Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
All car and truck doors do not line up correctly to the molding. I have seen many cars with dings both below and above the moldings.
The body side moldings provide a false sense of security.
If you REALLY care about not getting any door dings, you need to park away from other cars, avoid compact parking spaces and stop thinking moldings are the answer.
Otherwise, you can try something like an oversized magnetic molding like this and hope it doesn't get stolen.
I do agree that with so many taller SUV/Van/trucks out there the molding on cars can become defenseless. Molding can prevent some but certainly not all. The questions is if that 'some' worth $180 and I guess more importantly to many, does it look good on TL which already has a line on the sides.
ps never park at the bottom of an inclined parking lot.
EXACTLY! Just do a little experiment next time you check out the 04 TL: open the rear door and see where the leading edge is relative to the molding. Most cars' rear doors are shaped similarly and will hit the TL just below or at the door handle level!
Door edge trim is not only useless but is ugly and stupid and greatly increases the wind noise. It's not there to protect your car, but the car that you hit with your door.
Next time you're in a grocery store, put the shopping cart next to your car to see that it will hit WAY WAY above the molding.
I know for sure it can protect your own door's edge and yes the other car in your garage. But all these mask/molding/trim.... protective stuff is almost a lose-lose situation. You don't do it, you get more chips/dings... , but if you do you don't get to see the no-chip/ding part anyway! The only win-win is if the stuff can even enhance the look. Tough for TL I gather!
I noticed on my car, as soon as I got underway, it is riding very rough (almost trucklike). It's almost as if the front suspension is too stiff the car is vibrating as it goes over every bump. Could it be that something was not prepped regarding the front suspension? (I can't imagine so).
As I mentioned, I just had a test drive in another unit last evening. I didn't bother to "test drive" the car I was getting as I made the assumption it would be fine (big mistake!).
Has anyone else noticed this problem with a new unit? Is it just stiff until it breaks in? This is not riding like the car I drove in the test drive.
Lastly, I assumed that since the CD player handles DVD-Audio and DTS, that SACD would be compatible as well. Bought 2 SACD discs from Best Buy on the way home, opened them, only to find they do not play in the vehicle. Now I can't return open CD's to Best Buy.
I'd appreciate some comments from some '04 owners. I'm really bummed right now.
Still waiting on my TL -- will make sure to test drive it first. The two different test TLs I have driven were both fine.
Let us know what the dealer determines...
I also added the front, side, and rear under-body kits. Looks really nice. Can we post links to pictures on here? If, so I'll post them if anyone's interested in seeing
You seem to be an authority on the subject....I've heard several references in the discussion here about "Hybrid" SCD/SACD.
Does this mean the TL is compatible with some SACD's and not others? If so, how can you tell before you buy.
Or, should I only focus on DVD-Audio and DTS.
So, I would think a hybrid SACD would play in your TL as a normal CD - but you wouldn't be able to access the surround sound encoding.
I bet your tires are overinflated. They are usually shipped that way and are supposed to be reset by the dealer. Check the label in the door jamb or owner's manual for the correct pressure. Always check the tires when cold.
The way the TL door shaped it seems that even with a BSM the most outward part of the door, unlike most of other cars, would not be around the BSM but higher on the door. Also, most cars that have BSM out of factory have sheet metal grooved so that the BSM won't not stick out that much on the door, which is not likely for TL. All these don't bode well for BSM on TL, but a picture will be the best judge. Looking forward to seeing yours.
According to my research, I found out that there have been a significant number of complaints reported by 1999 Acura TL & CL owners on problems related to EGR valve. Acura has since extended its warranty on EGR valve for those year-models. I suspect that my problem with TL is related to it. Another soon-to-be problem I have with my 2000 TL is its transmission. When engaging it produces loud annoying metal contacting noise. I first reported my concern on the potential transmission failure to an Acura District Manager in 2000. At that time, the District Manager assured me that the noise was normal. Shortly after, Acura extended its warranty on the 2000 TL transmission to 7 Yers/100k miles. According to my research, Acura has since developed new fix to replace those TLs with failed transmission. Progressively, I can feel that my TL transmission is becoming more and more sluggish with increasingly louder engaging noise each time. This is doom-to-fail transmission is obvious when the transmission fluid is replaced since the transmission drain plug magnet always attracts unusual large amount of debris on it, a indicator that excessive wearing on the transmission.
I wonder if there are other 2000 TL owners also expereince the problems I have?
Sorry but your assumption regarding SACDs is your fault and not Acura's. This falls under the category of "This is what happens when I don't read the owner's manual".
You are completely correct when you say "your assumption about SACD's is your fault not Acura's".
I completely agree. My first stop after picking up the car was to Best Buy. I made the assumption that SACD's would play. I did not take the time to read the manual, and what's worse, I've read over these discussions thoroughly the last week once I decided on the Acura (must have glossed over the SACD discussion).
Thanks also for the tip about tire pressure. Hopefully it's a simple problem. I'll check the pressure.
I find if I am in stop and go traffic I turn the stereo off so I can hear the RPM's of the engine when starting in first gear. Although checking the tachometer helps, I would rather be looking at the road.
No, this is certainly not my first car purchase. But I felt it was safe to assume that since Acura bills itself as a Premium brand with superior service, the car would be prepped properly.
I checked the pressure, and while it was a bit high (35), it does not seem to be the source of the problem. It seems to be the tires themselves. I have been reading that others have recently been experiencing the same issues.
Another "Newbie" question, so feel free to flame me at will.
I am only about 50 pages into the novel that is the owners manual and I do not see this mentioned in the "Quick Reference Guide".
Does the TL have a feature so that when you turn off the ignition, the seat moves back from the wheel. My car does not do this, so I assume it is not an available feature. I remember the G35 having this feature during my test drive.
Not nearly to the extent that you described. There are couple different types of vibrations that people experience:
(1) Flatspotting vibrations from Bridgstones EL42. These do go away after 5-10 minutes of driving though. I had these and bought new tires.
(2) 50-60mph vibrations that are probably caused by tires in some way. I never had this one, but it doesn't sound like what you described anyway.
Was it 35psi cold or hot?
They DID look pretty good on the silver, though. The color contrast looked good
One answer ended up being that that tires had to be balanced using a particular tire balancer. I don't have that info handy at the moment but a search of that group should turn up the info.
I drove my Accord V-6 to Atlanta to attend a woodworkers show and drove home a new TL, 6-speed. I finally chose the Desert Mist/Parchment. This car is alive, a technical wonder. It took me longer to drive home the 400 miles because I kept getting off the hwy. to play with all the stuff. This the first car I'll have fun paying for. I think
under-fenders, or surfaces. I'm wondering (without examining)if there is any undercoating or protective treatment on the 04TL? Maybe it's because the car is very quiet otherwise and it's just more noticeable. My 95 Saab 9000 I traded in was very quiet with NO noise under same conditions.
2nd dissapointment is the passenger seat does not adjust up or down and is too low for my taste/comfort. My wife, who's a little on the short side says she feels like she's sitting in a hole (compared to the Saab). If these are the only concerns I come up with, I'll be a very happy driver. No vibrations, rattles, etc., everything works perfect, just a fun, beautiful car.
The system in the TL plays DVA-A (audio) and regular CDs...it does NOT play SACD.
SACD hybrids are SACD discs which will play on a regular CD player (or dvd player that plays regular CDs). However, you will not get the benefits of the improved/superior sound of a SACD.
DVD-A "flip disc" are discs which have two formats. On one side is the DVD-A format. On the other side is a regular CD.
SACDs do not work in the TL.
When I took the TL out for the first time in Atlanta, it had been sitting since December with only 5 miles on it. It took 4-5 miles to warm things up. They did smooth out.