FYI, the windows & sunroof only open with the remote. To close them, you have to use the key in the door lock. I have a 2004 TL. Still pretty cool though.
I'm thinking about buying a new 2003 Type S, and was wondering what the prices are averaging now that the 2004s are on the market. To date, a dealer in metro Atlanta has a Type S without navigation for about $26,000 (auto trans). Has anyone seen them cheaper? Is this a good price for this car? How much lower can the price get?
The tires provided have been very favorably reviewed. If you REALLY want to change them, I would buy a new set from tirerack.com and sell the old ones privately. If you ask the dealer to do this, you will pay maximum retail plus dealer markup on the new tires. tail
"...The screen is larger so the pixels are slightly further apart..." I respectfully disagree with you. When the screen is larger it should have more pixels, thus maintaining the same resolution. That's how you see a 40" TV with the same sharp resolution of a 20" TV and not half of it!
Well, I believe you that the screen is clear, but the point was it could, and should, be even clearer and sharper.
This is a pretty good price for this car. The invoice is $28,500; so you'getting it $2,500 "below invoice". Well, if your dealer has a number of 03 TL's setting on his lot, you may try to offer him $25,000 (He's making plenty of money on the 04 TL's anyway!) Good luck!
If you're talking about the 17" performance summer tires - Bridgestone Potenza RE030 - they have not been rated favorably (see close-up photo of this tire on a 2004 TL with Bremo brakes): http://photos.imageevent.com/provench/acuratl/IMG_1524R.jpg
A much better choice of performance tires would have been the Bridgestone Potenza RE750 which, according to TireRack's survey results (below), have been rated amoung the best, plus they're better priced! http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/uhp.jsp
They're selling $1500 under invoice without negotiating in New Jersey. Make them an offer, they may meet it. Have them add splash guards, trunk mat, wheel locks, etc. for no extra charge.
The issue here is similar to what has happened with some PDAs. Microsoft requires a 240 X 320 dpi for all pocket pcs. So, if the pocket pc manufacturer makes the screen a bit larger, the pixels are a bit bigger and the fonts don't look as fine. But, that doens't necessarily make it hard to read. the increased screen size can still improve clarity.
My suggestion: Go spend some time with the NAV system in the TL. I think you'll find it is the most readible display of ANY existing nav system.
Uncledavid: Thanks! I'm waiting for the dealer to get one with NAV to go there and check it carefully!
Some colleagues of mine got the info from Acura that TL w/Manual tranny is a "limited production vehicle". Dealers will be getting ONE CAR per month, and high-volume dealers will be getting FIVE CARS per month. Considering there are 236 Acura dealers in the US, still the supply of 6MT cars will be much less than demand, which would give dealers a chance to up the price. People who put a deposit and were given a "production date/delivery date" keep getting postponed by Acura!
I like the stick-shift, but I can live with the Auto w/sequential sport shift!
I agree - but they are the same price. How much more do you have to spend to get a car that is not "sorry", which is part of the point they are making? Also - the 318 is really a typical car for Europe where 3 liter engines are the exception.
kinda like my '03 Accord...you can roll 'em down, but if a sudden downpour were to come about, you would be sopping wet... I just don't understand why they can't have them roll up... sheesh
Well, I'm sure you'll love the NAV system. I really hesitated before buying mine because it looked like it had too much that could go wrong. But, I love it and will never buy another car without one!
Either way, I wish you luck with your purchase. It seems like you are giving this important purchase a lot of hard thought.
Thanks! What's the color of your car? I like Black/Quartz, but still hesitant about the high maintenance of black, especially living in So. Cal -- What do you think?
The Black TL looks awsome, as do many cars in black (but not all). You are right that it is EXTREMLY high maintenance if you want to to look good at all. Probably only 1 out of 100 black cars I see look even halfway decent, and they are ususally still covered with swirl marks from improper waxing. I will NEVER have a black car simply because of the heat issue here in So. Calif. I like my cars to be cooool in the Summer, and this is next to impossible with a dark car.
Just go out any afternoon and put you hand on a black car and a white car. The difference is incredible. SO - while you are out in the sun, the hot skin of your car is heating up everything inside, and it takes a great deal of work for your A/C to cool off that large mass. It's not just the air that has to get cool.
My current Solara is white, and even with the charcoal interior, the A/C is seldom running more than 2 bars on the indicator, even when it is 100+ outside. Of course I have tinted the windows also with a good heat resistant film.
I really want the anthracite TL, but will probably end up with the much more common silver, simply because of the heat issue!
One more factor to consider is the safety issue. Dark cars are invisible at night, and the side lighting only helps this a little. Many fire trucks are changing to bright yellow for this reason - they cannot be seen at night.
IF you are going to end up with black, the only polish that will do it justice and give you great protection is Zaino.
Automophile: Thanks for your feedback. Silver is ok, but as you said 'too common'. How about Anthracite? Do you think it would be cooler than black? At least I know it won't show dust or swirl marks.
I saw the Anthracite today...it was rainy and dark where I live. I thought the Anthracite would be lighter in color than it is. It's quite dark....for a minute I thought there were two Dark Green Pearl TL's side by side-but one was the Anthracite. I like contrasting interiors so the Camel interior in the car looked nice. Can't make up my mind about the Anthracite though. I'd like to see the Redondo Red Pearl with Parchment interior.
I have the Meteor Silver with the quartz interior.
I'll most likely buy a TL toward the end of the model year, and I wish it came in Meteor Silver as well. It seems like the perfect exterior color to me. Nice and light, doesn't show dirt or swirls, never looks dirty, but also very sharp looking. I have people come up to me in parking lots all the time to ask me about it.
The quartz interior is like a dark gray/light blue. It is also really ideal. It isn't so dark that it gets hot, but it doesn't show scuffs or dirt either.
If I was buying a TL today, I'd probably get it in white, with the quartz interior. I've bought my last dark colored car, because they just aren't practical in a place as sunny as Los Angeles.
Thanks for your feedback. I appreciate your thoughtful insights.
msf2: I've seen the Redondo Red/Parchment; beautiful! The exterior is like "light red wine", and goes very well with the bright interior. Very sharp and sporty!
uncledavid: Meteor Silver is an attractive color, especially with Quartz interior. I wish it was available on TL! I'm getting more open towards Satin Silver. I have to check it out once again, this time more carefully! :-)
I agree with 1violinist on the red/parchment. It's a very nice combination; it looks quite rich.
Everyone tells me the silver color is the easiest to maintain and that's why it has been the most popular color for the last 4 years in the US. IMO the silver with the black is much nicer than the silver /quartz; it's a bit drab together.
The white/parchment is classic look together.
The blue and green are both colors I really liked. You need to see the camel interior prior to purchasing; I think it's a love or hate interior color.
The gold is a color that's easy to maintain. I just don't like it at all.
Black/parchment looks the nicest IMO, but I'm not willing to spend the time that's needed to keep it looking great.
I know the Acura comes with an awesome system. But if someone would want to improve upon it how would one do it without messing up the acoustic balance inside the vehicle. In other words if one would want to make it louder and add more bass (which from reading this forum sounds like it’s lacking in the new system) how and what would one add in order to accomplish that without degrading the quality?
1violinist-thank you for your feedback as well, I'll be looking for the Redondo Red.
On another issue-I read on one of these boards that Acura service after purchase leaves alot to be desired. This is especially true if you don't buy the car at a dealer where you wish to get service. I find that hard to believe because my Honda experience after purchase has been very good. This could be an issue for me because there is a very good chance I may buy a car (Accord or TL) in another city. Since Acura is Honda I would expect the same type of service. Can someone shed some light on their experience?? Thanks!
Although I live in Canada, I can tell you that the service I've had from my dealership here in Toronto has been fine. As long as I book an appointment for the service I've always had a loaner car for the day. The car has always been cleaned except for one time. I've had no complaints whatsoever.
Adding an amplifier that feeds all the speakers equally will not “mess up the acoustic balance inside the vehicle”. Just make sure it is a quality amp. Remember there is more to the amp than just the power rating. Make sure that the amp has enough current for speaker impedance (i.e. ohms), lower impedance needs more current (more expensive amp).
The bass is more complicated. You can add a subwoofer, but the system will probably sound “boomy”. The frequency range where the main speakers and the subwoofer intersect will be louder than the rest of the system. To get around this problem you need a crossover between the processor and the amp. The crossover will send high and midrange frequencies to the main speakers and bass to the subwoofer. I don’t know if crossovers are available for cars, and how to install them.
Also, if you are going to replace speakers, you have to replace all of them. All speakers have to have same tweeters and midrange drivers to keep the “acoustic balance”.
msf2: "...Acura service after purchase leaves alot to be desired. This is especially true if you don't buy the car at a dealer where you wish to get service."
It's a fact the a dealer makes more money on servicing your car than the sale itself. So, any dealer would be happy to provide service even if you didn't buy your car there. I bought my 01 Camry from a certain dealer but their service was terrible. I switched to another dealer, and they were happy to get a paying customer off a competitor! I always like to establish a good relation with the service manager.
mdhauke: do you REALLY want to spend a lot of money and mess up with this new system?
torontotl-after the response by 1violinist I just might have to hop the fast-ferry service that starts up here in Rochester next May 2004 and get my service acroos Lake Ontario at your dealer in Toronto!! Favorable exchange rate...what the heck!!
true the jag had its problems its first year, but they've all been worked out now... I too am looking into getting a new car and have singled down the competition to either the Jag X type or the G35. both in my opinion are wonderfull cars. now true jag has joined with ford but it means nothing... shirr it may shar the same platform but hey gues what tones of manufactures shar platforms between cars... ie the new altima and the murono from nissan, the G35 coupe \4door and the 350 z, Honda accord and the Acural Tl... mind you every one has tweaked there platforms to suite each car, so why pick on just jag, if the acura does just the same thing... I'm not trying to bash the Tl it is a great car, I've taken it into consideration, but like ya'll said, take out your car and drive up to a place in a acura or a jag, which will hold more respect... sorry to burst your bubble but you have to admit, jag is noticed much more than acure, just the same as MB and BMW are noticed its all looks. I like the new 04 jag, and they've lowerd the 3.0 base price to 34K which fits my range perfectly, plus I'm possitive I can even deal a lower price. granted though I don't much care for the navigation so the base 3.0 works fine for me... the TL I liked the 03 version.... as for the 04 I haven't seen this one yet in person but from the pictures I don't nearly like it as much as the 03, I've driven the 03 and it is rather nice.
Jaguars have been some of the least reliable cars on the road for many years (according to Consumer Reports). So, it may not be the case that Jaguar's reliablity problems turn out to be just first year issues.
cjs2002 - If you're expecting to get the same or similar reaction one gets driving an XJ, I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment. The X-Type will generate no more "respect" as you call it than if you were to drive a Lexus ES, BMW 3-Series, or Lincoln LS. All are very common entry-level luxury cars.
This class of car no longer impresses people because there are so many around. Don't get me wrong, I like Jaguars too but I think your reasons for getting one are slightly misguided. So, unless you’re able to afford a $75,000+ car that will really impress, get yourself a car that will reward you with an exhilarating, sophisticated and reliable driving experience.
I have found this posting board very helpful and I appreciate your insightful comments. I'm not a car afficionado and the reason I came here is because I'm in the market for a new car.
What do you folks think of all the car reviews? I left a message myself with links to some car reviews. My feeling is that they're a good starting point and will give you specs which are objective. It's helpful to know the 2004 TL's trunk is smaller than the 2003's for example. I'm always interested in the "0-60" time. Except for Consumer Reports, I'm quite skeptical with the automobile reviewers. I've always felt they're too close to the car manufacturers. The writers are given new cars to drive around, probably taken out to lunch and invited to celebration parties for a new model. The magazine or newspaper ownership has salespeople soliciting the same car manufacturers for advertising dollars. What do you folks think?
Just my impression, but I think most car mags have a bias toward Honda and BMW products. The reviews of the TSX (which I own, btw) in Automobile and Car & Driver were completely ignored some of the key weaknesses in that vehicle.
Like you, I trust CR more than any other source. ConsumerGuide is another reasonable source and, of course, Edmunds.
1stviolinist - This is probably the color I will pick, but I will drive a car that has been sitting in the sun all day first to be sure.
My wife's TSX is also dark gray (a little darker than the Anthracite) and she says it is no problem because the A/C is so good, it cools the car right off.
mdhauke - Before you even consider this - go hear it for yourself, with one of your favorite CDs. This is not a common car stereo that you can simply add amps to. It is a carefully balanced 5.1 sound system. Screwing with it can destroy the surround image when playing DVD-A discs.
If find that you want to add more bottom, just try changing out the existing subwoofer driver for a better one with higher efficiency. You can then get higher output with the same amp. The standard speakers in ANY car are seldom top quality because of cost issues.
But - listen for yourself, first. This system is very accurate - it is not BOOMY like many cheap sound systems. Many people think a big boomy sound means good sound.
Car Reviews certainly serve their purpose and if I'm in the market to buy (like I am now) I'll read everything I can get my hands on. But, I will not make a buying move without consulting Consumer Reports. For instance, I'll refuse to consider a car if the reliability rating or the crash test results are sub-par, no matter how nice or well priced the car is.
I work hard for my money and I certainly wouldn't want to waste it on a lemon. That's why the last three cars I've owned (Civic, Accord, and Acura TL) have served me extremely well. Can you guess what my next car is going to be?
This was my car of choice before I discovered the 04 TL. Remember I didn’t know crap about the entry level luxury sedan market before I started. Has anybody seriously looked at the 300M as compared to the 04 TL?
The dealer's shop can get three tranny's installed in one day. Guess they've had a lot of practice huh? It does take 3-5 days to get a tranny ordered and delivered.
1. It is a Chrysler, which is not built anywhere near as well as an Acura. 2. Chrysler dealers in general are awful...you will most likely not get the level of service you get at an Acura dealer. 3. The 300M will be replaced within the year by an all-new RWD car.
Just my opinion, but I would never recommend any Chrysler product, especially not over a car like an Acura.
This is somewhat off-topic, but one of Chrysler's biggest fears is that Honda will be able to produce more Odysseys. If/when capacity for that minivan increases, Chrysler will lose their lead in the mininvan market. Why? Because the Honda-built product is that much better than the Chrysler and most consumers know it.
If you look around a bit you may see my other posts about the TL's I have owned. To make it short, the quality of Acura has dropped much in the last few years. Our 99 TL had its transmission go out at 30k miles and thousands of other people have had the same thing happen to them with their car. The problem persists up to the 03 model year, and who is to say its not found in the 04. We turned in the 99 after its lease but we still own an 03. The 03 TL has had 2 recalls already, where I have to take it in and have parts replaced on it. About 1 month after we bought the 03 it had a recall on the water pump, there was a bolt that might losen and if that happens the timing belt comes off and your engine may get trashed. That had to be replaced. Boy the dealership was booked solid getting all that work done. Now today, October 27th I get in the mail another recall -OH JOY. Now its the timing belt tension may lose oil and the belt might losen. The fun never ends. Now its only a matter of time before the transmission on this one goes out like what happened in our 99. Even the service manager at our delearship said he is embarrassed by the crap Acura is putting out. Life has been hell for most of those acura service folks as these things continue to roll in for recalls and transmission work. Acura wont recall the tranny, they claim its a rare occurance, and if it goes out under warranty they give you a REBUILT tranny that probably came out of another poor customers TL. Todays recall affects: 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2002-2003 3.2 CL, and 2002 MDX. Dont let yourself become one of those people that gets one of these recalls in the mail. One thing that really sucks for us is that we are buying this TL and not leasing it. Someday we are going to have to try and sell this POS.
Consumer Reports is technically unbiased (they do have a pro-consumer view); the car magazines are also technically unbiased, but they have an emotional attachment to cars that make their writings often cryptic and tolerant of mediocre products - - CR spends only half a page on a car write-up, so they get to the point and provide lucid comparisons. The car magazines invoke an "boy's toy" perspective - - a "powerful throaty" engine sound to C&D, MT or R&a is "harsh engine noise" to CR. "Typical FWD understeer" to C&D, M&T or R&T is "responsive normal handling but difficult to control at limits" to CR -- it depends to what you want to know - - if you want the latest info quickly, nice color pictures, interesting technical info and to make love to the car of choice, read the car magazines -- if you want to know how the car performs as the 2nd most expensive purchase (after a house) you make, then you want CR. 10 years ago, CR would only test drive "luxury cars" once every 2-3 years; now, it will at least test one segment every year and remains the only "neutral" source of info. Typically, there is no common ground for the car enthusiasts (ego & testosterone) and the appliance car guys (depreciating asset and why would you pay 50% more to get %5 value??).
Sorry to hear about your troubles with the TL. I've had my TL for 4 years and I have never experienced any problems such as the ones you've described. In fact, it's running just as good as the day I bought it. My only question to you is: If you had issues with the '99, why did you buy an '03?
'cause of the brainwashing. If something failed just once on an Acura, most people would probably shrug it off as a fluke. After all Honda/Acura is a golden standard of reliability. Or so the myth goes.
I drove a '99 300M for 3 years (with performance handling group package). Loved it. When the lease ended, I wanted to get another 300M but there were no good lease deals at the time.
Back in 99, 300M was way better than a TL. TL did not even have memory seats back then. And BOTH driver and passenger seats are 8-way power (my 2002 TL-S has a 4-way power passenger seat).
As the time went by Acura improved TL and caught up with 300M feature wise. Unfortunately Chrysler did not choose to add more features to 300M.
I still miss my 300M. Despite its large size, 300M was designed to handle very well. It was not designed to be a drag strip racer and had relatively modest 0-60 performance (although after 6,000 miles it got much peppier). But at highway speeds, very few sedans could hang with it. Also 300M has an unbelievable carrying capacity - I used to fit minivan-worth of stuff into it (and still enjoy the trip). The trunk alone could swallow five people.
Now the 300M Special is a huge improvement.
As a matter of fact I just went to Chrysler Route 2003 test drive event and took a Crossfire and 300M Special around the cones. I think I liked 300M Special more than the smaller RWD Crossfire. Also they had a little drag strip - floor the gas pedal and accelerate hard, then floor the brake pedal and stop as hard as you can - 300M Special felt really good.
I have fun with my TL-S but it is spoiled by not knowing when the TL-S' tranny is going to break again.
I think way back there was a 300M vs TL comparo in Car and Driver. I think it was 99 300M vs 99 TL. Not exactly 300M Special against TL-S or 04 TL. But still can give you some good information.
Comments
Thanks in advance.
tail
Go to www.mgbeatsbmw.co.uk to see an independent study showing 8 of 10 drivers preferred the new MG ZT to the 318.
With the downgrade in looks, added complexity of the I-drive and the poor feel to the new drive-by-wire system, BMW may be losing it!
Well, I believe you that the screen is clear, but the point was it could, and should, be even clearer and sharper.
This is a pretty good price for this car. The invoice is $28,500; so you'getting it $2,500 "below invoice". Well, if your dealer has a number of 03 TL's setting on his lot, you may try to offer him $25,000 (He's making plenty of money on the 04 TL's anyway!) Good luck!
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=6&article_- - id=830
If you're talking about the 17" performance summer tires - Bridgestone Potenza RE030 - they have not been rated favorably (see close-up photo of this tire on a 2004 TL with Bremo brakes):
http://photos.imageevent.com/provench/acuratl/IMG_1524R.jpg
A much better choice of performance tires would have been the Bridgestone Potenza RE750 which, according to TireRack's survey results (below), have been rated amoung the best, plus they're better priced!
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/uhp.jsp
My suggestion: Go spend some time with the NAV system in the TL. I think you'll find it is the most readible display of ANY existing nav system.
Some colleagues of mine got the info from Acura that TL w/Manual tranny is a "limited production vehicle". Dealers will be getting ONE CAR per month, and high-volume dealers will be getting FIVE CARS per month. Considering there are 236 Acura dealers in the US, still the supply of 6MT cars will be much less than demand, which would give dealers a chance to up the price. People who put a deposit and were given a "production date/delivery date" keep getting postponed by Acura!
I like the stick-shift, but I can live with the Auto w/sequential sport shift!
Either way, I wish you luck with your purchase. It seems like you are giving this important purchase a lot of hard thought.
I like Black/Quartz, but still hesitant about the high maintenance of black, especially living in So. Cal -- What do you think?
Just go out any afternoon and put you hand on a black car and a white car. The difference is incredible. SO - while you are out in the sun, the hot skin of your car is heating up everything inside, and it takes a great deal of work for your A/C to cool off that large mass. It's not just the air that has to get cool.
My current Solara is white, and even with the charcoal interior, the A/C is seldom running more than 2 bars on the indicator, even when it is 100+ outside. Of course I have tinted the windows also with a good heat resistant film.
I really want the anthracite TL, but will probably end up with the much more common silver, simply because of the heat issue!
One more factor to consider is the safety issue. Dark cars are invisible at night, and the side lighting only helps this a little. Many fire trucks are changing to bright yellow for this reason - they cannot be seen at night.
IF you are going to end up with black, the only polish that will do it justice and give you great protection is Zaino.
I'll most likely buy a TL toward the end of the model year, and I wish it came in Meteor Silver as well. It seems like the perfect exterior color to me. Nice and light, doesn't show dirt or swirls, never looks dirty, but also very sharp looking. I have people come up to me in parking lots all the time to ask me about it.
The quartz interior is like a dark gray/light blue. It is also really ideal. It isn't so dark that it gets hot, but it doesn't show scuffs or dirt either.
If I was buying a TL today, I'd probably get it in white, with the quartz interior. I've bought my last dark colored car, because they just aren't practical in a place as sunny as Los Angeles.
msf2: I've seen the Redondo Red/Parchment; beautiful! The exterior is like "light red wine", and goes very well with the bright interior. Very sharp and sporty!
uncledavid: Meteor Silver is an attractive color, especially with Quartz interior. I wish it was available on TL! I'm getting more open towards Satin Silver. I have to check it out once again, this time more carefully! :-)
Redondo Red
Deep Green
Diamond White (I see a lot more old Type S TL's in White)
Everyone tells me the silver color is the easiest to maintain and that's why it has been the most popular color for the last 4 years in the US. IMO the silver with the black is much nicer than the silver /quartz; it's a bit drab together.
The white/parchment is classic look together.
The blue and green are both colors I really liked. You need to see the camel interior prior to purchasing; I think it's a love or hate interior color.
The gold is a color that's easy to maintain. I just don't like it at all.
Black/parchment looks the nicest IMO, but I'm not willing to spend the time that's needed to keep it looking great.
The anthracite is a nice dark gray.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=6&article_- id=830
On another issue-I read on one of these boards that Acura service after purchase leaves alot to be desired. This is especially true if you don't buy the car at a dealer where you wish to get service. I find that hard to believe because my Honda experience after purchase has been very good. This could be an issue for me because there is a very good chance I may buy a car (Accord or TL) in another city. Since Acura is Honda I would expect the same type of service. Can someone shed some light on their experience?? Thanks!
The bass is more complicated. You can add a subwoofer, but the system will probably sound “boomy”. The frequency range where the main speakers and the subwoofer intersect will be louder than the rest of the system. To get around this problem you need a crossover between the processor and the amp. The crossover will send high and midrange frequencies to the main speakers and bass to the subwoofer. I don’t know if crossovers are available for cars, and how to install them.
Also, if you are going to replace speakers, you have to replace all of them. All speakers have to have same tweeters and midrange drivers to keep the “acoustic balance”.
It's a fact the a dealer makes more money on servicing your car than the sale itself. So, any dealer would be happy to provide service even if you didn't buy your car there. I bought my 01 Camry from a certain dealer but their service was terrible. I switched to another dealer, and they were happy to get a paying customer off a competitor! I always like to establish a good relation with the service manager.
mdhauke: do you REALLY want to spend a lot of money and mess up with this new system?
torontotl-after the response by 1violinist I just might have to hop the fast-ferry service that starts up here in Rochester next May 2004 and get my service acroos Lake Ontario at your dealer in Toronto!!
Favorable exchange rate...what the heck!!
This class of car no longer impresses people because there are so many around. Don't get me wrong, I like Jaguars too but I think your reasons for getting one are slightly misguided. So, unless you’re able to afford a $75,000+ car that will really impress, get yourself a car that will reward you with an exhilarating, sophisticated and reliable driving experience.
What do you folks think of all the car reviews? I left a message myself with links to some car reviews. My feeling is that they're a good starting point and will give you specs which are objective. It's helpful to know the 2004 TL's trunk is smaller than the 2003's for example. I'm always interested in the "0-60" time. Except for Consumer Reports, I'm quite skeptical with the automobile reviewers. I've always felt they're too close to the car manufacturers. The writers are given new cars to drive around, probably taken out to lunch and invited to celebration parties for a new model. The magazine or newspaper ownership has salespeople soliciting the same car manufacturers for advertising dollars. What do you folks think?
Like you, I trust CR more than any other source. ConsumerGuide is another reasonable source and, of course, Edmunds.
My wife's TSX is also dark gray (a little darker than the Anthracite) and she says it is no problem because the A/C is so good, it cools the car right off.
If find that you want to add more bottom, just try changing out the existing subwoofer driver for a better one with higher efficiency. You can then get higher output with the same amp. The standard speakers in ANY car are seldom top quality because of cost issues.
But - listen for yourself, first. This system is very accurate - it is not BOOMY like many cheap sound systems. Many people think a big boomy sound means good sound.
I work hard for my money and I certainly wouldn't want to waste it on a lemon. That's why the last three cars I've owned (Civic, Accord, and Acura TL) have served me extremely well. Can you guess what my next car is going to be?
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/new/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/- 37492
M
Dano
1. It is a Chrysler, which is not built anywhere near as well as an Acura.
2. Chrysler dealers in general are awful...you will most likely not get the level of service you get at an Acura dealer.
3. The 300M will be replaced within the year by an all-new RWD car.
Just my opinion, but I would never recommend any Chrysler product, especially not over a car like an Acura.
This is somewhat off-topic, but one of Chrysler's biggest fears is that Honda will be able to produce more Odysseys. If/when capacity for that minivan increases, Chrysler will lose their lead in the mininvan market. Why? Because the Honda-built product is that much better than the Chrysler and most consumers know it.
The 03 TL has had 2 recalls already, where I have to take it in and have parts replaced on it. About 1 month after we bought the 03 it had a recall on the water pump, there was a bolt that might losen and if that happens the timing belt comes off and your engine may get trashed. That had to be replaced. Boy the dealership was booked solid getting all that work done. Now today, October 27th I get in the mail another recall -OH JOY. Now its the timing belt tension may lose oil and the belt might losen. The fun never ends. Now its only a matter of time before the transmission on this one goes out like what happened in our 99.
Even the service manager at our delearship said he is embarrassed by the crap Acura is putting out. Life has been hell for most of those acura service folks as these things continue to roll in for recalls and transmission work. Acura wont recall the tranny, they claim its a rare occurance, and if it goes out under warranty they give you a REBUILT tranny that probably came out of another poor customers TL.
Todays recall affects: 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2002-2003 3.2 CL, and 2002 MDX. Dont let yourself become one of those people that gets one of these recalls in the mail. One thing that really sucks for us is that we are buying this TL and not leasing it. Someday we are going to have to try and sell this POS.
'cause of the brainwashing. If something failed just once on an Acura, most people would probably shrug it off as a fluke. After all Honda/Acura is a golden standard of reliability. Or so the myth goes.
Back in 99, 300M was way better than a TL. TL did not even have memory seats back then. And BOTH driver and passenger seats are 8-way power (my 2002 TL-S has a 4-way power passenger seat).
As the time went by Acura improved TL and caught up with 300M feature wise. Unfortunately Chrysler did not choose to add more features to 300M.
I still miss my 300M. Despite its large size, 300M was designed to handle very well. It was not designed to be a drag strip racer and had relatively modest 0-60 performance (although after 6,000 miles it got much peppier). But at highway speeds, very few sedans could hang with it. Also 300M has an unbelievable carrying capacity - I used to fit minivan-worth of stuff into it (and still enjoy the trip). The trunk alone could swallow five people.
Now the 300M Special is a huge improvement.
As a matter of fact I just went to Chrysler Route 2003 test drive event and took a Crossfire and 300M Special around the cones. I think I liked 300M Special more than the smaller RWD Crossfire. Also they had a little drag strip - floor the gas pedal and accelerate hard, then floor the brake pedal and stop as hard as you can - 300M Special felt really good.
I have fun with my TL-S but it is spoiled by not knowing when the TL-S' tranny is going to break again.