Guest

Hi all - My first post here & I have a question. I am seriously considering a TL. However, this would be my first vehicle w/o a manual transmission. I almost convinced myself that the semi-manual would work, but then, as I was driving home in my '99 Civic Si and worked through the gears, I was not sure.

The question: Those who used to (or still do) have cars w/manual transmissions: Do you miss the feeling of a well executed heel-toe downshift with perfectly matched revs and the thrill of ripping up through the gears? Does the semi manual gearbox satisfy that feeling?

I appreciate your input. You guys have a great board.

Stevepoz

Gomez

It's not quite the same, although the TL is a mighty fine car. In fact, I rarely use the manumatic shifter as I found it doesn't compare to the many stick shift cars I've owned. An automatic sure is nice for these Dallas traffic jams, though...

If you've got thirty large to spend on a car, want sport and don't need the space, I recommend a 325i w/ a stick, wood, leather and the stereo upgrade. The IS300 is nice also, but most of us TL guys have found that the interior of that car is cheap and 'plasticky' and got the TL instead. It's also a little on the immature ("boyish") side in appearance, IMHO.

Me? The TL is all I could have wanted for the money and more - I think they could be selling these for about five grand more. If you've got $40K+, then get a 530i. Just remember that Lexuses and BMWs will really start to get pricey with extra options, while the TL is fully equipped right out of the box. It'll take a month at least to get a special-order Bimmer, but the savings are worth it.

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'01 White Diamond Pearl 3.2TL
-Wing, tint, burlwood shift, Whistler 6-band
'88 White RX-7 Convertible
-Permanent tinitus courtesy of Rockford-Fosgate

Acura3200

My past 2 cars were manual. The car I got rid of was an extremely modded 94 Talon TSi AWD. Although I loved driving it and ripping through the gears, I really don't miss it that much. When I bought my TL, I was very concerned that I would want a manual shift again. I can honestly say that there have been only been about 6 times that I've wished I had a manual. I drive in sport-shift mode almost all the time in my TL except for now. It's been around 25 degrees here and I was told not to use manual below 30*. It's really tough because I like to control where I shift and the TL is resposnive enough to make it close to a manual shift (IMO anyway). Plus, I love being able to upshift and downshift without coming off the gas... that one took me a while to get used to.

It's a really tough choice to make and I can only give you my thoughts on it and say that I love my TL and would only get rid of it for the TL Type-S which is something else you can consider.

Good luck with your decision.

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2000 Acura 3.2 TL w/ Navigation
Satin Silver/Ebony Interior
Factory Spoiler; CD Changer; Burlwood Shifter
20% Tint, No Mods, Just Insanely Clean (Very Difficult To Do Right Now)
My 3.2TL Gallery

FTM-1

Well I have owned 3 other Honda cars before I got my 2000TL they were all 5speed manual.
The last 2 were a 90 AccordLX & 94 AccordEX the heel & toe part is missed some.In the manual when shifting you feel more a part of the car. I miss it some but the power of the TL & all the comforts of the TL make up for this.The Sport-Shift I don't use all that much only when the roads get twisty then it works well to hold the car in gear.Its not the same but I would prefer a car with sport shift then just a regular automatic. If you get a TL you won't miss the manual all that much.

Guest

I feel the TL's tranny is no substitute for a manual at all.

IMHO, The only good thing it's good for is replacing a normal automatic's shifter options with more control.

But the TL doesn't give you "complete control over all gears" as the ad's state.

However, I find that an manumatic is a GREAT way to make you feel better about bashing your gears without wearing out the synchros and the clutch. If you drive your car hard, just replace the fluid more often.

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2000 3.2 TL, Paper maps.
Comptech axle-back exhaust.
225/55ZR-16 RE730s on OEM alloys.
205/55QR-16 Alpins on steel wheels w/covers (winter).

Pictures

Acura3200

Oh yeah, part of not having complete control is the fact that with the 2000 and up TL's you can't control 1st gear. The computer controls when to shift up from first and down from second depending on how much gas you give it.

PhiTL

Is this not true for the '99?


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'00 White Diamond Perl w/Nav
Wings West Spoiler
Comptech Exaust
Rear Comptech Sway bar

Acura3200

The 99 has a 4 speed transmission (the 2000 and up has a 5 speed). The 99 you can conrtol when you go in and out of 1st gear. That's one of the only things I like about the 99's over my 00.

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by Acura3200 on December 29, 2000 @ ]</font>

yu888

I have the 99TL, and even with the "total" control, it isn't really. Actually, there is protection so you cannot shift into first until the computer says you can. But I am glad I have that control b/c the 00-01 5 speed would bug me more.
That aside, the sport shift is best automatic i've ever driven, but its no replacement for a manual. I much prefer the control in a manual, but...the TL is much more of a luxury sedan, so its all about give and take, and it was worth giving up a manual for awhile (I have a 6spd in my S-car). But if you enjoy the sheer joy of shifting through the gears, and for fully controlled downshifts, get a manual.

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1999 Satin Silver TL
Dunlop SP9000 215-45/17-mounted on CL-S 17" Rims
H&R Springs-Axiss MetalMasterPads-Crossdrilled Rotors
-Inspire Tailights-20/30/40 tint

Y2k Honda S2k Roadster
- Mingster Aeroscreen, Smokin Front mesh Grill, Clear Sidemarkers

Guest

Like a S2K, right?

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2000 3.2 TL, Paper maps.
Comptech axle-back exhaust.
225/55ZR-16 RE730s on OEM alloys.
205/55QR-16 Alpins on steel wheels w/covers (winter).

Pictures

bombs

Watch for the Jan 8 announcement at the Detroit show on the TL - Type S. Acura's computer system shows production code for a 6 speed in 2002. However, no official word yet and there is a lot of controversy regarding the likelihood of it happening. Should know in less than two weeks though

yu888

i'd definitely recommend the S2K, but I am truly biased. if they really sold for sticker, it'd be a steal! Great 6 speed though. Satisfies my manual fix.

bobatimez

I've gone through some manual cars before and it fun and all for about 10 min. espcially in LA, the automatic is a must. However, I found that the manumatic is the best compromise. I often say that the car would suck big time if it was fully auto because it always chooses too high a gear to save gas. the sportshift saves the car and makes it very efficient IMO.
I think yu88 got it right. I often wonder if I should have gotten an s2000, but when the seat warms up my ass and there's barely a noise when I zooming at 90 with the navi-girl telling me I'm almost home....

bottom line: IMO sporthift=good sh*t.

YU88, I'm renting that s2000 in a couple days.

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Some Say "TL Type S," Navi, Spoiler, Side Skirts, Tint All Around, Interior Footwell Lighting, Eibach ProKit, PIAA 1700x Fogs in side holes, Inspire Tails, 17" Type-S Rims with 215/45/17 Bridgestone Potenza RE730's, Visor, Wood Shifter.

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...026&a=10077686

yu888

Boba- sweet! tell me how the drive goes. I personally like driving traffic in a manual b/c of the absolute control i have, but I'm a freak...err realife, not here...not yet. Thats why I kept both cars...for now.

Atomix

I haven't driven manual too much, but it doesn't really both me in traffic...but being about 6'4" I'm eager to stretch out my legs when driving a smaller car.

Naturally a manumatic isn't going to fully replace the joy of driving a manual, but it sure is a lot more relaxed manner of driving...passing is just two flicks of the wrist and burying the accelerator in the floorboard.....as opposed to a manual which would be a little more complicated...but still fun.

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"Now you see that evil will always triumph, because good is dumb." --Dark Helmet

www.distributed.net

speed

IMHO, the sportshift doesn't compare w/ a manual. I do wish that I still had a manual at times. You really need analyze whether or not you can live w/o a manual. If not there are alot of nice luxury cars w/ manual trannies. If so the TL is a helluva car!

Shoofin

That's why my TL is auto, and my Miata is Manual! you get the best of both worlds!
Ed

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Acura-TL.com - Forum Moderator

'99 TL Satin Silver/Ebony, Non/Nav, Comptech lowered, Comptech Air Filter Element, Inspire Tails, AEM Brake Pads all around, Comptech Axle Back Exhaust, "Guy Smiley" doll on the dash as my Co-driver...

Pics of my TL
Pics of my Miata! Wadya think?