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I am glad this car has traction control. Even with it, it can be a handful off the line and into curves. I have not been brave enough to try it with the VSA off!
I guess I just notice the FWD deficiencies more because I usually drive AWD and the difference is more apparent...
However, my previous point was that the TL's performance is absolutely limited by it's FWD set-up. We split time between two homes, one in DC and one in the snowbelt where they had an "average" winter last year with 115" of snow. I would STILL prefer a RWD TL with traction control and VSA to a considerably heavier TL with SH-AWD. At least if the result would be anything like the unimpressive performance of the RL.
At the risk of repeating, AWD, SH and all, still adds weight to a car and generally does not result in a 50/50 weight balance. If I'm going through heavy snow, I'll be in our MDX, not any sedan, period. I'm yet to be convinced that SH-AWD is better than RWD when it comes to handling. "Weigh" the facts and you will likely agree. Even a 330ix doesn't have the balanced nimble feel of a 330i, so it's not a BMW vs. Acura issue.
If the TL had been RWD, I would not have even considered it.
Acura TL Owners: Accessories & Modifications
and we also have a couple of entire boards that might interest you:
Aftermarket & Accessories Board and Speed Shop: Tuning & Modification Board
CU is a decent source of reliability information, but even there they appear to have missed the transmission problems Acura and Honda have had with automatic transmission failures. I would rely on my own test drives for how the car performs and handles for my preferences, and let CU be the judge of how it might feel in the hands of my 70 year old mother in law.
Great car (so far...), the TL.
'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...)
Now wait a minute. All of us, with some luck, genes and healthy lifestyles, will get to the 70s. I know of one person, Paul Newman, who raced in SCCA very competently, until early 70s. When I drive around the rich suburbs in my area, I see many persons who appear to be over 70 driving Mercs, BMWs and Porsches. I would like to think that their selections were based on performance more so than on prestige.
Being that I'm pushing 50 and only reluctantly accepted our 2005 MDX as the first automatic transmission equiped car that either my wife or I have ever owned, I certainly don't think that age and driving enthusiasm are incompatible. Accept my apologies if my post suggested otherwise.
Without weighing in on the substance of this sub-discussion, I just want to say this made me laugh.
the car only has 12,000 miles...and the dealer said the car needs new tires and brakes...but we just drive it regular....use it to bring the kids to school and run errands...
is this normal ? I would think they would last at least 3 years...and its only been 10 months...
Is this the first tire rotation you have done. It is very important that the tires be rotated every 5 to 6 thousand miles. If you wait too long to rotate the tires it will cause cupping on the rear tires and shoulder wear on the front.
Not that I would let them do the work, but drop by your local Tire Discounters, Tire Kingdom, Costco, or whatever you have in your area.. Don't tell them what your dealer said..
Just tell them you are leaving on vacation soon, and want to make sure your tires and brakes are in good shape... Ask them if they can do a quick inspection.. Most places will do this for free, but even if they charge $30, it will be worth it for peace of mind...
regards,
kyfdx
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Is Quartz any better?
As you pointed out, the downside of black is that it shows dust much more readily. However, I rather dust once a week versus trying to rub out tar and heel scratches. Just my opinion.
I had parchment on my 04 TL and it was cool but showed every tar and scuff.
That said gray is dreary to me. My opinion.
to each his own. I had windows tinted and use a sun shade which is a help on the heat.
Oh on the tires. I am very pleased with the Michelin tires on my 05 TL. They are vast improvement over Bridgestones I had on my 04. I am glad the dealer agreed to switch them from a NAV unit.
Bought 05 TL last week in Silver black for $31k with splash, tint and Michelin tires.
By waiting for the 05 to be heavily discounted and last Augusts short availability I did fine. IN OK tax is only 3% so not bad there.
In essense 2k to move up to the 05 but I paid $32k for the 04!!!!
the TL has the A-spec tires...which are the yokohamas that the dealer added on...not the HP set .
I brought it in yesterday to another dealer, and they said the brakes are OK but 2 of the tires are unevenly worn and need replacement. I mean, it is only 13K miles and 8 months !!!!
The dealer did not tell us that the tires needed to be rotated at 5 or 6K miles....
so we went according to the TL computer, which said the car needed the "B" service ( which includes the tire rotation) now.....instead of at the 5K mile mark.
also, the car did pull to the right since it had only 30 miles....
BTW, when we bought the car, it had only 7 miles on it.....and we signed all documents and paid...but did not take delivery right away, since they had to clean it up, and we had to drive the Hyundai in for a trade-in....but by the time I took delivery 3 days later, the new car had 30 miles on it....! Should the car have been mine after I paid and signed all paper work ? why all the extra miles ?
1stly, some high performance tires might not last more than 13k mi - on ave that's a year's worth of mi. Uneven wear could mean an alignment problem, which'll wear tires down faster.
"The dealer did not tell us that the tires needed to be rotated at 5 or 6K miles....
so we went according to the TL computer, which said the car needed the "B" service ( which includes the tire rotation) now.....instead of at the 5K mile mark."
I don't think the salesman really go into maintenance. As a general rule, I rotate my tires every other oil change. WIth a fwd car, it's even more important. I'm really surprised your "B" light didn't come on before now.
"also, the car did pull to the right since it had only 30 miles...."
That's indicative of an alignment problem. It's a lot more $$$ to get your wheels "balanced" as opposed to just rotated, but it's worht doing once in awhile. It might be included i the suggested 10k or 15k mi service.
"BTW, when we bought the car, it had only 7 miles on it.....and we signed all documents and paid...but did not take delivery right away, since they had to clean it up, and we had to drive the Hyundai in for a trade-in....but by the time I took delivery 3 days later, the new car had 30 miles on it....! Should the car have been mine after I paid and signed all paper work ? why all the extra miles ?"
Sounds like something funny happened! All they had to do was wash the exterior and vacuum the interior? Why not wait while they do it right then & there?!? You should have been able to insist on taking the car, but I'm not sure how your trade-in affects that. Maybe they couldn't give you the car until you gave them your Hyundai b/c w/o it, you wouldn't have paid the full amt? Regardless, that extra 23 mi seems odd.
Yes, a little unusual. But on the whole, IMO, not a cause for concern. Maybe they did detect something and took it on a couple of long test drives. Now if it had 130 miles....
Water under the bridge now, but in the future, I would not be as passive.
I would walk
When we bought (leased actually) our Mini, while sitting there doing up the paperwork, and the car was sitting in the showroom waiting for us to drive home, the salesman wouldn't even let people look inside.
regards,
kyfdx
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But, if you think about it, I wonder is there is anything anyone can do in 23 miles of test drive that could cause permanent damage. I say that because it is no secret the clowns that are hired to load and unload brand new cars to and from trains, boats, docks, etc. usually drive them like they stole them. :mad:
Thanks!
Terry
http://subscribers.wardsauto.com/microsites/newsarticle.asp?newsarticleid=2732484&siteid=2- 6&magazineid=1004&instanceid=5121&pageid=824&srid=10088
I'm going to assume around town 17-19 and highway, 25-30, both dependant on how nervous your right foot is.
I just my first tank filled, 17.2 in mostly town......
DRC
For my dailey 40 mile commute with a mix of local/highway driving, I've been averaging about 22 mpg. What's cool is that I worked very late Friday night so the roads were kinda empty on my way home. I was enjoying the TLs ample power, doing 80-85mph and my avg. mpg. went up from 22 to 23 by the time I got home! Cool! And boy, is it easy to get to 85 and the TL feels quite secure and comfy at that speed.
'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...)