Hey guys!
This is my first post on here, but I've been a member for a couple years. I'm having a little bit of a dilemma here. I'm starting to look for a new car. My 2 final choices are the 2013 Honda Accord Sport(new) or a 2011 Acura TL(CPO), both ranging around 25k. I absolutely love both cars. I love how practical yet sport the Accord is, and the luxury and sportiness of the TL. I know I'll probably be able to keep either one for a few years, since they're both Honda's and reliable.

A little background abt me:
I'm 23, just graduated college and about to start working at my internship as a FT. I will have to drive about 60 miles each day, so around 15k and change a year. I'm ultimately looking for a car that I'll love for years to come.

What car would you get if you were in my situation?

Isn't the Accord Sport a 4-cylinder? If you're looking for spirited driving, I'd take the TL. The Accord has newer tech and better mileage, but I prefer the interior and driving feel of the TL. If it were a V6 Accord vs. that TL, it'd be a tougher decision for me. If it were a new V6 Accord vs. a new TL, I'd take the Accord.

My wife has a 2013 Accord Sport. It's very nice but I'd still definitely pick my 2010 TL. Both cars are great, though. The Accord definitely gets better mileage, if that's what you might be looking for.

being that you are a recent grad > the accord will be easier on the pockets.

Unless you are going for the SH-AWD, I would take the Accord

I have a 2011 TL which is actually my 4th TL in the past 14 years (I lease)...love it!

I've loved all of my TL's (the body design of the 2011, hmm, not so much-loved the design of my 2008-a few reasons but just don't care for it but honestly didn't care enough to NOT get it, LOL)-however, I am about to turn it in because the lease is coming due and change to an RDX (this is just a decision I've made because I would like to change it up a bit).

However all that aside...it is much pricier than an Accord. Keep in mind the TL recommends Premium gas so that would also dig into the wallet and as mentioned the TL's V6 won't get as good gas mileage as the Accord.

If I were 20-something and just out of college doing the traveling you are I'd go for the Accord. I think you'll be very happy. It's a good car. (I had a Civic for several years when I was just out of college and had wanted an Accord;-) Kind of worked my way up to the TL.

if your doing 60 miles a day,, get a commuter.. that would be the accord..

TL eats gas.

Well... you just graduated, going with internship. I would just get some decent comjuter car for cash, when I'm secured with real FT job, then go on payments. That's what I've done before, unless you are going to buy new car for cash

I'm lucky to get 25 mpg on the highway... keep that in mind if you'll be commuting.

We just have the 2012 fwd TL Tech, but @ 75 with cruise control, I'm getting 30-32. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.

Your model has a newer 6 speed automatic and its fwd. I've got the old 5 speed auto and all wheel drive.

Pending on your financial situation (ie. any student loans, etc), I'd pick Civic or Fit unless you need more space for whatever reason. Until you feel comfortable paying the premium gas, insurance, and wear and tear items with TL, stick with something reliable, cheap, and half decent fun to drive. I drove Toyota Camry in my 20's after university and I must've been the youngest Camry driver on the road as most were in their 60's. My big mistake at the time.

Thanks for all the advice guys!

The biggest thing that really matters is that the MPG. With that said, I'm leaning heavily toward the Accord Sport....hopefully the new TL or TLX isnt butchered and maybe i'll get that in a few years.

How are you dealing with the difference in noise in the cabin? The Honda Accord 4 cycl is noisy and the noise from the road is bad too! Of course since your young just pump up the volume and keep rolling I guess!

The newer Accord is not noisy at all. It's very very quiet.

I dunno I thought it kinda loud not as bad as the previous ones but loud enough to make you wonder why that hasn't been fully addressed. (I am only talking about the 4 cycl)

I am talking about a 2013 Accord Sport 4dr, which is a 4cyl. I was extremely impressed with how quiet it is (keep in mind, I live in Los Angeles.......not a quiet place to live). It makes me feel that my TL is waaaaay too loud, and I haven't even upgraded my exhaust yet. I guess I'll just "pump up the volume"...lol.

Maybe the sport is different. The base level Accord I test drove...not impressed with the cabin noise. Everything else was top shelf (always is with Honda) But I couldn't tell that much difference in noise level between this generation accord and the last.

x2.

If the MPG is very important to you, get the Accord. My wife's EX with 6MT will easily get 40 mpg on the highway in the warmer weather. It's not as fun to drive as my TL and it lacks the TL's amenities and refinement, but it's a great car, especially for the price. The Accord is roomy, rides well and is very quiet. People who ride in the car always remark about the back seat leg room and how quiet the car is.

I think it's the other way around with the more expensive trim Accord's, which are still cheaper than the TL.

The following features are what the 2014 Accord can have, but the 2014 TL doesn't at any price :

- Active Noise Cancellation
- Forward Collision Warning
- Lane Departure Warning
- LED Daytime Running Lights
- LED headlights
- LED brakelights
- Multi-angle Rear View Camera
- Lanewatch
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Tilt and Telescopic Steering Column.

Well for 25K he's not getting all that! Take it from an ole fart a 23 year old looks better in a TL!

My 2 cents worth is to go with the Accord. Considering your demographics and the amount of driving you'll be doing, the Accord is certainly the more pragmatic choice. And the Accord Sport looks really nice too. Love the wheels on it and the subtle rear spoiler. You can always get a TL in the future should you decide to.

If mileage is most important, then that pretty slams the door shut on the TL. That 4 cylinder Accord engine gets pretty good reviews on gas mileage. Go for the Accord. Not to mention the Accord body style will be fresh a bit longer than the TL's which (supposedly) will be replaced by the TLX soon.

In that case, forget about 4-door sedans.

The 23 years old will look best in a 2-door Accord coupe.

I was in your same shoes three weeks ago. I ended up getting a 2010 tl over a 2014 accord sport...I haven't regretted my decision. That v6 is so responsive when you step on the gas. I also own a 98 svt cobra, maybe I just like speed.

What is your current car right now? If it does the job, just use it for awhile longer for your internship. Then after the internship, and hopefully you'll get hired afterwards. Continue with the current beater until you save up a good chunk for down payment, then go car shopping. Also go when there's special APR deals to save you a bit on interest as well.

That's what I did, but if you must buy. Get the Accord Sport.

Accord because it is more practical considering that you're in an internship, and also it has considerably better fuel economy than a TL.

Sit in the two cars and I think you'll see what I mean. LED crap means nothing to me, for example. Nice, high-quality leather, on the other hand, does. But everyone has different tastes. If all the techno-gadgetry is valuable to you, I take your point.

If you buy the TL, get the SH-AWD, which is considerably sportier than the Accord or the base TL. The sport tuning and AWD is where the Acura is differentiated from the Honda.

Otherwise, if you're buying only the FWD, I see no advantage the TL has over the Accord.

By the way, I considered and test drove both the 2013 Accord Touring and 2013 TL SH-AWD before deciding on the TL. One drive in the TL SH-AWD and there was no going back to the Accord.

New Accord you'll take that new buyer hit, the TL has already gone through the depreciation. Also with it being CPO you'll have that extended warranty to keep your piece of mind.


Remember also all that new tech can fail, how is your phone going to work in 5 years or so? I'm not as keen as most on all the touch and such on the new cars. Personally I think I like buttons and dials for most things as we know they are not going to put out software updates for the cars on a regular basis.


Look at the value of both in three years and then do the math. Also look at 5 years when you still have a warranty on the TL and the trade is still higher.

For "forward collision avoidance" I prefer to look well down the road as I'm driving. Yesterday I heard someone say she couldn't wait until the cars are fully automatic and drive themselves. Yeah, that should be a lot of fun. Cripes.

if you are 23... don't buy either one. you have no kids right?!? I don't what part of the country you live in... but if you are in a sunny place like me.. so cal... or a place where it's not snowing like crazy... get a convertible!!

get an S2000! you could pick up a VERY nice low mileage S2000 in that price range. still gets good gas mileage, looks better than either an accord or TL and will be 1000% more fun.

when you are old and have kids like me, you will HAVE to have a four door and you WON'T have the option of a two seater drop top.

i used to have convertibles.. when I was single and when I had money to afford a spare car... now i have three kids... the next time I get another vert will be when my kids are grown up and out of the house...

you only live once. 23 year olds who LIKE cars should not drive accords. i know there are cool tricked out accords out there..and i've seen some nice ones..but honestly.. a bone stock S2000 would put a smile on your face from ear to ear..

just my friendly advice. i'm 41.. been there done that.

^Understandable, but insurance for a 23 year old with a S2000 would be how much? Also if this was his only car, very impractical from time to time.

As much as I love S2K's let's not get ahead of ourselves here, looks better than a 4G or current gen accord?

New Accord. More innovation and a more cohesive design.

Go with the TL.

Having just picked up a new 2013 TL Tech, I'd say go with TL, provided can find for good price.


I looked at the 2014 Accord Touring, and while nice, just not a TL, period. Has some more modern tech stuff, like laser cruise and some blind spot system, but seats and suspension not in same league.


I was able to get a TL for about $2k more than I would have paid for Accord Touring....I have to have a 6 cyl, so fuel economy is within a few mpg (Accord Touring is 26 combined, TL is 23) so unless complete road warrior not a huge delta.


Both are nice cars, bet TL holds value a bit better as well.

Not quite true, because the TL is at the very end of it's model cycle, but the 2014 Accord is at the very beginning of it's model cycle.

Once the new-from-the-ground-up 2015 TLX is released next year, expect a significant drop in resale value for the "old styling" 4G TL.

^^^ I keep my cars for awhile anyway, so I'm not terribly concerned about resale, but even if I were, I don't view it as a big issue with Acuras. I bought my '92 Legend Coupe for 27K in '92 and sold it for 7K in 2010. I'd say I got my $$ worth.