Phil05

Hi,
For those who have driven a manual TL vs. an auto one, can you tell me what they each feel like and which one do you perfer?

TLMcLovin

Having owned a 04 TL 5AT and currently an 08 6MT. The 6MT (for me personally) is much more fun to drive. A whole other experience.

I would have had my 04 with a MT but in Canada 04-07 TL's with Navi weren't available in 6 MT

6MT FTW

stillhere153

iTrader: (1)

after this past weekends dyno day where in my tl type s auto I put down 248.1hp/220lbs tq... and a 6speed base tl with intake and outlaw spacer kit put down 238hp/210lbs tq... I'd say the 6speed just puts down more power to the ground... which will be more fun to drive

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

5AT is VERY convenient in Southern California traffic.

6MT is faster. By far.

ABP_04TL

iTrader: (2)

6Spd is faster... driven the auto bak in 05 and is kool but 6spd FTMFW!!!

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

You are 25 years old. Enjoy the manual transmission while you're young. As you get older, you'll want the automatic transmission. I've got a automatic transmission and really like it. But my younger, faster days were filled with manual transmissions that gave me years of fun and excitement.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Manual FTW.

BEAR-AvHistory

The auto is comfy but the manual is quicker.....I drive the manual.

3rdGenHybrid

Owning Both An 05 Auto Tl, And An 07 Tl-s 6spd, I'd Have To Say The Manual Is Fun...and Fast(besides The Bigger Motor)...but The Auto Has Better Gear Ratios For Gas Mileage On The Highway...but Nothing Beats Chirping 3rd Gear...

jumbosizeme79

isnt tiptronic quicker then manual? gear shifting wise, i know the 6 speed is much faster tho then the auto

Black_dc2

I was having a hard choice on that too. But let me tell you. The 6mt is where it is at!! I am SOOO glad i got the manual. The brembo's and the limited slip only being on the manual made a big difference for me. Also other people really dig it too when you show the car off. "Nice car....OH DAMN they make a manual?!?!?"

3rdGenHybrid

NOT REALLY....ITS MORE CONSISTENT, ALMOST PERFECT EVERY SHIFT VS. HAVING TO DO IT MANUALLY....BUT UNLESS YOUR PUSHING 800+ HP...2 IDENTICAL CARS 1. MANUAL 1. AUTO, AND 2 IDENTICAL DRIVERS, THE MANUAL SHOULD WIN IN MOST CASES...

YOU BARELY LOSE ANYPOWER THROUGH THE CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL SINCE THEY ACTUALLY COME IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER, WHERE AS THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS A FLUID PROPELLED TURBINE.

playa4real

iTrader: (3)

i wish i had a manual

lowendz

Quite wrong, ive got a 06' canadian 6spd TL with Navi. comes with the dynamic package.

But right on the fact that 6 spd manual is fun to drive, just a little crappy in heavy traffic.

In any case its 6 speed for me!!!

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

the only manual transmission i want is in my 911...the tl is a sedan, and for me an auto is the only way to go...having the bump shifter/paddles is a bonus...

oh yea, the typs s auto comes with brembos too...

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

I wish so much I had the 6MT! I can't even regret it because I was forced to buy 5AT so my wife could drive too. It was so hard to do it, even though I had to and I would be kicking myself for years to come for going with the decision. Before I drove off with mine from the lot, I drove a 6MT to see what I would be missing......Bad idea! I had to actually fight the dampered feeling I had and get hyper-excited about driving my new anthracite TL off the lot. Luckily that new car smell and "4" on the odometer totally gave me amnesia.

But if you can help it......BUY A 6MT, please! And if you don't know how to drive one. LEARN! It's worth it. If you don't think so then you shouldn't be in a TL in the first place....Plenty of Camrys out there for those people.

XxAfG786xX

i need to feel how to stick drives compared to the auto which i have

PeteThaPitbull

mine is an auto, i regret not getting the 6 M/T..who knows, maybe il do a swap of a 3.5 type S 6 M/T into my 2005 body in the future

o4Komodo

iTrader: (2)

2004 or maybe 2005 too.. the canadian versions were either
AT + Navi
6MT [Dynamic, no navi]

elkayem

6spd ftw! even tho i drive a 5spd.

lol i hate guys who thinks auto is faster and tell me "AUTOMATIC CARS SHIFT FASTER SO THEY ARE TEH FASTAAR!" Idiots, never heard of drivetrain loss?

SouthernBoy

I'm in a pretty good position to make an assessment on this issue, though I must tell you, I have a very strong bias regarding this topic.

I have one of each: an '04 manual and an '05 automatic. This allows me to make rather direct comparisons between the two platforms. My '04 is my own personal driving machine and the '05 is my wife's.

My '04 is quicker than my '05. Also it feels more connected to both the driver and the road. Part of this is, of course, the transmission. But part is also the slight changes in the suspension between these two cars. Mind you, the automatic TL does feel quick and is up to the task - my wife loves it. But on this car, a manual shines like no one's business. It was made to have a manual transmission as were the other members of the Performance Sedan catagory. Even the shifter location, looks, and feel is right for the car.

As for my stated very strong bias? I would never consider the purchase of a car that is to serve as my personal driving machine with an automatic transmission. Just wouldn't even cross my mind.

Oh, and one other thing. A manual is far less costly to own and operate than is an automatic, if that is a consideration. Your automatic transmission will see the shop more times than your manual.


To Steven Bell;

May I suggest sir, that age is irrelevant in this matter. I have a few years on you and an automatic is not in my future as I see it. Enjoy those things you love for as long as you're able.

S PAW 1

I owned an '05 TL 6MT,
and I now have an '07 TL-S 5AT.
I developed some arthritis in my clutch knee, which was a factor in trading.
Is the 6MT quicker? Not by much. I know I have more HP, but Acura now has a HP "robber" built into the ECU to minimize torque steer in first and second gear in the 6MT
Good: control, LSD.
Bad: resale value in most areas of the country.
No rev limiter on downshift
Third gear sychro problems in many cases.

5AT for me

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

are you suggesting that mt has more hp than the at...i cant tell if i misread your post....anyway, no doubt the mt can put more usable hp to the ground much faster but hp numbers will be the same for both cars...

i dont know if there is a real debate here or not, but there is no real comparison for two identical cars one with an auto and one with a 6sp mt...a mt will always win no matter what the case is...unless ofcourse we are talking about a ferrari...in which case, the F1 option would be the only way to go...

BEAR-AvHistory

Only on an engine dyno & not on the street unless the computer nanny is turned off.

At full throttle acceleration the computer pulls power out of the 6MT at the top of first & second gears to control torque steer unless you push the button on the dash to turn it off.

pkarandi

I love when people say that to me! I guess if you don't read up on cars, it's easy to assume any sedan only comes in automatic.

I agree whoeheartedly! My wife can't drive a manual either but I just couldn't give up driving a manual. Talk about taking the fun out of driving. The thing that pisses me off though is that she just REFUSES to even try to learn. Her loss I guess - she'll never be able to drive my TL-S (although she has a 2004 G35X auto, so no need to cry for her).

On your other "Camry" comment. So true, so true... Here in northern VA there are SO MANY BMW's on the road it gets annoying (there are a ton of TL's as well). BMW's get great reviews in the motor mags because they are great performance cars, but most of them here lallygag in the left lane under the speed limit while their drivers are putting on make-up. It's sad to see such awesome cars snatched up by idiots looking for a status symbol. What a waste.

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

my wife is afraid to drive my car...atleast for now anyway since its still pretty new....i told her she could take it out to dinner with her girlfriends, but if you curb rashes my rims she would be in deep shit...she took a pass, her rims on the town and country are all whacked up....i dont get the whole girls and curbs attraction....

XS2K

I totally agree with Rockyfeller. I love MT's, have them in my Austin Healey, MG and had one in my S2000. When we purchased the TL, that is what we were going to get. Wrong; wifey said no way because of driving in heavy traffic and yes, she can easily drive a manual. So, like a fool, I thought that with Sportshift, we could both have what we wanted; wrong again, it just ain't the same and I don't get that warm fuzzy feeling driving the TL that I get in a MT car. So if you even have to ask the question, get the MT. BTW, age is not a factor, I am 60.

Legend2TL

Get a manual over the auto, the driving experience is just much better in the 5AT 3G TL. Also for the 04-07 TL's there are stiffer sway bars, a Torsen-type limited slip differential, and fron Brembo 4 piston calipers. I've driven the auto's at Lexus driving events and own a 05 manual (3 years and 34K miles). The only disadvantage to the manual is the clutch on the 04-07's is very sensitive and does not give much feedback, I've gotten used to it but it does take awhile.

cbptls

Get the manual transmission. A lot more fun to drive - if that's what you're looking for.

Spiritman

Yes,Yes,Yes. Much more fun! It's faster to get off the line & faster to stop! Better brakes,etc. It's the ONLY way to goooooooo.

GINTER

There's just no comparison. 6MT owns. Just about everything re: 6MT beats auto , EXCEPT, in heavy traffic. Example: Manhattan bridges and tunnels. And even then, it's only a nuisance.

If you've never driven a manual, the TL shouldn't be your first. Get a $500 beater, and learn on it. Then pick up a TL 6MT.

My father owns the stock TL (06 I think) with auto. He wanted to swap for my 6MT type-S.

No no no no no..

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

Same around here. Suburban moms driving their 3 series around, thinking they're so upscale. I'll bet 99% of them have a slushbox. BTW, 6MT for me.....thank you very much. Wouldn't have dreamed of buying a TL with an auto.

Ramrodthrusterpuppy

I did end up getting a 6MT when I bought my '08 TL-S, but I must say that I did seriously consider the 5AT. The auto does drive beautifully and in Sport mode it does shift very quick.
The amateur Schumachers may disagree, but today's automatics with Sport modes shift as quick, and in some cases quicker, than a manual. In the end, I do like my 6MT because I do enjoy the complete driving experience but there are times when the 5AT would be preferable. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either....it's not a "night & day" difference despite what some say....try out both and see what you prefer...

S PAW 1

[QUOTE=vinnier6]are you suggesting that mt has more hp than the at...


No. The TL-S has more hp than the '05. 3.2 vs. 3.5

XxAfG786xX

3.5 ftw

schill38

I have had 2 major knee surgeries on my left knee, thus I bought an auto as shifting in rush hour traffic is a major pain. Otherwise I would have bought the manual.

SouthernBoy

It is if you are strongly inclined towards manual transmissions.. especially in fine driving machines.

rajunwild

I will say that I love my '06AT, but I have also had MT before. For one they are cheaper when purchasing. Secondly, they are fun to drive. After awhile, I just got bored with it and wanted to just be able to drive without having to shift. The new AT's do allow you the option to switch over so you somewhat have that feel of manual shifting. I guess it is just a personal thing.

HiTEC

Tiptronic is still a torque converter automatic transmission, there is very little different between tiptronic and a regular automatic transmission with some additional buttons and maybe some different logic in the computer. The nuts and bolts are really the same... unless you listen to the salesman at the dealer then a tiptronic is really something special.

You maybe confused with the DSG or SMG transmissions that Audi/VM and BMW offer... that is a whole different ballgame. Acura's tiptronic is nothing like these transmissions.

I think this is a big misconception

SouthernBoy

No difference in price between manual and automatic 3G TL's for years '04 thru '06.

Interesting difference in perceptions. You got bored with a manual and I would have been bored to tears with an automatic (I do own an '05 automatic but it's the wife's).

As for costs, a manual can be considerably less expensive to own and operate over the life of the car. However, your statement, "I guess it is just a personal thing" is dead on the money.