Neither.

I learned the hard way (i.e., actual purchase of vehicle) that a highly reliable car does not correlate to less stress over 'minor issues', such as rattles, vibrations, engine noise and tint issues.

 

What does the truth hurt? Go drive the new four door civic then drive the TSX. They feel the same to me.

TL owner threatened by a TSX that's a good one.

 

If I had that choice it would be the TL straight up

I guess it matters what kind of driver you are but the world isn't my grand prix I don't need extra special handling to make it into my driveway. TL's are more luxurious and I could care less where they are built as if an ohio built car could in no way outlive a japan built car

TL=Luxury, performance
TSX=Good if you want to gut an acura and make a nice race car, High school kid car

Not shitting on the TSX owners because it is a nice car, don't get me wrong, but when compared to the TL the TL looks and feels more like a grown up car. Kinda like the RSX is a kids car too. But hey to each his own.


Then again i would get the new lexus IS over both of these.

 

TL > is250 > TSX

if you don't take the TL, Take the is250 for about the same price as TSX and you get RWD

 

Wow, too much TSX hate here.

 

I say the TSX > TL if you can deal with the power loss and want better handling.

I test drove both back in 04 and decided on the TSX because of the handling was so much better on the TSX.

 

Since I am not a car or racing buff can someone explain this handling thing to me?

Are you guys racing the car? Can TL's not maneuver well enough in a car chase? I just want to know. When I think of handling I think of a race car or a get away car or something in those terms. Now I know there is a difference between lets say an SUV and a TL but I have driven both a TL and a TSX and maybe I wasn't doing the right maneuvers but I couldn't really tell that big of a difference.

I say if you want it for racing I can understand the handling but for everyday smucks who drive normally are they that serious? I guess it matters for what they are used for.

 

Plain ignorance. I've driven the CSX (Glorified vew Civic with more power) several times and it doesn't hold a candle to the TSX. You honestly have no idea what your talking about.

Sure the TL is nicer, it also more expensive. Maybe your not threatened, but it does seem to bother you that several people have the audacity to choose a Civic over a TL.

 

Well, for what it's worth, I'm not a kid and I certainly could have purchased a TL (and did test drive it), but opted for a TSX. Actually, my final two were the TSX and Legacy GT Limited. Here's what I found:

TSX: Best handling, best interior feel (I love the narrow seats 'cause I'm thin and don't like to rattle around in big seats), best interior layout, best price; worst power was the only drawback for me (though that isn't insignificant)

Legacy GT: Best power (lots of fun to punch it); uncomfortable seats, didn't like the interior quality and layout, worst stereo, looks kind of blah, less brand appeal (not a huge issue for me, given that I drove an Olds Intrigue for the past six years)

TL: Kind of in the middle for everything important (power, interior setup and fit, looks), best stereo; worst handling/torque steer, drove "bigger" (I even said so out loud in the test drive), most expensive

I was actually very surprised that I didn't like the TL more. I fully expected it to be the best of the three, and I've wanted a TL since 1999 when I bought my last car. There are times when I'm missing the power and wonder if I should have gotten the Legacy GT. Then I remembered that most of my driving is stop-and-go commute with no highway, and it just didn't "feel right" in the interior.

 

In everyday driving there isn't much of a difference. But many people prefer the TSX's nimble more direct handling. Its also a harsher ride comapred to the TL's. Let's face it, most people (not all) take the TSX over a TL on cost alone, But to the call the TSX a Civic or highscool kids car is plain stupid. The only logical reason I can think of for doing so is ignorance or snob factor.

Maybe its because most can't afford 40K cars up here but rarely if ever do I see kids driving the TSX.

 

And pay a buttload more for a mediocre attempt at a sport sedan? Seems like a losing proposition to me unless you have to have the Lexus badge. The 250 is not worth the money.

 

I don't understand the fasination with the IS250. Its cramped, expensive and doesn't really perfrom any better than a TSX (acceleration wise). Sure its RWD and looks great, but the default "get an IS250 over a TSX" response makes no sense to me.

Too each their own.

 

Thats total BS. My guess is you've never driven a TSX in your life, cuz it feels nothing like a civic. And why would it?

I remember a TOV video review year back where they couldnt beleive how much better the TSX handled and FELT compared to the TL. It was just " a more fun car" in their opinion.

So if you need the extra straight line power then go with the TL, but otherwise the TSX seems to be the better choice.


Well, its possible. Some TL owners might feel like they wasted the extra 5K.

 

1.) The TL steering feel is numb and uninspiring. It doesn't provide the excellent communication of what the wheels are doing like the TSX does.

2.) The TL carries a fair amount more weight and it is felt in quick transitions. The car takes longer to set into its suspension when making hard cornering maneuvers because of the extra weight.

3.) The TL has "torque steer" (real or imaginary because of the LSD is still debatable) which can amplify the difficulty of certain maneuvers in the car because you have to fight the wheel a little more. The TSX does not suffer from this problem and allows one to stay on the throttle much more during hard cornering maneuvers.

The TSX is a better handling car not only based on its mechanical grip available, but also because of the steering response, steering feel, and overall transitional behavior.

 

I just had a thought that just a couple of yrs ago back in 2000, no one would ask

Integra sedan vs. TL.

 

Let's look back to '97, though. The Integra GS-R sedan vs. the 1st gen TL.

 

i dont think that really answered his question.

 

In this situation, if both the TL and the TSX are for the same price, he's better off with a TL. If you look at the "whole package" the TL is better simply because it is the higher model.

We technically cant compare the 2 cars. It would be like comparing a A4 with an A6 or a 3 with a 5, C vs E, IS vs GS, whatever you name it. The TL and TSX aren't even in the same class of cars! Therefore if the TL and TSX would cost the same, the TL would be more of a bargain, you get a higher model car for the same price.

Now, we can all agree the TSX handles better than the TL. And we can also agree that the TL is more powerful than the TSX.

But I think it would be easier to make the TL handle just as well as the TSX than it is to make a TSX pump out an extra 70 ponies.

TL: Suspensions (1300$), sways and strut bars (500) and grippier tires (1000$), so let say 3000$

TSX: Lets just supercharge it. 4400$. Then we can still argue if the TSX is just as powerful as the TL.

With the 1400$ difference, you can get intake,pulley and exhaust for the TL.

My point: if both TSX and TL are for the same price like in this situation, go for the TL.

 

Sure it was. Maybe too technical an answer for what JJ was after but fact is some people will appreciate and notice the TSX's handling advantage on a daily basis. Not all but some will and these are usually the people who take a TSX over a TL regardless of cost.

 

Its not just about numbers though, its about feeling. The better handling in the TSX translates to a different feeling. i.e. lighters, more nimble, balanced. The TL feels heavy, and pushes harder in turns. SOME people might find it a more engaging and fun drive the TSX. But others, may be completely turned off by a lack of power. To them, the more engaging drive will be the TL.

I guess there is no right and wrong answer, as everyone will have their prefs.

 

I guess so. Still, I would buy a TL over a TSX unless gas jumped to 5 dollars a gallon.

 

Hey, looks like a TL handles better than a TSX according to Car and Driver. I'm trying to find more tests done by other magazines, see if the results are consistant. Keep you guys posted,

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...-acura-tl.html

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...acura-tsx.html

 

I don't presume to tell JJ what he should or should not enjoy more. I wanted to give him an empirical breakdown of the differences between the TSX and TL. Everyone has different preferences and will enjoy a different type of driving so based on that information, he can determine which he feels is more in line with the type of driving he wants to do.

I personally have a great commute, when I choose to drive, through the winding backroads that run through Rock Creek Park in DC. The handling balance, quick reactions, and nimble feel of the TSX are perfect for me. These are roads where power is wasted because there just isn't enough room for big hp to take any kind of advantage. To me, this is the ideal drive.

I don't believe for a moment that I will able to keep up with higher hp cars on the open highway, but here, the TSX is in its element. I have easily kept up with much more powerful cars in these sections of road because I can carry more speed on corner entry and exit. If there were more straight sections, the higher hp cars could pull away from me, but the tight snaking corners allow the TSX to really demonstrate what is was intended for.

 

around here thats what you will see the most is high school or women driving them. I don't think it is a civic and it wasn't really a put down but the same way people call a miata a "gay" car is how I think of the TSX and RSX as a high school kids car. Just an observation no disrespect meant and yes I know how that can be taken as ignorant and stupid

 

the TSX is alot easier to mod than the TL. People might take that into consideration too.

 

Different test days, different test conditions, different results. Barely adequate reference, but hardly conclusive. And again, high mechanical grip doesn't always result in a good "handling" car because handling is more than just grip. I'm sure every single editor at C&D would agree with me there. Plus, there is a reason why a car like the TSX continues to win the hearts and minds of the automotive press while the TL seems to wallow in press purgatory.

 

Look at post #60. You should give Sept's C&D and R&T a read. There is more to handling than numbers alone.

 

I would think the GS-R sedan would win that preference back in 97.

 

Since the mods think I am trash talking, I am only going to make 1 post here to sum up my OPINION, then I will not post again. I think I may type a disclaimer at the bottom so I don't offend anyone.

I don't understand the need for comparing the TSX vs a TL or even a TSX vs a G35c. They are each different cars, geared to different people with different needs/wants, each with different strengths/weaknesses, in very different price ranges, with different upkeep costs. People should know what they are looking for in a car LONG BEFORE they go out and drive one.

Michiamo: Drive both and see which one suits your needs. If the payments will be around the same, why not get the TL? Get your moneys worth sir.

------The preceding text represents the thoughts and opinions of Tallycl-s and is not intended to be mailicious or demeaning to any uber-sensitive members or mods.------

 

Yup, my point exactly. A 6-cylinder engine and "luxury" interior do not always make a "better" car. By no means was the TL a bad car, but it was definitely geared at a different audience. While the cars have improved, their audiences are still different enough that the sales do not overlap significantly.

 

Wow, you are just an idiot. Just because I don’t agree with you my opinion is in your words “plain ignorance” and that “I have no idea what I am talking about.”

No it does not bother me. I made a statements that in my opinion that the civic and TSX felt the same to me.

Then you had to open your big mouth and call me a snob and that I was threatened by the TSX.

I once again reiterated that the Civic and TSX felt the same to me. Then some where in that tiny little brain of yours you came up with the whole “I am bothered that several people have the audacity to choose a Civic over a TL.”

I think that you are the one that is all bothered. I compared your car to a Civic and you don’t know how to handle it.

 

Why would I handle such an idiotic comment/opinion well? You clearly have no clue what you are talking about saying the TSX feels like a Civic. I'm confident that 98% of people who have actually driven both would back me up on that.

I have no problem admitting the TL is a superior vehicle but I have a huge problem with stupid opinions/comments, such as yours. And ignorance wasn't really meant as an insult, I truly believe you don't have the knowledge required to back up your Civic claims and are simply talking out of your ass for the sake of it, sorry.

If I did offend you, I apologize, I really didn't intend it.

 

I think you need to tone it down a notch. You're really not helping your case.

 

 

To pull page from the annulls of the TSX bashing, you do realize your TL is just a glorified Accord, right?

 

I drove my buddies IS250awd last night. (ryans who had the TSX).

It is cramped but the interior does feel much nicer than the tsx. The leather quality and most of the materials feels nice to the touch. It really is a better lux car than the TSX.

BUT

TSX was def more fun to drive and handled better. IMO

Isnt the TSX still 4k cheaper though?

 

Closer to $7k with comparable levels of equipment and based off of MSRP.

 

Your not to first to say that about the handling vs the TSX. I've never driven an IS so I can't comment.

I've sat in a few and ya the interior was great, but there's no space. Not sure what the price diff in the US is but 4k sounds about right.

I can understand why someone would pick an IS over a TSX but I just don't undertsand the IS slamdunk comments. They are very closely matched.

 

I checked out the IS250 but chose the TSX over it.

Price and interior layout really stood out. On the more subjective side, the TSX felt better and looked better.

 

Thanx I needed a laugh!