Finally Tried the Other Side

eljefe68 · 06-25-2007, 03:39 PM

By other side, I mean I have sampled a 5AT TSX. I put my car, a 2005 6MT, in for service and I was given a 2007 5AT as a loaner.

Since my original "Why did you get an AT" thread, I have been curious as to the driving experience of the AT TSX. Now that I have sampled the goods, I am, of course, in a much better place to comment on the differences.

Initially, I found the AT car to be rather jerky, but once I got use to the throttle tip-in, I was able to be smooth. Leaving it in D, it is like any other automatic you will drive: it will shift relatively smoothly, let you loaf along in traffic, etc.

Since I am a MT guy, however, I spent most of my time with it in the 'manual' gate. Like the Tiptronic in my wife's VW, I found it useful for downshifting, but the Acura trans had an even greater lag on upshift. Truly, if you are doing an hard acceleration, you have to plan ahead for manual upshifts. The lag was truly annoying and showed me an AT driver would be better off just leaving it in D for acceleration.

Just a few notes on the 2007: the VTEC cam felt stronger that my 2005, but for some reason the motor didn't sound very nice. My car sounds way better for some reason. Creature comfort-wise, I liked the in-cluster trip computer, but man, how many more switches and buttons are they going to add to the steering wheel? Also, I did find that the nav system booted up and ran faster than my car.

So, would I ever buy an AT for myself? Absolutely not. The 2007 AT was a case study in why I prefer a MT. The torque converter simply takes away the quick reflexes the TSX. With a MT, moving away from a stop is so much more direct and crisp, shifts are more solidly engaged, and the car as a whole just feels more alive. On top of that, believe me or not, but I am smoother than the AT with my MT accelerating from a stop, shifting, down shifting and the like. No BS, I have had passengers in my car think they were in an automatic, so I have got the passenger comfort angle covered too by the MT.

In sum, if you got an AT, that was your preference and no dogging of your choice is intended. But if you are choosing between an AT and MT, do think twice before you get that AT.

xjohnkdoex · 06-25-2007, 03:49 PM

the only reason why i got an AT is b/c i don't know how to drive a MT.

but the other day, i was just thinking about how boring it is driving an AT. and i makes me want to learn driving manual. now if i can only find a car to practice on.

asterix101 · 06-26-2007, 02:54 AM

That's your side of a story however when I was buying Accord I was also in dilemma what to take an AT or MT. I tried both and I can say that in 95% of (normal) driving (work - home - shop - vacation - ...) I'm faster with AT then MT. MT sure comes handy in situations where you want to take a car a bit harder but that usually happens (at least in my case) 5% of time and also then I can use M. AT always shifts the same and in my case it is very smooth. My next car will also be AT. Nevertheless I would go with MT in case of M3, S2000 type of cars, but Accord/TSX is a pure limousine (believe it or not) nothing to sporty there and I think AT fits its personality. That's my experience.

Zeeshan · 06-26-2007, 03:14 AM

i got the AT because its not a "fast" car. i went with the "chill" approach...as in something i can chill in traffic with without feeling super tired when getting home (my car before this was MT). I will however go back to MT down the road when i purchase something fast.

Benz · 06-26-2007, 07:19 AM

^ same as me...and the fact that my parents "thinks" I will race and modded the car crazy with a MT, but..i raced and modded with an AT anyways, HAHAHA

j0z0d34th · 06-26-2007, 08:20 AM

exactly, ive had mt cars b4, i loved them but i couldnt drive them after i tuned them (points in case 1993 firehawk: transam body, corvette engine tranny + all the slp performance part + fireball2 supercharger w/ adj retard levels, 2004 corvette w/ w/ 427 cid twin turbo package from lingenfelter) both of those have had forced induction and to be honest i like the supercharger better than turbo, but no matter, thats not what im here abt. i bought my 06 at tsx for the comfort levels. you might not be in as great "control" of the car. but if your not gonna race then why do u need a mt. for driving to work/school/play i would much rather be able to steer+shift (thnx to the computer) + comp down on a burger +and play around w/ the stereo controlls.

can you do all of that and still be comfortable in ur mt?

kman13 · 06-26-2007, 02:17 PM

thats one thing ill miss when i get MT ... eating while driving ...
and no, the TSX is not FAST, but, i like feeling in full control of my car,
plus, it's fast enough.

j0z0d34th · 06-26-2007, 02:23 PM

its fast enough to cruise around in. i cant stand standing still i love to move, thats why i sold my vette for the r63 and my newish 07 r6

Inter · 06-26-2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j0z0d34th

exactly, ive had mt cars b4, i loved them but i couldnt drive them after i tuned them (points in case 1993 firehawk: transam body, corvette engine tranny + all the slp performance part + fireball2 supercharger w/ adj retard levels, 2004 corvette w/ w/ 427 cid twin turbo package from lingenfelter) both of those have had forced induction and to be honest i like the supercharger better than turbo, but no matter, thats not what im here abt. i bought my 06 at tsx for the comfort levels. you might not be in as great "control" of the car. but if your not gonna race then why do u need a mt. for driving to work/school/play i would much rather be able to steer+shift (thnx to the computer) + comp down on a burger +and play around w/ the stereo controlls.

can you do all of that and still be comfortable in ur mt?

Well I can drive and shift and play with the radio at once, quite easily. Eating is a different ball game. First off, I don't allow any eating or drinking in my car.

However, my last manual i could drive with knee, eat, smoke(i quit, both), shift, play with radio, and talk on cell phone comfortably while on the highway doing 80 (5 over speed limit). I have never been in an accident. I had that car down tho. Hell, I could shift without the clutch lol.

I dunno how well the TSX voice recognition would work with food in the mouth tho ;-p

eljefe68 · 06-26-2007, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asterix101

That's your side of a story however when I was buying Accord I was also in dilemma what to take an AT or MT. I tried both and I can say that in 95% of (normal) driving (work - home - shop - vacation - ...) I'm faster with AT then MT. MT sure comes handy in situations where you want to take a car a bit harder but that usually happens (at least in my case) 5% of time and also then I can use M. AT always shifts the same and in my case it is very smooth. My next car will also be AT. Nevertheless I would go with MT in case of M3, S2000 type of cars, but Accord/TSX is a pure limousine (believe it or not) nothing to sporty there and I think AT fits its personality. That's my experience.

Hmm, I would say, then, I would always be faster than you in my MT

. I would be interested to know of any differences in the suspension tuning for your Accord vs. the U.S. market TSX, but I surmise that both cars are pretty close. However, here in the U.S., with milquetoast cars like the Camry, Galant, Malibu, and Sebring, believe me, our TSX is way more sporting than limousine. Sure, it is no 3 series BMW, but it is a car that has always been lauded in our automotive press as being very fun to drive, especially with a 6MT.

Zeeshan · 06-26-2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j0z0d34th

its fast enough to cruise around in. i cant stand standing still i love to move, thats why i sold my vette for the r63 and my newish 07 r6

yes, fast enough to get me from point a to point b, to get to work, and what not. not fast enough to "enjoy" in my opinion. 0-60 in 5 secs or less for me is "fast enough", but that just MY opinion.

im not a "fast" driver, dont really ever go over 75 on on the freeway, usually set the cruise at 75 mph. however, i would like to get to that 75 super quick

i just need more power! would love the new 2008 M3.

eljefe68 · 06-26-2007, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j0z0d34th

i bought my 06 at tsx for the comfort levels. you might not be in as great "control" of the car. but if your not gonna race then why do u need a mt.

Having an MT is not about racing for me. I personally enjoy the additional control, the increased alertness I feel, and the challenge a MT presents. I like perfecting my smoothness, my double clutching, my heel and toe technique.

Quote:

Originally Posted by j0z0d34th

can you do all of that and still be comfortable in ur mt?

I can play just fine with the radio using the steering wheel controls and the voice command system and be comfortable with my MT, but more importantly, still pay due attention to the road and the sea of morons driving around me.

devore · 06-26-2007, 04:48 PM

I'm not going to race but neither do I want to feel like I'm sitting on my couch at home. Cars are for driving - I like focusing on paying attention to the road and making smooth shifts. My 6MT forces me to be more engaged in that way. If I need to eat and talk on the phone and fiddle with a stereo I'll do that at home.

I've also driven an AT several times when the dealer had my MT in for service. It's much nicer than other ATs I've driven, and going around turns is certainly easier when you don't need to worry about shifting (but coming out of them is way less fun!). But I just feel less in control of the car and too much like I'm riding rather than driving.

asterix101 · 06-27-2007, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eljefe68

Hmm, I would say, then, I would always be faster than you in my MT

. I would be interested to know of any differences in the suspension tuning for your Accord vs. the U.S. market TSX, but I surmise that both cars are pretty close. However, here in the U.S., with milquetoast cars like the Camry, Galant, Malibu, and Sebring, believe me, our TSX is way more sporting than limousine. Sure, it is no 3 series BMW, but it is a car that has always been lauded in our automotive press as being very fun to drive, especially with a 6MT.

But then again a racing driver would be faster than you with AT on a track

... This story can continue on and on. I can say that at 6 in the morning when I go to work all sleepy I'm sure my AT shifts better and quicker than MT. And this is 95% of my driving. But that's me. If you always take a car sharp then MT is definitely what you need.

I'm still saying Accord/TSX is not fast car it's OK, at least when I compare it with cars here in Slovenia where average is around 75 bhp. So for our conditions is almost formula 1 with 190 bhp but then again when you do drag with fast car like M3 you feel like you're 4 years old in a Accord. And its not sporty at all. Stock suspension is so soft you really cannot do a sharp cornering. Brakes are still terrible (bit better then older model), that is OK for everyday driving but when you really take a car hard they will overheat after few full stops. Take an M3 with stock brakes and those will never overheat. But there is some sporty attitude in this car and this is 2.4 liter engine which is IMHO the best 4 cylinder ever. Very smooth (as smooth as BMW's 6 cylinder) and best of all it revs and makes some serious noise.

And yes I still absolutely love it. Every time I seat inside I get my heart rate up and I feel younger.

eljefe68 · 06-27-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devore

I'm not going to race but neither do I want to feel like I'm sitting on my couch at home. Cars are for driving - I like focusing on paying attention to the road and making smooth shifts. My 6MT forces me to be more engaged in that way. If I need to eat and talk on the phone and fiddle with a stereo I'll do that at home.