it's implied in their press release, and stated in this review as well. boo.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t_drive_review

 

Well that basically decided whether or not I will be replacing my 2010 6MT for the 2012. Now if they offer a 19 in or HPT package for the 2010 6MT then I will really wonder what they're thinking.

 

Bummer

 

what does the advance package entail?

 

^19's with high performance all seasons, vented seats, and blind spot monitor.

 

I personally agree with and understand their reasoning on this one. So few TLs that are sold of the 6MT variant. It wouldn't make sense to put the manual in the top of the line TL that costs $45K.

 

thats not missing much...although if you pay 40k for a car....

 

Agreed.

When the advanced package was announced, I was "mentally toying" with the idea of getting a 2012 TL 6MT Advanced. I like having air cooled seats and a blind spot monitoring system. Now that I know the 2012 TL 6MT will NOT have the advanced package, I can safely scratch this wallet harming idea off.

 

^Amen, brother. I understand their reasoning but it could go either way. The 6MT already automatically bundles the tech package for $43k and currently you can get the HPT package with the 19's for another $1k.

They could have just replaced the HPT model with the advance package and had both options. They also could have just as easily made all 6MT models advance versions since it's already all or nothing. I don't think the 6MT buyers would mind paying another $2k for what it includes.

On the other hand, I am not complaining (actually relieved) since most 6MT buyers just bought our's within the last year or close enough to it, as it was a late release begining for 2010 MY.

Many of us also waited a whole year for it and for them to release an early MMC now, kind of short changes this group the most, as 2009 buyers have had it for a while longer and 2011 buyers could have easily waited. At least with no advance package available they didn't pull a full Apple. I don't see too much reason for replacing my 2010 now but I like the changes nonetheless.

 

Actually, I was kind of hoping they would carry over a HPT option for the 6MT. I mean, in general, if the customer wants 6MT for the performance, why would they skip the 19s/HPT?

I'm debating between an '11 and a '12 now (first TL). As more information comes out, it seems to be that the major talking points for the '12 (improved engine, improved mileage, advance package) won't apply to the SHAWD 6MT... and the fact that the '11s are available for cheap makes the decision really tough. Dropping HPT would only seem like a hit against the '12 to me. Now I just have to find a dealer that doesn't treat a young guy like crap*...


*(Long version: Visit dealer on a Saturday expressing interest in a 6MT. Told it just arrived, needs to be 'configured', and they'll call me. Dealer calls the next Monday, told it would be ready Wednesday or Thursday. I called back and scheduled for Thursday, 5PM. Show up on time, salesman takes 20min to get car, plastic thrown everywhere in back seat, and so many things don't work [still need to be "configured" according to salesman] that, by the end of the drive, I feel lucky the darn thing started in the first place. I mean, someone please tell me if I'm wrong, but I didn't think it took all that much time to configure a car... and for them not to have it ready after four days is a pretty poor showing.)

 

I guess it all comes down to the front-end look of the cars. If you can stand the '11, by all means go for it. You'll also get a huge discount with the slow-moving '11 too when the '12 cars are just about starting to come in.

 

I agree, always thought it was a great deal, the tires alone are worth more than the package. Personally, I didn't get it due to poor winters here and not wanting to deal with all the swapping of rims or tires.

They might actually still offer that for 2012, I'm just saying that if they are going to offer a $1k HPT package, why not just bundle it with the advanced package for $2k, like they will do for the 6AT SH model.

Offering the HPT only for the 6MT but not the advance, doesn't make too much sense IMO. At that point just bundle it as the advance instead, I don't know how many would actually mind paying the extra grand for what's included.

 

I'm certain the dealer would be willing to work out something for swapping the rims and tires for the HPT package at the time the car is purchased.

 

@winstrol: Ah, I understand now... and agree. I don't understand the tech-only decision either... I'm sure it had to do with production rate estimates and whatnot, but I always thought the 6MT existed in spite of the bean counters. It's not that ventilated seats and BSW are deal-breakers, but the forced exclusion seems more off-putting than a forced inclusion.

Maybe we should just go with the old "saves weight, better performance" reasoning and leave it at that

@edward That's just it, I like both. The '11 has grown on me, the '12 seems nicely refined. The '12 may be a bit quieter, but is it worth the price bump? gah!

 

I'm worried about the trends with Acura's 6MT. I'm really glad they offer the MTs on the TSX and TL, but the choices get narrower every year. On the TL, in 2010-11, there were only four exterior colors offered, with limited interior combinations. Now, for 2012, the only interior with the 6MT is black, and no Advance Package is offered.

Acura will correctly say that MTs are <5% of TL sales, but at some point it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you reduce the color/package combinations to only a few, you're going to chase off customers who might otherwise jump at the 6MT. Now, anyone who does not like black interiors has to decide if it's worth putting up with a black interior to get the TL 6MT or if it's better jumping to another brand offering more MT color options.

I suppose I'm not picking on only Acura here. When I was making my purchase decision, I was also considering the 3/5 series and the Infiniti G. No one had a MT G or 5 in my entire metro area that I could test drive and they couldn't even tell me when they might get one. And then they wonder why MT take rates are low.

 

Agreed... it's a sad day and age for MT lovers.

Then again, would a good enough dual-clutch AMT win you over? I'm considering the 6AT on the 12 because it doesn't attempt to interfere as much as most ATs - and if the shifts are fast and smooth, there's less drawback than usual.

Personally, I wish they'd make a 6AMT with shift gates like a normal 6MT - just drop the clutch.

 

Get real ...skip on a 2012 SHAWD 6MT just because you cant cool your bottom..Only reason I will/would skip is because the wife decides she wants to keep her 2010 SHAWD 6MT

 

I think that's a pretty valid reason for not going from a 2010 to a 2012...

Why would you want to "upgrade" if the only things that were changed were looks and a slight noise reduction? Looks aside, what would be the point of going from a TL Tech to a TL Tech?

IMO ventilated seats are a great option, especially warmer climates. I wouldn't even be considering upgrading to a 2012 unless it had ventilated seats. (Though for me, I also want the new 6 speed auto and want to get back into SHAWD)

 

Exactly!!! I agree with you. Just too much to offer a trim that so many don't buy anyway. That said, I'm glad Acura offers a manual in the TL. People would complain if Acura only offered the MT in the Advanced Pkg. I'd at least want the option of no Tech/Tech pkg as there is a bigger difference in price. At least you gain MPG's in the 2012 model whether you get MT or AT. I think if I were to get the 2012 TL/RL I'd do the AT anyway. What a nice ride a Adv TL would be with the 19's would be. .

 

Even with the other interiors there is an awful lot of black inside, my ancient 02 TL has a nice two tone tan interior.

What would be really nice is if they let you custom order whatever combo you want. Sure, it would take time and you lose some negotiation leverage...but being able to get what you want is worth a grand or two in the end. It's not like the parts wouldn't mix and match. Oh well. I'm anxious to see the specs on the '12.

 

Vented seats would be nice, but not a deal breaker for me either. What irritates me more is that Acura hasn't ADVANCE(d) the old school halogen DRL's - they're sooooo GM circa 1995.

I'll keep harping on this issue until the designers in So-Cal wake the eff up.

PS, Your wifey sounds pretty cool.

 

I think it's a good refresh but there is not enough added (at least objectively) to make me want to switch. The 3G TLS was far more of an upgrade from the 6MT TL than this gen's MMC of the 6MT.

I think it's a pretty substantial styling change but that's pretty much it. The FWD and auto SH have significant changes throughout but the exclusion of the advance and no performance or mpg gain in the 6MT doesn't do anything for me. It's the model that gained the least. The advance package is not the deal breaker but might have given me a little extra incentive needed.

I will point out that I do like the current styling of the car and not any less than the 2012. While I like the changes to the grill and rear trim especially, as I thought they were needed for the car to become more accepted, they also changed things that I thought didn't need changing and were signature cues for the 4G and SH TL IMO.