My 08 TLS was $34k on the road, base 04's were only going for $22k at the time...mind you I'm in Canada and cars here are a lot more expensive.

 

That's got to be used because I paid a bit more than that for my base when new.

 

It's called auto-bigotry in my book. When I first joined this website, I had not purchased my '04 manual TL. I was narrowing down my choices and had gotten to four: a Jaguar, a CTS-V (in place of a Z06), the TL, and a Focus. Well hell, you'd have thought I crapped in a few bigots' coffee when I mentioned a Focus. The very idea that I'd have a Focus in the same list with an Acura was blasphemous in their weak little minds. They told me that it was obvious I couldn't afford a TL if I was looking at a Focus.

Hello! What did they think the CTS-V and Z06 were... roller skates? I could easily afford a TL and bought two of them within eight months of each other. I suspect these "mental giants" had a hard-on for American products and couldn't bring themselves to mention them in the same breath.

 

both TLs were over 50k new up here in Canada.

 

I didn't get an S because I hated the red interior, the two toned seats and the slightly lower MPG rating. Also I was dead set on camel interior so for me the decision had nothing to do with affording.

 

I didn't care for the red dash lighting, two tone seats and the wheels, but everything else was good.

 

a type is 61k (taxes in) here in canada while the base is just under 50 (taxes in)

 

Yes that's used. If new typeS is 60+

 

used. you can get an average Type-S for around 23k now. And you can get an average 04 6MT for about 13k now, so that's where I got that number. 10 grand is quite a bit of difference and if you didn't care about all the other extra stuff the Type-S has the 04 would be a good choice.

 

yea you are right. I think that I saw some type-s ones for around 55 brand new here, but that probably wasn't including taxes and what not. But Base with navi was over 50k too, taxes included

 

Isn't that the truth lol.

I was thinking about this last night. One thing that gets me is the new guys on here that buy used TL-Ss and then turn around and tell me I don't have one because I can't afford one when I spent 10K more on my car. There are certain new members that have certain signatures that are slightly arrogant and I think they have forgotten that some of us did by these cars brand new. I've never once made fun of someone for buying a used TL-S, it would be nice if they extended the same courtesy for the base model owners. Could you imagine if I started a thread saying how some people can not afford a new TL so they had to buy used? It would be locked in minutes and personally there's nothing wrong with buying used.

Anyway, probably going to get a CTS-V. Mine is paid off in February. I want at least a year or no car payments and then I'm getting something rwd with a V8 while you can still get something in that combo.

 

Are the gear ratios of the base 6MT vs S6MT the same?

 

I can't answer that for sure but I'm pretty sure there was a thread recently that said the gear ratios are the same between base and TL-S are the same both auto and manual. I can't say for sure because I've never personally looked.

 

They are the same. Both j32/35 hp/tq peaks hit at the same rpm's The curve are almost the same too. I hope that helps you. Now with that said. The auto 07-08 TL/TL-S ratios are the same but the TL-S tranny when in S using paddles changes engine mapping to get the most acceleration as possble. The TL(base) doesn't do this other than allowing you to shift at furl cut-off which keeps the tach fromk falling as far as it would if you let the car shift for itself so even the base car is a tad faster than in auto but not nearly the difference the Type S can achieve.

 

Are you sure about that? I've never heard of any engine management changes from manually shifting your auto. The TL's tuning is so maxed out from the factory that there's literally no room for more aggressive tuning without raising the octane requirements.

I've heard that it raises line pressure for firmer and possibly quicker shifts in manual mode which is definitely a possibility since it's been done for decades.

 

Straight from www.hondanews.com

5-Speed Automatic Transmission
-All-new compact design w/ high torque capacity
-More compact design
-Sequential SportShift re-programmed to allow quicker, more positive downshifts and upshifts (Type-S only)
-Improved coordination between Drive-by-Wire™ throttle system and transmission for smoother shifts
-Steering wheel-mounted F1®-style Sequential SportShift Paddle Shifters (Type-S only)
-External transmission fluid cooler (Type-S only)
-Advanced shift-hold control limits up-shifts during spirited driving
-Advanced Grade Logic Control System reduces gear "hunting" when driving on steep hills
-Linear solenoid direct-acting control reduces shift shock and improves smoothness
-Lockup torque converter design for superior fuel economy

 

That's the feature I was talking about. Quicker and more positive upshifts and downshifts. It basically raises line pressure a little to make it shift quicker and harder. Most all transmissions do that when you manually downshift even older non electronic trans. It won't make the car quicker but it makes the trans more aggressive to deal with the expected hard use of manual mode. It makes a good case that driving in sport shift all the time could possibly extend the life of the trans since the quicker shifts mean less wear.

 

Manual Mode

The Sequential SportShift transmission can be shifted into manual mode by moving the center console-mounted selector lever laterally to a special gate to the left of the "Drive" position. The TL can then be shifted manually by pushing or pulling the shift lever. TL Type-S owners can also choose to use F1® style paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel, which reduces the need to remove their hands from the wheel during spirited driving. A digital display within the tachometer indicates which gear the transmission is in.

Type-S models use special shift algorithms to deliver quicker, firmer shifts, heightening control and driver involvement. Additionally, thanks to the robust construction of the new automatic transmission, downshifts occur over a much wider range than before. TL and TL Type-S drivers can now downshift into first gear. Type-S drivers enjoy special shift programming for the third to second and second to first downshifts that increases speed by about 7 mph for even greater control.

To help protect the engine and drivetrain from damage, an array of preventive features are active when the transmission is in manual mode. In first, second, third and fourth gears, the logic changes, and the transmission ECU cuts off fuel flow to the engine if there is a possibility of over revving.

In the rare situation where the fuel cutoff alone is unable to prevent engine over revving (as could happen on a steep downhill) the transmission will upshift itself to prevent engine damage. And finally, when downshifting, the transmission won't execute a driver-commanded downshift that would send the engine beyond redline in the lower gear. The Sequential SportShift transmission will automatically downshift to first gear as the vehicle comes to a stop, to prevent lugging away from a stop in a high gear.

 

Those are all transmission shifting differences but nothing to do with power.

 

I never mentioned anything about power. sorry for misunderstanding.

 

Because you need to get to the grocery store a tenth second faster before they guy driving the g37 tAkes the last bag of Funions

 

ha ha...

 

From what I know, yes, they are the exact same. My 2005 AM 6mt had a final drive of 3.29 and the 2007-2008 TL-S 6mt does too. The auto's did change for 2007-2008. My guess is the 2004-2006 auto's were the same. I really wish Honda would have put a 6th gear in the TL-S auto.

6MT
1st = 3.93
2nd = 2.48
3rd = 1.70
4th = 1.25
5th = 0.98
6th = 0.77
final drive = 3.29

2005 Auto
1st = 2.56
2nd = 1.55
3rd = 1.02
4th = 0.67
5th = 0.48
final drive = 4.43

2007-2008 Auto(ALL)
1st = 2.70
2nd = 1.61
3rd = 1.07
4th = 0.69
5th = 0.49
final drive = 4.31

 

so is the 07-08 auto better? what is the difference? better mpgs?