need opinions from both TSX owners and TL owners.....I know there's a big difference between the two....just want owner's pros and cons....I am considering either a 6MT TSX or an auto/6MT TL.....traded my 01 TL for a 03 G35 coupe 6MT and I've decided to go back to Acura.....kinda lookin at the TSX due to gas prices and such....will be going with 04-05 preowned

pros and cons??

does the 6MT TSX have even close to comparable power/acceleration as the TL?

does the TSX (being Japan-built) have the little BS rattle/interior issues like the US built TLs?

any other info you as owners may provide me would be helpful and much appreciated.....looking forward to returning to the acura family (even tho I never really left since my girl still drives an 01 CL)

 

If you go w/ the TSX. I'm pretty sure you'll miss the power of the G35c ... a lot. It's a solid little car though. Fun to drive and throw around the corners. Extremely light feel on the steering and chassis.

I find the TL to just be that much more upscale and luxurious feeling however... even w/ the rattles.

 

The TSX is built in Japan. That's all you really need to know.

 

I would keep the G35 coupe...

You will miss the power even if you end up with the TL.

 

TL all the way. The TL has nice power and handles good. My boy has a TL and I'm in that thing everyday and never heard it rattle. The TSX is a mini TL with no power but the interior is nice as hell and handles great.

 

I have a TSX, my gf has a TL. The TL does have a little more luxurious feel in the interior and the stock exterior look is better than the stock exterior look of the TSX, but drivingwise, I have more fun in my TSX. You just don't feel the road as well as you do with the TSX. Granted, its not that fast in a straightaway, but its seriously not that much difference IMO. And if you're looking for a straightline car, you might as well keep your G35 coupe or go with a G35 sedan. Not only is the TSX more fun to drive, but you'll have $5000 to spend on modifications I upgraded my suspension, got aftermarket wheels and got the OEM Kit. The total was still under $4000.

I suggest just taking test drives of both cars and see what you really want. More luxury or more handling.

Summary:

Stock looks go to TL
Mod looks go to TSX
Speed goes to TL
Handling goes to TSX
Interior goes to TL by a little bit.

 

:ibScrib:

 

thanks for all the feedback guys.....that's great....

not sure what this one meant tho...

 

Scrib traded in his G35c 6mt for an auto TSX... and I don't think he had to spend any money out of pocket because of the great resale value of the G35c.

Since you're in TX, I'm wondering why you would switch from RWD, to FWD, it's not like you have to deal with snow or anything. Just curious why you're thinking of going back to an Acura?? What don't you like about the G ??

I'm thinking my next car will be RWD (G35, BMW, Mustang, Lexus IS, etc)....

 

g35 coupe > acura.*

unless of course you need four doors

 

The TSX isn't exactly slow but if accelration is a priority, the TL is a better match for you.

There have been a number of different rattles but most have fixes now and many members have never had a single rattle.

 

i know the G35 is the greater performance machine, but I need a more luxury-type daily driver-friendly car, and the G is not it. I love the G35 and would keep it too if I could, it will probably be the nicest "sportscar" I will ever have owned, but it's just not practical....rear drive and front drive are only a factor in racing-type performance situations, not in everyday driving IMO....at least not the way I drive....I realize I don't need the most powerful vehicle out there either, just enough balls if you need em....and if I lightly mod the TSX (I,H,E), then I think that may satisfy my needs/wants....this time i will indeed test drive the sh*t out of both of them before I decide.....

thanks again to everyone for the input...

 

I was in a similar situation when I was shopping for a new car. I drove the TL, G35, 325i, and many others before deciding on the TSX. Both the TL and the G35 were quite a bit faster and bigger, but with that bigger size was a compromise in handling. The 325i and the TSX both handled better than the TL and G35 and had more than enough power to get around town.

The TSX won over the 325i because it had more features for less money, plus the reliability Honda is known for.

If you're planning on modding a TSX, definintely start with a CAI and look at getting the Hondata reflash when it's available for the 05's. The 04 reflash is putting out +29hp and +26lb ft at 6000 rpm.

There's a great article on tuning the TSX on Hondata's website: http://www.hondata.com/tuning_the_tsx.html

 

between the 2, get the TL, but if you have a G35, keep it

 

But you shopped 03 TL's right?

 

what you mean "That's all you really need to know" ???

 

you will sorely miss the power, and only power, of G35 and TL if you go with TSX

 

I didn't really consider the 03's, I was mostly interested in the 04's. It was October 03 and my dealer just got in the first shipment of 04 TLs. I drove a TL and TSX back to back then left a deposit for the TSX and picked it up a week later.

 

There is a significant difference in power and acceleration between the TSX and TL. However, the TSX feels nimbler. Some TSX owners have complained of rattles/buzzing/creaking so it may be an issue in both (although your chances of being noise free are better in the TSX). Best option, as others have stated, is to go to the dealership and just test drive them to see which one is a better fit for you.

 

Most people summed it up pretty good...

I went from a 6mt G35 coupe to a 5AT TSX. Reasons were many, but I am 110% happy with the decision.

I miss the power, but it's not that big of a deal. The TSX is very comfortable, gets great gas mileage and is built very well. I would have gotten the TL, but I was sick and tired of spending money on cars and with the high resale of the G35, it made the choice pretty easy.

 

My bad, I had thought you picked up the TSX in April-May of 03 when the 04 TL's weren't out yet.

 

 

Are people using the hondata flash without any mods?

 

I'm sure some are, why?

 

I believe so. Although, the reflash was optimized for MT, with Comptech Icebox and headers.

 

What do you mean by that? There's two entirely different re-flashes for each tranny.

 

I didn't know that. I thought it was one reflash, with the v-tech engagement point selected based on MT gear ratios to keep you at v-tech when upshifting. My bad.

 

I went back and reread the Hondata thread in the TSX community. There are 2 different reflashes, one for MT and one for AT. Sorry for causing confusion.

jlukja, who is a

 

My take on the above is as follows:

- Stock looks go to TSX
- Mod looks go to TSX
- Acceleration goes to TL
- Handling goes to TSX
- Interior goes to TSX (I don't like the instrument panel in the TL)

When I had the TL as a loaner, I took it to Palm Springs. I didn't enjoy the drive at all. Must've been the freaking slushbox. I'm sure if it was a 6MT, the driving experience would've been different.

 

You said it this time

And I don't think the re-flashes are entirely different just different where the tranny is involved I'd guess.

 

You think that just because a car is built in Japan it has better quality? The TL is a fine built car, and the parts are the same no matter what country its made in. The cars are all built on assembly lines with high QC standards and barely get touched by people. The design and engineering is Japanese and thats what counts. I bet you cant wait until Ford moves their plants to Japan so you can stock up on Focuses.