Cardinal2001

So I test drove the 2004 TSX and the 2004 TL today.

The TSX had alot of great features, namely it's interior stylling, exterior look, and handling. The engine, however, was terrible. It's 4-cylinder was definitely a step down from my V6 2001 Grand AM, as it had trouble getting up to 80mph quickly from a highway onramp as well as taking off from the stoplight. I was puzzled when I remembered this car was supposed to compete with the 3 series.

The TL, however, was impressive. It had all of the features of the TL but with a great engine, which was very reponsive and fast. It got up to speed quickly on the highway and could blast off easliy from the stoplight.

I'd give the TSX a big thumbs down because of it's engine, and the TL a thumbs up.

Now my only question is, manual or automatic.

Nicki

MANUAL!

Ken1997TL

The TSX engine doesnt really wake up until about 5000 miles and even then isnt its full self until 10,000. Give it a years time and drive a used TSX.

sethmo

I have a TSX and I was not happy with it. I had a 2001 CL-S and then bought the TSX at the end of my lease( the wife made me do it). Although it has 200 HP it doesn't compare to the CL-S or now the 04' TL. I miss some of the features (memory seats, tilted side mirror, electric passenger seat, etc) that I had in the CL-S which are now in the TL and more. So I traded in my TSX and bought a 04' TL. I should take delivery mid November. My friends (and wife) call me crazy but I miss the power and the features that I will have in the TL.

legendguy

In my opinion 10,000 miles is too long to get up to highway speed Seriously though, is this true? I was not aware that engines need that much break-in time to have their best performance. Have any studies been done to compare 0-60 times at 1-year versus New?

neuronbob

Car and Driver routinely posts 0-60 times for cars in their long-term fleet at 40,000 miles. The times are usually better than when they were new. Not a precise answer to whether there's a change at 10k miles, but here it is...

Maxim

Even then, the TSX would not impress anyone coming from a TL or CL. Just doesn't have the same panache. I have a Prelude and didn't think the TSX was an improvement in any way. And I was impressed with the Prelude's power (and other attributes) from day one.

iNteGraz92

were you impressed by it's 2-seater capabilities?

Maxim

Yes. All I had to do was LOOK at it, and I knew it was a two seater. As opposed to having to drive it to discover other "attributes" such as handling and poise. I am six feet and it fulfilled my immediate needs.

helloha

I still can't believe Acura does not have power passenger seat!!!
Even though TL is based on Accord platform. It does not branded as honda in other part of the world(maybe japan?). But TSX is branded all over the world as Euro Accord.

I-MOD

Owning both I can say the new 04 TL is faster then the TSX but what TSX did you drive the auto? Mine with a cold air intake moves out very nicely and can run my buddies 3 series to death. Maybe you should try driving one with a few more miles on it. Mine has about 4K on it now and above 5K rpm it flies.

D.

Cardinal2001

I'm pretty sure the one I drove did not have CAI. It was fresh of the factory lot. It is hard to beleive it was really 200 horsepower, since it was roughly the same, or slightly underpowered, compared to my V6 Grand AM rated at 170 hp.

I-MOD

I'm not sure what to tell you, I am very impressed with the performance of mine. I owned an RSX-S as well and it's every bit as fast as that way. I have raced a few buddies from Capital RSX and can stay ahead of them in their Type S with Intake and exhaust...this was before I added the intake to it. It was discussed in a thread on ClubRSX since the smackdown by the grocery getter as they put it was done in front of several other ClubRSX members. My onlt mods are it's lowered and has the cold air on it.

tofu

I think a better comparison would be the Accord V6 or Accord V6 6 MT to the TL because they have much more in common than with the TSX. That being said, I test drove the auto TL and Accord auto and they felt pretty much the same (power wise) is there a major weight difference? (more than 400 lbs?)

The TSX is a 4 banger, its meant to be light and rev to the roof so people that are use to V6's with broad tourqe band will not like the TSX imo.

I-MOD

I totally agree and that is a good point. Most V6 drivers aren't used to running a car to redline......with Honda 4 bangers that is when they start having fun. They are built to rev high.