I am seriouslly considering a 6 speed manual if I go with a new TL later this year. The main reason is that there seems to be about a 1 second 0-60 advantage. I've also read that the manual is more fun to drive overall. Anyone out there who has test driven both versions and can comment? I'm not worried about the inconvenience of a manual as I do not commute in heavey traffic. But I do worry about resale value: will anyone want a manual in 4 or 5 years when I trade it?

 

i would assume manual will be more sought after than auto as there is limited production in MT.

dont see any reason why the value will be any lower than an auto, if anything it will be higher.

take into consideration as tl-s and cl-s MT were more sought after than auto being its rarity.

 

The auto trans isn't remotely fun to drive compared to my cl-s 6 speed. It's a much better auto trans than the TL has ever had before - but no comparison on fun factor.

That said - it's a 4000lb awd cruiser; consider that before buying a clutch to burn up in traffic when you could have an auto car with a more fun clutched S2000/Miata/Mustang/etc. @ home.

 

Manual, go manual. I have the auto 6 speed, good for what I use it for but manual is way way way more fun. If my wife could drive it I would have gone with it.

 

I test drove both before buying the manual. I wasn't considering the auto at all but the salesman insisted that I try the auto as the manual demo was out on a test drive. The salesman said that the auto was really good now with quick shifts and drives like a manual. This can't be further from the truth. I had high hopes because of what the salesman said, but sadly the shifts on the auto 6-spd with the paddles are still slow and not as immediate. The auto in the TL is still an auto... leave it in auto mode and let it do its thing. If you like to shift your own gears, a manual transmission is still the way to go.

 

Dont get for the 1 second 0-60 advantage, that 1 second is under ideal conditions with a better than average driver...get it because you prefer to row your own.

 

^^^exactly - in practical settings you're looking at tenths of a second

 

I 100% back the Honda/Acura manual 6-speed on any car. I previously had an '09 TSX with 6-speed manual and drove it everyday in stop and go traffic and still had a blast. I now have the 2012 TL with auto (couldnt quite afford the manual SH-AWD) and EVERYDAY I miss that 6-speed manual. Honda makes stellar manual transmissions, smooth shifts and a super easy clutch that won't tire out your leg in stop and go traffic. I haven't driven the manual TL but since it only comes on the SH-AWD model w/ tech I'm sure it would be an amazing everyday car. Please don't even question this, get the manual. And yes people like myself will buy that car from you in 3 years without hesitation and pay more to get it!

 

Without meaning to sound like I'm disputing the other comments regarding resale value, when I was car shopping, there was a guy that had a 2010 SH-AWD, black on black, in beautiful shape...manual. Stayed on the market for a long time. I looked at it, but my wife can't drive stick, and I wanted her to be able to drive my car on occasion (though she doesn't drive my auto anyways, on account of the tint).

Now, it could be that the car didn't sell because the seller was a bit of a douche...tried to collect sales tax himself, even though none was payable. He claimed that someone told him he needed to collect, so he wanted to be safe, but when I looked into him, I realized that he worked at a car dealership, and would have known that no tax was payable. So he was really trying to up the price, but claim that part of it was tax. Thing is, even at the increased price, the car was still a bargain. But didn't sell.

I like manuals, especially with AWD; something satisfying about popping that clutch and not spinning. But, in my opinion, the MT gives you a much smaller market to choose from, but that market may be more committed. As far as resale goes, I think it'll come down to a crap-shoot of who's looking when you're selling.

 

I'm finding my "I'll never own an automatic" mentality at 25 is more "my knee hates this clutch" at 35. No questioning the fun, but the TL wouldn't be my first choice for a stick car.

 

I own a 2012 TL 6 speed manual and I live in NYC. I love to drive it and it's fun! Very fast!

 

Where in BX are you?

 

+1

 

I drove both and actually preferred the 6 speed auto! I found the clutch too soft for my liking... The auto is actually quite good but you really have to drive both and if possible do it back to back and you'll find your answer.
When you drive the auto make sure you drive it in all 3 modes... Drive, Sport and with the paddles! I actually really like the paddles with the throttle blip on down shifts and even double down shifts.
Good luck!

 

I've been test driving a 2010 CPO and a new 2012. I still like the MT over the AT. For me, there is a better sense of control. Plus, with the 3G automatic transmission nightmare, I rest assured knowing the only major work that needs done is the replacement of the clutch. =)

As for the resale value? I don't know, but I feel like resale value itself should not be affected one way or another. Principles of economics dictate that something rare will fetch a higher price, since Acura's statement has been that about 5% of its 4G TLs produced are MTs.

But in practicality? I live in Chicago, and I currently do not own a 4G TL (yet). But I own a 2008 Subaru Spec.B, and I can tell you that for those who don't know much about the car or the average buyer who responded to my ad (before I decided to trade it in), they almost always get turned off when they realize it's a manual. The other principle of economics is demand. If nobody knows or wants to learn to drive a stick, that definitely hurts.

I would recommend to get something based on how you would feel each day you get into the car for your commute. Worry about the resale value when you get there. As the saying goes, let's deal with the bridge when we cross the bridge. Besides, why do you care? We're all going to die on December 21, 2012 anyway. ;-)

 

I don't believe the rarity argument applies...that's specific to items that are rare simply because there can't be more of 'em. In the case of the TL, if your numbers are right, and MT is only 5% of what Acura builds, that has to be because Acura has determined that only 5% of the market wants a stick.

This is where the second principle you quote comes into play; I believe it's the more relevant factor.

 

This is how it goes.

Due to the small demands, Honda only produces a small quantity of MT vehicles. Accordingly, due to the limited supply, the dealerships jack up the price on the MT vehicles for those handful of MT-enthusiastic buyers.

Only if no one shows interest in the MT TL's, which is highly unlikely, then the dealerships will heavily discount the in-stock MT vehicles.

 

Definately go with the MT. It definately more fun to drive, and it has LSD unlike the AT. Also the AT TLs are know to have unreliable transmissions, already replaced one when i had my 2g type s. I dont think you can wrong with the MT.

 

Does the MT still has problem with the 3th gear popping out ?

 

^^Ya but its nothing GM synchromesh cant handle.

 

Is GM synchromesh approved by Acura ?

 

^^^ Im not sure i think it depends on the dealership.

 

A couple of complaints here and there about the 4G, but most seem trouble free.

 

No third gear popping issues on mine, but like JM said above, some have complained about it. I got the manual as I had gone back to driving an auto in between my college car and my current one. I missed shifting on my own. As far as resale value is concerned, I'm planning on keeping mine for a long time. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

 

Car Enthusiast = Get Manual.

Ho-hum daily commuter = Still get manual.

Honestly, The feeling of the manual transmission is infinitely better than the aptly named "slush-box".

When people who drive auto's talk to me about manual transmissions I get the usual excuses:
- I drive in heavy traffic
- I have a long commute
- Automatic's shift better/faster
- Auto's shift more consistently
- My legs/knees hurt

Nothing can replace the driving pleasure derived from a manual transmission! I drive in traffic, on long commutes, quickly, slowly, gas efficiently, even uphills in the snow both ways and I still love it; no complaining whatsoever.

True driving enthusiasts can attest to what I have said. I will admit, there is a place for Automatics (usually the right lane) and I find that driving passion follows suit.

 

I traded in my 2010 Auto for a 2012 6MT. Best choice i ever made.......love this car so much! Feels like a totally different car than the Auto.

 

Wait... Didn't you have a totally different car? ;-)

 

The OP said he doesn't mind using a manual in heavy traffic, so I think he answered his own question--get the manual tranny...it's funner on the weekends.

For me, in heavy traffic, there's nothing fun about riding the clutch 3 feet at a time...doesnt matter if that clutch is in a '79 Ford pickup or a 2012 Ferrari...it's still 3 feet at a time. Auto works best for me.

 

Sig worthy!

 

I have an automatic car, and I actually find myself pining for an MT the most when I'm in traffic. I think the extra control from the clutch would make my driving smoother.

That, and if you're caught in the wrong gear at the wrong time, you have no one but to blame but yourself.

 

I agree with this, I just got the 2012 TL auto and sit in stop and go traffic everyday. I miss my 6-speed manual even MORE while in traffic or at a standstill. It might sound dumb but having to firmly press the brake while I'm stopped is somewhat annoying. I like being able to put the car in neutral and chill without stomping on the brake the whole time.

A few other things I love... Manual also helps keep your distance/slow you down when in real heavy traffic, simply letting off the gas slows you down quick, really nice in highway traffic. Manual is also great to keep your speeds in check while city driving. If you drive in a city where you can't go above 35-40mph without risking a ticket, you'll appreciate a manual ALOT. I find in my TL auto I can hit 50mph without realizing it. My old TSX manual I'd accelerate moderately through 3rd gear, shift to 4th gear / 2000rpms, start cruising and know I'm at my max city speed of 40mph.

 

So here's where Acura was quoted as stating the 5% of TLs being 6MT: linky

Since I can't sleep, I decided to look through the 4G TL Owners Sign In. A search for "6MT" shows me 23 results. There are a total of 467 posts. That makes about 4.925% of AZers owning 4G TL 6MTs. That is kind of a weird statistic coincidence, since I'm sure AZers are not necessarily a true statistically accurate sampling of all TL owners. But interesting nonetheless.

Once I get my 6MT TL, I'll make it the 24th AZer with 6MT. Can't freaking wait...

 

I'm having similar problem! Don't know whether I should go for a MT or AT 2012 TL. Ahhhh!!!

 

Definitely MT. The AT is nice, but the MT really brings out the best of the SH-AWD capabilities. They're just tough to find.

 

No Doubt the manual is much more fun to drive.

 

I use Amsoil Synchromesh MTF(Works great for Honda's) in all my honda's. You guy's with transmission issues should give it a try.

 

nubie here. I just picked up a 6mt. Test drove the auto (because the didn't have a manual) and thought it was pretty good, but I am a stick guy. The shifts on this car are really nice (I mean REALLY NICE)... it is a good transmission. I'm having problems getting used to the free reving honda engine, as I'm used to driving a maxima that feels much more torquey.

My clutch seems to engage a little on the high side of the pedal travel, which I need to get used to as well. Other than that, I am enjoying the car.

 

Congrats on the new TL, and welcome to the 6MT club.

 

Congrats Cerberusky and welcome to the 6MT club!

 

Mine should be in in about a week. I may beat you to the 24th spot