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They have followed the same trend ever since the 2nd Generation TL.
What can I expect from an 08 if I purchased now?
Although its not for me, I would definitly recommend this car for someone shopping the regular TL.Also, you can save your self money for the long and short run.
Please note- I am not bashing the current TL (I am a past owner of the previous generation type S) but buying an Accord V6 would be prudent in my estimation. I am actually waiting to see what Acura has to offer on the next generation TL. If I dont like the offering- then off I go to either Lexus for the GS 350 or to Mercedes for the E350 (Sport model only).
I would also consider the TSX, too.
I personally would lean towards either Acura since the deals are pretty good right now (whereas the Accord deals aren't as good)
But, let's hope Honda doesn't mess up the 2009 TL...
I am taking a personal day off the week of the 24th just to avoid going to the show on the weekends. Going to the car show on the weekends is like going to an amusement park and waiting on lines just to sit in the car.I want to personally examine the E350, GS350 and hopefully the new TL without any salesman nagging me about leaving a deposit.
Look forward to any reviews you care to post.
'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...)
Thanks.
'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...)
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I had a 2001 3.2 TL before and had driven it for years. The handling was great, smooth SMOOTH acceleration (feels like it never changes gear) and very firm on the highway. Cornering, not so great but its a family sedan so I never thought it would turn like a Honda Civic. I expected the same performance for my 06 TL when I bought it a year and a half ago. But that was not the case. The 06 TL handles a bit rough and stiff on the road. It’s a much bumpier ride compared to its predecessor The 3.2 TL and the acceleration - hard to explain - it feels like a BMW. In fact, the interior design and the overall handling is like a BMW 3 series: good cornering abilities and rapid acceleration on dry roads. The current TL is a true SPORT sedan. But it is too much of a sport sedan, like the BMWs (not the xi series), the car is NOT design for driving on snow. Even with contraction control, VSC system and FRONT WHEEL drive (on 4 seasons tires), the current TL slides, slips and skids on almost every red and green light on more then 5-7 cm of snow, and turning on snow - don't even mention it. My old 2001 3.2 TL drives wonderful on snow, never had to worry!
Though the front seats of the 3.2 TL are definitely not as comfortable as the standard Bucket seats in the current TL, I am disappointed at Acura for designing this half [non-permissible content removed] and half European Acura TL. Why? The most important reason is when the car is on the Highway. At roughly 120 kms/hr to 130 kms/hr, the steering wheel will suddenly become light and too sensitive but at speeds under or over that this problem disappears. I think this is a serious issue of safety. It took me a few months to totally adapt my driving to this steering issue. I regretted that I didn't test drive my 2006 TL before purchasing. I have asked others who own a current TL and most say they experience the same issue with steering wheel at highway speeds. I don’t know if that’s your case as well.
Well... I am still a BIG fan of Acura. I have never own anything else except for Acuras since 1998. I have HIGH HOPES for the New 2009 Acura TL with the Super-handling 4 Wheel Drive System. I hope this NEW 09 TL will be a merge of the best qualities from both the old 3.2 TL and the current TL. But for sure, this time I will test drive it on the highway before purchasing.
Have you actually driven a BMW 3-Series? The reason I ask is that, while the new TL may be a good FWD imitation of a 3-Series, automotive writers and others have said that a FWD, no matter how sports oriented, simply can't handle like a RWD sport sedan. The laws of physics preclude it. For one thing, the weight distribution is significantly different.
I've always wondered whether this FWD/RWD difference only or mainly applies to very aggressive driving, or if it applies to ordinary driving or spirited driving too. Opinions?
Your point is exactly what I was trying to say. "the currently New TL may be a good FWD imitation of a 3-series." IF you compare the interior design of the current TL with a 1999-2005 3 series, you will see many of the same design cues. Especially with the style and lines of the door panel and the passenger side front dash - deja vu !! But don't get me wrong, I love the way my 06 TL looks from the inside out. It's just the handling that I am not to happy with. Though the current TL is a FWD, it slides, slips and skids like the RWD 318 i that i had.
I have never driven a FWD car that handles that poorly on snow. With my 06 TL, I have to check the weather forecast like I did before when i had my 318 i prior to going out in the winter. I DONT WANT TO BE STUCK IN SNOW ! Which did happened 3 times this winter with my 06 TL. I did not once experience that when I was driving the 2001 3.2 TL.
I look forward to the ALL NEW 2009 TL with the AWD as a standard!
Ditto (so dissapointingly so) re: my '05 TL. Finally threw in the towel, after replacing the OEM Bridgestone's last summer with even worse in the snow Toyos, and bought Dunlop Winter tires. Much better now, although since I mounted the snows, not much snow to drive in (plows are too darn efficient!). But, when I did drive in the snow, much better...
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'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'm the original owner of a '99 Tl with 109,000 miles, and I couldn't be happier with it. The ride/hadnling tradeoff is good. I understand Acura softened the ride of the ccurrent generation TL just a little, beginning with the '07 model.
I'm not thrilled with the notion of AWD, because of the extra weight, complexity, a lower fuel economy compared with two wheel drive. I hope SH-AWD is an option on the '09 TL.
Still, the TL is a fab ride. Given I don't track or regularly drive 9 or 10/10ths, the TL goes where I point it with little drama. And, if I play the right peddle correctly, it swiftly goes in a straight line, all the while looking great with a lovely audio system. My family fits inside as do my skis with the pass through. I average 23mpg commuting. Nice ride and NVH. I really think Honda does FWD about as well as it can be done. I chose the TL over the G35x for a number of reasons, including not wanting the added weight and complexity of AWD. Snows can be swapped... In summary, FWD has never been a negative to me.
Having written this, had I known how poorly the TL was in my white gold, I might have given more consideration to a 3 or RWD G... Now that I have snows/rims, I'm hoping that they will fit my next ride as I will be considering rwd seriously. As well as FWD and possibly AWD (Audi A/S5?!).
'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 agree.
Your comments are enlightening.
I'd mount snow tires on a FWD car in winter if I lived in or traveled to the snow belt (I live in the Mid Atlantic region}. One of my cars is a RWD 3-Series, and snows make a significant difference in the traction on slippery surfaces.
I await the '09 Tl with much interest, but I'm concerned that, like the new Accord, the TL may grow too large. I'll also look at the '09 TSX and the all new Audi A4.