gsrblack

I'm on a budget and need to replace an older car. I can get a used 2016 Accord Sedan EX-L w/ Navi/Honda Sense V6 (<10K miles) for around just over $26K OTD, or I can get a used 2015 TLX V6 Base w/ 32K miles for around $27K-$28K?

The TLX would be certified, so I believe I'd have another 21 months/18K miles left on the factory warranty, plus the extra 12 month/12K miles certified warranty for a total of 33 months/30K more miles left.

The Honda is not certified but it has 29 months/27.5K miles left on it's warranty.

I originally am trying to stick to a $25K budget and the Honda reallly does fit the bill at somewhere just north of $26K OTD. What are all of your impressions?

I actually really wanted a used RDX, but to fit the bill, I'd have to get a base 2WD 2014 model to get close to my budget....reason for the RDX is so I can put a hitch on for my 4-bike hitch rack. On the Accord/TLX, I may have to resort to getting another roof rack or put a smaller hitch on them (so ugly).

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Just a heads-up... you'll get a lot of love for the Accord in the Car Talk section.

That said, I'll pre-agree with those who post in favor of the Accord... especially in this situation. The Accord is newer and less expensive and more importantly, can likely be had close to your budget. I personally don't think the TLX would be worth stretching your budget for... but that's just my opinion...

00TL-P3.2

Another vote for the Accord. Also, on a budget, the 87 vs 91/93 fuel will save a few bucks a year. May be a little cheaper to insure as well

thoiboi

Accord > TLX

Saintor

Although I am reluctant to recommend a 2015 - TLX all the way.

Sorry but I was in a loaded 2017 Accord a few days ago and it just doesn't feel as luxurious as the TLX, Everything is nicer in the TLX.

You can also run the TLX on regular as I always do with zero issue.

SuperTrooper169

iTrader: (2)

Accord > TLX

IMO the Accord looks so much better than the TLX, but that's just IMO.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

I'd steer clear of a 15 TLX. If it was a 16, I would get it over an Accord.

thoiboi

fixed

00TL-P3.2

I'm sure you can, at the expense of reduced performance.

AZuser

OP is on a budget. What's the point of having/setting one if you're going to break it? If OP's going to break $25K budget, might as well just go for broke and get the RDX s/he wants.

One of the cons of having a budget means making sacrifices and getting less of something.

@gsrblack: I agree with juniorbean, stick to the Accord. Better yet, try to find a 2016 EX-L V6 Accord but without navi. That should save you at least $1,000 and keep you within budget.

Smartphone > Navi

Plus, reliable 6AT > crappy ZF

SamDoe1

Accord, every day and twice on Sunday. Looks better and comes with more features. You can retrofit the HID's into the Accord and be done with it.

00TL-P3.2

Or, find a set of Touring LEDs, should be a plug & play exercise, one would think.

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

I don't know why anyone would even consider a TLX Base compared to a loaded Accord...

GhostTL09

iTrader: (1)

Exactly, it's more should I spend more on the Acura than the Honda based on features because that's really what OP is asking. I wouldn't buy an accord because inside feels like an economy level interior even though it may possess more tech. I'd drive a base TLX before a loaded Accord because that's what I have to be happy in everyday. So how much does tech have on influencing your decision?

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

Accord...

thoiboi

There are some wiring harnesses you'd need as well i believe.

Saintor

Some people are just afraid to be afraid., Running on 87 makes you lose 10HP at 6400rpm or so. This is the same engine as in the Pilot 2016 spec'ed 280HP on regular instead of 290HP on premium. Big deal.

No matter how you slice it, the Accord is less of a nice car and the OP is used to a manual Acura, with more luxurious fit and finish.

And AFAIK the TLX has paddles, NOT the Accord, I use them every single day....

thoiboi

but your claim of "zero issues" was false.. -10 hp is AN issue..

dallison

Accord. Doesn't the tlx still have trans issues?

SamDoe1

I'm not sure if it is on the facelift ones...Pretty sure it was a direct swap for the pre facelift but not sure for after. In any case, the retrofit source makes a good kit to swap in HID's with the right projectors easily into the Accord housing so no big deal.

Have you been in a late model Accord? It's pretty much the same thing. The Acura is a little better but not to the point where I'd spend much more on one...and it's not just me as evidenced by sales figures.

I'm sorry you have to put yourself through that. The paddle shift on almost any non-high end sports car is atrocious, TLX is no exception.

No, that was a software fix that solved the issues. My Jeep has the same transmission.

Saintor

They work just fine. They feel very tight, unlike many others that had some looseness in them (Kia, Jaguar)..

thoiboi

The paddles feel fine?


How about the actual action of gear changes??

SamDoe1

IDGAF about the build quality of the paddle. Pulling one sends more of a suggestion than an order to the transmission to change gears. Ever driven a Porsche with a PDK or a M3 with the DCT or a Golf R with DSG? You pull the trigger and the gear changes immediately and without reservation. Pull the trigger on any Acura and it thinks about it for a while before deciding that it might be ok to change gears.

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

I genuinely don't think you've test driven a new Accord. Those things are nice, especially in the upper trim levels.

I was not impressed by the TLX's interior at all.

AZuser

I see it as the OP asking, "Is it really worth spending another $1,000 to $2,000 for an Acura badge?"

SamDoe1

fify and the answer is still no.

AZuser

Saintor

YES... And definitely a big plus for the TLX if OP has to let go his manual Acura.

DCT are overrated. Not surprised at all that Audi goes with a ZF 8HP in its 2018 S4.

As for my TLX, no matter the mode - even in Sport+, shifting using the paddles, true, there is always an annoying & programmed lag of 0.3 - 0.5s. before upshifting. I don't believe that the transmission is mechanically slow as its gear change is 150ms, a bit better than 200ms in my previous 3-series (DCT are in 50-80ms range, but who cares). However in my Bimmer there was no lag using the Steptronic - it was immediate. IMO, it is about programming.

oonowindoo

how did you know that we were gonna vote for the Accord?

oonowindoo

IMO, i would take the Accord due to much lower mileage, cheaper price, 1 year younger, more features and of course, the exhaust tips

Now if the TLX V6 base were the same price with similar mileage, even with less features but it has LED , i probably would take the TLX.

I am still a hatter but a reasonable hatter.

gsrblack

I got a bunch of pricing now and leaning towards the Accord. The 2014 RDX pricing is coming in around $28k OTD for Navi 2wd with 25k-35k miles. Best I can get the 2016 Accord is just north of $26k OTD for a sub 9k miles, 7 month old, EX-L Navi in gray/gray. But now I was able to find a 2016 Black/black Accord Touring with 21k miles that I think can get around the same price. Problem with the Touring for me is the mileage and the fact that the car is 12 months old already.

What do you all think is the more worthwhile choice? I plan on going in to inspect each one, but not sure which to push for. The black looks slick as it has the lip spoiler and LED headlights. The EX-L does have 19" as well, and I think those look better than the Touring.

Hmmm... Will see if I can get the price reduced more on the Touring....

​​​​

Saintor

Since ithe price is not a negligible issue, good luck with the Accord as they are the same car with different clothes/accessories, Having a newer car is also a point.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Told you!

Enjoy your new Accord


Had a hunch

00TL-P3.2

I vote Touring > EX-L
21k miles on a car that will easily do 100k+ is no big deal.

Good to have options, but for me, I'd go for the higher-spec trim.

SamDoe1

So basically just because it's attached to the TLX, the slower and more dimwitted shifting of the Acura is inherently better than the faster and more precise shifting of DCTs? You're right, part of it is programming, but the programming is bad. Remember, my Jeep has the same transmission.

Congrats, this is the dumbest thing I've read so far today.



You can probably bargain more on the EX-L too. I'd get that one since, if the EX-L has honda sensing, the only difference I think is the headlights right? There's not a whole lot of other things the touring offers over the EXL anymore.

00TL-P3.2

EX-L vs Touring

Wheels: 17 vs 19
Seats: Heated front vs heated front & rear
Headlights: Halogen Projector vs LED
Touring has spoiler & side sills stock
Touring has park sensors, auto high beam & auto wipers

Pretty minor stuff. Headlights, heated rear seats & the last line are the only big differences. Wheels, spoilers etc can be added.

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Get the Accord.

CCColtsicehockey

Touring accord in my opinion.

SamDoe1

Eh, those things are minor for me. Headlights are an easy add even though the LED ones look awesome and the heated rear seats don't do much for me since the only thing in the back of my car on most occasions is my dog. The park sensors and auto wipers might make it worth it though.

Saintor

Your reading skills suck.

Why do you think that the 2018 S4 will have a " slower and more dimwitted shifting" ZF again? The reason is that people enjoys a more smoother transmission than the clunky DCTs. I never dove a DSG / S-Tronic that I found butter-smooth.. Regular automatics are smoother and the "millisecond" pretext is irrelevant,, barely perceptible if any.

I owned two Accord EX-L. They are fine cars but you'll miss that chic factor of your old Acura.