stevemk07

I have an 08 Auto which I like quite a bit but seeing how everyone raves about the 6MT on here I am wondering if I should get one too.

hmmmm.....

tsuintx

Just like with any other vehicle, that question can only be answered by yourself. If that’s what you want, go for it. I had a 2005 TSX w/six speed and even with the four banger it was pretty fun.

Joecop67

Have you driven one? I had an automatic. Bought it on October 16. Test drove a manual, tomorrow is 2 weeks since I bought a manual.

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

/thread.

WDPanda

If you can drive manual, hell yes.

stevemk07

That is what I am trying to determine. My interest is certainly piqued. We have other more functional vehicles and the TL is my baby which I love to drive around and go around corners fast. I am thinking I might enjoy the manual aspect along with the added go stuff a little more.

Never been in one. I have only been in my two TLs which are/were both autos. When I got my first one I thought it was very fast. I still think they're fast but if the manual is faster that is better right? See it is testimonies like yours that get me thinking and wondering.

<thread>
Ok thx.
</thread>

stevemk07

That is probably my biggest concern actually. I have driven manual before but I have never DD'd a manual. I found trucks to be super easy to drive but cars give me more difficulty. I am a fast learner but I see people who are experienced stick shift drivers on here complain about not being able to shift smoothly.....

Joecop67

stevemk07

Okay. I have one more question about auto vs MT TLs....

I have an 08 so it has the better auto tranny of the 3g TLs. If and when it decides to crap out I highly doubt I could fix it myself. Is it easier to fix the manual tranny yourself? I try to do all my own work (I enjoy it and it saves money).

I think if I could fix the manual transmission myself that would seal the deal as they say.

thisaznboi88

iTrader: (7)

Best choice ever

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Then this probably won't seal the deal...

The manual transmission itself is pretty rock solid and should last the life of the car (assuming you stay with proper MTF changes and ACDelco Synchromesh Friction Modified fluid), so from that aspect, you should be good to go. That said, sooner or later you will probably need a clutch, and while it is certainly doable for an individual, it is a lot of work and will require some time and specialized tools.

FWIW, my TL will be needing a clutch in the next couple of months; I have already purchased a new LUK flywheel and clutch kit for about $390, and then spend an additional $58 on a new clutch slave cylinder so I can remove the check valve prior to doing the clutch job. I have no idea if my crazy work schedule will coincide with when the clutch finally goes Tango Uniform, and if it doesn't, I'll have the shop down the street do the labor for (I'm guessing here) about $500. All in, the clutch job will be less than $1,000; half that if I do the work myself.

stevemk07

That sounds promising actually. What does changing the clutch involve? Would I need to remove the transmission or can I just work on it from where it is? I dont mind paying for a bunch of parts, I just hate paying someone for labour when I am able bodied. If it is only 500 for the labour then that might be ok to me.... Around here replacing an auto would probably go for about 5Gs.

btw, what is the check valve and why do people remove it? I have read lots about it but nothing that explains it other than "do it!" Etc etc.

I watched a video of someone rebuilding an auto transmission...

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

So, the check valve (also known as a delay valve) is meant to slow clutch engagement so as to not transmit too much shock to the drivetrain if you lift off the clutch pedal too quickly. In my experience, the delay valve is too aggressive in its damping and leads to excessive clutch slip when shifting fast. Given I'm not stupid enough to side-step the clutch pedal to do a clutch drop, and given I've been driving a stick for over 40 years and never damaged the drivetrain of any of my cars, I'm good not having that mechanical nanny in my clutch linkage.

stevemk07

Hmm... What if you were to just drop the clutch with the valve in place? Bad?

Joecop67

Any one around the central Ohio that would be willing to let me test drive theirs with the chec valve removed?

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

I haven't tried it, but my understanding is the clutch will engage fairly rapidly, but nowhere near as aggressively as a clutch drop.

WDPanda

Check valve needs to be removed. I had 2 of my TLs, one without and it was like learning to drive a new car each time I switched cars.

1black_seven

iTrader: (2)

Yes, yes you should.

Acura TL Builder

Get it yo! There are so few of them to go around!

stevemk07

Oh well if I win the holdem tourny I will. I am visiting my mom in Calgary and there looks to he a nice one for sale here... Clean, garage kept... NBP type s 6mt. Of course the owner knows what it is worth to the right buyer however. Decent mileage too

GreenSpades

You said you had other vehicles and this is your fun car, so why not just buy yourself a sports car? A true two seater with rwd and a good LSD would be a lot more fun in the corners. Or maybe an AWD turbo car. Just my opinion, but if it would cost more than a 1000-2000 to get out of your TL and into the 6mt and youre going backwards in years that is not worth it. Manual transmission is fun, all of my cars except my first were manual, but selling an auto to buy a manual is not financially reasonable for me.

stevemk07

Yeah... I have thought about that too but I love how the TL looks and would like to maintain some sort of practicality, thus I have a TL. I would not consider a RWD but maybe an AWD. THE OTHER CARs i have been eyeballing are the g37xs amd m37xs... Possibly q50 etc. Around here we get a lot of winter weather. I tried oht a g37x coupe before buying my latest TL and it was a fun car... Love the sounds it makes.... Lots of go power too but the TL has more space more refinent IMO amd better gas mileage....

I dunno..

Maybe I just need anpther hobby.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Just asking, why would you not consider a RWD car just because you have to drive in winter weather. Properly shod RWD cars are wonderful winter driving vehicles.

stevemk07

My experience is you need to be very careful on ice with a RWD vehicle.. Especially one with a lot of power/torque. It just does not make any sense to me. Sure if I were in Florida or something it wouldnt matter much but ask any person familiar with our weather and they will tell you the same thing.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Sorry, not buying, on ice one needs to be very careful regardless of whether the car is RWD, FWD, or AWD, and again, regardless of whether it is powerful or not. I have no idea what your weather is like, but I rather doubt you get significantly more winter weather than we get here in New England, and I can tell you from many years of experience, RWD cars shod with winter tires are extremely capable, even when they have lots of power.

stevemk07

...

stevemk07

Ok I looked up New England and it sabout the same latitutde as Toronto which barely has winter. Are you sure?

GreenSpades

Maybe I misunderstood what you meant. Sounded like you had another car for winter driving. If this is your daily and sees snow then Yeah I would agree avoid RWD. It can be done, hell I did it for 5 years as my daily. But easier not to.

stevemk07

Yeah we have a ram 1500 and santa fe also. The truck sucks without 4x4 on and we use that for hauling stuff... With lots of weight in the back or with 4x4 on its pretty good but otherwise prone to fish tailing... Good on highways though... Santa fe is AWD and is fun to drive in winter pretty much anytime anywhere. TL is good but can be a pain to get going on really slippery roads...

I would get another FWD in the TL as I have a liking of the TL but otherwise I would be strictly looking for an AWD car. Also, I am not a yuppy lol

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Here in New Hampshire we get a bit more snow than Toronto; per CurrentResults.com, Toronto's average annual snowfall is 122cm/47.8 inches; Concord, New Hampshire where I work, shows an average annual snowfall of 154.4cm/60.8 inches. That said, some years we get crushed by "Nor'easters" where 300+ cm / 120+ inch winters are fairly common.

Regarding a RWD car in winter weather, I submit the only folks who caution against such a ride for a winter daily driver are those who've never driven a well balanced (i.e. near 50/50 weight distribution) RWD car with winter tires in the snow.

stevemk07

Fair enough. With a load of wood in the truck it is not bad. Anyway I think I would opt for AWD if not in a TL... In any case, I dont have any desire for a RWD vehicle even though a well balanced one may be decent in the snow. To each his own?

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

To each his (or her) own, no question about it. That said, a drive in a nice performance oriented RWD platform in the snow (properly shod) is so rewarding I'd like to wave my magic wand and change my TL to RWD.

stevemk07

Ok you have to tell what it is.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

???

WDPanda

I agree, RWD is so fun in the snow. I love to break the rear end loose. Winter tires are a must if you live near snow, no question.

stevemk07

you said you have a RWD vehicle...

With my TL i just use all seasons... *shrug*

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Comparing two of my recent sedans, a 2002 530i with winter tires and a 2006 TL with all-season tires, the BMW would literally run rings around the Acura; it would be no contest.

stevemk07

Thats cool. Yeah I don't race my TL any time of year. In fact, I haven't raced anyone since highschool (20 yrs). I do enjoy spirited driving from time to time though. In the winter I just glad my vehicles start and go

-29C here in calgary this morning. That is -20F

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

I don't race either, just use my cars as daily drivers. As for our current weather, yeah, definitely colder where you are, we're only going to be in the 0°F to -10°F range this week (we have the warming influences of the ocean working in our favor).

WDPanda

It's not about racing. It's driving down the highway and keeping it straight and not sideways into something or someone. In Calgary you'd think they would mandate winter tires. It's not an extra cost and can be sold with rims to recoup money.