I would not have my TL any other way but 6MT. Test drove both Auto and 6MT at the dealer two years and had to have a 6MT. This is my first manual car and after two years I still love driving it everytime.

 

I can see the sentiment for MT and especially the TL 6MT runs high on this board. I'm sure that there are many on the board who do like all the "standard" modifications on the type-S that they would want to do or have already done to their own stock TL's. For them the Type-S may be a no-brainer. But for the rest of us who just are looking for the more real driving experience that a MT delivers without all the modifications we are now out of luck with the upper Acura line.

Wonder if Acura really ran the numbers. Even if only 7 to 10% of all the TL's sold are MT's how many of those sales are now going to be lost because most of those folks really don't see themselves in a Type S with the added cost. I for one really don't care for the A-Spec type changes and bright red rimmed instrument panel that for me is just over the top compared to the quiet elegance of the TL's we now own. And the AT experience is just so different than MT that I just won't go there as long as we have other brand options.

Maybe they'll bring back the 6MT's when the Type S doesn't match the 7 to 10% more vehicles they now sell to us manual lovers. We can only hope and until then enjoy the rides we now own or hope to own soon before the inventory is nil.

 

Sometimes, it seems these kids are driving
hotter cars w/manual trans than my own.

 

With the introduction of the new G35 at over 300 HP and still available with a manual transmission and under $39K, you'd think that Acura would have gotten the message that to play with the more serious boys, you have to have the same toys.

The new '07 G35 with the 6MT cranks a 0-60 in 5.2 seconds and does the quarter mile in 13.9 at 103 MPH (Car and Driver road test, Oct 2006 issue). With it's rather ugly and bulbulous rear bumper, shades of Altima(?), it does give one a moment of question. However, with times like this, one almost is heard to say, "who cares". With no more manuals offered in the "regular" TL, it could very well be good-bye TL and hello G35.

 

I'd beg to differ almost every car in the world is made in manual...it reserves gas to those who know how to drive it and respect the throttle... especially in the countries that have gas prices up the ying yang.... I doubt car manufacturers are stopping production.... if they did think about how theyd make the transmission.... non-abusable and no fun to drive the car people dont want crap they cant beat on when they spend the dough.

 

My honda CRV has a 5 speed and gets worse gas mileage on the highway than the auto counterpart. The reason is because they gear'd the final drive so high on the manual. I'm turning 3200 RPM at 65mph. In the Auto it turns 2700RPM. When your going flat, that translates into much higher MPG for the auto.

I think most people doing conservative city driving in a 5sp auto get better gas mileage than people driving a 6sp manual because it is really hard to remember to shift into 6th when your driving at 40 mph on short flat or down hill areas for short ammouts of time. Autos go into 5th (final drive) all the time when you coast, resulting in less total engine revolutions per trip. Torque converters are starting to become as efficient as clutches, and engine computers are better at matching RPMs between gear shifts in autos. But that's just my opinion from driving my 6sp 04 TL. I prefer the manual, but I don't think I'm saving gas on my conservative drive to work, but maybe I just really suck.

 

I know if the manual was only available in a 40k a-spec version I would have bought another car. Probably a used g35 coupe. Acura's relatively low price was the main thing making up for the major disadvantage of having FWD in a sports sedan.

 

Yes and I am sure they ran those numbers against what it would cost to offer the MT in all models, especially when the MT driver is probably more geared to the Type S model verses the standard model with softer suspension for 07.

 

What "message" and "toys" is the TL missing? Yeah the G35 is quicker. There are always going to be cars slower or faster, this or that compared to the TL, but that doesn't mean Acura has to out do them each year. If you are basing your purchase on 0-60 times then an Acura is probably not for you to start with. A G35 or IS350 sounds better matched for that.

 

No sir.. I beg to differ with you. I actually am quite fond of my '04 TL. But then again, it's a manual as it should be (for me, you understand).

And I think you may be missing my point. Sports sedans, the serious ones, offer the buyer more than just power windows, a nice sound system, good HVAC, and an automatic transmission. There are brakes and suspension systems which are several cuts above the run of the mill sedans. And there is enough power to pay the entrance fee to being called a sports sedan. However, without a manual transmission offering, the persona is not complete. The 3G TL entered the fray as a qualified and bonafied sports sedan. It had all of the needed accoutrements to appeal to those who may have otherwise put their money into a BMW or a Lexus or a G35. I'd just hate to see that market leave.. that's all.

 

The 07 TL-Type-S looks juvenile and Mitsubish-ish. Its sad, it has the side blinkers, larger grill, 3.5L with more power/torque, more detailed lights, ....but the package just doesn't look appealling, especially the tacky badging, red interior lighting, random racing wheels.....and awful blue color.....just makes the car look silly.

Acura missed the boat on this one, its a shame, and at "only" 285 HP/260 TQ for its TOP performance model, does not give it the power on paper to compete with the 300 HP league of its competitive new models: BMW 335, Lexus IS 350, Infiniti G35. I would like to see official 0-60 and quarter mile info.

The 07 TL withOUT type S looks better and more along the lines of the 04-06 TL we have loved since day 1.

 

I agree with you that a real sports sedan should offer a stick shift and I see Acura trying to do that in their own way. With the introduction of the Type S model I see Acura further defining the TL with the "base" model aiming more towards the luxury side and the Type S towards the sports side. Since most buyers who would be interested in the stick probably would be more interested in the sportier version it makes perfect sense to offer the Type S in a stick. Dah.

But since they offering two models, that nearly doubles the number of combinations available, it also makes sense for Acura to "limit" the stick in the model where the customers would more likely opt for it. This makes it easier for Acura and the dealer to fill the customer order and hopefully try to eliminate the several month wait till they build that combination that was so prevalent before.

In addition, if we are looking ahead and the TSX gets the turbo and SH-AWD the price will overlap the base TL. So by moving the sportier TL-S upmarket it creates space for the TSX turbo with less overlap of those two models.

It just stinks for the person looking to get a TL stick in the cheaper base model.

 

From the pictures I've seen, the wheels screamed "rice," and the rear spoiler is something I consider ricey.

 

Agreed, I drove only manuals until I took my wife's Legend (after she got her Honda Pilot). Previously I was driving a manual Integra and a Prelude before that.

It's a shame the base TL will not have the 6MT, it's one of the major reason's why I bought the TL. The Torsen type limited differentual, 4 piston Brembo front brakes, stiffer sway bars, combined with the 6MT made it for me. I've driven both 5AT and 6MT TL's and prefer the 6MT experience.

I'm not into the slicker looking Type-S, I prefer the more reserved looking base TL model. It was probably for marketing and economic reasons for the removal of the 6MT from the base TL but I doubt I would spend the extra money fo get a manual in the Type-S.

 

I am glad i got my 06 manual! ;-) I mean it is a little more work... I was actually visiting Europe and it seems europe has more and more automatic...

My grandmother can drive automatic.. people should learn to drive manual before auto.

 

Add me to the list - SOOOO glad I didn't wait for an 07- would have made me keep the Prelude another few years...

In a loaner AT TSX today while my seat belt holster is being replaced. (rattles) I just don't get the appeal of an AT. Might as well take the bus

 

Everything you said goes for me too except for previous car and I didn't test drive the TL, my wife did.

I couldn't agree with you more. I probably wouldn't spend more for the Type S just to get the M/T either.