View Poll Results: What do you think about the new TLX?
I like it; I think it looks great.
32
36.36%
I hate it; it looks bland, boring, and ugly.
13
14.77%
I have mix feelings / It is just ok at best.
43
48.86%
Voters: 88. You may not vote on this poll
2015 Acura TLX Discussion
09-15-14, 10:11 AM
#752
Lexus Fanatic
no that isn't the point of a DCT. the DCT's dual clutches 'pre-selects' and synchronizes the next/previous gear for much faster shifts. but there's always been a trade-off with smoothness at low speeds. with an electronically controlled torque converter, acura has given the car the best of both worlds. pretty slick. 
09-15-14, 10:44 AM
#753
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Not quite. It's true that the Ford Focus/Fiesta, Dodge Dart, and a couple of other makes have had trouble with clunky low-speed DCT performance, but it was not universal by any means. The VW/Audi DSG/S-Tronic DCT transmissions, especially the early versions, were as smooth, if not more so, than most torque-converter automatics....even the ultra-smooth automatics from GM and Lexus.
maybe GSteg in this post...
I really want to try Honda's DCT. I've been turned off by other brands' DCT because of low speed drive-ability. They're great for when you're gunning it, but horrible when using in a crowded parking lot. I'm actually quite happy Honda still has some ingenuity in them. There is hope after all..
09-15-14, 11:12 AM
#754
Formerly Bad Co
Join Date: Dec 2013
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Personally, I don't buy into this trend.
I'm all for weight savings and complying with CAFE, but I need a spare or RFTs. If you want to force me to buy the spare and a jack as an accessory, I'll do it. But I won't drive a car with an inflator kit. With TPMS, how often are drivers stranded with a flat that can hold air from a slow leak? Yes, I have AAA, but if I'm nowhere near home, that's a long tow if an inflator kit can't help me; and if I have the family with me, how are we all going to fit in the cab of the tow truck.
I don't love RFTs, but it's the only way I'm foregoing a spare.
I'm all for weight savings and complying with CAFE, but I need a spare or RFTs. If you want to force me to buy the spare and a jack as an accessory, I'll do it. But I won't drive a car with an inflator kit. With TPMS, how often are drivers stranded with a flat that can hold air from a slow leak? Yes, I have AAA, but if I'm nowhere near home, that's a long tow if an inflator kit can't help me; and if I have the family with me, how are we all going to fit in the cab of the tow truck.
I don't love RFTs, but it's the only way I'm foregoing a spare.
09-15-14, 11:17 AM
#755
no that isn't the point of a DCT. the DCT's dual clutches 'pre-selects' and synchronizes the next/previous gear for much faster shifts. but there's always been a trade-off with smoothness at low speeds. with an electronically controlled torque converter, acura has given the car the best of both worlds. pretty slick.
09-15-14, 02:20 PM
#758
My particular experience is with my aunt's VW Golf GTI. It was fine at higher speed, but you do feel some jerkiness when maneuvering in parking lots. It's definitely not bad, but there are some room for improvements. VW had issues with their earlier 7spd DSG transmission, but the later revision seems to be better.
09-15-14, 04:38 PM
#759
In a car like the M3, the more violent shifting at low speeds is more acceptable because of the caliber of car it is. The TLX however has it right by not only giving the car a quick shifting DCT but a TC for ultimate refinement, which lets face it, the car is more happy racing around suburbia than on the Nurburgring. That said the VW DSG unit is among the better units as just a DCT but it's not perfect. The Focus if you guys remember has a DCT and it's terrible at low speeds, very jerky and often it's Achilles Heel in reviews and comparison tests.
09-15-14, 04:40 PM
#760
Lead Lap
Not quite. It's true that the Ford Focus/Fiesta, Dodge Dart, and a couple of other makes have had trouble with clunky low-speed DCT performance, but it was not universal by any means. The VW/Audi DSG/S-Tronic DCT transmissions, especially the early versions, were as smooth, if not more so, than most torque-converter automatics....even the ultra-smooth automatics from GM and Lexus.
09-15-14, 04:48 PM
#761
Lexus Test Driver
Fine--I don't like it, but I'll accept that. But make it available as an accessory. Roof racks and cross bars have been removed for cost cutting, under the guise of fuel economy standards. But they don't give you a ball of twine instead--you can still get a roof rack and cross bars. Don't give me an f---ing inflator kit; I want a spare.
09-15-14, 06:38 PM
#762
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
yeah someone i know has a focus with the DCT. she is not made of money and buying a new focus was a stretch and she was VERY upset with the transmission. i told her to return it as a lemon since clearly the dealer couldn't do anything but i think she kept it.
09-15-14, 07:18 PM
#763
Lexus Fanatic
Somehow, though, the VW/Audi units, even with slippage, avoided clunkiness a low speeds. The Fiesta/Focus, and Dart units didn't.
09-15-14, 07:22 PM
#764
Lexus Fanatic
Yes, the first VW/Audi DCT units were smooth as silk....as much so in some cases as torque converters. Later VW units, as you and a few others here have noted (and I agree), did seem to have a slight bump now and then starting off.
09-15-14, 07:28 PM
#765
Lexus Fanatic
When I did my first Fiesta review several years ago, I noted a hesitation in the responsiveness starting from rest, but I didn't realize, at the time, that it was actually the Ford DCT (as the older VW units had been smooth as silk). I summed it up, in the review, to a (possible) condition of too much leanness in the fuel mixture (which will also give uneven low-speed acceleration problems). That was probably wrong on my part.