Hey everyone! First post on the forum so I figured I'd introduce myself. My name is Dane and a few days ago, I bought a 2004 6MT TL down here in Dallas. It's nothing special, just the base model with 172k on the clock. The guy who owned it before me used it to drive to Vegas and back several times a year to play poker (must be pretty good at it I guess). Anyway, it just had a new clutch and flywheel installed as well as new suspension bushings, timing belt, tensioner, water pump, power steering rack, and spark plugs. It drives like new and I know I will be very happy with it for years to come.
I guess I should probably explain why I bought a TL. Well, we used to be Toyota people when we lived up North in Washington State. My wife had a 2000 4runner and I had a 2005 Tundra and a 1987 Turbo Supra. Up there, it made sense to have a vehicle with 4WD. When I got stationed down here in Dallas, it didn't make as much sense to have such large vehicles when we don't have dirtbikes to ride or mountains to climb. Long story short, she bought a 2010 TSX with the 4-banger auto and I bought a 2006 Touareg V10.
![Click the image to open in full size.]()
![Click the image to open in full size.]()
Now, the Touareg is a luxury SUV. That twin turbo diesel V10 is powerful and smooth, the interior is comfortable, it has onboard air, 4-zone climate control, front and rear heated seats, and even though it weighs slightly less than the Moon, it gets 22mpg. Unfortunately, it is underutilized for what it was designed for. We don't have kids, nor do we have anything to tow with it, so next week I'll be putting it up for sale. Anyway, enough about that. A couple weeks ago, my wife and I got to talking and decided I need a decent, but inexpensive sedan with leather interior that I can use for my 35 mile (each way) commute for work. My stipulation is it had to have a manual transmission, at least 200hp, and be under eight grand (I wanted to pay cash). We made a list and I test drove:
E46 BMW 330i
Mazdaspeed6
Infinity G35 Sedan
VW GTi
Subaru Legacy GT
Acura TL
I'm sure you can guess which one I ended up with. The Acura have me everything I needed. Plus, the shifter was the smoothest one out there. The Infinity had to be the worst! That being said, the Acura had a few issues. The dash was cracked, the stereo was quiet and yet very noisy, the cruise control power switch didn't stay latched, the headlights were VERY oxidized, and it doesn't have NAV. A thread on this forum helped me fix the stereo (bad capacitors) for $6.50.
![Click the image to open in full size.]()
I took sandpaper and polishing compound to the headlights. I think it improved it immensely.
![Click the image to open in full size.]()
A $.90 switch from Mouser fixed cruise control. Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of that. The only thing left is to swap over the Nav system. Oh, this is how it all looks now after a bit of elbow grease.
![Click the image to open in full size.]()
![Click the image to open in full size.]()
![Click the image to open in full size.]()
![Click the image to open in full size.]()
Best thing is, we are a Honda family again!
![Click the image to open in full size.]()
I guess I should probably explain why I bought a TL. Well, we used to be Toyota people when we lived up North in Washington State. My wife had a 2000 4runner and I had a 2005 Tundra and a 1987 Turbo Supra. Up there, it made sense to have a vehicle with 4WD. When I got stationed down here in Dallas, it didn't make as much sense to have such large vehicles when we don't have dirtbikes to ride or mountains to climb. Long story short, she bought a 2010 TSX with the 4-banger auto and I bought a 2006 Touareg V10.
Now, the Touareg is a luxury SUV. That twin turbo diesel V10 is powerful and smooth, the interior is comfortable, it has onboard air, 4-zone climate control, front and rear heated seats, and even though it weighs slightly less than the Moon, it gets 22mpg. Unfortunately, it is underutilized for what it was designed for. We don't have kids, nor do we have anything to tow with it, so next week I'll be putting it up for sale. Anyway, enough about that. A couple weeks ago, my wife and I got to talking and decided I need a decent, but inexpensive sedan with leather interior that I can use for my 35 mile (each way) commute for work. My stipulation is it had to have a manual transmission, at least 200hp, and be under eight grand (I wanted to pay cash). We made a list and I test drove:
E46 BMW 330i
Mazdaspeed6
Infinity G35 Sedan
VW GTi
Subaru Legacy GT
Acura TL
I'm sure you can guess which one I ended up with. The Acura have me everything I needed. Plus, the shifter was the smoothest one out there. The Infinity had to be the worst! That being said, the Acura had a few issues. The dash was cracked, the stereo was quiet and yet very noisy, the cruise control power switch didn't stay latched, the headlights were VERY oxidized, and it doesn't have NAV. A thread on this forum helped me fix the stereo (bad capacitors) for $6.50.
I took sandpaper and polishing compound to the headlights. I think it improved it immensely.
A $.90 switch from Mouser fixed cruise control. Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of that. The only thing left is to swap over the Nav system. Oh, this is how it all looks now after a bit of elbow grease.
Best thing is, we are a Honda family again!
