Hey guys, I have a choice to make and I wanted to get your opinion. My wife has a 2000 TL-P w/ Navi. 60k miles (awesome car! love it!) and I sold my Civic and I have $6,000 to put down towards another car. I want either a 3rd Gen TL, TSX, or a 2006+ Accord V6 but whatever i choose it has to have Navigation. I've been looking only in Atlanta because I'll be moving there in a week and thats where I'll buy the car.

Here is the problem... which one do I buy. I only want to spend at most $22k-$23k. I looked at TL's and all I could get for that money is an 04 with like 50k miles. TSX's I could get like a 2005 with about 30k miles. Lastly the Accord. I could get like a 2006 V6 with lower miles 10k-15k. I want the extra features the Acura's offer but is it worth buying a TL thats not even in warranty anymore or a TSX with less power. Also I will be having kids soon so I also have car seat fitment to think about. What do you guys think I should go with? All opinions are welcomed. Thanks!

 

Honestly, I would spend a bit more and get the TL. You wont regret the decision, and if you skimp out and get the Accord or TSX, while both awesome cars, you will miss out on the creature comforts that the TL has over them.

As for the warranty thing, buy the used TL from a dealership, and it should be certified to 100K miles, so no worries there. You could get an 05 with miles in the 30's, certified for about 25-27K, and for the extra 3-4K, I would jump all over a TL.

Either way, good luck!

 

thanks for the input... to be honest i'm fighting the idea real hard but if Im realy honest with myself I think thats what I "really" want and think I should do. It still comes down to money (doesnt it always lol) but I know that if I spend a few grand more I wont regret it. I still believe that if I find that one perfect looking 05 TL w/ Navi and avg. mileage and under $27k I'll jump all over it but I'll see... its so hard to decide

 

If you can manage / convince yourself...try to get an 05/06 TL with navi for under 30k

 

for the difference in money, I would do it. The extra 3-4K is going to cost you about 60-80 more per month in a payment over 60 months, so it really is minimal....

 

Drive all three to see if that eliminates one car or the other and to help you prioritize which "feels" best to you. Don't worry about space- two infant car seats will fit in the back of each car, and one infant/booster seat and an adult passenger should have plenty of space.
If you are considering auto transmissions only, the TSX feels slow compared to a V6 (compared to a Civic, the auto TSX may feel a bit faster). I was going to get a TSX 6M until my wife said she preferred an auto. I like cars with smaller footprints, good interior space for 4 and firmer handling than Camrys, Malibus, etc.
The Accord will have the softest suspension and most body lean; I'm not even sure a 6M V6 is available in the sedan.
Pure FWIW aesthetic opinion: The Navi consoles are beautiful on both the TL and the TSX, but not as attractive in the Accord. For me, it would be a toss-up between a manual TSX and the Accord; too many miles on used TLs in that price range.
G/L!

 

I traded in a 2007 Accord for a 2007 TL Base. Obviously I lost a good bit of money but I hated the Accord. To me, the TL is much different than the Accord. You should take a long test drive in the Accord if you think that you will go with it. I was VERY disappointed in the Accord after driving it for only a few weeks. In my opinion, the road noise and ride quality were not tolerable (you may feel different, I am quite picky).

I would hate to see someone make the same mistake I made because I did throw away several thousand dollars.

 

If you can only afford a 22-23k car and are having kids soon, perhaps you would consider saving money now. In that regard, an Accord would be a good choice, and you can buy a portable navi, such as Garmin, Tom Tom or Magellan, for $500. It is better to have a car you can afford to own and drive, than to have it repossessed because you cannot afford to make the payment. Also, you can use regular gas in an Accord, which will save you $$.

 

Get an NBP TL

 

Seriously, if you weren't married, with a kid on the way, moving to a new city, I'd probably say go for the TL. But in your sitaution, and with the budget you have set for yourself, you are probably fooling yourself a little bit if you really think you can afford a 3G TL. Get the accord. Not only can you put regular gas in an Accord, but Honda maintainence is cheaper than Acura maintainence. Not to mention that you REALLY don't want to be hit by out-of-warranty repairs on a high-mileage TL in your current situation.

 

Crissy78-
Was the Accord really "that" bad? I mean TL's are made by Honda too so I cant imagine the Accord is like driving a domestic p.o.s I rode in my friends 05 Accord V6 w/ Navi and also in my other friends 05 TL w/ Navi and I didnt feel that big of a difference. Maybe its just me, I dont know. I mean dont get me wrong obviously TL's are better its more expensive, better handling, more options, and its a luxury car so it has to be better but is it really "that" much better?

Desert_TL-
No baby on the way yet... but in the next few years (2-3). But I see your point about sticking to what I can afford. I mean ya I "could" make the payments but do I want to stretch financially to be able to make it? I thought about getting an 05 TL w/ Navi for around $27k put down $6k and finance $21k @ 7% for 60mo. payment would be $415mo. But I didnt want to pay more then like $350mo. I dont know... I mean I might not enjoy the car to the fullest if Im barely making the payments.

kenny5-
Sorry I dont do Navi systems that arent in-dash. I think they look tacky plus they have like a 3" screen. sorry just my

Thank you for all your input! You guys have given me many things to take into consideration and dwell on. Now its decision time.

One more thing, just between TL owners and me LOL ...if I was to choose between the Accord and the TSX which one should I pick?

 

[QUOTE=honda_motor_co_4life]Crissy78-
Was the Accord really "that" bad? I mean TL's are made by Honda too so I cant imagine the Accord is like driving a domestic p.o.s I rode in my friends 05 Accord V6 w/ Navi and also in my other friends 05 TL w/ Navi and I didnt feel that big of a difference. Maybe its just me, I dont know. I mean dont get me wrong obviously TL's are better its more expensive, better handling, more options, and its a luxury car so it has to be better but is it really "that" much better?

To me, yes it was that bad. It was bad enough for me to throw away several thousand dollars in order to get out of the Accord. My complaints were with the ride and the road noise. You may not agree with this. The exterior and interior were okay for the price. I honestly disliked the car right after I drove it off the lot. They offered to let me get something else the next day, but who would trade down to a civic, it was worse. After having the Accord from October 2006 until April 2007, I felt like I had gone to heaven driving the TL.

However, your budget is what you have to look at. From what I've found, You can either lease a base TL or buy an Accord. I did lease this time and my payment only increased $10 per month. Leasing is the way for me because I always get tired of cars after a few years and I prefer to have something new more often.

As for a family car, I do have a toddler and the TL works for me. One thing...I have a Jeep stroller, and it will NOT fit in the trunk of the TL but did fit in the Accord. A regular stroller and baby items fit just fine for me.

Best of luck!!

 

I would say the TL. I have driven the TSX, TL and Accord and the TL was the winner. Even though it is based off the platform somewhat, the TL felt much more roomier, much more refined and had all the gadgets that i could want. Just remember, YOU CAN NEGOTIATE the price for cars. The TL is very safe, which is a plus for your future family, and is very solid and reliable. My friend with an 05 accord has had more problems than me and i have an early build 2004 TL. just my

 

The accord is your safer bet. Finances come first and foremost, period. kids are going to be expensive. and messy. A new accord in warranty will suit you best. Actually, you should take a look at the Honda Fit & CR-V

 

For your financial situation, I'd say forget the accord, the shape isn't as nice any more...go buy a new 07 Camry, those things are very nice and can be had for 22-23k and you can get the V6 with 268hp

 

I would get a TL! I had a new 06 Accord EX V6 NAV. Very nice, but nothing compared to a TL!

 

definitely give it a test drive, you couldnt go wrong with either camry or accord.

 

I see what you guys are saying... But as far as buying anything other than Honda/Acura... well I would rather walk. I wouldn't drive, let my wife drive or take my kids in anything that doesnt have a Honda/Acura sign on it. my

As far as getting the TL over the Accord... I dont know my mind says "go for it" but my frugal side says "dont" lol. I know that I would enjoy the TL more, no doubt! I think in the end what I will try to do is maybe see if I can find a mint condition private party 05 TL w/ Navi with avg. miles for around $25k-$26k negotiate what I can and then put down my $6k and finance the rest. My payment should be around $400mo. Which I could do, it'll be a little more then I wanted to spend a month but I could do. Then I could live happily ever after with a 2nd and 3rd gen TL

Thanks for all the help guys! You're all great and have good things to say!

 

I personally also just switched from a 03 Accord to a 07 TL-S. I do not think you should consider the RSX if you are going to have kids. A car is an investment and if you put money in something, it is not worth it unless you love it. What ever you decide on purchasing, you have to remember that you will be stuck with that car for a few years.

Now, If money is a huge issue, stick with the Accord. It is good, but in my opinion, not great. I was more then happy to get rid of it when the time came. It is definitely a good family car. It just wont have the same look and prestige as a TL.