To finish of this Months
Automotive Declassified Enclyclopedia feature we are going to wrap up the Acura lineup with the TL and the TSX. Now in our last entry we regretted having to give the Acura RL our "
Basic Driver" award. (for a guide to rating system please review our first A.D.E.)Trust us we were shocked as well. Luckily we will be able to end this month on a high note. Just to get it out of the way both of these get our highest rating of a "
Golden Steering Wheel "award. There is a special something in the brew at Honda that really goes against reason. Neither of these Acuras excels on paper in
any tangible way against the competition. The regular TL has a 258 HP engine that is marvelous, but so are many other engines out there from Nissan, Toyota or even GM. 258 HP may sound like a lot but it is trampled on by Lexus and Infinity who have breached the 300 mark and also offer AWD. Even with this having been said the TL is a pure joy to drive. Honda products in general whether in "extra strength Acura" form or "regular strength Honda form", are a break away from the everyday driving headaches. Acuras strengths are not measured in numbers on page, they are measured in the grin on your face after a drive. Only the newly added S model competes on a pure numerical basis coming in at 286HP. The S model takes up where the last generation S left off. The new S is as taut as ever but never harsh. The S model imposes a modest $5000 tariff over the regular TL. The pricing structure for the TL is tightly grouped and at a starting price of $34,000 it is definitely in the higher part of the near luxury range. The bottom line is that the TL doesn't disappoint and provides enough smiles per mile to justify the price, but Acura should take note that the competition is fierce and anyone in this price category should definitely shop around to ensure that they are getting the "flavor" of near luxury they crave. "Flavor" is an important part of distinguishing the vast contenders in this crowded field. Now in our next review the TSX picks
up on the same "vibe" as the TL but provides different "seasoning" to create a different "taste". The TSX is a unique contender in that it competes in the smaller compact class of near luxury sports sedans but does so with a fourbanger. Now at first blush this would seem like a ridiculous formula to do battle against the "Tiger Woods of cars" the BMW 3 series. Acura has worked wonders however by massaging the four to provide 205HP which competes with many sixes for power. But before you get too excited much of this power is achieved at the nose bleed high range of the tach, a place few "responsible"
drivers tread. But for those closet racers it provides the Acura grin when unleashed. Now I know the four reduces drag strip times ,but it also reduces the weight over the front wheels which helps the handling from falling into a "plow" that haunts so many powerful front drivers. In many ways the high revving four combined with a sweet tasting 6 speed manual invokes memories of an MG, which also never won on a drag strip battle but embarrassed many a fast car in the twisties. This simplicity in motoring is like having Italian ice on a hot day, definitely a refreshing change from the overstimulated competition. Now even having said this it must be noted that Honda's own Accord costs thousands less, provides more interior room, while providing 3/4's the driving fun of these Acura's and does so with a more favorable current lease rate . For those who can afford the price of entry, however ,should put these Acura's on their short list. Each provides it's own "unique taste", never overshadowing each other, but complimenting each other by providing two cars that appeal to different automotive "tastes" regardless of their pricing structure. So we happily finish off this issue with Acura regaining it's "Golden Steering Wheel" award, and staking out a place in our automotive heart.
To finish of this Months Automotive Declassified Enclyclopedia feature we are going to wrap up the Acura lineup with the TL and the TSX. Now in our last entry we regretted having to give the Acura RL our "Basic Driver" award. (for a guide to rating system please review our first A.D.E.)Trust us we were shocked as well. Luckily we will be able to end this month on a high note. Just to get it out of the way both of these get our highest rating of a "Golden Steering Wheel "award. There is a special something in the brew at Honda that really goes against reason. Neither of these Acuras excels on paper in 
any tangible way against the competition. The regular TL has a 258 HP engine that is marvelous, but so are many other engines out there from Nissan, Toyota or even GM. 258 HP may sound like a lot but it is trampled on by Lexus and Infinity who have breached the 300 mark and also offer AWD. Even with this having been said the TL is a pure joy to drive. Honda products in general whether in "extra strength Acura" form or "regular strength Honda form", are a break away from the everyday driving headaches. Acuras strengths are not measured in numbers on page, they are measured in the grin on your face after a drive. Only the newly added S model competes on a pure numerical basis coming in at 286HP. The S model takes up where the last generation S left off. The new S is as taut as ever but never harsh. The S model imposes a modest $5000 tariff over the regular TL. The pricing structure for the TL is tightly grouped and at a starting price of $34,000 it is definitely in the higher part of the near luxury range. The bottom line is that the TL doesn't disappoint and provides enough smiles per mile to justify the price, but Acura should take note that the competition is fierce and anyone in this price category should definitely shop around to ensure that they are getting the "flavor" of near luxury they crave. "Flavor" is an important part of distinguishing the vast contenders in this crowded field. Now in our next review the TSX picks 
up on the same "vibe" as the TL but provides different "seasoning" to create a different "taste". The TSX is a unique contender in that it competes in the smaller compact class of near luxury sports sedans but does so with a fourbanger. Now at first blush this would seem like a ridiculous formula to do battle against the "Tiger Woods of cars" the BMW 3 series. Acura has worked wonders however by massaging the four to provide 205HP which competes with many sixes for power. But before you get too excited much of this power is achieved at the nose bleed high range of the tach, a place few "responsible" 
drivers tread. But for those closet racers it provides the Acura grin when unleashed. Now I know the four reduces drag strip times ,but it also reduces the weight over the front wheels which helps the handling from falling into a "plow" that haunts so many powerful front drivers. In many ways the high revving four combined with a sweet tasting 6 speed manual invokes memories of an MG, which also never won on a drag strip battle but embarrassed many a fast car in the twisties. This simplicity in motoring is like having Italian ice on a hot day, definitely a refreshing change from the overstimulated competition. Now even having said this it must be noted that Honda's own Accord costs thousands less, provides more interior room, while providing 3/4's the driving fun of these Acura's and does so with a more favorable current lease rate . For those who can afford the price of entry, however ,should put these Acura's on their short list. Each provides it's own "unique taste", never overshadowing each other, but complimenting each other by providing two cars that appeal to different automotive "tastes" regardless of their pricing structure. So we happily finish off this issue with Acura regaining it's "Golden Steering Wheel" award, and staking out a place in our automotive heart. 
