Rep Power: 285

I just got back a little bit ago from the Acura Dealership. I went there with the idea of driving the 04 6 speed TL. Of course they had about 30-40 TLs but not a SINGLE ONE was stick. I about lost it. I drove almost an hour to drive this thing.

So since I was all the way out there I decided to drive an 04 TSX 6 speed. They had plenty to pick from.

I must say the car was more than what I had expected. Getting into it I noticed the dash first off. I couldn't get over the way everything was put together. The clearance on every single piece of the dash was second to none. You couldn't fit anything between gaps ...anywhere. I thought honda made some close tollerances. This TSX was put together well to say the least. The salesman was just grinning at me when I looked over at him. He could tell I was impressed just looking at the fit and finish.

He also told me a tid bit that I didn't know. After mentioning the fit of the dash pieces he told me that the TSX is 100% built and assembled in Japan. Unlike the TL which is put together in Ohio. I didn't really look at the TL all that much since they didn't have a stick, so I can't really compare the two.


Next was the test drive. It was fun to drive. I took it around for a good 10 minutes on back roads. The roads around here were more than bad though. I really noticed how stiff the ride is. WAY stiffer than my 02 civic ex. WAY stiffer. Power was nice too. Wasn't "BLOW ME AWAY" power, but it had a nice "pull" to it, and it felt nice overall. The dash gages are great, and the 6speed shifts really really nice. I was very impressed with the looks of the interrior, and the seats were very nice as well. Night and day to my civic obviously. I would have to expect that for a car costing 26k though.

Salesman is supposed to call me for the TL 6speed test drive as soon as one comes in. I want to see what kind of power that thing has, and see how it handles. His complaint was the understeer. I guess that's also to be expected somewhat on 270hp on a fwd car.

Just thought I would share my experience with you.

 
Rep Power: 306

Good feedback. I'm going to be in the market for a daily driver in a couple of years. . . too bad Honda won't make a wagon.

 
Rep Power: 0

wait what u gunna do with the sti??? thats not ur dailydriver?? hehe

 
Rep Power: 312

yeah i like the tsx to. you should test drive the new RL 300hp AWD

 
Rep Power: 285

the RL would be fun for the power, but as a car..... little too big for me. I think the new redesign will be better.

The new TL is leaps over the old in my opinion.

I just found a thing on Automobile Mag. on the TSX too. It rated 12 cars at 30k range and compared them.

car lineup

Acura TSX
Audi A4
BWM 325i
Infinity G35
Lexus is300
Mazda6 SMerceded C230K
Mitsubishi Evo
Nissan Maxima
Pontiac GTP
Saab 9-3
Subaru WRX

That was the lineup and these were the results on best overall at that price range.

1. TSX
2. BMW 325I
3. Infinity G35
4. Mitsubishi Evo
5. Mazda6-s
6. WRX
7. Lexus IS300
8. Audi A4 1.8 Quatro
9. Saab 9-3 Linear
10. Mercedes C230k Sport
11. GTP
12. Nissan Maxima


that standing list surprises me somewhat. I haven't driven a maxima for some time, but the one that I drove back in the late 90s was a blast. Obviously something was not liked on the new one.

 
Rep Power: 306

In a couple years. . . .when I have a different daily driver. . . .

STi will be turned into a GT machine.




The transformation has actually begun, already.


Damn. . . 300hp RL. Sounds NICE.

 
Rep Power: 274

Someday I will have the new RL. Basically I caddy with AWD that will actually run and not depreciate $15k a year.

I'm guessing the new ones will be in the $45-50K range and compete with the 5 series type cars.

 
Rep Power: 285

according to the salesman the TL is hurting the 5 series sales. With all that comes on a TL it really is more comparable to a 5 series he said. The 3 series is much smaller than a TL. And you get more standard items on the TL out of the box with a price tag at 33k. That doesn't even come close to a 5 series with the options the TL has for price.

 
Rep Power: 0

My mom has a TSX. Although it's an auto its still pretty fun to drive. I don't think the ride is that stiff. The EVO is 50 times stiffer. But I agree that the interior is very nice.

 
Rep Power: 0

Are you talking about Understeer, or Torque Steer, torque steer is when you have to fight to keep the wheel in your hand when you stomp on the gas in a high power fwd.

Understeer is when the car doesnt want to turn. that is a product of suspension tuning, throw a thicker rear sway bar and/or a thinner front sway bar on there and it will have more neutral handling. a similar effect can be achieved by doing something similar to the front/rear spring rates.

 
Rep Power: 0

btw, where you from in pa?

 
Rep Power: 285

yah, that was my bad. It was torque steer that he was talking about. Not understeer. That was my bad.

and I'm in Pittsburgh.

 
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Yeah, $33K is also WAY less than a comparably equipped 3 series... You get stuff like HIDs, 6 speed manual, leather seats, 17s, and somewhere close to 270hp in a 330I with the performance package, but its a $40K car....

Go Honda/Acura!

 
Rep Power: 336

TSX was made to compete with the 3-series BMW, Lexus IS300, Mercedes C230, etc.

IMO, the TL is their to compete with the 5-series BMW

And since the RL is the top of the line for Acura, excluding the NSX, the RL should compete with the 7-series BMW.

 
Rep Power: 285

actually the 3 series is only 225hp. That's the bigger engine of the 3 series.

the 5 series can get you up to 325hp, but you're looking at 55k range to start as a base price.

and you're right on the options. HIDs standard, 17s, leather, 6speed, and many many more standard options. On the 3 or 5 series you have to pay extra for some of these things.

So really there is no comparison between the two.