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Comments
Is there a separate TL web site for Canada?
Richardgold ... you might want to unlock your CAPS key. It looks like you are yelling at us, and it's hard to read what you have to say.
Dynamic Package:
6-speed manual transmission with LSD
Brembo® 4-piston front brake calipers
High Performance Summer Tires
Larger Stabilizer Bars
For more info: http://www.acura.ca/AcuraEng/Models/TL/Overview.htm
We hear you just fine (best in fact) when you speak like this. Thanks much.
I recently discovered that the cause of this sound is the built-in wind deflector (it automatically pops up when the sun roof is opened). When the sunroof is closed and the wind deflector is automatically pushed back in place, there is enough play there that it will vibrate under certain driving conditions (even though it has a rubber seal underneath it and it's spring loaded). You'll notice that when the inner roof liner is closed the vibrating sound is deadened. Also, the sound will not occur at all if the sunroof open or even slightly open but this is difficult to tell because of outside noise.
Try this test (but not while driving): While sitting in the front seat with the sunroof closed and the inner roof liner opened, take your index or middle finger and place it up inside the sunroof opening in between the sunroof (up front and towards the middle) and the topside of the roof itself. Then feel for the rubber seal that is part of the wind deflector piece. While pressing against the deflector, flick your finger upwards to move the deflector vertically. It may take 2 or 3 attempts but this action will duplicate the vibrating sound exactly.
This appears to be an easy fix and I'm going to discuss the best method with my service manager. I'll follow up later.
I ALMOST didn't buy the TL cuz' I couldn't get the white/black combo. The gray is VERY nice, but black is more cozy and luxurious. They BETTER have it for next time, tho!
First of all I have never driven a Lexus so I can't compare. I can describe how the TL drives for me however.
This is the third Acura I have owned in succession ( 91 Legend, 00TL, 04TL ). This is by far the best Acura I have ever owned and I liked the other two cars. It is more sport than luxury but it is still a very comfortable car. Lots of room in the back for passengers and a very nice fit and finish. The TL doesn't have the "cushy" feel of cars that are more luxury than sport. The TL drives like a drivers car to me but my wife drives it most of the time and loves it because it is such a comfortable car. I believe Acura has created their own niche with the
04 TL. It won't handle as well as a 3 series BMW but it is nicer inside with waaay more amenities. It is fast. I have the 5 speed automatic ( remember my wife drives it most of the time ) but I drive in the sequential shift mode. Automatics just don't provide motor braking like a manual when you downshift but there is enough compression in the lower gears to slow you down from speed.
There are those who will complain about the handling characteristics of FWD ( torque steer ) but I don't notice any torque steer at all in the automatic when you apply power in corners or in a straight line. The car always feels secure to me. I put Bridgestone LSZ's on my car right away and there is a marked improvement in handling and comfort / quiet.
I used to own a CRX SI and it had torque steer galore but it was still the most fun car I have ever owned.
The TL is quiet ( the OEM tires need relief instantly however if you are a more aggressive driver, which I am. )
I got the navigation system, I had one in the 2000TL also. Great system. The voice activated commands can best be described as an adventure but it is a moot point because even operating things manually is a breeze. A wonderful sound system if you like music of any kind.
Bottom line is I really look forward to time in the car no matter if it is high speed cruising on the wonderful US autobahn's or cutting through the country roads. It is the best of both worlds for me.
I expect the car to be very reliable as I drove my Legend 145,000 miles and the 04 TL 50,000 with no mechanicals whatever.
Your previous rides have been very nice. I have always wondered about the GS400 which Car and Driver described as having " neck snapping acceleration".
I do not believe you will be disappointed with the car but make sure you get enough demo time by yourself prior to purchasing. After all, only you are the true judge of the comparisons to your other cars.
Best of luck in your search for that perfect hybrid between comfort and handling. There are a lot of choices out there and a lot of really fine cars.
The Lexus is a little more luxurious.
The TL handles MUCH better.
The TL has more room than an ES or GS.
The TL is fast fast fast, but cannot have the torque of a V-8.
The Lexus dealers will give you better service, but the TL is at least as reliable.
They are really quite different. If the Lexus cars were better looking, I would have bought another one. I am glad I didn't - the TL has made driving FUN again! I look for excuses to get out to drive the car!
Our ES has been great w/o any problem (not even any rattle or small misfit). I like the new TL's excitment but am wary of all the problems reported on the Problem and Solution thread just a few months since TL was out. I am wondering is it the first year model thing or what. Acura is supposed to be very reliable too. Maybe 2005 would be better? We bought the ES a year later too.
Actually, the TL has more interior room than the ES but not by much.
Interior Volume:
TL - 97.90 cu.ft.
ES300 - 96.40 cu.ft.
Interior Dimensions:
ES 330 Sedan // TL Sedan w/5-spd AT
Standard Seating 5 // 5
Front Headroom (in.) 37.60 // 38.70
Rear Headroom (in.) 36.90 // 37.20
Front Legroom (in.) 42.20 // 42.80
Rear Legroom (in.) 35.60 // 34.90
Front Shoulder Room (in.) 56.80 // 58.30
Rear Shoulder Room (in.) 55.80 // 55.70
Front Hip Room (in.) 55.50 // 55.60
Rear Hip Room (in.) 55.50 // 53.80
There are several very minor problems that you can expect in a first-year. I bought a 2000 TL in its first year and it exhibited similar assortment of minor problems that got fixed next year.
The most notable problems are:
(1) Sub-par OEM tires. They are quiet and handle well in dry, but they have poor performance in snow and wet. They flatspot terribly and they produce vibrations in a small number of cases. There is a lot of talk of Acura replacing these tires with another brand/model shortly.
(2) Seats memory getting lost from time to time. Seems like this is a pretty wide-spread problem. I would classify it as a minor annoyance though, and you can expect Acura to be addressing this issue for all cars shortly.
(3) Vibrations at 50-55mph reported by a small percentage of drivers. Cause is still unknown, but many things point to the OEM tires.
(4) Some squeaks and rattles, notably from moon-roof and glove-box. These are to be expected in the first year model. Dealer can fix them for you, and you can fix some of them yourself. I can tell you that compared to the 2000 TL, the 2004 is rock-solid!
I think that's all. Knowing about these issues in advance would have never deterred me from buying this AMAZING car!
Mmm I wonder when they will have 05 TL out addressing these minor things. One other thing I noiced about TL is that the base is pretty low, that the distance between bumper and gournd is not much. It seems to be scuff-prompt when parking the TL. Is that right or you'al just be very careful? I even got some on my ES and it's higher than TL. For ES it's on the bottom of bumper so no big deal. For TL it seems that you can head-on hit the curb! Any thing in the protection package for that?
BTW, anyone can point me to some TL photos that show the dash/control interface w/o the navigation? All the ones I see have it and I saw someone mentioned that the one w/o does not look very nice.
5.8"? That's less than most curbs. I bet it's more than that from the bumper base but can be from that black thing to ground.
bodble2's data seems to suggest it's not an issue, but my experience suggests otherwise. I seem to be hitting curbs more often with the 04 than I did with 03 TL-S
Is the black plastic plate not just a decorative shroud to cover the opening between the bottom of the bumper to the base of the radiator. On my CL-S, it doesn't seem to serve any real purpose other than help trap leaves and debris!
Anybody tried mid-grade or regular in the TL? Especially in California? Seems like modern engine management computers should be able to compensate.
WHY would you want to do something like that??? An average driver will save $120 a year by using regular instead of premium. Is it really worth it? If you can't afford extra $10 a month in gas expenses, you probably can't even afford a Civic.
Use whatever the OM recommends. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish.
It seems that the tires with full nylon on the tread are having flatspotting issues. Not sure why... I have always had good luck with Michelins, BUT they are pricey and do have a slight drone at low speed (goes away with age).
I went back to the dealer again today to testdrive another TL. I did not feel the flatspotting, but it did hydroplane a little. I've decided to keep the stock tires, but I will replace them before next winter. I figured the dealer can swap the tires for around $300-400 for the Pilot A/S depending on their profit margin.
So, yes, I'll use premium gas when I get the new TL since that's what the factory recommends. But I could have found other uses for that $120 a year. Thanks for the other thoughtful posts.
;-)
The manual suggests having the fan at speed 2. I find that, if I speak up, it's fine with fan at 5-6 even.
So by one using reg. gas in the new TL, one will not do any damage to the engine. And for one to point out one will lack mileage and?or performance....the difference would be like peeing in the ocean.
But, you could be down 50hp or more. Some very high strung cars, my S2000 for instance and I believe M3s, actually can tell the difference between Sunoco 103, err... Ultra 94, and normal premium.
How many miles did you put on the EL42s before you switched? Did you have the vibration, flat spot, or pulling problems with the EL42s? Do you have a flat spot problem with the LS-Zs?
Considering between LS-Z, Falken Z512s (top rated by Consumer Reports, LS second), or Falken A115s (supposedly very quiet).
Thanks,
David
Actually, I think the design of the cupholders is pure genius. Having the 6-spd, I can put my 16oz stainless steel Starbucks travel cup in there and it sits down low and doesn't interfere with my arm travel.
On the subject of flatspotting Turanzas, I've experienced the vibration somewhat, but it usually disappears within a mile or so of travel. I've had this happen with other tires too, so I don't know what the big deal is.
If you wish to locate the article use the following website www.dispatch.com and search for "Honda and Premium" and you will find an article about the need for premium gas.
Good luck.
I replaced the EL42's because I didn't like the noise and what I considered the rough ride. I was also concerned about the very low ratings the EL42's received in almost every category on the Tire Rack.com survey which is based on drivers who have been driving on them.
I bought the LSZ's because they were the highest rated tire in the Grand Touring all season category at the time I bought them. I see they have been replaced at the top by Continental Premier Contacts since I bought mine but both tires received very high marks across the board. I have 600 miles on the LSZ's. The weather in the Northwest has been an adventure for the last month.. rain, sun, snow and freezing rain. I left the TL in the garage during the snow and freezing rain because I have an SUV which I love to drive in adverse weather conditions.
I have however driven the LSZ's in hard rain and dry conditions as has my wife. We both love the tires. They are quiet, comfortable and you can push them hard. They should be all of that for what they cost but they do have a 40k mileage guarantee. I put the LSZ's on the car because my wife drives it most of the time and is on the road every day.
I haven't noticed any flat spotting or vibration. My car is garaged at night so maybe that makes a difference in the morning, I don't know.
The LSZ's are very nice tires and a very great improvement over the EL42's which are in storage and will be put back on the car when I sell or trade it.
I am sure there are other fine tires out there but I feel I did get what I paid for in every category.
"Recomended Fuel: Premuim unleaded 91 octane"
This is marked with footnote #10, which in reading the fine print says:
"Gasoline with an octane number lower than 91 may be used, with reduced performance."
Just ordered a Redondo Red/Camel 2004 TL/AT/Navi yesterday - will have it in late March/early April.