Looking at a car for the wife. 2012 certified TL with Tech package and 4,500 miles vs new 2013 Accord Touring. Price difference is less than $200. Level of equipment is almost identical. I'm sure that the service dept. visits will be much more pleasant with the TL. Pros/Cons?

 

Can the accord use regular gas? Pretty sure the TL needs premium. The TL should have more warranty being certified.

 

This and acura service tends to be more expensive.

 

Based on the in-service date I would end up with about 5.5 years and 58,000 miles of bumper to bumper plus another 1.5 years and 38,000 of drivetrain warranty. I know several of people that have never run anything but regular in their TLs and they've been driving Acuras forever. They sacrifice a few h.p., but no ill effects.

 

That might be fine if you NEVER put the car under load (medium-heavy acceleration)but it sure isn't recommended on the high compression Honda engines or on hot weather days. The ECU will compensate based on what the knock sensor hears but it has to hear early detonation first before it can adjust. Too much of that over time isn't good.

Premium recommended or required lists - http://www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/...g-premium.html

 

That's a pretty low miles Acura for ~$30k which means it's already taken a ~$10k depreciation hit that the prior owner had to swallow. The Acura seems a better value to me.

 

The new Accord looks much better than the TL and has a pretty good interior. The V6 is strong and gets 4 cylinder gas mileage with VCM. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it drove after a test drive a few days ago. Best looking Honda in years.

 

I really like the 2013 accord but the TL hands down. To me is not even a question.

 

$34k for an accord? eff that

 

It looks like the transaction price for the Accord is closer to $30-31 for 2013, but probably not right now. Can't do the 2012 with all the improvements to the 2013. The TL is one of the dealership loaner cars. Still need to drive the 2013.