TL, TSX and EX test drive confusion

[anxi80]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Is there a change to the 05s? 04 tl is a new model year, so I expect it will stay the same for a while.

also skoorb, i usually like waiting for the 2nd/3rd year of a new car's model. all the quirks are fixed (if there are any) and the heavily requested features are added in.

 

[FlashG]

Originally posted by: anxi80

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Their judgement gets BMW impared most of the time inflated by a self serving smart a$$ed BIAS.

It's because when it's test-time, BMW sends over a whore to service all of the editors. Their last review, IMO, was a discrace. Truly. It was a comparison of sport sedans and the BMW with damn near 100 less horsepower than the TL beats it. Of course this issue has been beaten to death in a couple of other threads, but still, it's not right. Just not right, I say!

your tellin' me.... friend has a 325ci....has taken in the car 4 TIMES in the past year! gas cap put left off or put on incorrectly, welp, here comes the service light...i mean, all the checks and fixes are free...but sheesh...what an inconvience having your car gone for the day.... i like the styling and power of the TL though, so thats why i think its a nice pick-up in the $30-$35k range.

It's agreed then that C&D are woefully impaired.

I don't have a problem with BMW's at all. I owned a 79 320I and an 83 grey market - to die for- 323 Hartge. They are nice but aren?t the be-all/end-all automotive answer that C&D preaches.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: anxi80

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Is there a change to the 05s? 04 tl is a new model year, so I expect it will stay the same for a while.

also skoorb, i usually like waiting for the 2nd/3rd year of a new car's model. all the quirks are fixed (if there are any) and the heavily requested features are added in.

In this case, it's probably not too big a deal to wait that long. The TL uses tweaked accord chassis and drivetrain. Just a couple months to half a year is probably enough.

 

[spidey07]

darn refresh button

 

[FlashG]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: anxi80

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Is there a change to the 05s? 04 tl is a new model year, so I expect it will stay the same for a while.

also skoorb, i usually like waiting for the 2nd/3rd year of a new car's model. all the quirks are fixed (if there are any) and the heavily requested features are added in.

In this case, it's probably not too big a deal to wait that long. The TL uses tweaked accord chassis and drivetrain. Just a couple months to half a year is probably enough.

AWD for 05 you think? RWD ever?

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: FlashG

AWD for 05 you think? RWD ever?

I doubt it on this chassis/design cycle. I can't think of a single model that was ever converted from FWD to AWD/RWD halfway through it's life cycle.

 

[OS]

I will say though, that supposedly the next generation RL is rumoured to have 300+ HP and AWD. If it pans out, no one really knows of course.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: FlashG

AWD for 05 you think? RWD ever?

I doubt it on this chassis/design cycle. I can't think of a single model that was ever converted from FWD to AWD/RWD halfway through it's life cycle.

In the mid 90's you could JDM Accords with AWD. You never know what they've got up their sleeves.

 

[flot]

On a newish car, I don't think there is any reason to compare the auto vs manual from a price/maintenance over time standpoint. They are going to work out pretty damn close to the same. Either should have virtually no maintenance till 60k-80k miles... you MIGHT have to replace the cluch somewhere between 50k and 100k, which will balance out the possibility that the auto would blow up entirely somewhere between 100k and 200k.

Ditto with performance. The manual will always have a slight edge, but rarely is it that big a deal.

As for resale - yes I agree, the auto will be an easier sale, but since this is a "sport sedan" I suspect you'll be able to find buyers for either. Also it could very well work out just the opposite - if in fact Acura sells significantly more autos than manuals, the manual might be an easier sale because the enthusiasts could be looking for it.

Basically what I'm saying is, stop agonizing over it and simply buy whichever one you feel like. There is no "correct" answer and it's not worth trying to justify one way or another, just get what you want!

 

[LiQiCE]

The new '04 TL is definitely a nice car. One of the common problems with the '04 AT is the tires though. The tires that come with the AT have a tendancy to cause the entire car to shudder and take away that smooth ride that the TL provides. If you're worried about the tires, you should be more worried about the crappy Potenza tires that they're putting on the AT version versus the tires they're putting on the 6spd. Although I've heard of dealers trading people's Potenzas out for Bridgestone All season tires if they complain enough about the shuddering.

Also, it is possible for the Accord/TL platform to take on AWD. It would be the same system that the CRV uses (which still has a FWD bias). I have no idea if it will come true or not, but I've heard rumors of a 300hp TL ("Type S"?) AWD version and a Turbo AWD TSX for the future. (The AWD on the TSX is definitely possible since the European/Japanese Accord, aka TSX, has the option for AWD).

I would highly recommend you checkout www.acura-tl.com and www.acura-cl.com to see what other '04 TL owners might have problems with. Since it is the first year for this car, I wouldn't be surprised if there were other minor problems... I know the tire shuddering is the big one right now.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

In the mid 90's you could JDM Accords with AWD. You never know what they've got up their sleeves.

Now that you remind me, I think you can still get 200 HP AWD accords in japan, but the US always get screwed that way. We never see models like that. Even the USDM V6 accord exists in japan as the "Inspire" and it has better features and a little bit more power.

The existing honda AWD systems though, afaik, are still fwd biased, that is they transfer most of the power to the front still. I guess honda could pull out the pilot's powertrain and stick it in a TL, but i wouldn't hold my breath.

I don't think AWD/RWD by default are better than FWD. I've driven volvo and mercedes RWD cars and IMO, a sporty FWD still handles just as well. Certainly honda won't convert the current TL to RWD in this product cycle, you'd have to move around the transverse engine layout, which basically means a new chassis.

 

[FlashG]

Originally posted by: LiQiCE
The new '04 TL is definitely a nice car. One of the common problems with the '04 AT is the tires though. The tires that come with the AT have a tendancy to cause the entire car to shudder and take away that smooth ride that the TL provides. If you're worried about the tires, you should be more worried about the crappy Potenza tires that they're putting on the AT version versus the tires they're putting on the 6spd. Although I've heard of dealers trading people's Potenzas out for Bridgestone All season tires if they complain enough about the shuddering.

Also, it is possible for the Accord/TL platform to take on AWD. It would be the same system that the CRV uses (which still has a FWD bias). I have no idea if it will come true or not, but I've heard rumors of a 300hp TL ("Type S"?) AWD version and a Turbo AWD TSX for the future. (The AWD on the TSX is definitely possible since the European/Japanese Accord, aka TSX, has the option for AWD).

I would highly recommend you checkout www.acura-tl.com and www.acura-cl.com to see what other '04 TL owners might have problems with. Since it is the first year for this car, I wouldn't be surprised if there were other minor problems... I know the tire shuddering is the big one right now.

I would put replace them with Potenza 950's. They are a much superior tire. I know they work well on my old 92 EX.

I wouldn't underestimate the CRV type AWD system. It bay be biased toward the front but it adds a lot of stability in the process. It also activates when needed in a very fluid manner, at least our 03 CRV does.

 

[The Sauce]

I have the EX V6 coupe and was bummed when I saw the new TL. Then I tried one and thought that the EX was actually more comfortable, better interior, and a scad quicker (lighter). Seats in the TL were way to hard and unyielding. I hated the center armrest/console compared to the Accord too. Glad I got the EX.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: anxi80

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Their judgement gets BMW impared most of the time inflated by a self serving smart a$$ed BIAS.

It's because when it's test-time, BMW sends over a whore to service all of the editors. Their last review, IMO, was a discrace. Truly. It was a comparison of sport sedans and the BMW with damn near 100 less horsepower than the TL beats it. Of course this issue has been beaten to death in a couple of other threads, but still, it's not right. Just not right, I say!

your tellin' me.... friend has a 325ci....has taken in the car 4 TIMES in the past year! gas cap put left off or put on incorrectly, welp, here comes the service light...i mean, all the checks and fixes are free...but sheesh...what an inconvience having your car gone for the day.... i like the styling and power of the TL though, so thats why i think its a nice pick-up in the $30-$35k range.

Alot of cars do this.

My ex GS300's service light came on when the gas cap isn't completely tight. I had that happen to me twice.

 

[RossMAN]

You're all forgetting the most important thing.

It's not transmission nor tires, COLOR!

What color(s) are you considering?

 

[FlashG]

Originally posted by: Snatchface
I have the EX V6 coupe and was bummed when I saw the new TL. Then I tried one and thought that the EX was actually more comfortable, better interior, and a scad quicker (lighter). Seats in the TL were way to hard and unyielding. I hated the center armrest/console compared to the Accord too. Glad I got the EX.

Now that?s weird because that?s exactly opposite the way I felt about the EX. The EX was exiting to drive but the CL was more fun to me. Bear in mind that I had the opportunity to take 3 TL?s for very long test drives. I only drove 1 EX for about 10 minutes.

The seats in the CL are firm but more supportive. They reminded me al lot of my old BMW?s seats. You didn?t get tired after a long drive.

I can rest my elbow on the CL?s center armrest and flick through the gears like playing a video game.

The reason might be our age difference and perception of what we want from a car.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Okay get the automatic, with the smallest engine possible, and the crappiest tires possible, so you can save the $100, and get $5 more resale.

 

[FlashG]

RossMAN
Before I answer you I have question. What?s with the out of the closet avatar, I thought you married. I noticed a couple of other guys have also passed over to the Adul side. Whats up?

Colours?
Well, the first CL that I drove was white/camel interior and my 13 year old EX and Kelmark are both white so thanks but not again. The 2nd CL was silver and black but not for me. The 3rd was Blue & quartz very nice. But I will probably go with the ?camouflage? anthracite / quartz that the TSX had. Flashy is nice but I need something less conspicuous and target worthy.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: anxi80

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Their judgement gets BMW impared most of the time inflated by a self serving smart a$$ed BIAS.

It's because when it's test-time, BMW sends over a whore to service all of the editors. Their last review, IMO, was a discrace. Truly. It was a comparison of sport sedans and the BMW with damn near 100 less horsepower than the TL beats it. Of course this issue has been beaten to death in a couple of other threads, but still, it's not right. Just not right, I say!

your tellin' me.... friend has a 325ci....has taken in the car 4 TIMES in the past year! gas cap put left off or put on incorrectly, welp, here comes the service light...i mean, all the checks and fixes are free...but sheesh...what an inconvience having your car gone for the day.... i like the styling and power of the TL though, so thats why i think its a nice pick-up in the $30-$35k range.

Alot of cars do this.

My ex GS300's service light came on when the gas cap isn't completely tight. I had that happen to me twice.

Almost all new cars do that like Doggie said. I have to close mine and hear it click 3 times or else the light will come on.

 

[Dunbar]

Originally posted by: flot

Ditto with performance. The manual will always have a slight edge, but rarely is it that big a deal.

I test drove the auto and 6 speed Accord V6 coupes within a day. I was completely underwhelmed by the auto. The 6 speed was much funner to drive and felt a lot more spirited. On paper there might not be a big difference but the cars character is completely different.