TSX to TL...words of wisdom?

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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 10:33 PM
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TSX to TL...words of wisdom?

I'm currently looking into getting a TL (2005-2007). I've been on Azine for a few years as a 6MT PWP TSX owner however I'm in need of a new vehicle because she was written off the other day. (Coming home from work and was t-boned). Absolutely loved the TSX but need a change because of lifestyle.

I'm looking at the TL because
- larger interior space
- bigger engine

Things I would prefer are 6MT and Navi. Want to stay within budget as I don't want car payments for years to come.


Is there anything I should be avoiding/looking for when looking at the 3rd gen TL? I know they didn't make 6MT for '07. Any input would help.
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 10:47 PM
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i just traded in my 04 tsx for an 05 tl about 2 months ago. i got auto for both mainly so others in my family could drive it. deff more room in the tl and a LOT faster, obviously lol.

I would obviously check the carfax for any kind of fishy stuff. get the engine and all electrical stuff checked out as well. thats all i can really think about right now...gluck man.
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 10:48 PM
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leedogg's Avatar
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listen for rattles, check paint quality, check for paint mismatches.
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 11:07 PM
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Originally Posted by D E R
Is there anything I should be avoiding/looking for when looking at the 3rd gen TL? I know they didn't make 6MT for '07. Any input would help.
The '06+ has TPMS which '04-'05 did not.

The '07+ with Navi has a built-in rear view camera, but softer suspension than the '04-'06 versions (the '07+ Type -S fixes that issue, and has additional HP). The 6M was only available in the Type -S for '07+.

There are a couple of threads around here summarizing the changes to the years. I believe 6M versions were less than 15% of the total sold.
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 11:07 PM
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If you can get it certified pre-owned. It will cost a bit more but comes with peice of mind. I just bought mine last night, 2007 with 31000 miles for $23000. I saw a few with less miles for a little less or the same price but they were not in good condition. I checked about 4 or 5 dealerships before I found mine and its in cherry condition. Good luck.
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Old Jun 10, 2010 | 06:59 PM
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Thanks guys,

I test drove an 06 AT today. First time in a TL.

Impressions..

- Lots of room and a very comfortable ride
- Plenty more power available
- Like that the sunroof control is near the sunroof
- Not a big fan of the woodgrain that was in this one especially with the black leather
- No fold down seats?!?
- Is it me or does Acura have really comfortable rear seats.

I'm sold on this car. How is winter driving in this car? (for those that can comment)
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Old Jun 10, 2010 | 08:16 PM
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I love my 2005 AT... Just turned 100,000 miles today.. I'm original owner.. I have not Replaced any of the brakes yet.

I love this car, Sporty,roomy, good on gas, has good power "better with mods"

Winter driving.. Works fine for me... I live in Northern Indiana, so we get a few snow storms a year like 4-10 inches at the most, maybe twice in a bad year. We get a ton of freezing slushy shit weather.. The TL works fine. Although a six speed and a wife/lady driver would be a bad idea.

Good luck. hopefully I helped a little
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Old Jun 10, 2010 | 09:45 PM
  #8  
poormans_tl69's Avatar
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go for the tl...u wont regret it
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Old Jun 10, 2010 | 09:51 PM
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Originally Posted by D E R
Thanks guys,

I test drove an 06 AT today. First time in a TL.

Impressions..

- Lots of room and a very comfortable ride
- Plenty more power available
- Like that the sunroof control is near the sunroof
- Not a big fan of the woodgrain that was in this one especially with the black leather
- No fold down seats?!?
- Is it me or does Acura have really comfortable rear seats.

I'm sold on this car. How is winter driving in this car? (for those that can comment)
winter driving is average at best.. invest in snow tires if you plan on driving in the snow a lot
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Old Jun 10, 2010 | 10:10 PM
  #10  
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I too just did the jump of 2004 TSX non-nav to 2007 TL-S. Love it. Had some issues [even tho it was certified had some rattles] but its all under warranty. got it certified 33k miles for 24,000. MPG wise I think I only have gone down 1 combined MPG - not bad for the extra HP.
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Old Jun 10, 2010 | 10:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Will Y.
The '06+ has TPMS which '04-'05 did not.

The '07+ with Navi has a built-in rear view camera, but softer suspension than the '04-'06 versions (the '07+ Type -S fixes that issue, and has additional HP). The 6M was only available in the Type -S for '07+.

There are a couple of threads around here summarizing the changes to the years. I believe 6M versions were less than 15% of the total sold.
To be clear the 07-08 non- S is softer by 8% than 04-06 and the Type-S is even firmer than the 04-06 calibrations. Being in a family that had an 06, my car doesn't seem to ride any softer than tha car but that my cars suspension is more controlled.
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Old Jun 11, 2010 | 04:43 PM
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Thanks for all the input guys. Trying to find either a NBP or WDP w/ a 6/160,000 km extended warranty. How is the 6MT compared to the TSX's? There are a lot of 5ATs available. No sign of any 6MTs.
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Old Jun 11, 2010 | 04:52 PM
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If you're not doing a certified pre owned, and maybe even if you are. Get a private mechanic to do a used car inspection.

I found my car on Craigs list, listed at $15,000 it's a 2005 TL w/nav and 65k miles on it. I met the guy out in the neighborhood and right away loved the SSM color. I noticed one of the rims was scratched so I was able to knock him down $500 for that. I set up a visit withthe mechanic for the following week and the mechanic was very favorable to me by letting me know the front ball joints had a little play.

That's an exspensive fix well over a grand! So the guy met me half way on that and gave me another $600 off. so I paid $13,900 and after the transaction the mechanic said their really not that bad we just wanted to be honest and they'll need to be replaced soon.

YAY CRAIGS LIST. Don't let a dealer bend you over.
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Old Jun 11, 2010 | 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by D E R
Thanks for all the input guys. Trying to find either a NBP or WDP w/ a 6/160,000 km extended warranty. How is the 6MT compared to the TSX's? There are a lot of 5ATs available. No sign of any 6MTs.
Where are you from? I noticed you used km instead of miles so I guess somewhere in Canada. There are a few 6mt for sale around my area
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Old Jun 11, 2010 | 06:21 PM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by lowbudgetTL
I love my 2005 AT... Just turned 100,000 miles today.. I'm original owner.. I have not Replaced any of the brakes yet.

I love this car, Sporty,roomy, good on gas, has good power "better with mods"

Winter driving.. Works fine for me... I live in Northern Indiana, so we get a few snow storms a year like 4-10 inches at the most, maybe twice in a bad year. We get a ton of freezing slushy shit weather.. The TL works fine. Although a six speed and a wife/lady driver would be a bad idea.

Good luck. hopefully I helped a little
my next car might be a tl with 6MT. I currently own a 06 tsx and it also has the original brakes at almost 107,000 miles. It is MT and I am a female.
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Old Jun 12, 2010 | 09:51 AM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by Mattgtp
Where are you from? I noticed you used km instead of miles so I guess somewhere in Canada. There are a few 6mt for sale around my area
Eastern Ontario. I've been looking in the GTA and Ottawa area
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Old Jun 12, 2010 | 10:03 AM
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If you look at a TL-S, finding a 6MT version is going to prove fairly difficult. They didn't make many.

If you go with a regular TL 6MT, it has Brembo front brakes. Check the pad thickness and make sure they are good. The OEM front pads alone run about $150 wholesale, and over $220 if you buy them at the dealer parts counter.
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Old Jun 12, 2010 | 12:19 PM
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I love my TL-S. I started looking for a cheap 6MT and couldnt find a nice one for good price. I end up getting the 5AT TL-S. Most people are trying to make their regular TL close to TL-S. It was just easier to start with one. My 2 cents
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Old Jun 12, 2010 | 12:23 PM
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Expect rattles in your move now! Not that you can't have them with a TSX, but I haven't seen, read, or heard the amount of rattles issues the TL both 3rd and 4th Gen have had, with the TSX! I have had four separate 2009 and 2010 TSX loaner vehicles, some with 20-30k miles on them, that didn't have any rattles or noises while I had it, compared to my TL!

Keep in mind, the TSX is entirely built and assembled in Japan while the TL is built and assembled in Ohio, so the build quality felt more solid in the TSX over the TL! I'm not trying to say the TL is put together poorly, but I've felt like the car is put together more tighly, or what ever you would call it, in the TSX then the TL!

Though overall I like the TL better because of its more comfortable ride, larger size, more comfortable seats, etc!
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Old Jun 13, 2010 | 12:06 AM
  #20  
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There was a good thread comparing the TL to the TSX here: https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...costaracer+tsx

I had the same debate 4 years ago and really thought hard about the merits of both cars. I have the TL and the only thing I have missed on maybe one or two occasions has been the lack of a fold-down seat.

There are so many upgrades on the TL and that thread link will indicate many of them- things simple like struts supporting the hood and map pockets that pivot, better cupholders, more logical sunroof controls, better stereo, and most importantly a lot more power for a small hit on MPG. I haven't been plagued with rattles but a rattle sounds a lot better than the engine pinging that seems to be common with TSX's including the new model based on the chatter in the TSX forum anyway.

The other thing I like about the TL in my situation is that many of the parts are the same as our Honda Pilot- for example the oil filters and AT pressure sensors are the same so it makes it easy for me to maintain both my vehicles.
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Old Jun 13, 2010 | 01:04 AM
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Originally Posted by D E R
Thanks guys,

I test drove an 06 AT today. First time in a TL.

Impressions..

- Lots of room and a very comfortable ride
- Plenty more power available
- Like that the sunroof control is near the sunroof
- Not a big fan of the woodgrain that was in this one especially with the black leather
- No fold down seats?!?
- Is it me or does Acura have really comfortable rear seats.

I'm sold on this car. How is winter driving in this car? (for those that can comment)
Black and grey leather come with carbon Fiber trim on the 2004-2006, all TL-S's come with Carbon fiber. The 2004-2006 TL with tan/Camel/Parchment interior comes with wood trim, and fake blackwood trim on the 2007-2008 Base models.

The TL does not have fold down seats since there is extra bracing behind the seats.
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Old Jun 13, 2010 | 03:58 PM
  #22  
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I came from a 04 TSX to a 08 TL-S. Like night and day. The power, ride and not to mention all the electronic upgrades such as back up cam, Navi, bluetooth. No comparison. I'm sure your biting at the bit to get your's. Good luck on your search

Yea, wished the back seat folded down but I lived with it.
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Old Jun 13, 2010 | 09:30 PM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by D E R
Thanks guys,

I test drove an 06 AT today. First time in a TL.

Impressions..


- Not a big fan of the woodgrain that was in this one especially with the black leather
this statement confused me as well...unless things are different in Canada. If so, this makes sense, if not, then that was not an 06.

my step dad has a TSX and I have the TL, and i love them both but for different reasons. TSX is a solid car, a little tighter tolerances, some better materials in certain areas, and just a fun drive...but, i love my TL. I like exterior better, i like the interior size and layout better, and the power is way better. Other than a few rattles, the TL is a great upgrade. Good luck
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Old Jun 19, 2010 | 08:55 PM
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I finally did it today. Pick up from the dealer isn't until next week though (just with my crazy busy schedule). Ended up getting the ext. comprehensive warranty with it as well.

'06 NBP TL 6spd Non-navi.

Talk about torque steer off the line!
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Old Jun 20, 2010 | 08:10 AM
  #25  
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congratz! post pics when you take delivery!
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Old Jun 21, 2010 | 01:53 AM
  #26  
keben's Avatar
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Try looking in the black market section
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Old Jun 21, 2010 | 03:02 AM
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hey der are you superock from RFD?

Welcome!
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Old Jun 22, 2010 | 12:24 AM
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great advise!!!! cant wait to see pics!

can anyone compare the tl with an 6th gen accord v6 (1998-2002)? thanks if any one can.
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