So I am 80% sure my next car will be a used Acura TL or TSX, but I am not entirely sure which one to get because I am unsure of what will best suit me. I am a current college student that commutes around 20-30 miles a day and will want to make that daily commute enjoyable. I want to know what would be the most enjoyable and efficient purchase. Can someone also please tell me the engine life in these cars? I know they are suppose to last a while, but I need to know how many miles it'll last before it needs to be rebuilt. Any other info about what to look out for in buying the used cars will be appreciated, Thank you in advance!

Car budget: 12K
Gas Budget: $60 a week.

3rd Gen TL base, A-Spec, or TL-S
or
1st Gen TSX

 

Also a college student with a similar commute. I've had a 06 TL w/Nav for the past 3 years and it's been an awesome car. I've had no issues with it, just rolled over 128,000 miles today. Gas is a little pricey (~$50 a week), and parking isn't always the easiest but I'm glad I got the more larger & more thirsty TL over the TSX, although I would have taken either when I was searching (both cars were hard to find in my area at the time.)

I really don't think you could go wrong with either, and although I do love my car, if I could go back and get a TL-S I would

 

Between those 2, I'd look for a late model 1G TSX with a 6MT.

 

The TSX would be perfect for you. The K24A2 4-cylinder will give you great gas mileage and the 6MT along with it will provide for a fun drive. You would enjoy your commute and not spend anywhere near $60 a week in gas, even as both the TSX and TL require premium.

You can find an '04 with nav for pretty cheap. If you can find an '05 you could have XM radio, and an '06 would have an aux input as well as Bluetooth.

 

1st gen TSX.

 

If you spend most of your commute on the highway, the fuel difference might be closer than you think. The TL gets pretty decent highway MPG.

And as long as you don't get an example that's been abused, there's no reason to worry about rebuilding either engine. If anything, the TSX is preferable since you don't have to worry about a timing belt. And it'll probably be more fun since it's a little more tossable.

So I vote TSX.

 

The 1G TSX 6M is more responsive and feels lighter than the 3G TL 5A (see my sig ), so it's probably more fun as a daily driver. I'd be driving a 6M TSX today if the wife hadn't asked for an auto-trans car.

Note/warning: the auto-trans TSX felt slower and much less responsive than the 6M TSX.

G/L, and welcome to AZ.

 

It's amazing how little $12K gets these days.

The 1G TSX is probably the best car for you given your requirements. It still looks good, gets good fuel economy, isn't a total dud to drive.

 

TSX

Both are great picks, my TL gave me no issues through college, but having something a bit smaller and more economical would have been nice.

 

Well then I think I might just settle for a TSX, it is cheaper and better gas mileage, that just means more money for mods!!! Thank you everyone, all the answers are greatly appreciated.

 

Post some pics here when you pick it up.

Get a clean one.

 

Try to get a 6MT!

 

The TSX actually gets the same gas mileage as a TL