So you're getting a TL for sure now, right?

 

I'm about 90% sure.

 

civic is a just another compact car. very very overrated.

i drive my GF's civic every day, and we get 23/31mpg. i drove none stop highway cruise maryland to north carolina and i only got 31 mpg. no AC on 65mph cruise all the way with no traffic. 30/40 my ass.

highly highly overrated car just because of it's new design. mazda 3 is better in every way IMO.

on top of that, radio is a junk, and build quality is so-so. i have located at least 5 mis aligned panels both interior and exterior.


so whoever compares civic and tsx is just wrong.

 

Especially under Hondas strict build quality rules. The TL is built just as good as the TSX.

 

I was hard into getting a IS250/350 but after adding the options it was 10k more than a TL. Once I drove the TL, it was well worth the money. I also drove the TSX and couldn't stand the buzzy high reving 4 banger in a so called attempt at a luxury car. Sorry no luxury car will I pay 28k for is gonna have a 4 banger. I rather buy a civic as some have said.

 

Damn Damn Damn with the TL haters. Your TSX is not all that!! Get off your high chair. I know your a Mod but please stop with this bs in every damn thread.

The TL and TSX IMHO handle about the same with the TL feeling slightly heavier. You have not felt a good handling car tilll you drive a 350z or G35 like I use to have and been on a track! I use to race my G35 on a track and decided to retire from that hobby right now and got a good handling daily driver. The TL was perfect in power/handling/luxury over all the other cars I drove including a close call with the IS350.

 

You know what is funny? I have been around TSX forum for a good two years almost, but I don't recall I ever encounter a "TL hater" on the forum. Some of the TSX owner consider upgrade to TL some time in the future; some just prefer TSX more than TL. But I never seen any post deliberately belittle TL.

This is actually the first time I saw the term "TL hater" being used on this Acurazine, by an TL owner. I just think it is funny.

 

Well, read this whole topic like I did and you will see plenty of hate on the TL. And I have been part of Acurazine since 2001.

 

Really?? What was your screen name before June 2006?

 

People are now jumping on the bandwagon saying TSX is bad in handling based on one C&D test result.

 

could not deal with less power. TL all the way

 

SilverBulletCLS

 

I used to race cars and have driven everything ranging from Porsches to Ferraris to Lamborghinis. Somehow, I think I know what a solid handling car feels like. And the TL is not a poor handling car, the TSX is just a better handling one.

 

I use to race cars as well on a track. So I also know what a better handling one is. Just a few pics from early June 06'.

The TL handles very good. I drove the TSX it was slightly more response due to weight but thats it. Both handle near the same. But of course both don't come near how my G35 handled. I also never said the TL handled better than the TSX. I even said the TSX is slightly lighter and does feel better in the handling but its not a remarkable or that noticeable of a difference.

 

Come on, go spend some time reading articles (if you havn't already) and tell me that the TSX hasn't been getting more positive press than the TL. I love the TL, I might get one for my next car, I think it's a great car. But the comparisons and articles seem to favor the TSX much more when competition is compared to each car. Car and driver picked the tsx or the TL for best sports sedan, didn't it? People say TSX owners are proud and cocky, well we somewhat are. We rose above the A4, 325, C-class hype and stumbled upon a real winner. But we are still underdogs of the car world (like most Acura's) and we spend a lot of time defending ourselves because of that.

TL owers= Our cars are more expensive and more powerful than the TSX
325 owners= we are the benchmark for 300 years
Audi= Just look at out interiors
C-class= It's a Benz

We havn't had all that time and prestige to prove our cars worth. We have to do it ourselves. It's not a attitude problem, its just that we want people to understand that just because a car doesn't have 6 cylindars and doesn't costs $35,000 doesn't mean it's a bad car.

 

both car have their own pros and cons.. tsx exterior looks better for me, the handling is also better.. TL has awesome interior design and engine.. TL exterior isnt ugly at all, in fact, it looks beautiful. but tsx suits me better with its better handling, fun to drive, and have some more money to spend for mods.. you cant compare 2 cars that arent equal in prices.. more expensive cars tend to have better features.. if u want a car with superb handling and engine, just buy sport coupe like 350z, a porsche.. thats all i can say..

 

Pimpin-tl, do you still have the G35 and is that your G35 in that pic? If so, that G35 looks more badass than the white TL in your avatar.

 

TL for me....

 

I've driven the TSX for years and the TL for months, and there was a noticeable amount of tossable factor for the TSX compared to the TL. The TL, however was more comfortable, driver friendly, and quick. Therefore this discussion only boils down to personal preference, not what is more superior/inferior.

If you don't mind the I4 and the high revvs (like all Honda/Acuras), buy the TSX.
If you need a lot of interior space and a larger car in general, buy the TL.

 

Yea that was my G35. Sold it to a guy who wanted it. Offered me over what the BB was on it so I let it go. I have a torn rotator cuff so driving a standard was getting to me. I plan to eventually buy a toy car for my racing habit but for now I am taking a LOA from it.

 

Interesting thread. Starting about two years ago I narrowed my car shopping choices down to the Acura TL or TSX. I had NEVER owned any sort of Honda or Acura automobile in the past. I have, however, owned a few of their bikes. Its interesting to me to see how some people generally feel one is noticeably better than the other. I spent close to six months driving each car several times and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of each. After several test drives in each my decision was not becoming any easier. I found the TSX to be somewhat more nimble than the TL. This is NOT to say the TL was an ill handler. In fact I found both cars to have numerous handling characteristics similar to each other. The TSX obviously had less torque steer and felt a tad lighter on its feet. It was certainly enjoyable to toss it around a corner at speed. Surprisingly, it over-steered at the limit. The TL, with it's ample power, was more enjoyable in such handling situations as sweeping bends and spirited commuting. A more noticeable difference between the two were the powertrains. I found myself working the shifter much more in the TSX to keep it at speed during spirited driving. Not a bad thing since it was joy to use the clutch and shifter. The TL had much more torque and I found myself leaving it in third gear for much of the city driving. In both cars the level of refinement in regards to the powertrains was exemplary.

Exterior wise, I preferred the looks of the TSX slightly more than the TL, as was the case with the interior. The TL certainly rode better and was much more comfortable for my 6'4". In the end both cars certainly reaffirmed my belief that a Honda product was the way to go. And after six months I still couldn't make up my mind. In the end I found both cars extremely enjoyable and couldn't decide which was the clear winner. It seemed to me that each car exhibited slightly different characteristics for individual drivers with particular interests. I was very impressed.

So which did I purchase? Neither. In the end my emotions and dollars fell in favour of an 05' Accord coupe six speed. And not surprisingly, I find it shares many of the virtues of it's TSX and TL siblings. Is it a better car? Probably not? Is it worse? Certainly not. It is a car, however, that best suited my interests and wants. Much like the excellent TSX and TL products.

Terry

 

 

100%. There's a reason why the TSX is cheaper. To truely compare the TL and the TSX, you have to compare the bang for the money. Both are great cars but sometimes it is hard to justify the $5k increase for a TL.

Now...for the OP dilemma. Since the OP stated he can get either car for around the same price, I have to say the TL maybe a better choice. In addition, Acura added alot of improvements to the TSX in '05 and '06 so the '04 TSX is not a really wise choice. On the other hand, many '04 TL reported quality issues such as rattles and interior fading. Of course, the '04 TSX also has some first model year bugs. In the end, '04 TL > '04 TSX if same price. There's really no point in arguing on it.

If we are comparing '06 TSX and TL, then that's an entirely different thread.

 

so explain to me how having borrowed your friend's dad's lambo/porsche/ferrari gives you credibility?

racing cars? rofl... this I have to hear about. all those drag strip runs or parking lot autox w/end warrior bullsh*t must've really given you that top notch automotive experience.

"Somehow, I think" your judgement is more based upon a bias in owning a TSX than any legitimate collection of sensory data (i.e. you don't know WTF you're talking about)

try not to brag about having driven fancy cars because nobody gives a fu** and you don't fool anyone but yourself.

next time just state your opinion as a lay man's opinion as opposed to an expert. you'll spare yourself the embarassment and humiliation I've just dealt you.

 

plus TL>TSX ...

it's nice to have the extra space and it's a fun car to drive.

doesn't really take anything away from the TSX but I think the TSX is too small in stature and doesn't have as looming of a presence as the TL.

 

That's a bit of a blanket, don't you think? I prefer the small, tight package that is the TSX. In fact, the size of the TL was a main deterant to me. You can't say a car is better because it is bigger. And although i've never driven a TL, i've read many reports on how fun the TSX is to drive and read many reports about how the TL is a bit soft for many people.

 

civic, a little harsh? Quite a contrast from your well thought out arguments in R&P.

All he said was he can tell a good handling car from a bad one. And that was after someone stated he "You have not felt a good handling car tilll you drive a 350z or G35 like I use to have and been on a track!"

Lets not turn this into a shit throwing contest.

 

Not everyone likes to drive a boat. Not saying the TL is a boat, but in general a big car is not neccesarily a better car.

 

You don't know shit about politics and you don't know shit about cars and you sure as hell don't know shit about me. Call it a day before you get in too deep.

 

all the statements I made are merely my opinions about the cars.

i'm sure the TSX is fun to drive but the roominess is a plus in my book.

 

Doesn't Acurazine get sick of these pointless TSX vs TL threads .. IMO most people bought the TSX because it was a good solid 4cyl sporty luxury car. I don't think any TSX owner would think their car is fast. Most people bought the TL because its a nice luxury sport sedan. The TL is far from a boat it's actually more cramped inside than the 2nd Gen TL. The TSX handles better but its far from night and day in handling, it only handles better because its smaller and seriously you can buy a set of springs cheap to fix any handling issues. When you consider each car you have to think about your own personal needs, me personally I wouldn't buy the TSX because of the lack of power and the price. IMO you don't get your money's worth, you can get a nice Legacy GT or V6 Accord for the price of the TSX. Did I enjoy driving the TSX as a loaner, most definately but wanted my TL back real quick. Both look practically the same so to say the TL is ugly compared to the TSX is ridiculous. OK rant over.. you may continue with this weekly pointless arguement.

 

I personally thought the handling in the TSX was night and day difference compared to the TL.

Even handled better than my modded 2gen TLS.

 

stop posting in this bloody thread, a few of you sound like stupid kids (clear to everyone posting in a civil way). Both TSX and TL are nice cars, and different aspects of each appeal to different people. Both are good cars, end of story.

 

ban the OP!

 

This thread is still alive?

 

yes

 

Adding springs to the TL does not = TSX handling. Even if you shave off a couple hundred pounds, and somehow balanced out the heavier front end, you still arent there. The dynamics are very different.

at this thread

 

agreed. I think we are going in circles at this point.