So my NEW 2004 RX-8 was delivered to me damaged, so I won't be taking delivery of it. I still have an opportunity to negotiate for a '05 model, but this experience has also given me a chance to re-think my options. So I took a test drive of an '05 Acura TL. Man, they are nice cars... I didn't even think about getting one before because I'm 27 and I didn't want to look like I was drving my dad's car. But check this out.. MSRP are pretty much identical, but they are so different, with each having their own pros:

RX-8 (canadian GT) - $40,695cad with roof
- RWD, LSD
- SEXY!!!
- Unique and a real head turner
- Fits my age profile more
- Handles better
- Better driving experience
- May not have another chance to drive this kind of car until I'm old

TL - $41,000cad (auto) $42,000cad (manual)
- 270hp!!! 238tq!!!
- Beautiful interior
- Better quality and build (IMO)
- Faster
- More dependable (can keep for 10 years w/o problems)
- My gf doesn't complain about that hump on the floor!
- Better mileage

These are just the pros of each that the other does not have. The RX-8 was my dream car for 2 years now and that's all I'd think about, but now that I think about it more... I don't see why apples can't be compared to oranges. I'd be happy to own either one, but question is do I want to eat apples for the next couple years, or oranges?

 

buy the RX8.

It's a car. Driving experience is all that matters.

 

if u want sporty and the looks and want to show off... RX8.... if u want classy but yet sporty... ge the TL... if the TL wasn't FWD then i would've probally chose it over the RX8... but i jhave to say the RX8 should handle way better than the TL...

 

Really cant go wrong with either choice. Flip a coin, lol

 

Agreed!! I like the TL, but being an 8 owner....well. If I had to do it all over again, I'd still buy the 8.

Good luck.

- Irish

 

Yea, TL is really nice. If I was looking for a performance sedan, it probably would have been one of my choice. It has class and a sporty side to itself.

But I have the 8 because I wanted it. I wouldn't look any other way with a type of car as this.

It's all about preference.

 

Simple solution: Get both

 

I was going to buy a TL until I drove the 8. Then I bought the 8. Drive both and buy what you like more.

 

You will have plenty of time when you are older to get a sedan. Get the sporty car now, while you don't have kids. I was going to get an Acura TL before, but no matter how sporty it looks, it does not drive like it. It is FWD, and torque steer was very noticeable, especially in the 6 sp. Stereo rocks though, but to make it look sporty & handle decently you need to get the A Spec package which is itself $5000.

 

I've driven both many times... but I've decided to try for an '05 RX-8... this will be my 3rd attempt at getting this car. I figure that I'll have 20 years' opportunity to buy a sedan when I have a family and now is not the time! I like the idea of getting both though!

 

Yeah, I think you're making a good choice with the 8...If for no other reason, just because I can't stand the dynamics of FWD cars - we just don't see eye to eye. I have nothing else against the TL, really - I think it's a great looking car that does everything it's meant to do very well, it's just not really a youthful car (though it's not really geriatric looking...it's just neutral) and plus the RX8 is just more fun to drive. (I haven't driven the TL, but I haven't met an FWD platform that I've liked, so I'm going out on a limb)

 

Just not the same... not even close. If you need a sports car, you have the answer...

 

I think I'm uniquely qualified to answer this one - I traded a 2001 TL for the RX-8 and in the quest to get me to take another TL, my dealer gave me a new one to drive for a full weekend.

I agree with MI_FamillyMan - the TL is just a totally different breed of cat.

And it's a kickass cat - man, this was a VERY hard decision for me to make. The TL is a truly amazing car for the price - it goes like stink, is SUPERBLY refined (and if anyone read my trashing of the Lancer EVO, you'd know how important this is to me), it handles beautifully, it has amazing features and fit and finish. If you're in the market for a top-quality sports sedan, it's the **** and then some. When I bought my 2001 TL, I was comparing it to the C-class Mercedes and the 3-Series BMW and just couldn't justify spending more to buy less car.

That said, it's not an RX-8 - because it's not a sports car. I decided I'd had too many 4 door sedans over the past 18 years since I got rid of my '85 RX-7 (OK, I did have three Integra coupes and a Legend coupe ... but I digress), and wanted a car that I could autocross, in addition to taking most of the family along.

The killers of the RX-8, which very nearly overrode it in favor of the TL were:
- not enough room for the whole family (5 people)
- comfort and luxury ride and quiet
- dicey winter driving capabilities (which I've found to be not an issue)
- Changing brands and dealerships (I'd been with the same Acura dealer since 1986, and this continues to be a big issue for me)

The winners of the RX-8 were:
- Been wanting another rotary sports car for 18 years
- Fun to drive
- Ability to autocross it
- Styling
- Wanting a sports car

Ultimately what turned the tide for me was the fact that in 2008 (the end of the lease on this car), my oldest will turn 16, and I will be out of the sports car business from then until my two youngest head to college - 7 more years beyond 2008. I am not having a sports car with three teen boy drivers in the house. I can't afford that insurance. No one can! So, when my -8's lease completes, I'll go get another TL or whatever mid-range 4 door sports sedan Acura is peddling at that point.

So, I wanted it. It was pure emotion. And I've never looked back.

You cannot go wrong with either car. Although I'd bet the TL drivers don't get the "wow what a cool car" like us RX-8 drivers do.

Have fun - I made the same decision set in July and enjoyed making the decision. And y'all know which way I went!

Stew

 

I am really impressed with the job Acura did on the TL, except for that molded-in "Acura" on the front bumper. And now that I know how great RWD is, I wish Honda would have somehow put their SH-AWD on the TL. Then I really would want one.

 

rx8 rear wheel drive
tl wrong wheel drire :D

 

why not consider a tsx? it has a more youthful/sporty look IMO, lighter weight, tighter handling, and still not so bad at 200hp. it also has a 6-speed that is pure sex. it definitely has a higher fun-to-drive factor than the TL imo. TSX is a luxury sport sedan, the TL is a sporty luxury sedan.

plus it's a buttload cheaper even with the amazing navigation system!

 

There is probably a $5,000 difference in list price between the base RX-8 and the base TL (which pretty much has all options). Real world price differential is probably greater, as Acura dealers think they're selling gold. If you stay basic with the 8, then you're in two different price classes.

The TL is missing the sex appeal of the 8. I went for the cheaper sex.

 

Actually, I have considered the TSX.. but I had sold my '98 Prelude and drving the TSX is exactly the same as driving the Lude, except with 4 doors! Not only that, but it costs $37,000cad!! Demand is high for the TSX, so I wouldn't be able to get a good deal and it would be about the same as an RX-8 after negotiation. And if I added $4000, I could get a much better car (ie. TL). So the TSX was left out...

 

i don't know, i negotiated a local dealer down to $27,500USD (only $600 over invoice) with destination for an '05 TSX 6-speed black/black with navi. they're trying to locate one now, not sure whether i'm going to go for a combo of my current supra and tsx, or just an rx8 and save some money.

 

one word... R O T A R Y

 

i'd buy a TL for the mere fact that you live in canada. i dont have snow tires on my 8, so i dont really know if it is driveable in the snow (I still have OEM tires and dont drive my 8 when there's anything on the ground).

 

No way. The 8 is eminently driveable in snow -- with the right tires. And those absolutely are not the OEM tires.

 

Dude, you won't be able to go on any RX-8 meets in Calgary with your TL.

Think about it!!! :D

 

Oh yeah, and why do you think the TL is faster than the 8? All the 0-60 times I've seen have put them almost identical...some say the manual TL is 6.2 seconds whereas the 8 has recorded 5.9.