Older Acura TLs

accura1

The head lights were stolen at Hudson County (NJ) and Brooklyn (NY). Would an additional alarm system help?

jdhcincy

surely some of you considered this car... If you did, what made you buy the Acura? What it sounds like is that if you want a more sporty, aggressive, drive experience go with the TL. If you want more luxury, go with the I. Any thoughts? Looks like most were considering Passat, A4, ES300, Millenia.

eddiemac

I am in favor for it. I purchased a 2002 TL-s w/nav last August. I am the type of person who can take a map and go anywhere without a problem. My wife is not as gifted in that regard so I decided to get the nav to help her out. I figured that over 5 years the nav would add $34 to my payment. I plan to keep the car for at least 7 years and by the end of that time nav systems will be as common as ABS. I am very satisfied with the decision. We travel often and my wife likes to visit fabric stores. At the hotel we will pick a few stores out of the phone book, put their addresses into the nav, and off we go! If you are in an unfamiliar area and want to know where the closest branch of your bank is, or where the nearest Wendy's, just put in their names and the system lists them in order of how close they are to your particular location. I have also used it to give directions to people who were lost with maps! It is very useful and I think that you will not be disappointed.

spudgal

I have a 2000 TL (and I love it). We considered the I30 then, and just looked at the I35 recently. Would still pick the Acura. I don't like the positioning on the Nav. system on the Infiniti; the Acura's is more logical. I haven't driven the I35, but the Acura was a better drive (IMO) than the I30 - tighter, more precise. I just felt more, well, "connected".

The A4 scares me; I have a colleague with one that's 18 months old and it's constantly having electrical problems - Airbag senors, window switches, check engine light etc. The thing's a lemon, and the dealer seems clueless.

godeacs

the A4 consistently gets great reviews PLUS you get 4yrs/50K miles FREE maintenance - that's hard to beat. I test drove both the A4 and the TL (and others!) and couldn't justify the extra $$$ for the TL.....

PS You can have a "lemon" of any make.....lol

spudgal

Yeah, I know that only too well . We own a website - GMClemon.com! I'm trying to help my friend work through her problems without getting too involved - one lemon experience was enough! I can't help feeling the dealership is partly to blame.

I seem to remember the A4 wasn't available when we bought. We're in Las Vegas, and the dealer choice on imports is short. The TL came from Arizona. Dealers here tend to price gouge on the desirable cars.

lenscap

The Audi does get great reviewes, but the writers don't have to live with one on an extended basis. Two people in my office have Audis (both bought new). Here's what they have experienced:

1. 2001 A4 - Car was six months old. My co-worker was driving 75 miles to home from a client when all of the lights, inside and out, went out. Since it was dark out, she called roadside assistance. They would not come out since the car could be driven. Ridiculous. It then took three days to fix the car (electrical malfunction).

2. 2002 A6 - Car was three months old. Wipers started going beserk when it wasn't raining. Dealer said they could fix it in one day. Gave a Cavalier from Enterprise as a loaner. Dealer then needed one full week to address the electrical issues. Finally car was ready. A few days later the car stopped shifting out of first gear and is now back at the dealer.

Getting the service paid for under warranty doesn't help having to deal with the inconvenience of constantly going back to the dealer. Or wondering if your car will start. Or thinking what will go wrong next.

As an aside, my girlfriend has a two-year-old Passat that has also had numerous electrical problems (it will be her last VW/Audi product). And the car has not started on several occasions.

No question the Audis are nice to look at and sit in. But they just do not have anywhere near the quality of the Acura.

I know this is only based on three examples, but that's enough evidence for me to stay away from these cars.

handelyourself

The only difference I'm aware of is in the NAV. Basically the On-Star service is standard if you get the NAV system. I personally didn't see the point of it. For $2000, I rather use the maps I get from AAA. But that is just me.

bitnoj1

Should we expect a totally new style for the 04 TL? I hear they are to arrive in Sept. 03. There has been minimal change for the past three years.

ahung

I just visited the dealership today and they are running a lease deal on the 2003 TL-Ps. 48 month lease, 0 down, 0 security deposit, 12k miles/year, Acura makes first payment for you. It's 386.97/month + tax.

scott31

Not too bad....but I got a better deal.

I got the TL S with Nav for $389.90 a month, and the only thing I put down were the taxes, first months payment, and fees (about $2100 here in VA). Oh, and it's 42 months.....

So it's a nice deal, but not spectacular.

carolineb777

I think you can get a better lease deal as well. I leased a 2003 TL S with NAV for $459 a month for 36 months. The mileage allowance is also 12K a year. The only thing I had to pay for upfront were tags and registration which was about $150 dollars.

C

ahung

I posted about a lease deal that my local Acura dealership was offering. Being new to the world of leasing....how much wiggle room is there on a 3.2TL lease? I'd assume that this is based on how well the 3.2TL-P is selling and my local dealership's willingness to deal some. I'd be appreciative of any advice anyone could offer.

Thanks,

Art

handelyourself

What are some suggestions to caring for the leather seats in a car? I bought a TL and have never had leather seats before. I was told by the dealer NOT to use Armor All on the seats.

Does anyone know how to get that new car smell out? I've had my TL for almost a month now and it still wreaks of that new car smell!

jlan

I have had leather in every car I've owned except 1 since 1984 (10 cars with leather). I have always used a good leather cleaner from a place that sells fine leather products (such as the Coach store) if necessary. Typically, however, I've only used a damp cloth followed by a good quality leather balm on the leather. The balm will provide some light cleaning ability (will not remove stains or discoloration from wear), but most importantly, it conditions and softens the leather. Go to a place that sells good quality soft leather products and you should find all you need. I wouldn't use anything sold in auto stores or discount stores.

As for the "new car smell", I've found that cigarettes, cigars, spilled beer, sour milk in a baby's cup under the seat, old food between the seats, baby puke, sweaty shoes and socks from the gym, and other such accessories will take care of the smell. ;-)

As for Armor All, most car care fanatics avoid it like the plague on any part of the car. The silicons in it will degrade vinyl, etc. So keep it off the dash, doors, everything.

If you want other car care tips, try www.autopia-carport.com. That is where the detailers/fanatics hang out. Some even post pictures to show how well they detailed their tires and hoses! But that aside, they do have some good car cleaning and polishing ideas.

godeacs

you're complaining, "handelyourself"? Enjoy it while you can - it's the best your car will ever smell!

4apexs

My wife is getting a company paid 3yr lease car - the list includes the TL and TL-S - have not driven either yet - any comments on ride differences - will be driven in Chicago area.

handelyourself

Godeacs,

You have got to be kidding! It smells like someone took a bottle of new car smell and dumped it onto my dash board! Everytime I get into the car, I have to open the windows and turn on the heater. While parked at home in the garage I leave the windows down.

Too much of a good thing is just REALLY BAD!

godeacs

I have never heard ANYONE make a complaint like this!...lol. You must have a very acute sense of smell...

If this is the worst thing that you have to worry about on your new car, you are a lucky man!...

jlan

I think I am going to ding the doors of my '03 TL-S and run a key down its side. Strip off the Zaino and scuff the bumpers a few times, and that new car look should be gone. Now to get rid of the new car smell! ;-)

godeacs

ROTFLMAO!!!..Hard to please some people....

pat

aw c'mon, give the guy a break.

Lotsa folks have trouble with strong odors for lotsa reasons beyond their control.

No need to flame him about it.

Pat
Sedans Host

jlan

Thanks, godeacs.

Handelyourself, perhaps what you are smelling is the smell of leather itself and a clean car. Unlike cloth which usually does not have much odor of its own, it will not absorb odors that tend to permeate cars, nor will it hold dust, pollen, and all that other nasty stuff that is part of our human world. Leather also has its own smell - take a whiff of a nice sofa, purse, briefcase, or pair of shoes (new only) and you will see. As long as it is not abused, it will never really lose the "rich smell of leather."

Pat, no flame intended - just trying to have fun. I've also tried to give him suggestions in response to his initial question that I hope are of use to him. No offense has ever been intended.

pat

Yeah, I think the sour milk under the seat would really do the trick ;->

jlan

That's my favorite - milk in a sippy cup for weeks on end under the seats of my wife's car. One day, it just really jumps out and grabs you. Also, french fries under the carseats works well for us.

Useful suggestions - use of leather balm, avoid Armor All, and refer to the autopia site.

handelyourself

I'm familiar with the smell of leather - its nice.

I remember when I went with my brother to pick up his BMW a few months back. That new car smell wasn't as strong as my Acura.

Trust me, it is REALLY strong. Some of my friends have also commented on this was well.

Side note:

In two weeks my TL will be going into the shop to have some hydraulics installed so I can lower it on command and bounce the front end. I'm also having the horn replaced so I can use it as a Puerto Rican doorbell! It's gonna be cool! (j/k)

handelyourself

Thanks folks for all your USEFUL suggestions. So far my experience with new car has been quite pleasant, aside from the unusually strong new car smell. After all that is how a new car SHOULD be, trouble free AS GOD INTENDED IT TO BE!

jlan

Excellent mod ideas. Make sure you get some coffee can size exhaust outlets and 20" wheels with 20 series tires as well. If you want some other ideas, check out the following link: http://www.acura-tl.com/gallery12.htm

I especially like the lowered black/copper combination with the body kit on the right side of the gallery.

Hope things work out for you, and enjoy the car.

handelyourself

I had a look at

http://www.acura-tl.com/images/gallery/car-139.jpg

I think I'm gonna be sick! ^^^

http://www.acura-tl.com/images/gallery/car-157.jpg

 ^^^^ This reminds me of the Clint Eastwood line from "The Rookie" (goes something like)

"Do you want to see a REAL criminal? The owner that woudl do that to this car!" (Clint refers to some high end foreign car painted LIME GREEN).

godeacs

you got yourself a great car so enjoy the drive! Geez, I'd like to know what Acura uses on their leather...lol.. didn't notice on my test drives...

I always take it as a compliment when someone gets in my car and comments on the new car fragrance...even when it's no longer new! Maybe if they said otherwise, like "P-U (sic)....what is that smell?" I'd see where you're coming from better...

scott31

For my $0.02 I love my new car smell.

But, I am well aware of people who have different tolerances to smells (I used to work in a sick building).

One thing to keep in mind is that a good chunk of the TL's interior is not leather but imitation leather.

Perhaps that's what causing the smell you don't like.

tomsr

I have about 20k miles on my 01 TL and the seat
has developed a creak as I move around.Just
irritating.Has anybody experienced this?

jlan

You've got to admire someone with so much self assurance that they would drive it. Kinda like guys who wear pink polo shirts with a sweater over their shoulders going into a rural biker bar!

PC disclaimer - no offense intended to the pink polo shirt, sweater over the shoulder crowd.

wmquan

Now available (finally) at:

http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0206.htm

TL scores not only a "Good", but also a "Best Pick". Given that the Accord doesn't even rate a "Good" in the test, this shows how the TL had significant structural enhancements, some of them improving safety.

handelyourself

I did a little digging and discovered a page at the same site that shows additional information.

http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle%5Fratings/ce/html/summary%5Fmidmod.htm

The only item that the TL scored poorly was for the head restraint for a rear end collision

I guess that is why Acura made the TL with 235/265 HP... so that we don't get rear ended!

spudgal

seeing the TL all smushed up like that. They could have donated it to me! Poor thing!

handelyourself

4apexs,

I have only driven the TL. But this is what I've heard about the TL-S. It has a stiffer suspension and 25 more horsepower than the base model TL. The TL-S also as some nifty companion that goes with the TCS (traction control system) ... er.. I don't recall the name, but it is a three letter acronym that starts with a V (something you might seriously consider since you're driving in Chicago). Oh yeah more more thing the TL-S wheels are 17".

All of what I've heard about the TL-S good. I don't know how well these features will help in extreme weather conditions. But if you feel the cost is justified, go for it.

hkisgood

I got my 03' TL (non-nav) yesterday and drove it back to my home. It was a 20 miles drive and the average speed was about 70 mph (with air conditioners on). When my girlfriend and I got out of the car, we both felt heat coming out from the two sides of the car. Anybody had the same problem?

cokane5227

the heat is coming from the engine, and it's very normal, as long as the water temperature indicator doesn't go pass the center line to the upper half, it's not overheating.

Karen_S

There has been a request for an Acura TL/TL-S Owners Club. If other owners are interested, please let me know.

KarenS
Senior Host
Owners Clubs

JingleJill

I would be interested in a TL owner's club.

daysailer

what are the attributes of an "owners club"?

handelyourself

From what I can see. You can start a discussion... kind of like a room the post stuff. Others who like to see or contribute can enter and post their own input. Kind of like this place only threaded to a specific discussion.

I did a little more browsing at this site and thought it would be cool to have an owner's club so I suggested it. Right now the only Acura owner's club is the MDX.

rleung4f24

I have something to add to message #1407.

I am a former Audi A4 owner and I just picked up my 2003 Aegean Blue TLS w/Nav and Spoiler today. Here are my dissatisfaction(S) with the Audi:

2000 Audi A4 1.8TQ 5 spd:

@1000 miles - the rear left passenger window came off it's rails from rolling it down the second time.

@2000 miles - oil temperature gage stopped working which took them 2 months and 3 visits to figure that out.

@2500 miles - driver seat high adjustment handle came off

@8000 miles - one of four spark plugs failed and caused the engine to quit when I was driving at 60 mph in L.A. traffic

@10000 miles - Cruise Control stopped working

@11000 miles - Heater came on full blast when 70 degree was selected in a 95 degree California day

@15000 miles - CD player stopped working

@22000 miles - windshield washer pump started leaking uncontrollablely

@24000 miles - I kicked that piece out the door and got me a new TL.

Does anyone have any problems with their TL so far? The main reason why I don't want my A4 anymore is because I don't want to hang out at the dealer 3 times a month. I hope I have made the right choice.

blue36

Hello Folks:

Has anyone had any problems with the cooling system in their TL? My '02 TL's a/c does not blow cold air (very often). I've gone to the dealership more than three times...for more hot air. Any similar cooling problems with the TL? Thanks.

x021627

for the center console lid keeps popping up. anybody else have this problem? I took it to the dealer aobut 1 month ago and they replaced the lid, however when it got hot here a couple of days ago, it started popping up again.......

blue36

Thanks, Scott31. I was becoming very concerned that I picked up a lemon. Yesterday, the temp outside was 93 degrees (inside the car, probably over 110) and I lowered the thermostat down to 64 degrees. It was unbearable. I actually got home in about 20minutes and it was still ghastly. It's extremely hot and humid here in Florida, so I guess it's 60s time in order to keep cool. Thanks for the tip; I really appreciate it.

JingleJill

Funny...I have an '03 TL-S. Less than one month old.

On day one, my center console lid popped open. I noticed it did it when it got hot. (South Texas). They replaced it of course, but it is doing it again. I was so anal/paranoid that I didn't even use it after it was fixed. Now it is doing it again...Go figure.

As for the air, I've noticed that it blows warm too when I have it set at 72 or 73. Anything below that, it is fine.

I guess when I get the latch fixed, I'll mention the AC.

amazon

I just completed a round trip from Columbus, OH to Washingon DC. I got 31-34MPG during this trip. I was going at 70-85 MPH with four adults, a 18 month old, and the trunk full. THe AC was on the whole time also.

hunter001

Very similar to the mileage I obtained when I did a long trip a while back with 4 people and associated light luggage in trunk and climate control set at 69 degrees.

Later...AH