bandit tl

Hey guys, checking in. I just brought home a 2012 TSX V6, white over tan, over the weekend. I have to admit, I didnt really want it but I was in a pinch and needed a car quick. My local dealer said they had one coming in on a truck that they didn't want (they only like the 4's as they sell better). They were going to use mine as a service loaner, but since between my wife and I we have bought 5 Acuras from them they decided to sell it to me....with 3g's off the MSRP. I am impressed by the smoothness and power of it and I can tell that its going to be a hoot to drive once its broken in a bit (still has under 50 miles on it). It feels more powerful and way more quiet than my TL-S, though I think my TL-S handled a little better (had adjustable Tocikos on it). Its got a great engine note too.

The short story is that I traded my beloved TL-S in on a my dream car, a 2002 M3 SMG, steel gray with cinnamon. I got it from a recent trade at a local Honda dealer were it was traded by the original owner who had it as his 3rd car and never drove it...it only had 47000 miles on it. Needless to the dream was to good to be true as 4 days after I bought it the transmission grenaded on me. To the tune of 8800 dollars. The dealer, being a stand up guy offered to buy the car back at what I paid or chip in to help fix it. So I gave it back up, walked across the street to Acura and found my longtime saleman who told me they had the V6 coming in and he earmarked it for me. Got it right off the truck, literally.

So far its really growing on me...here's to being back in the Acura fold, even though I was only gone for a very short while.

mrstak

iTrader: (1)

Welcome home

mrstak

iTrader: (1)

oh and

MoaarLow

V6 MOAAR POWER!
After my lease is up i may pick up a V6,
Did you get a Tech Model?

ttk5

That is ...a really interesting story! And now you find yourself back in another Acura. E46M3 must have been a blast

bandit tl

No tech, you kind of have to take what you get here. This is the first V6 in the area for about a year.

The e46 was great...looked great, drove great...that is until the trans would only give me reverse and 2nd. I mean, I could do 45 or 50 mph, but driving around at 6500 rpm would get old quick. Nothing drives like a BMW, but I'll give you guys some advice, don't buy one out of warranty as an only vehicle, well an M model anyway. And make sure you have records with it, although this one had all of its service records since new and had just had its inspection II done. Luck of the draw I guess.

Besides, peace of mind with an Acura and a new car warranty is about priceless to me right now...I had to drive around in Toyota Yaris rental for 3 weeks, I literally only drove the M3 for 3 days, the fourth day was to the dealer when I could get only 2nd gear. I dodged a huge bullet and I'm lucky I'm not shopping for a loan to get a new SMG transmission.

I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow. The pearl white is really growing on me.

Professor

From a V6 Tech 2011 PWP with black interior (49 of the 50 made)...enjoy!

After crossing 5500 miles, I finally played with mine... I currently have a 2005 RL and had a 2003 TL, and I think the V6 TSX will hold it's ground against them. Just be careful. The wheel spin seems to come quicker in the TSX than the TL. Maybe because of a bigger engine. Of course the RL with SHAWD wouldn't spin a tire on a road of ice. But that little extra she has to transfer to the back leads me to believe the TSX would take her.

mmafighta

m3 owner probably never started up the car since sidelining it lol. man that sucks, i bet it was fun when u had it though.

tobwac

welcome and enjoy every mile in it

a35tl

Congrats on the TSX V6. I too, am a new TSX V6 owner. Sold my beloved '07 TL Nav and purchased a '10 TSX V6 Tech. I bought it from an Acura dealer. The car had been on their lot since new. No one ever bought it for some unknown reason. The only miles on it were put on it by the dealer. It had a little over 1300 miles and I'm listed as the first owner. Got it over $10k off sticker.

Had my heart set on a newer 'TL but couldn't find one to suit me under my $30k budget. Pondered the TSX V6 for a while and stumbled across this one. I am so impressed with it and have no regrets. Ultimately, I do want to be back in a TL but I think this is a perfect transitional car coming from a 3G TL.

Excluding the price, which I'm sure is the #1 culprit, I don't know why people are not buying the V6 TSX. I love it. I think it's one of the great undiscovered cars out there right now. Plenty of power. Pretty smooth ride. Very comfortable. Decent gas mileage. Sharp looking. I got mine on Feb 7th. I live in the Raleigh, NC area and have yet to see another V6 TSX. Maybe it doesn't make as much sense to buy one new because of the price, but in my opinion, the TSX V6 should be a top pick as a used or slightly used vehicle. You can find used ones with less than 15k miles for well under $30k. It's a lot of car for the money.

So count me as another TSX V6 fan. We may be an exclusive company but that just adds to the appeal of the car for me. I've received nothing but high praise from my friends and family after they've seen it. They are geniunely impressed by my car. And by the way, mine is white over parchment.

Bobisnew

I just bought my 2010 v6 tech black/black last week ....and love it! Couldn't agree with you more!

Acura_Dude

Welcome I must've been nice to own and M3, but atleast you didn't get stuck with $8800 in repairs. Good deal on pickin up the TSX V6!

opboarding

go team V6!

EHZSK

I found a TSX V6 thread! I just bought a used 2010 TSX V6, black on black. I REALLY like it! Best car I tried by far. But the struts (or something in the suspension) is suspect. The car is "bouncy" and doesn't do so well with pot holes. Has anyone bought aftermarket struts for their TSX V6?

I'm also thinking about increasing thickness of tires slightly. They came with P235/45R18, so I'm thinking of getting something like P235/50R18.
Has anyone looked into doing something similar?

saucy

Welcome to the V6 fun.

DLCU2

Nice pick up.

I'm surprised to hear that the V6 TSX feels more powerful than a TL-S.

ceb

Increasing the overall diameter of the tires is not recommended and - if anything - will increase the "bounciness" How many miles are on the car?

My first step would be to check the air pressure in the tires and increase it to the high side of normal. If that doesn't resolve it then you might to have the suspension checked for damage - but - "bounce" is often in the eye of the beholder. What car did you come from?

UntzUntzUntz

Congrats on the new ride!

I don't mean to steal your thunder, but since this seems like a thread where a lot of V6 owners are coming, I figured it would be a good place to ask something I'm deliberating myself....

To all TSX V6 tech owners, why did you choose to go with it instea of paying ~$1000 more for a TL tech? Is it just the looks of the TL that put you off or....?

iSeeYouTwo

If you can find a TL Tech for ~1000 more than a TSX V6 --- GO FOR IT.

UntzUntzUntz

That's the MSRP difference here in Canada for a new 2013. Used prices will vary of course.

iSeeYouTwo

If I were to ever get a TL it would have to be the SHAWD 6MT with Tech and Umber interior. Love that combination, although it's very rare!

EHZSK

Thanks guys! I got the used 2010 TSX V6 for $21k with 45k miles on it. It was one of the smoothest rides I tried and felt like it had plenty of power for me. My last car was an old 2000 Honda Accord 4 cylinder, so this V6 TSX has plenty of power relatively speaking. I'm sure it accelerates quick enough relative to TLs and other cars. I didn't want to spend money on a Tech package (Don't think I need it), so used TL cost difference was over $1000 whenever I looked online. I have to admit, I like the look of the TSX V6. I don't race, so this TSX car is perfect.

As for the "bouncy" factor, my air pressure is 36 psi on fronts and 33 on rears. I've noticed some posts [and even Edmunds] that elude to possible strut issues on the TSX. I haven't found anyone with a V6 that has changed their struts yet. I'm hoping I can increase tire thickness and make up for it [and more] with better struts (Koni's, Megan's?).

Your input is greatly appreciated! UntzUntzUntz; feel free to ask me questions.

TSXV6Guy

I think the tire pressure is supposes to be 33 psi front and rear. My 2010 V6 also feels "bouncy" but like ceb said, bounce is relative. The V6s suspension is stiffer than the 4 cylinder to account for the heavier front, so that makes it "bouncier" than the 4 cylinder version.

I run winter tires here, which are 215/55R17 (2 sizes narrower but same outside diameter). There is a difference in the bounciness, but again, what you gain there, you loose in the handling...

musty hustla

For me I didn't like the looks or size of the TL. I really wanted the keyless and push button but the size was a deal breaker.

bagwell

iTrader: (1)

congrats on the TSX -- sorry to hear of the M3 troubles -- I'm sure it was very stressful. That's my biggest fear with buying ANY used BMW.

tvac

What musty hustla said, just didn't like the look or size of the 2010 TLs when I was in the market. I have to admit to liking the more toned-down look of the later model TLs though.

TSXV6Guy

The pre-2012 looks as well as the size. But the deal breaker was the beak...

a35tl

I am looking to replace my '10 TSX V6 Tech right now. Would love to buy a slightly used (under 10k miles) '12 TL Advance but can't find any to suit me. I would also consider a newer TSX V6 Tech but they're even more rare than a TL.

There are plenty of TL Techs available but I can't stand the stock wheels on them. They are better than the base Acura wheels from '09 - '11 but I'm not going to spend $30k+ on a car whose wheels I hate. I like the ones on the Advance package but they are simply very hard to find.

Stevemega

Hey all- So sounds like a few folks here have gone through what I'm considering, which is trading in my TL (05) for the V6 TSX. I've been looking at a lot of '10's with Tech, which makes the V6 pretty rare.

It's been mentioned a few times already, but is the V6 really a must? Part of me thinks that it's a TSX, and that a V6 misses the point, but another part of me has reallllly grown accustomed to the TL's engine and don't want to take a big step backwards in power (albeit for a smaller/lighter car). Any input is appreciated!

musty hustla

The only way to know is to drive both. I like the power of my V6 and it handles fine to me.

Are you interested in the 4G TL? I love the keyless entry they offer on the tech model.

2snail

another v6 guy here. I decided to trade in my 2010 lancer evo X gsr due to all kinds of bad luck with oil leaks, clutch master cylinder, and engine failure.

I almost picked up a 4cyl tsx but i am so glad I found a v6. My coworkers have 4cyl models and the v6 feels much better. Yes there is more weight, but honestly the ride feels the same to me after riding in both.

Not to mention, how many times are you going to cutting apex's on your commute to work and back. Most of the time will be spent in stop and go and the torque of the v6 sealed to deal for me for driveability.

Not to mention highway pulling power when you need it.

I love the tech package to even though the firmware looks old, the backup camera and tilting passenger side mirror in reverse are awesome. I never realized how handy those features were until the tsx.

The only thing that sucks on the v6 tsx is the brakes. The stock brakes are horrible. That is the first thing I upgraded when my pads were done. Slotted rotors and nice ceramic pads made a huge difference.

I just picked up some new tires and hope to install them this weekend, high performance all season as summer tires will just amplify the floatiness of the stock suspension. Although for a luxury cruiser is pretty damn good compared to other cars I have felt.


The 3g tl-s are def sexy, but the interior does look dated to me. The tsx looks very nice, and I love the steering wheel. I hate the new 2013 accord steering wheel. I guess the new trend is to go away from the tri spoke steering wheel.

I hate the control buttons too, the new hyundais and kias all seem to follow the similar button layouts.

tsx

accord - gag


hyundai - barf


Kia - barf

Professor

It's like red head v. blonde. I miss the 4 spoke wheel in the 2005 RL. I drive mostly with my left hand only, and the 8 o'clock position of the third spoke of a 4 spoke kind of fit to my driving style.

Simba91102

You drive with one hand? Amatuer......

matt4517

Congradulations on your new TSX. Too bad it isn't a stick. Don't know how you do it. Enjoy your new ride.

EHZSK

Just an FYI, I bought BC Racing Coilovers and put them in my 2010 V6 TSX.

I haven't really set them up right yet (no preload on the springs, etc...), but they are still much better than the stock shock/dampers.

I bought BC Racing Coilovers, BR series, from HeelToeAuto.com. It was a very good interaction/transaction.

If you also found that the TSX is "floaty", "soft", "bouncy", and doesn't corner well, I believe it is worth it to get new coilovers.
I was concerned that they'd be do stiff and I wouldn't be comfortable, but the fronts are actually too soft until I boost up the damper stiffness at least 12 clicks. The rear shocks are good at the softest setting. It will be interesting to see how they ride after I add some spring preload to the fronts (should be great!).

a35tl

Just sold my beloved '10 TSX V6 Tech. Purchased a '12 TL Advance. Love the new one but will definitely miss my TSX.

zup2sky

That TL is a lovely car. Def step up from a TSX.

atsx1313

very nice... iwanted a v6 as well but dealer didn't have one

dmoney10

I bought a 2010 TSX V6 back in April. It had less than 12k miles and was listed for less than higher mileage 4cyl TSXs. I was in a pinch because I had a B7 A4 3.2 that had several oil leaks, a differential leak and was going to need control arms, motor mounts, and brakes in the near future. I decided it wasn't wasn't worth the investment. I did great on my trade-in nonetheless.

I researched a bunch of different vehicles and decided on the acura brand due to reliability. I really wanted a TL SH-AWD but it was difficult finding a good example at a reasonable price. My brother has a FWD 09 TL and I looked at that and realized how small the trunk was and was not interested (I would have comprised for the AWD though). I knew I didn't want the 4cyl TSX because my wife has a 09 and its a slug once you reach 30 mph.

Anyway, all was great for the first few months. I commuted on a straight shot down the highway. Ride was smooth. Power is impressive, but if the wheel is turned at all the tires spin ( I really miss Quattro). I've since changed jobs and now my commute is all back roads. I have to say the suspension tuning is downright awful. The car gets thrown from its path on every manhole cover or bump in the road. Its clumsy. Also, I have the notorious brake issue. I'm assuming its the soft pad compound that left deposits on the rotor which is causing the vibrations I feel under heavy braking.

So now I'm considering upgrades. I've seen the project TSX V6 on Hondatuning and some of those upgrades look worthwhile. Have any of you seen or tried them?

iCrap

The TL is so damn ugly :/ the old one looked so much better.