Just a side thought...

Should I make another video for you guys? I got to playing with the S mode on the TL a little bit and it's really executed a lot nicer than the U660E, it shifts instantly and has some nice "drivability features" that Toyota failed to consider.

I'm thinking you could use my new video to take in for comparison sake... we could include the following.

- engine noise 1/2 the sound my Camry made and that is right after cold start, I haven't heard a piston slap yet

- cold start drive, with shift between 3rd and 4th

- cold start accelleration while shifting in S-mode, to display shift reaction time

 

I actually like the S mode on the ES more than the TL. The ES's S mode requires a manual gear change for all gears. On the TL, Acura made it so that the shift from gear 1 to 2 is automatic. That somewhat defeats the purpose of "sport" mode.

 

Yup, I found it to be odd to but then recall how quickly 1st gear goes by and the fact it automatically downshifts to 1 when you stop... There's kind of a pseudo "idiot proofness" with it. But it will also start in 2nd gear and will not auto-shift between 3, 4, 5... The ES can be in 6th and when you stomp on it, it will downshift.

 

That's what I didn't like about it. The TL did not allow you to stretch out first gear. It auto shifted into second too quickly. It seemed as though Acura was afraid some drivers might burn the tranny out. I wound up using the TL S mode only for engine braking on winding roads.

 

I read somewhere that the auto shift between 1 & 2 happened around 5000 RPM... I was disappointed, until I found that my 06 will go all the way to redline provided your foot is far enough into the pedel, maybe earlier models had this limitation?

Whatever the case, I was real disappointed from day one in the U660E's ability to "sequentially shift." The shifts occur to far after the gear is requested going up or down, with the TL they happen almost instantaneously both ways. Leaving the U660E in 6 defeats sequential mode altogether, whereas the TL shows the automatic downshift in the display and restarts at 1 after stopping and will not exceed 2 until the driver shifts up.

 

sure. i think we all can enjoy a nice home video.

 

I haven't really noticed a difference in the S mode's response time between the two cars. I'll have to try it again. I did like the way the TL was always in the proper gear when shifting into S mode while driving. The ES seems to always be in 4th gear when selecting S mode. It also was nice that the TL downshifted automatically when coming to a stop but the auto shifting from 1st to 2nd was a big nuisance for me especially in the winter when using it on a downhill snow covered street. I have a few streets near me that are very hilly and I would always drop the gear manually to 1st so as to not ride the brake downhill. S mode would not allow me to stay in 1st as the car picked up pace and I would have to ride the brakes anyway. It seems Acura may have made some changes for '06.

 

Get a little bolder... hehe!

Depending on the speed you shift into S mode, you will see either 4, 5, or 6... In other words, just about anything under 100 MPH will get you to 4, I would guess between 100-125 you'll get 5 and anything over 125 will default to 6.

note: I didn't check the exact cutoffs, but this is generally where I saw the different default values.

 

This weekend, k?

 

Ons - do you have any more information on the #3 or "C" transmission, is it going into the 01/07 builds for sure? I'll be getting a new ES350 car and wanted to hold out until 01/07.

 

Osokuko,

What is your original build date? I'm hoping to hold out for at least a 1/07 build if not a 2/07 build.

 

My build date was 07/06 and I bought the car Aug 4th so it was freash from the factory. I just happen to get the start of the #2 tranny - lucky me!

 

Don't feel bad. My car is the 9/06 build date and same bad transmission. I'm still trying to decide what to do next.

 

Not feeling bad any more, my dealership helped me a lot with Lexus and the whole process was smooth going. But I admit the process is overwhelming at time not knowing how it’s going to turn out until the final phase. I’m happy how it worked out for me and if the next car has the same problem, will there is always leasing I could go for a LS460 SWB with the works.

 

funny side note: The night Lexus approved the replacement my saleman wanted to put into a 9/06