I'm in search for a quality used car. Just had to put a 93 honda accord ex to rest with 250k on it. I drive a lot for my job. Need comfort, reliability, good mpg, and style. What is the best choice TL or TSX? I'm pretty hooked on the TL but thought I'd get some input.

 

Both are great cars. Depends on price range and what type of driver you are as well. What generation of TSX and TL are you to get?

 

I've had both and enjoyed each of them. The TSX gave me better MPG's, but that is to be expected since it is an I-4.

If given the choice between the two, I would choose the TL again. The power, room, and styling is great.

The only downside to the TL is that it has a few rattles but if the music is on slightly or the windows are down they are virtually silent.

What generation TSX and TL are you looking at?

 

I've owned 3 TL's, an RL and a TSX. What specifically would you like to know?

 

The tsx comes from japan, get that.

The tsx also uses premium fuel, and i think the tl doesn't.

 

OP: Welcome to Acurazine. Most of us in car talk have owned a TL/TSX/RL so we might be able to help. I'd say figure out the most important criteria and start from there.

 

If looking for a 2nd generation TL (99-03), make sure to do your homework on it's maintenance history.

 

The 3G and 4G TL require premium. Not sure of the others.

Welcome to AcuraZine OP.

 

Welcome to AZ, OP!
A few more details as noted above would be helpful. I have owned 2 TLs and an RL myself. If you are looking at new or close to new and want good mpgs, the TSX is your best bet, though a 3G TL (2004-2008) is not far behind with more refinement, and good looks to boot. Both are bulletproof on the reliability standpoint.

BTW, TSX also requires premium.

HTH!

 

Both are great cars. Depends on price range and what type of driver you are as well. What generation of TSX and TL are you to get?

I'm looking at 3rd gen for the TL 04-08. about the same year TSX I suppose.

 

From the research Ive done the TL seems like the superior car but also seems to be priced a little higher. I have to get pretty high miles to get the price where I want it. I'm not too concerned about high miles since its an acura. any thoughts?

 

 

Depending on how large you are...
I'm a fat 40+ guy, so the TL is a better fit for me.

The TL was an upgrade from our Accord. The TSX is a great vehicle, but if you're buying it used and going to spend over $20k why not get the TL?
BTW, right now is a terrible time to buy a used car. The market is in short supply and prices are high. Just looked and I couldn't find a used 3G TL in our area on Autotrader for comparison.

 

Id go with the TSX. If you do decide to go with the TL though, dont even consider the 99-03 TL, you will end up having to replace the transmission.

 

I just went through the same dilemma you are in right now. Deciding between the TL and TSX is not easy. I ended up with a 2008 TL.

This is what I found between the 2. There seems to be a ton of TL's on the market these days and not a lot of TSX's. People seem to be holding on to those. The TSX's that I did find was a bit less cared for. They did not drive as well.

The price tag on a well kept TSX is not a lot less than the TL if you look at the slightly higher miles.

Both cars use Premium. The TL calls for minimum of 91 Octane. Can't even find a gas station that sells 91 Octane. Therefore....both run on Premium.

The TSX does get better gas mileage than the TL, but not by much. I get 27-28 on mixed city and highway and 30-31 all highway. I may get more, but I drive at about 80 mph on the highway.

I liked the power and handling of the TL a lot more. Power is a no-brainer. It feels a lot more stable to me.

Styling is something that you need to decide on. Personally I liked aspects of both cars but I liked the TL more.

 

How much do you drive?

I would consider the higher mileage ones, but do not go too high.

 

I'd get the TL. Sounds like you might have your mind already made up.

 

i am a TL lover aswell! they are amazing cars very reliable great style and very comfortable! most importantly they turn heads

hope this helped!

 

Depending on what mileage you buy, the tl may need a timing belt replacement where the tsp has a timing chain and doesn't need to be replaced.

 

The TL has a lot going for it- I had the same dilemma 5 years ago too.

After almost 5 years of driving my TL, I like the following features that the TSX doesn't have:

+ nicer and more logical location for controls on sunroof
+ nicer sound system
+ rear vents
+ nicer storage compartments in door & better console design
+ much better performance and similar highway mileage
+ struts in engine compartment
+ nicer stock wheels- I hated the stock 06 TSX rims and would have needed an upgrade
+ a lot of the same parts as our Honda Pilot- makes things easy for stocking up on oil filters
+ more active forum here it would appear


The big negative for some people might be the city gas mileage in which I usually get about 19mpg .vs. the 24 or so for a TSX. On the highway, I will get 30mpg going 80mph though.

The other negative for some would be the lack of a folding seat- I haven't missed that much and use the access port in many situations- can even seat 4 with the port option which is better for my needs.

 

Get the TL. I had mine for four years. That car was a keeper. I just banked on getting something new.

 

Amen preacher... 3 trannies and crappy paint on a brand new 2003 TL... American made cars suck.

 

I've always thought of the TSX as somewhat of a baby TL.

 

I was in the same postion and decided to get a tl 04 since I fell in love with the interior I guess u gotta see both cars in person ,inside and outside

 

If you are talking about a 3G TL, then the TL for sure. It's just substantially more car for a little price difference.

 

The tranny is made in Japan.

 

First statement is true, second is false. All Acuras recommend premium except the RDX which requires premium.

They are both great cars but the TSX is not a small TL or an inexpensive TL. They are very different cars with different personalities. Personally I'd rock the TSX as it is a much more nimble car.

My advice is get yourself some seat time in both and see which one you like better. That is unless you are buying the car for me as an early birthday present in which case get a 06 TSX 6MT, red with a black interior please.

 

^^^
Not sure if you're statement is true.

The inside of the gas door (as well as the owners manual, IIRC) on my 06 TSX state 'Premium fuel only'

 

been running regular for over 2yrs with my 2004 TSX, no issues

Get the TSX, the lowest mileage one possible, it will last forever.

 

Both are great cars! The TL is a slightly more "grown up" version of the TSX but it's still nice and sporty when you want it to be. As others have mentioned, it's interior is a bit nicer and it has the power of a V-6.

In the city, the TSX will get better MPG than the TL in the city however if you drive on the highway, the TL wins hands down. I've had both and the TL can get 32-33MPG easily on the highway, and up to 35 if you use the cruise control @74-75MPH. The TSX however will be reving a bit higher and will be consuming more fuel and it'll get about 30MPG.

If you are getting a TL, beware that it requires a timing belt service every 105K miles vs. the TSX that has a timing chain! Also were you looking for a 6spd manual transmission or Auto?

 

Pretty sure the owners manual says you can get away with lower octane. 91 and up is not widely available in some areas. When I was last in Montana, regular was 84 and premium was 89, the only place you could get over 91 was a Sunoco station and there weren't many of them.

 

go with the tsx if gas milage is any concern. 30mpg in the tsx is effortless, you have to hypermile the tl or drive VERY conservatively to see anything like that.

not to mention a hondata reflash for the tsx will get you close to TL acceleration with an increase in MPG's

 

Plenty of 3G TL owners get 30+MPG without driving too conservatively

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...light=post+mpg

I would rather get a low mileage TSX opposed to a high mileage TL but if you can pull the TL, then do it!

 

I'll say it again, they are both good reliable cars.


Drive them both and see which you like better.

 

^^Exactly...

I bought my TSX 3 years ago for 10.5k from a dealer and I don't regret my decision. I was looking for either a TL or TSX when I was shopping for a car as well but the TL was out of my price range (and if I did find one in my price range, it was beat up). As all have said, both are great cars. Which ever one you get, I'm sure you will not be disappointed. Good luck.

And...

TSX FTW!