TheHondaBro's Next Car: Meet The Contenders 

"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform) 10/17/2017 at 01:30 • Filed to: None

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So as some of you may know, my noble Accord blew a... transmission, which left me car-less for a few months now. I’ve been thinking about a replacement during that time. I haven’t yet told Oppo about what that might be, so I’ve compiled the three cars I’m most likely to get in one easy-to-slice post.

1) Acura TL/CL Type-S (Gen 2)

The Honda V6 is my siren call. If I were to own one again, it would have to be the ultimate J block V6, the J32A2 which is only found in the gen 2 CL/TL Type-S. My dad had one of these, the engine was fucking hypnotic. It sang as you went to pass a semi, and growled when you hit VTEC. 260hp isn’t too bad to start with, especially considering you can bolt on a J37 throttle body and intake manifold to get 35 more horsepower. However, if I were to get a V6 Honda again, no auto. I will only do a manual. Very very few of these cars were fitted with a manual transmission, so it would be difficult to find. I could buy an auto and swap in an MCLA manual transmission, but that’s more than I’m willing to do for a DD.

2) Acura TL (Gen 3)

Like the gen 2 Type-S, but 10 more horsepower and weighs about the same. Also more modern and more plentiful with a manual. I would also love one of these, but again, only with a manual. Also the J37 parts.

3) Lexus GS430 (06-07)

You guys have never ever ever heard of me wanting a GS430. I may have once owned a Honda, but my heart belongs with Toyota. The UZ is my favorite V8, and the 3UZ is... not the best UZ, but it is the coolest (because reasons). For not much money, I could get a RWD V8 luxury sedan, and that kicks ass.

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Basically here’s where I stand:

I could spend a little bit and buy a CL/TL-S gen 2.

I could spend more and buy a gen 3 TL.

I could spend the same as the gen 3 TL and finance a GS430.

AestheticsInMotion > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 01:37

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Fixing manuals is a lot cheaper/easier. I vote hold out for a v6 Acura

TheHondaBro > AestheticsInMotion 10/17/2017 at 01:39

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Yep. Cheap, simple, reliable. Traffic is gonna suuuuck, but I can suck it up.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 01:43

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I vote GS430.

TheHondaBro > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches 10/17/2017 at 01:43

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I vote you go back in your corner and stop voting for things you can’t vote for.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 01:48

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Well, how about we base who gets to vote on who has the most cylinders! Take THAT Honda Chav!

*notices $4000 power steering bill lurking on desk*

nvm, I’m gonna go cry into my empty wallet.

TheHondaBro > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches 10/17/2017 at 01:51

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I think I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy who knows someone who once drove a Cadillac Sixteen, so take that!

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 01:54

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F   U  C K

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Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 01:55

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Go for the CL-S. My buddy had one years back with a manual and it had a few mods. Thing put on and was rock solid reliable. Oh the sound was phenomenal too.

TheHondaBro > Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru 10/17/2017 at 01:56

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I really like the way the J-series sounds with straight pipes.

Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 01:59

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You and me both. One of the best sounds you’ll ever get out of a modest priced car. That and they can make insane power when boosted.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 02:00

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Skip the CL. Go for the 3rd gen TL. I had a CL and it’s nice but it does have some of those 2000-era quirks that make it meh.

TheHondaBro > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 10/17/2017 at 02:00

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K W E R K S
W
E
R
K
S

TheHondaBro > Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru 10/17/2017 at 02:02

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My buddy has a boosted TSX with the K24. It makes 430 hp at the crank and it’s loud as fuck. I’ve been surrounded by a whole grid of Ferrari 458 Challenge cars all starting up at the same time, and his fucking TSX was louder.

Steve in Manhattan > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 02:03

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Just to put other things out there ... Volvo wagon ... maybe R or T5? Or a Jag S Type R? You could get out of Japan ...

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 02:03

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I say go outside of your comfort zone. Try the Lexus.

AestheticsInMotion > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 02:04

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And so worth it in the times where traffic is negligible.

On the bright side, a small, lightweight car with an easy clutch isn’t too bad...

TheHondaBro > Steve in Manhattan 10/17/2017 at 02:05

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I could get out of a Japanese car, and you recommend the worst European cars ever made?

TheHondaBro > AestheticsInMotion 10/17/2017 at 02:06

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I’m not far from a P&R that goes to my school. I could just drive there in the morning.

Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 02:07

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I bet it’s a beast though!

TheHondaBro > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 10/17/2017 at 02:08

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Financing a car isn’t in my best interest. I’ll be paying a couple hundred a month at some exorbitant interest rate, and my insurance will be higher because I’m financing. I’ve done preliminary calculations and I would be able to afford it no problem, but I still wouldn’t want to be locked into a big commitment like that this early.

bhtooefr > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 02:08

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I vote GS 450h.

OK, it’s not a V8, and it’s not the simplest form of power split device (due to that 2-speed reduction device on MG2), but it’s a far simpler transmission than any conventional automatic. Not sure if it’s really simpler than a manual (the single-speed power split devices are definitely simpler than a manual), but eh.

TheHondaBro > Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru 10/17/2017 at 02:08

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He tracks it. It’s a monster for sure.

Tristan > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches 10/17/2017 at 02:08

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kINJA’d

TheHondaBro > bhtooefr 10/17/2017 at 02:09

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Not interested in a hybrid.

Tristan > AestheticsInMotion 10/17/2017 at 02:11

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Agree. Portland traffic hasn’t yet become the hellscape that is Seattle traffic, but it’s getting close. I’ve never felt inconvenienced by a manual here, but I was really glad I had an automatic when snowmageddon happened last year and I ended up with a 7 hour commute home. 

Steve in Manhattan > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 02:11

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No ... if I was pushing the worst, it’d be a Lancia, an Alfa, or some sort of awful Audi ... just suggesting something interesting that you could write about that might work nearly all of the time. And remember who you’re talking to ... I live my automotive life through the rest of you. Your adventure is mine, in a way.

Tristan > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 02:14

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Gen 3 TL. The interior is lovely, it still looks classy (especially when compared to the beak-gen Acuras), and they’re way more plentiful with a manual.

RPM esq. > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 02:21

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“Exorbitant interest rate” is the real killer here if that’s where you’d be, if you’d like to trust my extensive knowledge of being a guy who has had a bad car loan and then some good ones.

Bismuth Mist > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 02:33

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2004-2006 LS430

AestheticsInMotion > Tristan 10/17/2017 at 02:56

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How much snow did you actually get? Here it was like 3 inches, and there were cars in ditches lining roads, crashes every other street, barricades, etc.

The Miata is absolutely fine anywhere rain or shine, but I will admit when I’m driving the heavy clutch rangers with no weight over the rear, things can get a bit dicey in hilly seattle traffic when the weather isn’t optimal

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 03:13

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4) import one of those

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 05:16

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Sounds like the CL is the one you really want, so I’d probably at least look for one with a stick before moving on to the TL. I’ve never liked the GS, but that’s me.

itschrome > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 05:59

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Gs430

average user > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 06:07

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I am firmly in the “screw financing and get what you can afford” camp, so i wont go for Lexus. Plus the Lexus would drive more like a luxury car (not as sharp dynamically) than the Acuras. Between the CL and the TL, i think TL is the better one of the bunch:

It is newer, so parts would come more easily

It is 4 door and more practical

It has a nicer interior

pip bip - choose Corrour > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 06:09

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buy a GS

Stapleface > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 06:41

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Go older. Be the Legend you were meant to be

https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/d/rare-91-acura-legend-5spd-ls/6344143516.html

Porsche was my first word > Steve in Manhattan 10/17/2017 at 07:05

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some sort of awful Audi

Porsche was my first word > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 07:09

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Go for an intersting car.

By Toyota_Altezza_Gita_001.JPG: Tennen-Gasderivative work: Altair78 (talk) - Toyota_Altezza_Gita_001.JPG, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7911724

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 07:35

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I’d vote Lexus, but no manual and financing... no.
I’d go with the Honda Accord Acura TL Gen 3, mostly because the Gen 2 looks like a 2000-2005 Impala to me, in a this-doesn’t-look-good way.
Then again, shapes and colors...

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 07:58

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Good. That 450h is a lumbering fat pig of a car; even more so than the non-hybrid. Those batteries really weigh it down and affect everything about it. It’s slow, handles poorly, and isn’t actually that much better on gas.

Arrivederci > Porsche was my first word 10/17/2017 at 08:03

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Is the screencap for the video the point where the Landie broke down?

Porsche was my first word > Arrivederci 10/17/2017 at 08:07

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Is the screencap for the video the point where the Landie broke down?

Must be. The Audi looks fine to me.

Captain of the Enterprise > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 08:17

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I like all three choices. I think it would depend on your budget and commute. If commuting has a lot of stop and go traffic for a long period of time I would probably pass on the manuals. I think my two favorites are the TL gen 3 and the GS.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 08:24

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Late to the party, but Gen 3 TL is the way to go. Great Manual, great engine, dead reliable, practical. AND most importantly keeps you out of debt. Owning a car like that outright would give you serious peace of mind.

bmil128 > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 08:31

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Two comments from experience -

Had an automatic ‘01 CL Type S. Lost 2 transmissions in 106k miles both covered thankfully, would only go with the 6 speed for that route.

Also had a ‘08 GS350. The V6 has almost as much power and torque as the V8 and will drink less gas.

TheHondaBro > bmil128 10/17/2017 at 08:51

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That may be true, but I just like a V8.

Nibby > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 09:05

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I vote the 3rd gen TL... those are rock solid reliable and pretty fun. My aunt had one for 12 years since new, never had an issue with it

Discerning > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 09:29

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G35S is more fun to drive and quicker than all of them. But like everyone else, you likely won’t seriously consider it. ;)

Nothing wrong with that either. Everyone seems to overlook the V36.

NojustNo > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 09:53

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Have u run your credit? Over 600 should get a not-shitty interest rate on a used car. Check with / join a  credit union for the best rate. Becu is well known and treats customers well for loans

Tristan > AestheticsInMotion 10/17/2017 at 10:13

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It sounds like our experiences are similar. Roughly 3" of white stuff brought us to our knees. As someone who learned to drive in Minnesota, I found it hilarious.

nermal > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 10:16

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Why not just do a 96 month loan on a new Accord or Civic manual?

It’s a Honda, it will hold its value and not break before it’s payed off. Also you don’t have to worry about sitting in somebody else’s farts.

TheHondaBro > nermal 10/17/2017 at 10:18

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No.

Textured Soy Protein > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 10:33

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I like both Acuras because they have the lovely LSD with the manual. I have a soft spot for the CL in particular since my first car was an OG Legend LS coupe.

Not sure what your budget is but here’s a CL-S with only 73k miles in Illinois that’s asking $8k. Road trip purchase?

arl > TheHondaBro 10/17/2017 at 12:25

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Another vote for the TL.

RT > TheHondaBro 10/18/2017 at 15:07

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If you can find a good manual gen 2, get it. If you can’t, get the gen 3 instead.

Simple as that.