Anyone own a '99+ Acura 3.2TL or an Acura CL Type-S?

[Descartes]

I'd like to hear your thoughts on both. I know they seem like two completely different cars, but the insurance is killer for the Type-S.

Thanks.

 

[bcterps]

My mom has a 2001 3.2 TL and I've driven it a bunch. I really like the power it has and it has a pretty smooth ride. The only thing is that I feel that the back seat is a little cramped, but other than that, its a fine car. Do you have specific questions about it or just want general comments. Personally I think the Type-S would be a waste of money unless you could get it in stick. The regular 3.2 TL has plenty of power.

--Ben

 

[Descartes]

benchiu: Just looking for general comments I guess. I was concerned that the TL may be a little too much of a car for "older" people, as I'm rather young. I thought the CL-S had quite a refined, sporty look to it.

Perhaps I'll take a run for the TL. My insurance will be cheaper too.

 

[OS]

I want a type s. It's really a shame that the car isn't RWD, if it was, I'd be obsessed.

 

[dcdomain]

Actually Outersquare, I'm happy that it's FWD, RWD will kill me here in the Northeast. It'd be better if it was AWD, perhaps when the Jaguar X-type comes out, it'll put some pressure on the other carmakers.

Anyway, you do know that the 2002 Acura 3.2 TL will have a Type-S option right? Acura's already tooling it's plants, beginning production in February and delivering the cars in late March early April. The reason the CL Type-S is killing you insurance wise is the 'coupe' designation. I'm not sure how much the Type-S on the TL will raise it's rates. But you can argue that you chose the TL Type-S for it's memory seats, 6 disc in dash changer, stabilization system and such...

By the way, the 2002 Acura TL, and TL Type-S is reskinned. Go check out Acura-tl.com if you are seriously thinking of getting one, welcome to the family. =) Can't wait till I finally get behind the wheel of one, been waiting since last summer for the TL Type-S.

Anyway, 'coupes' are really inconvenient... and I sort of like the look of the TL over the CL, but that's just my tastes.

 

[woodie1]

I have a 2001 CL-S. For the money it is okay. This is the first U.S built car I've had in many years and the built quality is no where near any luxury car I ever had.

 

[Descartes]

woodie: build quality as in excellent, or as in bad?

 

[billandopus]

I wish!

 

[OS]

<< I'm happy that it's FWD, RWD will kill me here in the Northeast. It'd be better if it was AWD >>



Yeah for you guys up there, FWD is kind of a gotta have. Everyone would agree that AWD is the best, but not many manufacturers make AWD cars.

 

[woodie1]

My CL-s BUILD QUALITY is WAY below what you would expect for an Acura. Or a Honda for that matter. After washing it a couple of times I noticed the front fenders, hood and bumper didn't fit right. I even called the 800 number to see if it had been in a wreck intransit. Acura said no. Since then I have read on some auto forums that this is common with the TL &amp; CL.

 

[whiterice33]

I heard the 3.2 TL is going through some exterior design for the 2003 or 2004 model. Can anyone confirm this? I'd take the TL over the CL because I just don't like the front look of the CL. Don't ask why, it just looks weird to me...especially the lower lights.

 

[OS]

<< My CL-s BUILD QUALITY is WAY below what you would expect for an Acura. Or a Honda for that matter. >>



Seriously? That sucks, considering you are laying out like 30k.

 

[woodie1]

<< My CL-s BUILD QUALITY is WAY below what you would expect for an Acura. Or a Honda for that matter. >>



<< Seriously? That sucks, considering you are laying out like 30k. >>

You can safely say I am not a happy camper.

 

[dcdomain]

Not dissing on the US in general, but I have to say that the overall craftsmanship in the United States has gone way down hill. It's piss poor. I was over at a friends house during break, new half million dollar house, and there were mad problems with it. The railing for the stairs was very weak and loose, seams between the floor and walls didn't align right and more... very disappointed.

Anyway, back to the cars, I guess it's because both are designed and produced in the U.S. however, the quality is still rather decent I guess, I'll have to look closer at the seams between the parts on the next test drive...

 

[Descartes]

Because your hood and fender &quot;don't fit right&quot;, you say the build quality for Acura &quot;has gone way down&quot; ?

Why the extremist attitude? Acura is one of the best in terms of reliability (I own an Acura now), and I've been unsuccessful in finding anything regarding this hood and fender issue. Can you post links?

 

[woodie1]

EXTREMIST! WTF! I am telling you what is parked in my garage. The whole front end is junk.

I have owned a 325i, 530i, 540i, Q45a, and (2) SC400s so I think I have an idea of how body panels should fit on a upper class car.

You ask for opinions. You got mine.

 

[Descartes]

Oh, sorry coolguy, I didn't know you were the automobile enthusiast you were.. lol

Actually, w/ your reaction, you sound more like a little kid who has die cast models of all the aforementioned cars, and accidentally stepped on the frontend of your plastic mod to the CL-S. Be careful where you step boy!



I'm still waiting for my links to the forums where they noted that a mismatch of the front fender resulted in a &quot;low build quality&quot; for Acura CL/TL.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I recently got rid of my most recent Honda (a '98 Accord V-6 SE; replaced with a decked-out 2K1 Maxima SE with 5-spd), and I too was VERY disappointed in the overall build quality.

I have owned an '84 Accord and a '99 Acura Integra GS-R, and spent a lot of time with my Dad's two Acura Legends and many, many Accords and Civics belonging to friends. As far as I can tell, the Ohio-built cars are either FAR worse than the Japanese Hondas, or Honda as a whole has really started to go down the toilet. I suspect the problem is isolated to the American cars, because my Japanese-built Integra was quite solid all around (though the sheet metal was paper-thin). I had not known that Honda was making ANY Acuras in the U.S., and I know I would not buy one.

 

[dcdomain]

Frost, check this old thread I had on the Acura TL Type-S http://forums3.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=38&amp;threadid=314654