manual shmanual
auto is the way
the only way
w00t

 

That really depends on the market you are talking about.

Indeed, a parallel can be drawn to the manufacturers that have and do not offer manual transmisions in their sedans. They have always justified it by the projections of low sales numbers, as prohibitive of the development costs.

Yet, a manufacturer like BMW sells a large percentage of manuals, and in many cases the manuals are worth more. (E36 M3s, 540i, etc.) There is a reason for that. BMW has made a commitment to the sports sedan concept that it essentially invented with the 2002 sedan. (1500 if you want to go way back).

What the auto-only bean-counters need to understand is that the failure of their manual products is a self-fulfilling prophecy. They don't cultivate the spirit or image that is needed to sustain the manual transmision market, a la BMW, Porsche (a tiptronic is worth several thousand less than a 6MT), etc.

 

Nice post Brahtw8!

Hey moreace, I think their passion is doing us in.

 

I'd probably still be driving my 02 TL-S is it wasn't for the 6MT. Although I never had a problem with the Auto, I was worried about it's reputation and there is a lot less to go wrong with a manual. Being that there is only a 10 hp difference between these two cars, the 04 6MT feels much stonger. It may not be the best car to learn stick on because of the touchy clutch and the quiet engine - I learned on a 75 Pinto- but it is definately more rewarding. They could have made that redline brighter too - it doesn't stand out on the dark tach face.

 

This is not good therapy for those suffering from post-purchase depression.

 

Can you give the slush-box variant to your wife, girlfriend, mother, or father?

Would make you the white night, and open up the possibilites to the 6MT.

If you are approaching 2005: Why not wait for the loss on the trade in (anyhow), and get the 05TL AWD, S-Type?

Living in Los Angeles, and enjoying the hell out of--rowing the gears...


NathanSilver

*2004_Acura-TL_Anthracite_Ebony_6MT_Navi_Z600_T-Mobile
*2002_Blue/Silver_Schwinn_Aluminum_Strand-Cruiser_7Speed-Internal-Nexus-Hub

 

I REALLY wanted the 6MT, but, for some strange reason, we cannot have both 6MT and Navi in Canada If the non-navi interior looked better, I probably would've gotten it. I agree with the poster's who hate the tach's placement. Very annoying...

 

NathanSilver, chances are I'll do nothing. But if I do decide to trade it in, it'll definitely be for the next iteration - be it TL or RL.

I sure am enjoying this thread though!

BTW, I really do love the car. Getting it back after 6 days in a TSX loaner was a real joy.

 

AUTO IS FRIGGIN FINE
damn people trying to give me drivers remorse

I wont even learn stick so I can;t know what I am missing
problem solved

 

It might not be so bad to learn on. I think it might actually be harder for us with experience with other MTs to adjust to the clutch, than it would be for someone who's known no other.

There's nothing like downshifting right at a sharp curve so you can come screaming out the other side.

 

youngmic:

Are you attending the Meguiar's NXT Tech clinic In Irvine, on May 22nd?

There is about 15 spots left, and it's FREE.

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showt...threadid=71666


NathanSilver

*2004_Acura-TL_Anthracite_Ebony_6MT_Navi_Z600_T-Mobile
*2002_Blue/Silver_Schwinn_Aluminum_Strand-Cruiser_7Speed-Internal-Nexus-Hub

 

Why didnt you test drive both before making a purchase decision?

Anyways, unless you have $5k-$8k taking up space in your wallet you should stick with your automatic. Rolling the negative equity you're going to have into another brand new car would probably not be the smartest financial move. Maybe look around for a used or demo 6 speed, as that will reduce the amount you are upside down on your loan.

I went through the same dilemna when the 04 TL came out. It sure is a nicer package overall than my 03 CL-S6, but it isnt $10k nicer (after neg equity & down pymt), and I couldnt bring myself to spend $35k on a daily driver when I could have a 03 Cobra for $30k. Your best bet is to call a couple dealerships and see what the trade-in on your car would be, what the lowest total price on a new/used 6 speed would be, and work the numbers from there.

 

I have an NSX and the tach is on the left. I've never had a problem with it. I haven't taken delivery of my TL but in the test drive, I didn't have a problem with that car either. The racing books I've read indicate the best hand position is at 3:00 & 9:00. With this hand position you don't block the instrument cluster and you can turn the wheel a half revolution without moving your hands.

In terms of trading for a 6spd, you should really drive one and know what you are getting into. I have never owned an automatic BUT there are times I would prefer one. If you do a lot of commuting in stop and go driving, a manual transmission is annoying. I didn't drive the auto TL but I've heard it has less torque steer than the manual. Before you take the hit on depreciation, you need to be certain this is what you want and will be happy with it. The last thing you want to do is buy the 6spd and then figure out you really want an automatic. If you are absolutely convinced you want the 6spd, you can afford to take the depreciation hit, and you plan to keep the car for a long time, I would get the 6spd and enjoy it rather than not enjoying the car you already have.

 

youngmic, I dont have a new TL but, I did take a prolonged test drive in an automatic model. That said, I wouldnt get the new TL in auto; it doesnt have the kind of low end pull I like under moderate-hard acceleration. (Then again, I have an overly torqued Maxima.)

As soon as I get back from vacation, I'm planning to take a 6MT out for a similar test drive.

As for auto vs 6MT, I had the same options when I bought my Maxima. However, back in 2002 I was commuting in traffic everyday and wanted the convenience of the auto tranny. Now, I commute by train daily so having a manual tranny is not a big deal; that said I DO miss the MT terribly.

Peace.

 

Is that ever stupid, as if I was buying the 04 TL, I would definately go for the MT with Navi. That said, my dealer says Acura will likely offer this combo next year in Canada.

 

I would also like to make another point,

It all started 3 month ago.

I never drove manual until my TL. The day I bought the car, I had my brother drive my car home.

I started learning the very next day......and for almost 3 weeks I was certain that I made a grave mistake of getting manual.

This was hard since 33,000 car shouldn't give you this feeling of regret.

well now its 4 month and I am very certain I made the right choice. and I thank my little brother who has "forced" me to buy manual....without him, I would have gotten auto.

manual is not hard moreace......and you got to learn it.

anyhow.....now when I drive my girl's car, my left foot is so bored it bothers me. I think I am mentally anti-auto because of my left foot.......really its always looking for somthing to do! and it bothers me ( specially when I am changing from park to drive)

Auto was everything I knew until I learned manual.....and I will, no I can't ever go back now

anyone else?

 

Dark6mt - You, my friend, have some very large ballz......to buy a car without really even knowing how to drive the 6MT!!! Hell, I think it's great that you love the manual now and probably will never want anything else. Kudos to you, man!

 

heheheh, yeah I couldn't test drive most of the car I was shopping on. 350Z, g35coupe, all test drove in auto.

I shoulda learned first, then shop.....but I am happy with the outcome.

 

The first time I ever drove a manual transmission was on a test drive of a 1987 Legend L sedan, in 1993. That was my first car, purchased before I knew how to drive it.

How is that for large ballz?

 

brahtw8 - I guess that transformed you into getting your NSX huh? I think alot of people including myself do this because its hard to ask your friend to teach you. "hey can I learn how to drive stick by fuccking up your car???" you know?

I feel that when I drove my TL in the beginning, I was a little off here and there, and might have damaged the clutch. That is my biggest worry.

 

dude, keep your car. the six speed is amazing, but you've got the 5 speed already and you drive in LA! just deal with it, and every once in a while pull into an acura dealer and take a six speed for a test drive. don't throw your money away.

 

6MT is a totally different car!

if you know how to drive stick, you can't beat it!