fz6r

Hey all- new on the forums here, but been checking it out for a few days. Currently have a 2010 Camaro, blacked out with some aftermarket work- a really fun car to drive... but not the most practical., especially with Northeastern winters. Started shopping for a new car with a few items on my wish list- AWD, navigation, leather, heated seats, 300+ horsepower minimum, and sunroof. I was looking mostly at Bimmers and Audis, hadn't even considered an Acura at all- just for the sake of comparison shopping I priced a TL out a few weeks ago and all I have to say is wow. The styling is certainly polarizing (which I happen to like, I think it's aggressive), but the bang for the buck is seriously unbeatable. I actually prefer the styling of the 2009-2011 models, and dealers in my area have a few cpo 2010 SH-AWD techs super cheap.

Rambling aside, I guess my main question is- 6 speed or auto? Current Camaro is stick, last car was stick, and I have a motorcycle, so no stranger to manual. I enjoy shifting, but I live in a hilly area and also travel to NYC and other urban areas with regularity, so an auto has its pluses. Do you auto guys still feel like the car is sporty? Are the paddle shifters actually engaging? In my experience, steptronics/manumatics are worse to use than just leaving it in auto if there is a delay. Needless to say I'll be stopping by a dealership this weekend to see in person myself, but wanted some input from owners.

potmilkz

tip: 2009-2011 is 5 speed

2012 is 6 speed.

try it out.

fz6r

Sorry, I knew the 09-11 auto was a 5 speed, but thought the manual was a 6 speed. Thanks for your insight.

Edward'TLS

Which Camaro do you have now ? The 300hp V6 one, the 400hp V6 one, or the 580hp V8 ZL1 ?

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

If the sport feel is the motivator, I'd shop the G37. If you're looking for the best package for the money, the Acura competes with any of the brands and generally edges them out.

The TL would feel like buying a Rolls Royce after rolling around in a Camaro for any length of time.

Hogan9166

iTrader: (1)

I don't have any experience with the manual, but I can only imagine. I get what I want out of the AT, but it does take some "learning" to get what you want out of it. You may not like it compared to the manual Camaro, etc., but it certainly is sporty and has lots of go.

I generally run in full auto, but engage S-mode when I need it to pass, etc. I rarely run in S mode all the time, only because the paddles aren't in a great place for shifting from 1st to 2nd after or while taking a turn. I find myself searching for them on the wheel during a turn.

Regardless of which transmission you choose, you will love the car. It is aggressive, has a tight suspension and looks great.

By the way, I too am a bigger fan of the 09-11 than I am of the slightly restyled '12.

HeartTLs

iTrader: (5)

The 10-11 does come in 6 speed manual. If you're use to rowing your own gears and enjoy it, I'd definitely get a 6 speed although they're somewhat rare.


edit: Edward you had my jaw drop for a second, the 400hp one is also a V8

fz6r

I have the 426hp V8, but with all mods pushing above 450. I know that the TL is a completely different car- I'm not looking for another muscle car, just don't want to drive something lifeless. My other top pick is a 335i, but everyone and their mother leases a 3 series and the TL would save a substantial amount of money.

fz6r

Thank for your input, that's something to keep in mind about the paddles. Now I just have to find a dealer that has a cpo mt to compare!

JM2010 SH-AWD

The TL with AWD and 6MT is a very lively car. It won't accelerate like your Camaro, but it is plenty fast for a street car. The handling with AWD is stellar - really, as good as it gets in a sports sedan of this size/weight.

If you're interested in the 6MT, don't let the hills where you live dissuade you. It has a nice hill-assist feature that holds the car for a second when you're on an incline with the clutch in. It takes a few weeks to unlearn all those MT tricks you've learned to hold the car on a hill from a start, but it works like magic.

fz6r

Thanks for your post- hill-assist on a manual? That's awesome, I'm looking forward to testing that out. I cannot stand when I'm at a stop sign on a really steep hill and someone pulls up literally an inch behind my bumper- never had any problems with rolling back into anyone over the years thankfully, but seriously

LawnPro

fz6r - Welcome to the best forum on the planet.

The 6M/T is an incredible car in it's own right. It may be hard to find a cpo manual TL, but it is worth the wait.

ucf_bronco

iTrader: (1)

I strongly recommend the 6MT TL. I absolutely love it and after a year of owning one I still look forward to driving it. It's plenty fast for my taste, though I'm coming out of a Hyundai Tiburon so that's not saying much. I also love the fact that I rarely see TL's on the road, especially modded ones. Take one for a long test drive and you're sure to be impressed.

012TL-GLM

'12 SH-AWD auto owner that drove the manual after owning the auto for several months. No regret of decision. The manual is fun but in S mode I can do everything about the same.

I'm much more tempted to *do bad things* in a manual, so for general driving the auto helps me behave, not to mention the mpg is better.

Once you slip into S and take control of the paddles you can redline every gear but 1st, at least in the '12 the computer takes care of shifting into 2nd. Fine with me, others have complained. Keep that in mind when considering differences between model years.

The TL is huge by sports car standards, but it handles small and feels great. The seats really hug you and long drives are a pleasure. The AWD suspension is stiff, but probably will feel smooth coming from a camaro

fz6r

Thanks for your feedback, everyone. Definitely leaning towards the stick, especially after stumbling across this video- .

Rugel

^ I know that guy...his dad owns that dealership. Great car!

Edward'TLS

My mistake. The 400hp one is indeed a V8.

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

have you ever heard the term "camaro hair" ....you would be stepping up your class a level....

kc1953

Manual is a 6 speed. 2009-2011 auto is a 5 speed and 2012 auto is a 6 speed.

fz6r

Have not, but I'm 21 so you've got a few years on me.