Buying a used 2015 TLX Tech SH-AWD
05-09-2019, 04:08 PM
#1
Buying a used 2015 TLX Tech SH-AWD
I'm looking to buy my first car and I'm currently looking at a 2015 TLX Tech SH-AWD, but I've heard of many issues with the transmission, ATF warmer, vibrations, and others. What are the chances that the car I purchase will have one? I plan on doing a test drive but I feel like the transmission issues might not show and I'm wondering how the long-term reliability is on this car. Even if the car does have some problems is it still as expensive as a german luxury car?
05-09-2019, 05:12 PM
#2
6 Forward 1 Back
I think the consensus is if you have a choice look for at least 2016+ models. I wouldn't say it's as expensive to fix as german luxury cars, but you have a chance to avoid dealing with issues by skipping the first year models (2015).
05-09-2019, 05:16 PM
#3
Sadly there’s no 2016s for sale anywhere near me, and the ones that are sadly are way out of my budget. How much worse is the 2015? Just bad transmission shifts and faulty ATF warmer? I plan on test driving to see how much the transmission will bother me and will replacing the ATF warmer be a lot?
05-09-2019, 05:41 PM
#4
Suzuka Master
I would avoid any 15 V6. I had late model year 15 and while the tranny was better it still sucked. My 19 is far better, but still less than ideal. The 9AT ZF single handedly set back the TLX reputation light years.
05-09-2019, 08:42 PM
#5
I love my 15 SH-AWD, except for a few things which I'll list here:
- 2nd to 3rd gear shift issue, it is a bit of a thump when cold. There's a TSB out there (Link).
- electronic throttle is tame, but that's just life in the age of fuel economy regulations. You can buy a speed booster, like I did, and the throttle delay more or less goes away, leaving you with an "almost" perfect throttle. $250. If you don't care about punchy sporty feeling off the line, then you'll be happy with it.
- the navi screen is great, but the lower screen seems dated. it has a resistive touch screen, which just feels wrong in the age of smart phones
Other than that, it's fun to drive, the SH-AWD is amazing, the engine is great and plenty of power for me. The LED headlines are crystal clear at night.
- 2nd to 3rd gear shift issue, it is a bit of a thump when cold. There's a TSB out there (Link).
- electronic throttle is tame, but that's just life in the age of fuel economy regulations. You can buy a speed booster, like I did, and the throttle delay more or less goes away, leaving you with an "almost" perfect throttle. $250. If you don't care about punchy sporty feeling off the line, then you'll be happy with it.
- the navi screen is great, but the lower screen seems dated. it has a resistive touch screen, which just feels wrong in the age of smart phones
Other than that, it's fun to drive, the SH-AWD is amazing, the engine is great and plenty of power for me. The LED headlines are crystal clear at night.
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acford (06-25-2019)
05-09-2019, 08:49 PM
#6
I love my 15 SH-AWD, except for a few things which I'll list here:
- 2nd to 3rd gear shift issue, it is a bit of a thump when cold. There's a TSB out there (Link).
- electronic throttle is tame, but that's just life in the age of fuel economy regulations. You can buy a speed booster, like I did, and the throttle delay more or less goes away, leaving you with an "almost" perfect throttle. $250. If you don't care about punchy sporty feeling off the line, then you'll be happy with it.
- the navi screen is great, but the lower screen seems dated. it has a resistive touch screen, which just feels wrong in the age of smart phones
Other than that, it's fun to drive, the SH-AWD is amazing, the engine is great and plenty of power for me. The LED headlines are crystal clear at night.
- 2nd to 3rd gear shift issue, it is a bit of a thump when cold. There's a TSB out there (Link).
- electronic throttle is tame, but that's just life in the age of fuel economy regulations. You can buy a speed booster, like I did, and the throttle delay more or less goes away, leaving you with an "almost" perfect throttle. $250. If you don't care about punchy sporty feeling off the line, then you'll be happy with it.
- the navi screen is great, but the lower screen seems dated. it has a resistive touch screen, which just feels wrong in the age of smart phones
Other than that, it's fun to drive, the SH-AWD is amazing, the engine is great and plenty of power for me. The LED headlines are crystal clear at night.
05-09-2019, 11:12 PM
#7
I'm guessing car drove fine during his test drive(s). The transmission issues appeared later.
If a 2017+ V6 model is out of your budget, then get the I4 over the V6. Problem solved.
Always avoid 1st (and sometimes even 2nd) year model cars.
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05-09-2019, 11:15 PM
#8
Null and proud of it
You could end up like A-HFanboy. https://acurazine.com/forums/fifth-g...t-tips-979398/
I'm guessing car drove fine during his test drive(s). The transmission issues appeared later.
If a 2017+ V6 model is out of your budget, then get the I4 over the V6. Problem solved.
Always avoid 1st (and sometimes even 2nd) year model cars.
I'm guessing car drove fine during his test drive(s). The transmission issues appeared later.
If a 2017+ V6 model is out of your budget, then get the I4 over the V6. Problem solved.
Always avoid 1st (and sometimes even 2nd) year model cars.
In this case, I'd just get a 2016 Accord V6 Touring or a 2014 Lexus IS/GS350 and have it ALL!
05-10-2019, 06:13 AM
#9
Some Guy Who Loves Cars
You’re obviously well-educated on the TLX based on your first post - much better than most who go TLX shopping (including me when I headed to the dealer). You should use that shrewdness to search the forum for all sorts of lengthy discussions on your specific concerns. The 65-page transmission thread. The two or three nine-page expressway vibration threads.
We can’t tell you the right answer. We don’t know if the TLX you found will be good or bad for you. In this case, I’m with AZ and Midnight. I would probably be happier with an I4 A-Spec, an 18+ V6, an ES or an IS over my 15 V6 AWD TLX. If you want my recommendations for evaluating the specific TLX you want to buy, see here:
https://acurazine.com/forums/fifth-g...-guide-976080/
You need to take it for a very, very long test drive. The key is to ask if the ZF9 has been replaced, and if not, make sure the TLX is under warranty. That way, you can take advantage of getting a new ZF9 if it qualifies for replacement. The replacement makes a world of difference.
We can’t tell you the right answer. We don’t know if the TLX you found will be good or bad for you. In this case, I’m with AZ and Midnight. I would probably be happier with an I4 A-Spec, an 18+ V6, an ES or an IS over my 15 V6 AWD TLX. If you want my recommendations for evaluating the specific TLX you want to buy, see here:
https://acurazine.com/forums/fifth-g...-guide-976080/
You need to take it for a very, very long test drive. The key is to ask if the ZF9 has been replaced, and if not, make sure the TLX is under warranty. That way, you can take advantage of getting a new ZF9 if it qualifies for replacement. The replacement makes a world of difference.
05-10-2019, 02:24 PM
#10
You’re obviously well-educated on the TLX based on your first post - much better than most who go TLX shopping (including me when I headed to the dealer). You should use that shrewdness to search the forum for all sorts of lengthy discussions on your specific concerns. The 65-page transmission thread. The two or three nine-page expressway vibration threads.
We can’t tell you the right answer. We don’t know if the TLX you found will be good or bad for you. In this case, I’m with AZ and Midnight. I would probably be happier with an I4 A-Spec, an 18+ V6, an ES or an IS over my 15 V6 AWD TLX. If you want my recommendations for evaluating the specific TLX you want to buy, see here:
https://acurazine.com/forums/fifth-g...-guide-976080/
You need to take it for a very, very long test drive. The key is to ask if the ZF9 has been replaced, and if not, make sure the TLX is under warranty. That way, you can take advantage of getting a new ZF9 if it qualifies for replacement. The replacement makes a world of difference.
We can’t tell you the right answer. We don’t know if the TLX you found will be good or bad for you. In this case, I’m with AZ and Midnight. I would probably be happier with an I4 A-Spec, an 18+ V6, an ES or an IS over my 15 V6 AWD TLX. If you want my recommendations for evaluating the specific TLX you want to buy, see here:
https://acurazine.com/forums/fifth-g...-guide-976080/
You need to take it for a very, very long test drive. The key is to ask if the ZF9 has been replaced, and if not, make sure the TLX is under warranty. That way, you can take advantage of getting a new ZF9 if it qualifies for replacement. The replacement makes a world of difference.
05-11-2019, 05:44 AM
#13
Some Guy Who Loves Cars
No, you found yourself a very early model. The last six numbers are production sequence, so this is #718 of however many V6 SH-AWD were made in 2015 (guessing around 20,000?). I can’t send a link to TSB 15-040 because I’m on my phone, but tranny replacement was covered up to something like #7700 for that first year. Yours is definitely included. If it’s low mileage and mint condition, the ZF9 was probably a major reason it was traded in by a dissatisfied previous owner.
05-11-2019, 09:40 AM
#14
No, you found yourself a very early model. The last six numbers are production sequence, so this is #718 of however many V6 SH-AWD were made in 2015 (guessing around 20,000?). I can’t send a link to TSB 15-040 because I’m on my phone, but tranny replacement was covered up to something like #7700 for that first year. Yours is definitely included. If it’s low mileage and mint condition, the ZF9 was probably a major reason it was traded in by a dissatisfied previous owner.
05-11-2019, 04:25 PM
#15
Just purchased the TLX and am extremely happy. Drove it for about 35 minutes and although I did feel the sight jerk it wasn’t as bad as I expected. My friend used to drive me around a lot and he had a manual that made me carsick so honestly this doesn’t bother me much. The driving dynamics are better than the Q50 I tested so I bought this.
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acford (06-25-2019)
05-11-2019, 05:42 PM
#16
Some Guy Who Loves Cars
Alright buddy! Enjoy your new ride. Congrats and welcome to the family. Canadian, eh? You may notice some quirky, jerky shifts and lazy or weird shifting behavior periodically, but you’re probably good for the rest of spring and summer. My issues surfaced when it turned to fall or winter. I started getting jerked around when it dropped to under 30F and the last straw was when it was like 10F outside and it shifted so hard I hit my head on the headrest. So beware the ZF9 in the cold with your warranty expiring in Nov.
05-11-2019, 05:48 PM
#17
Moderator
Just purchased the TLX and am extremely happy. Drove it for about 35 minutes and although I did feel the sight jerk it wasn’t as bad as I expected. My friend used to drive me around a lot and he had a manual that made me carsick so honestly this doesn’t bother me much. The driving dynamics are better than the Q50 I tested so I bought this.
05-11-2019, 06:28 PM
#18
The waiting lounge at my local Acura dealer offers free wi-fi; free coffee, water, and soda; free snacks; cable tv... enjoy!
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someguy11 (05-11-2019)
05-15-2019, 05:22 PM
#19
Congrats on your TLX.
I'm in Toronto and also have a 2015 TLX SHAWD since April 2018 and had the software update done about 3 months ago and when that didn't resolve the 1-2 and 2-3 hard shifts, I complained again and the dealer replaced the transmission, and subsequently also had to retighten the active engine mounts which has taken care of the hard shitfs with only an occasional and very minor jerk from 1-2.
During the time that my car was in the shop I was provided with 2 Loaners both 2019 TLX SHAWD, and what I also noticed was the ride in the two 2019 Loaners was way more comfortable than mine which feels very bumpy/jarring when going over pot holes and man-holes - can anyone also comment on this?
I'm in Toronto and also have a 2015 TLX SHAWD since April 2018 and had the software update done about 3 months ago and when that didn't resolve the 1-2 and 2-3 hard shifts, I complained again and the dealer replaced the transmission, and subsequently also had to retighten the active engine mounts which has taken care of the hard shitfs with only an occasional and very minor jerk from 1-2.
During the time that my car was in the shop I was provided with 2 Loaners both 2019 TLX SHAWD, and what I also noticed was the ride in the two 2019 Loaners was way more comfortable than mine which feels very bumpy/jarring when going over pot holes and man-holes - can anyone also comment on this?
06-25-2019, 04:00 PM
#20
Advanced
I love my 15 SH-AWD, except for a few things which I'll list here:
- 2nd to 3rd gear shift issue, it is a bit of a thump when cold. There's a TSB out there (Link).
- electronic throttle is tame, but that's just life in the age of fuel economy regulations. You can buy a speed booster, like I did, and the throttle delay more or less goes away, leaving you with an "almost" perfect throttle. $250. If you don't care about punchy sporty feeling off the line, then you'll be happy with it.
- the navi screen is great, but the lower screen seems dated. it has a resistive touch screen, which just feels wrong in the age of smart phones
Other than that, it's fun to drive, the SH-AWD is amazing, the engine is great and plenty of power for me. The LED headlines are crystal clear at night.
- 2nd to 3rd gear shift issue, it is a bit of a thump when cold. There's a TSB out there (Link).
- electronic throttle is tame, but that's just life in the age of fuel economy regulations. You can buy a speed booster, like I did, and the throttle delay more or less goes away, leaving you with an "almost" perfect throttle. $250. If you don't care about punchy sporty feeling off the line, then you'll be happy with it.
- the navi screen is great, but the lower screen seems dated. it has a resistive touch screen, which just feels wrong in the age of smart phones
Other than that, it's fun to drive, the SH-AWD is amazing, the engine is great and plenty of power for me. The LED headlines are crystal clear at night.
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