/

I think most people are over optimistic on the TL MPG. If you got 350mi on a tank and the tank is 17 gal, thats 20.5MPG not 30MPG. Even if there was 2-3 gallons prior to fillup, that's still not 30MPG. Am I missing something?


The TL feels FAT compared to the TSX. There's plenty of power on the TL though. The TSX seems quieter to me than the TL?

 

Maint. is jsut the 105K service and oil changes etc.

The TL can get 30+MPG hwy, and a little more than 20-21 city if u drive nice. If you're doing a ton of hwy driving and you're only getting 350 to a tank, then you are driving uphill the whole way. what do you mean by quieter? the ride? the engine? 4 banger vs v6

 

not sure about the TSX...but the TL only has a 14 gallon tank..at least that is what mine fills up at when i am on empty

 

The 105k is the big service as the previous person mentioned other than your normal fluid changes. I havent seen many oil leaks from these motors as long as it is maintained well. My engine has over 140k and its still running good with no leaks or any serious mechanical engine problem other than the engine mounts going out which is a peripheral item.

On that thread the 30 mpg you see is a calculation of time, tank capacity, and distance as I recall thats how the TL trip system works I could be wrong though. That picture in that thread only shows the gas light on so you cannot assume its the full 17. Usually when the light comes on as I recall there is 3 more gallons or so in the tank left. Also you have to factor in if the people over fill the tank a little bit (you know those people that keep on holding the handle after it clicks).

Honestly with me driving with my car since I do more city now I average around 23-24 ish if not a little more driving like a grandpa...if I beat it around town it drops down to 19-20mpg. This is coming out of a six speed car. Strictly Highway I can get up to if not close to 400 to a tank when the light comes on as long as I hover around 70-75mph since that seems to be a good spot on the TL. Haven't pushed the capacity of the TL tank but I will do it one of these days if I remember to bring my 5 gallon auxiliary with me on a road trip.

 

i forget its size, but you do have a reserve. might be 2g. 16g total or somethin

 

Both the 2004 - 2008 TL and 2004 - 2008 TSX have 17.1 gallon tanks. The 09+ TSX has a 18.5 gallon tank. I believe the low gas light comes on when there is 3 gallons left.

The TSX in the long run will be cheaper to maintain and fuel. The timing belt in the TL being the 'big ticket' item at 105k.

If you do a lot of freeway driving you should see high 20's to low 30's in either car.

Edit: The TSX may be quieter than the TL, mostly because of the tires though. The 2011 TSX is definitely quieter thanks to increased sound insulation.

 

Just an fyi, I've gone 450 miles on my tank before filling up. This is only highway driving, going 70-75mph. I filled up before the light came on so I might have been able to squeeze out 500miles if I was careful and drove a little into the reserve. The TL is great on the highway.

 

Here's the EPA mileage figures:
'09 TSX A/T 21/30
'09 TSX m/T 20/28
'08 TLS M/T 18-27
'08 TLS M/T 18-26
'08 TL A/T 17-26
Will the TL get more than posted when driven on a long highway run, yes, and so will the TSX.

I certainly wouldn't let the fuel mileage drive my choice, especially when it's close, maybe $20/$30 difference per month, but if that makes it a deal breaker, get the more fuel efficient vehicle.

 

This is true. The climate/alignment/etc.. and where you live has a big effect how your car will take gas also so you have to factor that in.

Turbonut does have a point though.

 

own a 1st gen tsx. Have driven it across country and back 3 times (42 states. excellent comfortable riding car that gets very good gas mileage. I have all the service done by acura/honda dealers. I have no desire to do it myself. Besides the usual oil/filer changes,tire rotation/balances, cabin and other filter changes, it had brake and manual transmission fluid change,new spark plugs, coolant change. It has almost 122,000 miles-mostly highway

 

Most of the costs are the same, the only additional costs are gas and the timing belt services since the TSX has a timing chain while the TL has a timing belt.

My 2004 TL gets around 33-35 MPG while doing 75 on the highway. The TSX gets something close but it's around 28-29 since it's 4cyl is reving a bit higher on the highway. However in the city the TSX will save a ton of gas. But since you said you do 90% highway, you'll appreciate the TL quite a bit more. Its quieter, feels a bit more "grown up" and as well gets good MPG.

 

I assume he might have been talking about the tsx v6 lol. I dunno if he wanted the 4.

 

I was referring the 4cyl TSX vs TL. The 2nd gen TSX interior cabin noise feels quieter to me. I drove 2 different '08 TL and then an '09 TSX right afterwards. I believe it may be the tires on the TL being older or more miles on them. The TL had like 20k and 30k, while the TSX had like 7k.

The TL definitely feels more upscale and more comfortable on long haul than the TSX. My commute is about 90 mi round trip everyday. It's probably closer to 95% highway/freeway. I just don't want to buy a TL and find out it does 22mpg on the hwy while gently babying her and doing 60-65. I don't mind the 2 MPG difference so much as some of the posts where people are saying they get 18MPG.

As far as maintenance cost, a co-worker has an '07 TL S type and he mentioned to me one day that his 30k service was VERY expensive as the car had "brembo" brakes and he had to replace them. I wasn't looking for an s-type but to replace brakes at 30k sounds like a high maintenance car to me.

To me, the TL feels very upscale but heavy, while the TSX feels very nimble. I'm not a speed type of guy. I just want something that is very low maintenance and comfortable for my commute.

 

Just a comparison on A/T equipped cars.
At 60 MPH the TL rpm's will be 1674, while the TSX is 1955, 281 RPM more but it is only feeding 1/2 the cylinders when compared to the TL.

 

The TSX has electric steering and thus the more "nimble" feel while the TL has hydraulic steering. The hydraulic is quite a bit more accurate in road feel and not as numb as electric.

Your friend has the High Performance Brembo Brakes, those wear quickly but provide excellent stopping power. The alternative to them is simple, some ceramic pads such as the Duralast ones which last for much longer. The TL-S and any 6spd TL come with brembo brakes so you don't have to worry about it. The stock acura brakes will last quite a while I have aftermarket slotted rotors with acura pads and they wore down in 50K! That's quite a bit considering the slots shave a layer of brake pad off all the time when I brake so expecting 100K with these brakes is a good ballpark.

One thing you may want to do is talk to the dealer about a 1 day test drive. Tell them look, you want to buy a TL and just are put off by the drop in gas mileage and want to see how it performs on the commute you normally take.

Most dealers don't care about an extra 100 miles on a car with 30K so they'll let a customer borrow it provided they have insurance and have a serious interest in buying.

 

you mean 2/3rds because 4/6 is 2/3 and not 1/2

Do you do around 70-75 on your commute?

 

My old tsx was too small for me. I went from a Tl-s to a tsx and right back to a Tl. The trunk, back seat and front seating area were not good for my situation. If you have kids or are planning kids just get a Tl. Also the MPGs arnt much better and both are around the same price.

 

damn i never ever hit 30mpg on all highway not fair...

 

I, too, commute 105 miles daily, 60% interstate, 30% 4 lane divided, 10% city. I am getting 27-28 MPG in my TL running around 80 on the interstate, 60-70 on the 4 lane.

 

Yup, got me on that one, guess I'll always be a V8 guy at heart!
Even at 75MPH the differemce is 352 RPM, 2444/2092.

 

It's closer to 65mph. 60 is the limit here.

I do have 2 kids. That's why the gen 1 TSX wouldn't work for me. The '09 TSX is quite a bit larger.

Driving two TL tonight so we'll see how thing goes.

 

IMHO, the 07/08 TL is a much better bargain than the 09 TSX. Quieter, bigger, and handles better. At 70-75 MPH on freeway, have gotten 34 mpg, no less than 30, no lie. Average in town, around 21-22 mpg....

I heard the 2011 TSX is a vast improvement over the earlier models, much quieter, and a little bigger, almost as big as the 07/08 TL, so you may want to check those out...maybe the new wagon might fill your needs. However, the 07/08 TL is the way to go over the 09 TSX.

 

My '11 TSX wagon is far quieter and dare I say more fun to drive than my '05 TL was.

 

+1 for the most part. I can't comment on the 2009 vs 2011, but I test drove the 1st gen TSX, 3rd gen TL and 2nd gen TSX - I believe it was a 2010. I think the TL and 2nd gen TSX are two choices worth competing. Even if it's the 4-cyl 2nd Gen TSX. But I don't think the 1st gen TSX vs. the TL is even a contest. TL hands down.

Gas mileage is too similar. So are maintenance costs, repairs, reliability, they're all too close to sway me one way or the other. Mileage is typically better on the TSX but not enough to warrant so much less torque and HP. The kicker with the TL is you get a lot more for the money, both in terms of power, style, modability, features and room. There's one exception; if you're REALLY in love with handling OR you really would prefer a smaller car (like if you lived in a very urban area like Manhattan or something). The TSX is more nimble in the corners. But not enough to sway me back toward the TSX. I started out wanting the TSX but after test driving the TL it was no contest. The TL's a little heavier and floaty (which can be mitigated by aftermarket components). But even if both are at stock, it's not enough to call the TSX the winner. Not by a long shot IMO.

Just my on that. But having been in love with the TSX for the last few years then swapping to a TL when it finally came down to pen on paper, I think it's a rather unbiased opinion, if not biased toward the TSX to start with.

Edit - I spaced that the gen split between the 1st and 2nd gen TSX was 2008/2009, and that the question at hand involves the 2009 TSX. My bad there . Still, maybe valuable info for someone between the 1st gen TSX and 3rd gen TL.