Replies

Yeah, I'm in Canada so I've seen the ads for the new CSX, which replaces the EL, right? I just can't go back to driving a car that small unless they've made some serious improvements to leg room, which didn't seem to be the case in the new Civic I sat in at the dealer. I drove for years with inadequate leg room and now that I've got a car with enough I'm not going back.

There is no question that the CSX is in the compact car category and if you're used to the kind of extra interior space that a TL affords, you will notice the difference. The drivers seat can be adjusted to give you a comfortable, uncramped position, but what you do notice is the shorter distance to the windscreen and the nearness of your side passenger.
However, it does have fold down rear seats which is handy for larger cargo while the TL has only a pass through which makes it almost impossible to carry anything larger than a suitcase. I guess if I needed an economical yet fun to drive car to mostly commute to and from work, I would choose the CSX, but if I was retired or did a lot of highway driving then a TL is a far more satisfying option - but at an added cost of approx. $12,000. Cdn.
I can tell you that when I owned the TL, I would often get strangers at shopping centers coming up to ask me if I liked the car. It is a striking design and in white (which I think is it's best colour) it really stands out from the pack. It's direct Lexus competition, which I think is the 300 model, is ordinary by comparison.