So I took my car in yesterday for Brembo Squealing, rattle, Hands freelink update, driver door window rubbing when going down..... (2004 TL, 6MT)

I got a 06 TSX auto, nav, white/black leather.. This car is pretty nice.. definetly not as big and heavy like the TL. I really like the way this car handled. I felt like I was more in control of this vehicle than the TL.....

I hate to say it but I wouldn't mind trading in the TL for a fully loaded (with nav) TSX..... its a nice peppy little car that looks gREAT...

 

Put a Comptech RSB on your car and you'll feel control again! The TSX really needs one too...lots of body roll / understeer in that car... I've driven them lots as loaners, and I feel the opposite, every time I drive one I can't wait to get my TL back! Hehe The car seems underpowered to me...the stereo not as good, etc.

I just drove the new RDX last week for a loaner for a day though...and wow! Handles like a sports car... as peppy as our TL...has the paddle shifters...and the stereo is better than ours I'm sad to say. 18" rims...more... I may be a convert....lol. It's a smaller SUV than our MDX but it's got just as much space as the TL on the interior, and the Navi with traffic is SOOOO sweet!

I had the one with the upgraded tech package... /drool...

 

hmm.. maybe b/c my TL is completely STOCK... I dont feel the control. I will definetly look into the sway bar. and yes.. The TSX does feel a bit under powered... hmmm a nice turbo would be great for it...

 

The reason TSX feels better is because of way more responsive steering. Other than that it's an inferior car with 4 cylinders. RDX is great but they gotta get rid of the turbo lag.

 

i didnt like tsx...felt sluggish for me as well. it was a loaner. and why in the world did acura change the button lay out on the navi nn the tsx? that annoyed me.

 

i took my TL in and got a 2006 TSX loaner as well...no nav though...it was nice, but i definitely wouldn't trade in my TL for one...it didn't get as good of gas mileage, not as powerful, smaller, etc....

 

Is it bad that I test drove an FX45 last night and it felt better in the corners than my aspec'd /RSB'd TL?

Obviously some of that is a farse but at .86 skidpad it's damn close.

 

I guess the fact that when I took the car in (its still there) its STOCK.. non navi... I just really liked the handling and the nav... I'll have to look into the touch screen navs (aftermarket) ones....

 

I agree; it can be tossed around more than the TL. I went from a 2002 Civic Ex 4dr with 17" wheels, sway bars ands strut bars to a TL. I still don't feel as confident in the TL like I did the Civic or the TSX loaners that I have driven.

I have the sway bar upgrade on the TL but I think I need some Wheels and a drop.

It's the weight, no doubt.

OH, by the way after I returned the TSX and got back into the TL I could definitely feel the difference in the two. TL is nicer and more comfortable.

 

stupid question:

Do I need to fill up the gas back to where I got it from when I return the loaner?

 

fill it back up to whatever level it was at when you got the car. That helps the next people that gets the loaners and so on.

 

I've seen TSX's on my commute to work and they look pretty nice. Haha, but I don't think anyone including myself regrets getting a TL instead of a TSX. I didn't even consider them when I was shopping for cars since I wanted to upgrade from an Accord.

 

When I get a loaner they make me sign a rental-type contract. Didn't you have to do that?

The contracts I've signed specifically state that I had to bring the loaner back with gas at a certain level or they'd charge me $xxx per gallon for the difference. (The per gallon charge was outrageous, BTW.)

Be sure you ask this question before you take the keys to the loaner, since every dealership's policy on this could be a little different.

 

Skidpad G numbers are not the only numbers that tell about a cars handling. Very generally they tell the maximum limit of grip in a defined turn. Slalom MPH numbers also in indicate some of a cars handling abilities. The speed a car can be "tossed around" before loosing control. Usually lower and lighter cars do better in the slalom.

These are kind of crude descriptions but the two tests used together give a relatively good indication of a cars handling.

 

I'm in a TSX loaner this weekend myself. (Long story). My loaner contract says the same. Their gas charge, at $4 per gallon, is sheer punishment. They instituted that policy because too many people were bringing their cars back on "E".

BTW, the 2006 TSX has 90% of the TL's electronics in a smaller, more responsive, but only 4 cylinder package. It's got HFL, XM, and a decent (non-surround sound) stereo. I can see why Honda won't put a V6 in that car, that's the only thing it's missing! If they did that, TL sales would drop.

 

I was inches away from getting a 6M TSX when my wife said "automatic transmission" (and "no Cadillacs"...but that's another issue), but the auto TSX is less responsive. slower and much less fun to drive than the manual. The auto TL seemed to be the most refined and best all-around choice for fast auto transmission sport sedans/coupes when I was done looking. If the TSX had a V-6 auto (or more torque in the 4), I would likely have gotten it since I like smaller 4-seat cars. On the other hand, I haven't regretted getting the TL at all.

I haven't had a loaner from a dealership in a long while, but haven't heard that any contract was necessary! It makes sense, though. However, my Honda/Acura independent doesn't bother- he just gives me keys to whichever of the loaner cars he has around.

 

I had a 2006 TSX loaner when I was getting my back up sensor and I-pod link installed. I have to say it was a let down. Although the exterier looks awsome the interier was kinda stale. It looked plane jane, almost a civic imo. On top of the that the engine didnt have enough power. Then again this is because I was driving the TL for a month already. I do have to give the TSX its dues. The engine loves to rev and the pricing is good for what you get. All-in-all its a good car, but im glad that I bought the TL over the TSX.

 

Plus....if you were going to buy one...the TL is only a few thousand more than the TSX for a much sweeter engine, etc. However, if I were looking at smaller / less expensive cars, this would be the highend of those I suppose. I look at it as kind of a high end Altima... the TL is just in another class altogether, kind of like a much less expensive BWM 3-series...

 

i got a tsx loaner when i took my car in a couple weeks ago, i couldnt have been more dissapointed, i liked the gauges, so much easier to read. After getting used to my motor the tsx felt like it was towing a boat, that thing has no pick up. i couldnt wait to take it back hah.

 

I almost got a TSX and i am so glad i didnt. My loaner TSX felt sluggish and i could not stand the tin can sounding noise you got when you closed the door.

As for the gas the dealer encouraged me to bring it back empty, saying why not use our gas haha

 

I understand what your saying but you just have to keep it reved up. I was "driving it like you stole it" for a bit to see what the TSX can handle and it was not bad. but if you keep it reved up its was fun to drive. but still does not beat the TL awsomeness!

 

The rear seats on the TSX are sooo small (Im 5'10 160). I find the entry and exit is extremely difficult. That aside, I never drove it. The looks just never appealed to me.

 

Got one as a loaner once too. Wasn't bad, but i would never trade our TL for one. IMO its over priced. The interior was a let down. Even the leather was cheaper quality. I'd rather throw a few thousand more in for the TL. That car should be a couple thousand cheaper.

 

Actually driving a TSX loaner got me to do the mods that I'm doing to my TL. Spent a little over 2k so far and still have to get rims and tires. DAMN DAMN DAMN!!!

Hoping to be done before the NoVA meet.