Older Acura TLs

akal50

I have a feeling the production model WILL look a lot like the one in the picture. It's basically a bigger TSX and since the TSX styling is already out there, it seems this is the direction Acura is leaning towards for its cars. I predict they'll add the TSX mirrors with the turn-signal light, give it 16" wheels standard while making the 17" and 18" ones optional. The big question is whether the line along the side will remain and if those will be the actual door handles used.

lenscap

As the owner of a 2002 ES 300 I can tell you that any problems you've read are the voice of a very small group of people. My car is the seventh Lexus in the family and is as good if not better than any of the others (and that includes three LS 400s). And between relatives and friends I know three others with the new ES 300, again all with no problems. My advice - don't let what you read on this site necessarily affect your buying decision. It may not be very representative as negative comments seem to be heard far more loudly than positive ones. I believe the most recent research indicates ES 300 owners, along with BMW 3 Series owners, are more likely than anybody to buy the car again if they had to do it all over and have the highest satisfaction with their cars.

That being said, the TL is a wonderful car also (although it has a slightly different mission than the ES 300 - less luxury but more sport). My family has also owned four Acuras over the years. The only problem with any of them is the 2001 CL-S, which needed a new transmission at 15,000 miles. But that was replaced quickly and there have been no problems since. I would highly recommend any Lexus or Acura.

s852

I looked at both the Acura TL and ES300. The New ES300 is so ugly. I liked the 2001 ES300's looks, but it felt so old even compared to a TL when I test drove it. I wanted to like the new, redesigned ES300, but they messed it up so horribly.
It is one of very few cars I would not buy based only on looks. I did not like the styling of the 2003 Accord that much when I first saw it, but it was not bad enough to dimiss it based only on styling.
The Avalon is another car in the same general class with unacceptable styling.

fredvh

What did you think about the TL as it compares to the 2003 ES300?

s852

The TL is now old and ready to be replaced. The ES300 is still too ugly, so it isn't even under consideration and I don't bother to look at the ES300 boards.
Maybe the next Lexus IS will be nicer and a little less cramped in the backseat whenever it gets redesigned. The IS300 is looking a little old now also since the Altezza styling isn't aging very well compared to a BMW or Audi or even the TL.

hclll

Type-S wheels kook much better than regular TL's starfish wheel. I saw someone selling type-S wheels on ebay, and wanted to buy them.

My question is, can those type-S wheels be installed on regular TL which had 16'rims?

bchandl1

Does anyone know if the 2004 TL will have an
updated nav system similar to the one on the TSX
and will it have built in XM radio?

varmint

"In addition to providing a glimpse of the design that will be applied to the 2004 TL when it goes on sale this fall, Acura announced that the '04 TL will be fitted with some of the latest high technology available, including the world's first automotive application of multichannel DVD Audio 5.1, Bluetooth wireless telephone connectivity and XM" Satellite Radio."

Acura News

carguy58

You have to remember Acura's have always been sportier than Lexus's and Acura has a younger audience than Lexus does. On the ES 300 I did think the 97-99 ES 300 had classic looks going for it. Didn't like the refeshening for the 00 model year(it was ok but liked the 97-99 style better.) The new one isn't ugly I don't know it is, its hard to explain: I just think the 02+ ES 300's are awkward and kinda bland looking. TL: I still like the looks of it. The pictures I saw for the 04 TL looked like the Infinti G35: I only caught small glimpes of the spy shots though. On the new Accord: its either love or hate and I'm on the hate side. I did see a guy drving one who couldn't have been older than 30. My Mom likes it too. If I'm looking at an Accord just for style alone give me the 96-97 body style. If I'm going or style now a good choice would be the VW Passat pr Mazda 6 for sedans. Lastly, On the Avalon: The 98-99 body style was beautiful. They ruined the 00 Avalon and turned it into a Lincoln type of car. Toyota also ruined the 4 Runner(97-02 model was classic looking.) The 03 looks corny. I tried to like the Corolla: the shape of the tailights bother me.

robertsmx

Couple of pictures of the 2004 Acura TL Concept.
Picture 1
Picture 2

Production variant should be close. Side mirrors instead of cameras and 16" rims instead of 18 or 19 inchers are the best candidates to not make it to production. This version is apparently 'several inches' shorter than the current TL.

More pictures at: www.wieck.com/public.

bcj2

Today, I became victim of the infamous trans probs. My '00 TL w/ Nav (80k miles) had its transmission fail. It started slipping between 2nd + 3rd. As I was explaining the prob on my cell to the dealer, the car completely died (would not move + engine failed) while on a 6 lane major road. It was towed to the dealer where it will be covered under warranty. I was given an '03 TL as a loaner. All-in-all, my TL is still a good car, however.

daysailer

I'm discouraged to see Acura begin to embrace the "edgy" design idiom that afflicts the Cadillac CTS and others! I'm eager for a return to graceful designs with continuity if line.

mariner7

New TL has the crease line running along the door handles all around the car body. Nice touch, giving the car strong visual cue. If I'm not mistaken, that's a signature of Alfa Romeo. Isn't it?

Of course most NA public wouldn't know of the connection. And since TL won't be sold in Europe, most Europeans wouldn't know either.

varmint

The thing I like the most is that they left off that crease in the middle of the front bumper. On the MDX, it looks like the bow of a ship. The three facet bumper on this concept looks a little blunt, but it's a big improvement IMHO.

baool

go to motortrend.com adn look at the New York Auto Show and they have a photo I think on the 3rd or 4th page

jaquino

Here are more pics of the Acura TL concept:

http://hondanews.com/forms/acura/TL/index_images.html?kw=currenta- cura

I like it! I agree with another poster, It does look like a "supersized" TSX. But I like the look of the TSX, so this looks pretty good to me.

acurious

Anyone know when the 2004 TL will be released?

carguy58

Honda/Acura has always been knocked for bland styling. American Car Fans hated Honda's styling because they claimed it was too bland so Honda is trying to get that audience. As Accord sales indicate Honda can still sell alot of these un-Honda styled cars of late. In my opinion Nissan/Infinti started the whole "edgy design thing" with the release of the 02 Altima a couple years ago. So you can blame Nissan for the whole trend. As far as designs returning to the contemparary 90's trnds you can forget about that for awhile: the agressive "sporty look" is in. Even BMW is getting out of the contemparary stuff they had done in the 80's and 90's with the Z4 and 7 Series. Toyota also with the Corolla is getting into the agressive styling stuff. Mazda has turned the corner too. Honda has to do something to counter it. BMW saw what Nissan and VW were doing and decided they couldn't sit on their "timeless styling theme".

s852

I'm sure it will have regular side view mirrors and likely normal windshield wipers instead of the cameras and air blowers on the concept version.
Of course, it will have the updated navigation system like the TSX and new Accord.
The DVD audio system should be a great improvement since the current Bose system is weak.
Hopefully, the interior will be greatly upgraded with real polished wood from an actual tree and no more fake plood simulated wood-toned plastic.
$30K+ cars should not have fake wood trim!

akal50

If they're going to raise the price of the TL, which the dealer says they are, then it better be because they're using higher quality materials. The wood accents should be like the ones you find in Lexus or BMW.

I think it's a safe bet that the production model will have side mirrors and traditional windshield wipers. There's no way the government would let people drive without those. I think Acura just wanted to show how technically advanced it can be. The Lexus RX330 has the rear view camera but they still have normal mirrors.

akal50

I agree that Acura had to add more style to their car. The 03 TL looks classy, but dull. Acura is supposed to be about performance and the body style has to reflect that. The downside is that the car will look dated in 5 years.

s852

I think the '04 might have traditional wipers, but I think the air blowers could be possible in the future even if they don't have them this time.
People might say, "Well, what if the blower fails?"
Well, what if the windshield wiper motor fails? It's the same thing.
All they need to do is make the air blower system at least as reliable as a windshield wiper motor. That's not an impossible feat.

jaquino

The blower thing sounds like a good idea, less maintenance (no more wiper blades to replace every year). However, the trick is to make sure the thing blows hot air in the winter time. Probably have like a "hot setting" for the blower/wiper.

bklynguy

I saw the 2004 TL Concept today at the New York Auto Show. I think it looks good. I can confirm the October release, DVD-Audio system.

I wanted to take some pictures but had a problem with my flash card ( word of advice : check your camera / camcorder before leaving the house and take a second flash card for your digital camera ). I was able to take some video of the TL with my camcorder so not all was lost.

bklynguy

I saw the 2004 TL Concept today at the New York Auto Show. I think it looks good. I can confirm the October release, DVD-Audio system.

mxpro738

If Acura/Honda were to take this design straight to the production line, keep the Type-S motor, and give it a manual tranny, I'd change my mind about my upcoming BMW purchase.

I hope they're listening in Japan!

tb9

Looks nice but I hope they do something about the rear end! Too boxy - looks like a Ford Focus!

akal50

The rear end actually looks like the front of a Cadillac CTS, except without the ugly grill.

bobby067

I saw the concept body for the 04 TL it is awesome. They didn't have the interior but I was told that photos will be available in August and it will be out in OCT. The type S is 280hp it will also have a camera in the back. It is a major change for the TL. Great looking car.

bjvjs

Has anyone heard any rumors regarding the pricing on the 2004 TL. I currently own a 2000 TL and need to add another car. The TSX is a possibility but I found the engine to be lacking. I am also considering a 2003 G35 sedan. I do not know if I can wait until October. I am sure the new TL will be selling at or near sticker for at least six months.