The auto trans is the weakspot in the car. My daily driver is a 97 RL with 240K miles and still running like a top all original. RL is a better car but less MPG and costlier.

3 people i know own 3rd gen tl with auto trans they all ran into transmission issues with their car.

http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=808475

The 3.2TL and not just TL (after 2002 I believe is when they made the change) was the car with tranny issues. My mothers had her transmission rebuilt by Acura or replaced entirely 5 times at least. Acura always provided a donor car for her (TSX, which by the way, in comparison feels cheap and has more plastic parts, my mother hates getting rentals.) Because of my wealth of Honda knowledge and great customer service she always received, she purchased a brand new 2013 TL fully loaded with Technology package and SH-AWD. The car is lovely and a great DD. It doesn't scream "I AM SUPER HIGH END LUXURY" on the outside looks wise if you ask me, like the Audi she almost bought (a4-a6 of same year) and came to her own conclusion she valued Acura's help and customer care over the years and negotiated a great deal and extended warranty for virtually free! I believe she paid a little over 55 out the door.

The models you are looking at TL wise have the body style of the elderly lady who lives across the street from me. She's at least 70 and it's not too much power for her and I like the looks of them a lot. If your mother has people in the car often, opt for TL as it has much better back seat space than the TSX, and again, the TSX just feels cheap. I don't think the majority of them that have black interior, the leather is real lol (not to knock Acura, I'm a Honda fanboy, it's just hard and weird and so much plastic!)

Won't be disappointed either way especially since she won't be beating on it! Run full synthetic oil and change it religiously every 5-7k miles (I'm anal, 3.5k for me) and give it good gas! Car will run forever. J32's are great engines! Flat as hell torque curve is fun!

Very good info.

What's the price difference between say for example a 2006 TL and a 2006 TSX?

I've seen people say it's quite a difference, as the TL you pay a lot more (for better performance obviously). And what would you suggest I spend $10K on, which year? I'm trying to go as new as possible, with as few miles as possible of course. Unless there's a certain year that had a lot more success than others.

This post was edited by MCW on Mar 21 2014 06:41am

To answer the question on price, I'd be willing to say without looking and based on NEW retail prices, anywhere from 2-6k depending on mileage. It appears the 06's did have transmission issues, however it is covered under the 100k mile warranty and my neighbor never had issues. It's a simple fix. Change fluid and sensors on the tranny. Do this in your garage.

You don't pay a lot more for performance in the TL. It's a larger car and has a lot more body roll. The TSX is smaller and has cheaper materials used inside, however one could opt to change the package around. I'm sure you'll find one that you like interior wise for both vehicles.

I have a friend who just picked up an 07-08 TL type S and loves it. That IS the sportier version and has a different intake manifold and adjusted timing I believe to compensate for a slightly more aggressive cam? Either way, that car usually comes fully loaded and does not have the familiar transmission issues (which, again, are a simple fix).

If you want better fuel economy, go TSX. If you want bigger, roomier, little worse on gas but has a little more get up, exterior looks (IMO), and overall nicer interior (go to your dealership and test drive BOTH OBVIOUSLY) and you decide! Good luck, won't lose with either one