The best thing to do is go to a dealer, test drive a TL, then go and drive a 2k+ Bonne basically back to back (same roads if at all possible). The only way to really know which to get is to drive both of them. Thats how I convinced myself I didn't want a TSX

The CL Type-*, as with the TL-*, has 260hp, but still 3.2L and still NA.





I'd take a 2002-2003 TL (updated fascia) over a 2000+ Bonneville, especially the SLE (or cheaper). In a heartbeat.





Modern cars... much more of a moot point. Honda parts typically aren't as expensive as you think. I cringe if I were to bring the '91 SSE in for repairs, luckily everything is DIY. If it wasn't for el-cheapo aftermarket parts and the junkyard, Bonneville SSE wouldn't be in the same sentence as "ownership". Especially when more and more "import" cars are being produced entirely in North America, costs go down.

I remember reading a magazine comparo a while ago in a Canadian magazine. It involved the likes of the Honda Pilot (or Acura MDX, I forget) and the GMC Envoy, etc etc. This magazine is nifty with the fact that it lists OEM costs for typical, commonly replaced parts in a table.

Of the half-dozen or so common parts (alternator, windshield, front fender, front struts to name a few) the cost of the Envoy'* parts were higher than the Honda'* in all categories except one... and what stuck in my mind was the fact that sometimes the cost differential between GM and Honda was several hundred dollars. And apparently you can get your oil changed in your Acura NSX, at a Honda dealer, for like $30.

I too woulld take the new TL over the SSEi (2000+) but I've said it before and I'll say it again.

new TL has very similar styling cues to the SSEi

I considered a 3.2 TL until I heard it had expensive tranny problems.

Nice car though.

I met a guys at the drag strip the last time i went there, he had a 3.2 TL not type-*, with
really basic mod, i think it was underdrive pulley and CAI.

He ran a best of 14.9 @94 mph (2000 model)

A bit later his friend came with a Manual 3.2 CL type-* with CAI and ran 14.5 @ 98mph


They have really nice top-end, this night i ran 14.6@96mph

I was faster on 1/8 mile, but he got me before the end.

They are quick. And sound really nice with a CAI.


The TL was Auto and the type-* was manual wich help him getting 14.5...
But in an another way, i have a 3.4 pulley and a high flow cat, and im supercharged...

Bah...if you dont mind an Auto, there is a nice and I do mean nice Trans-Am at the dealership I work at. V8, throaty sounding and black. I had the pleasure of driving it and the GTO we have on the lot today. If you dont mine 50k miles on it. Your close enough I could hook ya up with a test drive.

ah bill? i WILL take pics of my new car ALL over! no more false testimonies now! thanks for the tip on the TA....but definitely not my type wow, you guys have shared some extremely helpful info...this definitely helps in making a decision..now i know why people do polls on this site! thanks!!!! weight of the bonnie and TL are similar right? so if i could squeeze 15+ more horsies out of the TL i should be in bonnie */c range...depending on the gearing. right?!

o.k...i'm going to check out the tranny issues...not cool if they are pretty common...if anyone finds anything before me, please post it

They're about 3500lbs. And they had advantageous gearing:





2003 Ratios (:1)
1st 0.563

2nd 1.552

3rd 1.022

4th 0.653

5th 0.471

Reverse 1.846

Final 4.429




Even with that ratio, EPA rated fuel mileage is 19/29... same as my car. A TL-* will be right in the SSEi range (or faster) out of the box.

My advise is drive both for test drive and put both thought their paces. Which one you like more

I'll try to test drive both if that opportunity presents itself.

eh hem....by the way, for those of you who know what'* going on, read this PM i got today from billboost:

i love these guys...um...really.

anyway, i do believe the acura can get away with less-than-93 grade octane...wherease the bonnie needs it. i can get mid-grade here for the same price at regular...which is definitely a thought...