2009-2013 Acura's?

I'm completely over driving the BRZ, yes it would be a bit more comfortable stock, but that defeats the purpose of the car. To me anyways.

I realize the TL/TSX whatever, are tarted up Civic/Accords, but that's OK. I'm ready for something nice, quiet, and comfortable.

I suspect these basically being Honda's there isn't really much to go wrong if you take care of them but wanted to double-check for any possible issues.

Plan would be, take the BRZ to stock, sell off the new, uninstalled parts, buy something like one of these, pay it off in a couple of years, and then get another fun/uncomfortable "fuh raze" car that doesn't have to be driven everyday.

Subscribing. Some '06 TL 6 speeds have popped up in my searches. They are cheap, pretty quick, and semi-premium. Could be a good DD replacement for me.

Not a huge fan of how big they are, but I may be able to make an exception if it checks most of the other boxes.

TSX is a Japanese Domestic Market/European Accord badge engineered as an Acura

TL is a US made, different animal. It does have some parts commonality with other Honda vehicles like they all do, but it does not have the same chassis as the Accord in any market.

I hope this helps.

The only thing I know about the row your own TL/TSX is that there is some issues with third gear pop outs. Doesn't seem to be a problem with the newer models.

I was happy to have some seat time in the older TL-S with a manual and loved the car. I love the way the TSX drives but my head bangs the sunroof rail (I'm 6'4") TSX is more nimble and is a smaller car. Think of it as a sporty 5/6th scale Accord EX-L Navi. The TL is more comfortable car. Think 7/6th scale Accord Touring.

I would buy the TL simply on fit, but on driving experience the TSX, they both are great cars and you won't go wrong either way.

I don't have any experience with the newer ones, but my wife's 2004 TSX is about as pleasant and dead-nuts reliable DD as I could imagine. It's crisp and athletic enough that you don't fall asleep as you turn the key, but smooth and drama-free. It has an ATX. I've driven a 6-speed once and it was even nicer, for those that prefer a manual; well-mated to the K24. I can only imagine a newer one is even better.

Navi/radio units are not very durable. the 09-13 TL uses the Odyssey bolt pattern and shares a bit in common with the RL/RLX with regards to driveline. Fit and finish on hte US cars is spotty. HAd some issues with the early JApanese TSX (09-10) with LOTS of squeaks and rattles (made a 5 year old Korean car sound like a vault). Fuel economy is abyssmal on the AWD versions. CLutches are expensive when they go. Japanese cars have parts premiums because Japanese. US cars are pretty reasonable for a Japanese car company. Rear brakes wear fast.

That's the base of what I remember after 10 years in an Acura dealership. They really hold their resale and they so-so quality are why I never purchased one.

Flight Service wrote: The TL is more comfortable car. Think 7/6th scale Accord Touring.

Is this for later generations? A 2006 TL and Accord have almost identical dimensions

Bobzilla wrote: Navi/radio units are not very durable. the 09-13 TL uses the Odyssey bolt pattern and shares a bit in common with the RL/RLX with regards to driveline. Fit and finish on hte US cars is spotty. HAd some issues with the early JApanese TSX (09-10) with LOTS of squeaks and rattles (made a 5 year old Korean car sound like a vault). Fuel economy is abyssmal on the AWD versions. CLutches are expensive when they go. Japanese cars have parts premiums because Japanese. US cars are pretty reasonable for a Japanese car company. Rear brakes wear fast. That's the base of what I remember after 10 years in an Acura dealership. They really hold their resale and they so-so quality are why I never purchased one.

Hmmm, don't like the sound of that.

z31maniac wrote:

Bobzilla wrote: Navi/radio units are not very durable. the 09-13 TL uses the Odyssey bolt pattern and shares a bit in common with the RL/RLX with regards to driveline. Fit and finish on hte US cars is spotty. HAd some issues with the early JApanese TSX (09-10) with LOTS of squeaks and rattles (made a 5 year old Korean car sound like a vault). Fuel economy is abyssmal on the AWD versions. CLutches are expensive when they go. Japanese cars have parts premiums because Japanese. US cars are pretty reasonable for a Japanese car company. Rear brakes wear fast. That's the base of what I remember after 10 years in an Acura dealership. They really hold their resale and they so-so quality are why I never purchased one.

Hmmm, don't like the sound of that.

They're not bad cars. I'd recommend an Accord or Civic before any of the Acura line.

My dad has a 14 TL with a 6-speed he has had it for about 2 years and it has not needed anything. I have his old 05TL 6-speed that my son drives. It has been a great car 200k and still on the original clutch.

Don't know about later cars, but the nav unit on our 2004 launch-year TSX is still functioning as well as it ever did. 12 years later, it is slightly dimmer than it was brand new, but that's it.

Also, at 65,000 miles or so, the car is tight as a drum. I can't even remember if I've ever put rear brakes on it. I don't think so.

I do recognize that I am talking about the generation before the ones you specifically asked about.

Acura held the press intro for the original TSX at the Michelin proving grounds, and the day's activities included autocross and track time. I remember the TSX being way more fun than you'd think. Yes, it's like a bigger wishbone Honda.

I had a 2000TL and a 2002TL-S. My nephew and brother are still driving them. Drive nice and reliable. I have 2014 TSX now. No problems. Had a friend buy a used first-gen TSX. She drove it many trouble free miles and loved it.

ProDarwin wrote:

Flight Service wrote: The TL is more comfortable car. Think 7/6th scale Accord Touring.

Is this for later generations? A 2006 TL and Accord have almost identical dimensions

TL feels bigger and more solid. my statements are based on feel not dimensions.

As far as what Bobzilla says, I can only say in my three years at Carmax dealing with only used ones, those issues were not common. I never heard of a one (except the Navi. Honda Navi then isn't the best)

In echoing Bob's sentiment. A 6-speed TL-S would be second on my list. Unless you need 4 doors, get a 6-speed Accord EX-L V6 coupe. (I skip Navi as I would rather just use Google Maps on my phone) It is quicker than you would think. "A hard launch will bring a 0-to-60 time of 5.6 seconds; a quarter-mile time of 14.0 seconds at 103 mph is possible."(The last time I checked that would obliterate your BR-Z stock, ties a Mustang EcoBoost, and is just 0.3 seconds slower down the quarter than a WRX.) Add some springs, wheels and tires, you have something.

There's a bulletin on the first gen TSX for the audio display lights. you have to replace the PCB for the audio unit. Very common issue.

Personally, for such large cars I am amazed at how pathetic hte rear seat legroom is. If I have to ride in one I will physically fight for the front seat. I have to turn my foot sideways to get it into the foot well.

They are perfectly fine cars overall.... just not worth the premium over other perfectly fine cars IMO. Too many years around them, driving them and riding in htem have formed that opinion.

In reply to Bobzilla:

The TSX is a Japanese Accord. They aren't big people.

Flight Service wrote: In reply to Bobzilla: The TSX is a Japanese Accord. They aren't big people.

Neither are the Koreans, yet they have tons of rear seat room. I think the Japanese just don't like big americans

In reply to Bobzilla:

It is a cultural thing. It is why Honda America has become so important to them. They are starting to accept that their thought process isn't going to cut it in the American market anymore. Toyota used to be the same way, but they did change their mind faster than Honda.

Also remember the TSX is a sticker kit Acura, unlike the TL of the same year.

In a meeting with Yamaha about 5 years ago, they admitted they still didn't understand Americans.

Kia used to be owned by Ford, Hyundai has been run out of the country before and learned their lessons. Kias overseas are tiny, so are the few Hyundais I saw.

Flight Service wrote:

ProDarwin wrote:

Flight Service wrote: The TL is more comfortable car. Think 7/6th scale Accord Touring.

Is this for later generations? A 2006 TL and Accord have almost identical dimensions

TL feels bigger and more solid. my statements are based on feel not dimensions. As far as what Bobzilla says, I can only say in my three years at Carmax dealing with only used ones, those issues were not common. I never heard of a one (except the Navi. Honda Navi then isn't the best) In echoing Bob's sentiment. A 6-speed TL-S would be second on my list. Unless you need 4 doors, get a 6-speed Accord EX-L V6 coupe. (I skip Navi as I would rather just use Google Maps on my phone) It is quicker than you would think. "A hard launch will bring a 0-to-60 time of 5.6 seconds; a quarter-mile time of 14.0 seconds at 103 mph is possible."(The last time I checked that would obliterate your BR-Z stock, ties a Mustang EcoBoost, and is just 0.3 seconds slower down the quarter than a WRX.) Add some springs, wheels and tires, you have something.

Now THAT's an interesting idea.....

I want the 4 doors. Because baby. Also because the 2 door is hideous. I hate really long 2 door coupes on a 4 door platform.

4 Door Accord V6 Manuals are difficult to find. But that's why others have suggested Altima SE-R or similar. No DWB there, but still reasonably quick.

Also, Accords hold their value better than their Acura counterparts once they get into the price range I'm looking in (~$5K ish).

Yeah, I'm looking more around the $15k-ish mark that way the car should have low enough miles it wouldn't need any major maintenance for a few years until I'm hopefully back in a place with a garage.

Flight Service wrote: Kia used to be owned by Ford, Hyundai has been run out of the country before and learned their lessons. Kias overseas are tiny, so are the few Hyundais I saw.

What? Hyundai never stopped sales in the US. They had some super E36 M3ty offerings, for sure, but since ~2001 they have really made some serious strides in building stuff people want to buy. Kia wasn't owned by ford, but they did have a partnership with them and mazda. That's why all the early Kia's had mazda-ish drivetrains.

Bobzilla wrote:

Flight Service wrote: Kia used to be owned by Ford, Hyundai has been run out of the country before and learned their lessons. Kias overseas are tiny, so are the few Hyundais I saw.

What? Hyundai never stopped sales in the US. They had some super E36 M3ty offerings, for sure, but since ~2001 they have really made some serious strides in building stuff people want to buy. Kia wasn't owned by ford, but they did have a partnership with them and mazda. That's why all the early Kia's had mazda-ish drivetrains.

Ford owned a significant interest in Kia for 86 till 98 when Hyundai obtained controlling interest. Ford stepped out then. The partnership occurred during the same time.

On the Hyundai thing you're right. I could have swore that Hyundai packed it in a few years after the Excel.

In case you want the Black Book values

Sway bars are an option too if you aren't afraid to modify a little.

z31maniac wrote: Yeah, I'm looking more around the $15k-ish mark that way the car should have low enough miles it wouldn't need any major maintenance for a few years until I'm hopefully back in a place with a garage.

I was convinced I wanted a TSX until I drove one. Then I started shopping for a manual TL. Then I drove a V1 CTS-V and there was no going back. Just food for thought.

In reply to Smarta$$ McPoopyPants:

You liked the Gen1 CTS-V? I thought it felt cheap. Now it went decent and had an LS in it so it could go fast with a little touch, but the car just felt screwed together and half the screws were loose or missing. this was one with 50k on clock and very clean.