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Comments
We are talking of a purchase of a 2005 TL...which does not appear to have the same difficulties.
Now...in your future set of tires...you could always choose a different type of tire with higher wear...and lower performance.
Or you could always get the "Michellin Pilot Sports A/S" which I understand to have the ability to go 40,000 and have all the sports features of the "W" series tires. (I am going to research more about it in the future as I approach my first replacement set...but would appreciate any thoughs now)
So...as I mention...it is the type of tire and NOT the TL... tires which you should also find on many other sports cars in its class (ie G35...but the TL has the advantage of being able to rotate the tires as I mentioned that the G35 coupe you cannot because of different tire sizes front and rear).
Bought my wife a TL in May, and it's my only complaint. However, we live in San Francisco, so it never really gets hot here, so not a problem. :shades:
Go for an '05, price should be in the ~$32-33k range, depending where you live. Comparison shop and negotiate at end of the month.
Also, remember this is a Probs/Solutions thread so if you're reading here you will read about problems. And don't believe everything you read (trolls!)! The TL is selling very well, if most had such problems they would be selling, well, like GMs...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
I couldn't imagine not tinting my car windows here in sunny FLA. The key is to use a lighter tint. On my old CL (forget the year, but it was before the last model), I had it tinted as dark as was legal, and it did a good job of keeping out the heat and added to my comfort, but I had trouble seeing out the rear window at night.
With my next car, I used a light metallic tint that was great - it looked metallic when hit by the sun, but almost clear when not. It was light enough to see fine. The problem with metallic tint, though, is that radar and satellite signals can have trouble getting through.
So on my TL I have a light non-metallic tint that I'm also very happy with. Still, if someone did not plan on using rador or satellite navigation, I'd recommend the metalic. (PS - it doesn't affect cellular service)
Overall, I've had 4 cars tinted at 3 different places (I've moved around a lot), and never had a problem.
The other thing you can do is wait for the '06s. With each year, a car will get a few more kinks out of its system. I think you should feel confident with an '05, but if you want to wait for '06, you can consider the premium you'll pay as "insurance."
Enjoy the ride!!!
For heaven's sake, don't buy a TL. You'll hate the blistering acceleration as you are pressed against the firm leather seats, you'll loathe the DVD-Audio system, you'll be upset at a 270-HP sedan that "only" gets 28-32 mpg highway, you'll hate the way the transmission always seems to find the perfect gear in all situations, you won't like the convenience and safety of the Bluetooth handsfree phone, and you'll never hear anyone say how gorgeous your car looks. Stay away from the TL and get an Infiniti G-35 sedan. Let the rest of us suffer through all of the horrors of our magnificent machines!
Yes, the TL is pathetic, so pathetic I bought one. :P
Wow...you got 20k miles and looking at 35k? Which brand and model tires do you have? What are your plans for the future of tires? Wait..forgot..I have to get rid of my TL for all the horrible things you mentioned.
Is it a perfect car? No. But no car is. However, it is a phenomenal value, and it is just so gosh-darn gorgeous, it could sell on looks alone! :shades: Try that with an Altima, Maxima, or even the G35 sedan.
As someone has suggested, perhaps waiting for the '06 would be added insurance.
Let me know what you discover regarding tires when you start your research. Going to "H" speed rating... That is a drastic drop from the "W" speed ratings. Perhaps go th "V"? Not sure.
Does anyone know if dropping so drastically from a "W" weaken the ability of the stability control or anti-lock brakes? Are the safety devices calibrated to certain speed rating parameters? I understand they are calibrated to tire size certainly.
I am still a little uncomfortable as I seen a few luxury cars that are 5 yrs old and the tint is faded and hazy.
Hmmm...still thinking of it.
If you leave the AC on automatic climate (where you set it to a certain temp)...initially it doesn't blow too hard or fast. I believe the reason why is that it is also directing air to the back-seat vents (for those that don't know the TL well...there are vents for the back seat passengers).
So what I do now is to start the car....turn on the AC with the temp set at whatever you want it to be later on...then increase the air flow to get more cool air circulating. Once it gets a chance to equalize the temp througout the cabin...then I hit the 'auto climate' control to allow the car to regulate the temp well.
I found the AC to be able to keep me and my passengers cool.
In all other cars that I have owned, the automatic AC System blasts me with super cold air until it is satisfied with the interior temperature.
Rob
Has anyone else had experience with poor gas mileage on the TL?
nothing but problems...get a 05 or 06
The 16mpg could be numerous reasons. Including miscalculation......accidently resetting the miles after a fill....not filling the tank fully on the previous tank and require more fuel during the measured fill....getting inferior gas (name branded premium is recommended)...etc. What is more confusing it that your friend once averaged 16mpg.
As a point of reference....the G35 gets 16mpg with mixed driving...heard of 14mpg within the city....maxing out at 25mpg highway.
I'm afraid I can't answer your questions. I didn't research tint brands - I trusted the installers, but from having it done on several cars, I believe there are 2 major producers. As far as ratio, they'll be able to show you what the legal limits are (and they'll probably violate those limits if you ask). They'll probably also have displays showing you the various tint. Again, I don't recall the ratios, but 1 was tinted to legal limits (which meant the front, side windows were titnted less than the back and back, side windows), and the ohters were tinted light, but not the lightest you could go.
I'd suggest telling them what your goal is - looking cool, preventing people from looking in, keeping sun out, etc. I believe the metallic tints are the best for looks, privacy and keeping sun out. As stated in a prior post, the metal might interfere with a nav system, though, so if you have a nav system, check on that before getting metallic tint. I use a radar detector, too, but that wouldn't dissuade me frommetal tint. It'd prevent the radar from getting 360 degree signals, but it could still get signals from in front of me.
Also, some people get a strip of tint along the top front mirror. I'd hesitate before doing that - think it looks real bad.
I am still a little uncomfortable as I seen a few luxury cars that are 5 yrs old and the tint is faded and hazy.
Tint will fade over time - there's no denying that. I'd expect you too notice it less in a lightly-tinted car. Ask about fading - maybe metallic tints don't. Also, when some tints fade, they show purplish, and others greenish. Usually, they'll pick a greenish or purplish shade to match the cars pre-existing glass. Lastly, each tint I've gotten came with a warranty. I've never had a car for less than 3 years and never had a tinting problem so I can't vouch for how well they work.
PS - if you use a radar detector, most of these places can also rout your cord directly into the electrical w/o using the lighter socket.
1. even when city driving, it's subjective. A lot of stops; quick starts 'cause you think it's gonna pick up, only to have to stop short,etc.
2. I know I get lots worse mpg than I shold b/c I'm having a blast practicing my 0-60 times!!!
3. I think the TL low tank light goes on way too early - usually when I have 40 gallons left. If your friend is estimating based on what the handbook says the tank will hold, they're probably not getting an accurate read. She needs to let her computer monitor run for awhile, or look at the actual gas put in the 1st tank, compared to what is put in on the next refill, compared to the # of miles driven.
Hey, TL owners, could we compute this quickly by filling up the tank, looking at "miles to empty" and then dividing by the # of gallons the handbook says the car will take?
Don't bother. They only have "it's normal" programed in their vocabulary (LOL).
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
:shades:
I am calling the DEALERSHIP!!!
LOL
Either way...if you want more air flow...just pump up the flow initially...then hit the 'auto climate' for a nice regulated temperature.
I rarely bother adjusting the fan speed or temp.
20K miles of trouble free driving.
Generalities like "don't buy...nothing but problems" are pointless, as it applies only your circumstance.
(Thought I'd post something positive on this forum. No, I am married and not lonely (LOL).
Generally speaking, the 2004 tl is riddled with problems...read the posts.
You indicate to read the posts to support the concept that there are problems. Well...most of the posts you are referring to were posted by yourself. Sure...there were multiple posts indicating issues...but the majority originated from yourself.
The TL may not be troublefree...as no mechanical or electronic item is. But it sure has a heck of a better track record than many other vehicles...and Consumer Reports attests to such. As for my 2005 TL...I have had no issues. From what I have read...not much going with others.
So perhaps right back to you...your opinion applies only to you. You are in the minority.
Nice post and happy TL-ing!