I have a TSX and was recently looking at an RSX-S for a sporty side car but was dismayed at poor poor quality of the car relative to current Acuras and most Hondas for that matter.

So I'm contemplating trading the TSX for a TL-S. Has anyone done this, and if so, what was the most noticable gains and losses from that move?

Also I noticed that almost all of the TLs were autos. Is a used TL-S in manual going to be hard to come by if I go this route?

 

Hey there. I went from an 04 TSX to a 08 TL-S. Most notable gains, hmmmm. Let me see. From 200hp to 286hp, non-navi to navi, no bluetooth to bluetooth, backup cam, about the same handling (TSX may be a bit better), memory for passengers 1 and 2, IPOD jack (aux in center console), tilt side view mirrors in reverse (which are tinted light blue), sport pedals, under dash foot lighting, power passenger seat, a/c vent in back for rear passengers, TPMS, awesome MID, ELS surround system, dual HID (low and high beam), and probably a few other things. I find with the extra power and the suspension, it's very sporty and handles great. For me it was a no brainer with all the upgrades, especially with the techie items. Big difference going from non-navi and non-bluetooth to navi and bluetooth. Not to mention the HP gain too.
One thing I don't like about the TL-S is that the back seat doesn't fold down. It just has the small center passthrough door.

Good luck finding a 6MT. I'm not saying you can't find one, but they are rare.

I have two friends that are also members in here that did the same thing. Went from a TSX to 08 TL-S and have not looked back. Good time to deal. Good luck.

 

I can vouch for it as well, since I'm one of those 2 members lol.

Strongest dislike is not being able to fold down the rear passenger seats, but the navi system is well worth it now that I put the screen to good use when I'm not needing to know where to go

I agree though, the times I have been looking at a newer TL-S, I think I've seen a manual only once. For some reason, at least in Jax, the automatics are more common...

 

you cant even compare the two cars, it would be like going from a civic to an accord v6.....the power between the tsx and the type s is so overwhelming its not even fair...after driving the type s and getting a tsx loaner, i felt like i was in an econo box...the gauges and everything just seemed cheaper....the difference is very large, but then again so is the price tag between the two, and thats why its not fair to compare these two cars to each other....but that is how i stack them up.....

 

Actually I think they are polarized.

OP, I don't think you will regret going from a TSX to a TL-S. I've never driven a TL-S before but when I was looking at the base TLs, I test drove the TSX first, then the TL... ever since then, I can't drive a TSX. Feels waaaay too sluggish in comparison.

Do it!

 

I went from an 04 TSX to an 06 TSX to a TL-S.

My thoughts pretty much mirror those of LoveMyTL-S. The car handles suprisingly well given the weight penalty and having the LSD helps tremendously in the cornering capabilities.

One additional item I found hard to get used to at first was the larger size of the car. It felt a fair amount wider when trying to park, which was a bit annoying at first.

 

they arent polarized if they were.....they wouldnt be 190 a piece....theyd be 490 a piece lol

 

Oh I dunno. The sticker price of the 09 TSX and the deal I got on my 08 TL-S were almost the same. So no brainer on the 08TL-S.

 

but he doesnt have an 09 tsx, and he is not comparing an 09 tsx vrs an 08 type s...

so if you were comparing an 08 tsx vrs an 08 type s tl, there is a huge difference in price....about 10k if you look at msrp vrs msrp....

 

That's true. Actually we don't know what year the OP's TSX is. But if he's going to buy an 08 TLS, it's better than an 09 TSX if price is about the same.

 

My TSX is '07 so it has almost all of the features that LoveMyTL-S said mattered most to him (I assume it's a he) such as nav and blue tooth. I love backup cams though, I really miss that in the TSX, and ya the lack of power in the TSX contantly reminds a person that it's not strictly a luxury car. I'll call a deal later and see if they can find any manuals in stock.

 

Yes, I'm a HIM. Here's where you can find manuals:

https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/...01_OMANUAL.asp

 

the dealer loned me a tsx for the weekend few months back

the only thing the tsx has on the tl is a higher redline

 

lolz; manual transmission.

 

I also made the jump from an 05 TSX 6MT to an 07 TLS 6MT, and NEVER LOOKED BACK!!!!! It was the best trade-in, upgreade i ever did. Yes i did take a hit $$$ but i think it was well worth the swap!!

 

Oh geez Yea, 6MT's are hard to find in the TL-S model. Not impossible but rare. May try Autotrader.

My son found his 06 S2000 using that site. He had to drive 4 hours to get it, but was well worth the trip!

 

agreed...i was looking at the pic by his name....

 

The '09 TSX comes much closer to the TL than the '07-'08 in terms of size and features but it's still a 4 banger and it has the non-touch navi which is an obvious downgrade.

I can't believe the TL-S rarely comes in manual. That seems antithetical to the idea of having an -S model of a car. The RSX-S only came in manual.

 

Well, considering that Acura just released stats indicating that the TL-S only sold as a manual some 15% of the entire TL-S sales, I'm not the least bit surprised that finding a new one is hard.

And something you may want to consider is the possible TSX with a V-6 option that may be coming out. Since that car will be very similar to the 3rd gen TL in nearly every measure.

 

Is a V6 TSX confirmed? That would be awesome.

I'm not looking for a new TL-s, I'm sure those are long gone. Used, CPO, whatever.

I learned a valuable lesson from the RSX experience. I never test drove it because I didn't want to waste a salesman's time before I was ready to buy so I had been working my finances toward that end. When the day came to shop around I drove one was and disgusted on several levels. Now I realize that I'm going to have to inconvenience a few sales people whether I like it or not in order to avoid an accident costing many thousands of dollars. So if they can find a TL-s I'd love to test drive it but I'll have to tell them upfront I'm just in for a taste test.

 

No V6 TSX anytime soon I'm told.

I can have a TL-s manual imported from out of state but for a test drive I'd have to drive an automatic. Does anyone know how the TL-s clutch and shifter compares to the manual TSX?

 

Clutch is different. The TSX clutch has more feel and is easier to learn to engage.

Shifter on the TL-S is as good as the one in the TSX, but feels more damped.

 

'07 - '08 TL-s generally have a sticker price of $30k right now, +- $1000 depening on year and mileage. I used to have a vague idea that you should talk them down by about $1000-$2000, but I'm hearing that problems with the economy are depressing auto sales. Does anyone know what degrees of mark down I should be aiming for if I choose a a TL-s with a $30k sticker?

 

Seeing as how most people can get a new TL-S for $32k, I think it's pretty easy to just walk away from a negotiation and hear the terms get better and better. The market has been complete crap lately so it would not surprise me if they would be more willing to deal on the car than have a potential customer walk away.

 

True, I can probably just say, "I'm thinking about it but that G-35 looks nice" and watch the price drop by itself.

 

Hands down... the TL is definitely a better car.... I went into a dealership looking at purchasing a TSX because of the price range i was looking at... I ended up buying the car parked behind the TSX... the TL BABY!...... looks so much sexier and sleeker.... inside and out.... i had to!... lol