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Comments
I suppose that if not having the Michelins was going to be a deal breaker on a non-nav car, the dealer would switch them out.
On a different note, I read on MSN reviews that the 04 TL has 3 channel ABS instead of 4 channel like the Infiniti's, Nissan Max, Lexus and all the German brands...even Subaru's have 4 channel abs. I think it may be true because the RL has 3 channel ABS (unacceptable for a $50K car IMHO). Anyone know if the TL has 3 or 4 channel ABS?
A $45k car that doesnt come with ABS, leather seats, and only 4 cylinder engine really dissapoints me.
Acura Sucks.
46,000 miles in 3 months? That's 500 miles a day, every day! Sounds fishy.
Hmmmmm. I just looked at your Bio. You list your cars as a '05 Chrysler 300 and a '01 Mustang. Your BIO says "I love american cars, dont like japanese cars."
So you bought a TL? Something doesn't jive. Go lurk elsewhere, perhaps on a board where you know something about the car. Don't waste our time.
Very poor quality for the price
Did they correct any problems encountered on the 2004?
No transmission recall for my TL and my transmission is fine. Actually I have never heard any 2004 TL that has a transmission failure at all (that includes the early build - recalled). I'm sure yours must be the old model.
FYI the "do not buy acura" advice isnt working at all, here's the fact : Oct'04 sales - TL outsold 330i, ES330, G35 etc.
TL 6717 units sold - 700 more than oct'03
G35 3188 units sold
ES330 5997 units sold
I've had my TL for about 4 months, and if I had to do it all over again, I would buy the same car. I just can't think of anything more desireable at that price.
And when you talk about quality in relative to price, what would you say has better overall quality at the price? Certainly not the G35, or Maxima. Legacy GT? I don't think the quality of material measures up. ES330 is more $$. What else out there matches up in terms of quality v. price?
I had mentioned that I had taken my car to the dealer twice because it sometimes takes a long time to start the car when the car is hot (the car just cranks for 5-10 seconds then eventually just starts).
Well, I just got my car back for the THIRD time from the dealer. They told me they had received words from the factory that it is normal because of the fact that 04 TL is a ULEV car. And if I really want to have the problem fixed, they need to change the PCM but then my vehicle is not likely to pass the state's emission test.
The dealer also told me that many other customers have experienced this and it also happens on MDXs, TSXs and the new RL.
So now my question is...can someone confirm this? Has any of you ever seen this problem? And has the dealer given you similiar explaination?
I just don't buy it...there are even lower emission vehicles out there (like the PLEV), and I never heard any of them has this problem. The dealer claimed that the factory indicated up to 15 secs cranking is considered normal. How can that be?
And if it really is related to the emission system, it definitely sounds like a design flaw and Acura should really fix it. But the dealer simply released my car and claimed there is no solution to it (well, except the one in which they have to turn my car into a big polutter!).
If the car doesn't start at all, then I'll be worried.
I do enjoy the TL's sporty look and power. I just believe that a car in this class should not have creaks and rattles. If I wanted rattles I would have bought a Ford.
Also, the 1999 to 04 TL have had transmission issues for about 4 years. My 04 TL was recently recalled to inspect the second gear. Apparently it’s not getting enough lubrication.
I just think the car has too many loose ends to use your words. But it is a nice car and it’s fun to drive. I've adjusted to the rattles by playing the radio nice and loud. But I should not have to do that! Get my point!
By the way, my car has been back to the dealer (with company intervention) and it still rattles. That’s unacceptable in a $35,000 car.
Actually Fords that I've owned have been free of rattles. In fact that my TL gets the award for the most rattles of any of the 30+ cars I've owned. It greatly detracts from an otherwise great car and is unacceptable for a so-called premium car.
I've owned about 10 new cars in my life time and my new 04 Acura TL gets the award for haveing the most loose ends...and rattles.
Other than the creaks and rattles it's a nice car.
Perhaps i should stop complaining about the rattles and consider myself lucky.
Anyway, I am buying a TL (with Lexus experience already in the bag) and I'd be upset with excessive rattles for sure. I just don't know if it's only the minority of TL sold that's this problem, or it's worse.
How can this car be sold more than 6,000 units in a month (10/04), if rattling has been wide spread for more than a year?
I think some people tend to be perfectionists (at least to some degree) and find small problems such as creaking and rattles to be quite annoying; particularly in a brand new car, which is supposed to be perfect. While other folks don’t even notice the rattles
at all/little/much...?
I also agree a person's sensitivity (or obsessiveness) affects the amount of rattles and noises detected. My wife, for one, never hear any noises, partly because she's asleep about 3 seconds after getting into the car!
Happens on about 1/3 of my commutes. It rattles pretty constantly when it does at all. That is, it's not a rough road phenomenon.
Perhaps i should stop complaining about the rattles and consider myself lucky.]
tedescm1, yeah, consider yourself lucky. I just called Acura's customer service #, and they told me if the factory rep, or the district service manager, told me that it's within normal operation, then it is normal and there is nothing they can do.
Meanwhile, I would need to crank my car up to 10 secs for it to start...great. How is that normal?
which I paid for.Still fun and fast and it still looks like new.If only America could build a car like this.Hey it might be made in America under Japanese management.Quality starts at the top with a mind set on pride of workmanship.
djlandkpl, thanks for pointing that out. I thought I read the manual carefully enough. I guess I will have to read it again tonight.
But to me, that's just a really poor way to CYA. I think having it documented is worse. The fact that it is documented means Acura knew about the problem but still allowed the car to go into production.
Would people put up with Microsoft if it documents in its user manual that the OS will crash and when the user complains, argues that it is normal? The fact that Acura knew about the problem and simple told me off by saying it's normal really turns me off.
Since Acura isn't willing to work with me on it, I will have to seek remedy elsewhere...
djlandkpl, can you point out where exactly in the manual this is written? I looked all over the ignition, engine, and emission section of the manual and couldn't find any similiar statement.
Thanks!
Our '04 TL and '04 MDX both are occasionally a little hard to start (require cranking twice). However, they are both better than my '02 WRX which was much harder to start and was only a LEV.
Jeff
I have a 2001 TL with 28k miles and no problems at all. No tranny problems. Just use a little silicone spray for the sunroof and doors keeps all the rattles away. My personal opinion is this is a much nicer car than the new ones, better ride and quick enough for just about anything.
Up to 10 seconds cranking b4 engine started seems a bit stretching. I've not heard of that on Accord. On my ES it'd take up to 2 seconds at times (due to the same reason?), which I thought was long already.
for Accord 03V6 regarding the long crank time.
It rattles and creaks all the time.
Just wonder has your TL been in for a major service and so you got to drive a loaner TL? If so, did you hear those rattles, etc on other TL as well?