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Comments
When I first got this car, I was led footed. I got around 23 MPG. I recently had Acura replace my tires, and I slowed down to a nice 65-70 MPH on the freeway (it's nice to drive slow and listen to the XM). I keep the air pressure high in the tires. I've been getting 29 MPG consistently for the last month. I own a 1995 TL with 15K miles now.
Slow down and enjoy the ride! Save Gas! Save Money!!
Helps with what? I got a headache from trying to read this.
· Defective passenger seat
· Current premature wear on the drivers seat (15K miles)
· Undiagnosed strong antifreeze smell in passengers compartment for the first 4 months of ownership heater
· Harmonic vibration in drive train (characteristic of the car)
· Poor Tires
· . Tires currently have approx 15K miles and are almost worn out, also dealer said tires may contribute to vibration and flat spotting!
· Defective transmission that was recalled (TSB) (2nd gear teeth can break from overheating and freeze tranny . safety issue
· The car’s headliner fell down
· The car’s entire dashboard was blotchy and discolored
· Had to back to the dealer in Oct b/c they forgot to install the light
· Also, had to go back again b/c they damaged my console they will contact me to make and appoint to fix the problem
· Defective passengers door panel
· Rough idle (maybe due to a defective EGR valve TSB?
· Creaks and rattles in the cabin when going over bumps
· Defective memory computer unit for the drivers seat .
· Rattles from glove box (I had to buy and install foam strips to stop the rattles)
· Broken windshield washer (blew fuse) ..
· The fuse box in my car, does not have a schematic
· Temperature gauge is not accurate ..
Do you really think your going to get a new car b/c of rattles?
Good luck!
I'm sure the new models are better, however, I’m surprised at the number of people still complaining about vibrations and rattles
1) There is a significant clicking noise in the door panel( will check the armrest) . I will check the Acura decal on door jam and see if that is the problem
2) I think there is a problem in the right front seat. It vibrates when car is started cold and makes noise.
The funny thing is that all the noises are comming from the right front door side ..
Unfortunately when i took it to the dealer for a test drive the car was quite as a mouse. Now i am documenting the steps when and where noise occurs and ask them to fix later . It is bit frustarting that my old Honda civic had aboslutely no problems.. None.. and i had that car for 10 years. And now 3 weeks into buying a entry level luxury car i am getting issues ( however small they maybe) ..
I had Ceramic brake pads on my last TL. They make considerable noise. I also had ventilated rotors, which made the noise worse. When I applied the brakes lightly from any speed above 40, it sounded like the whistle of a jet engine slowing down for a landing. Not quite as loud though.
Bottom line - Ceramic pads last a long time, but they are noisy.
Now I just play the radio loud and don't even think of the rattles anymore.
It's much worse when the car is brand-new b/c you expect it to be perfect and it’s not!
As your car gets older, you will learn to live with it.
There were no other problems at all. My mechanic, who installed the ventilated rotors and ceramic pads, told me that the brakes would make sound when stopping. So, I didn't even consider the sound to be a problem. The sound never changed either.
Benefits out weigh the sound: They stop great, they last long, they are so much cleaner than regular pads - all the black brake dust was gone.
Thanks
1) There is a significant clicking noise in the door panel( will check the armrest)
The funny thing is that all the noises are comming from the right front door side ..
Hmmm....just came back from a long trip with my 5 week old TL and had this infuriating rattle/rub noise in the front passenger door. Of course it didn't always do it, but when it did, sliding over and pushing on the armrest seemed to make it stop.
Sounds like it may be from the door gasket.
The car rides harshly, much more than we expected, but the handling is great. With the cruise on and set at 70, we get 32 MPG but this drops to 22 in town. Just fine for us.
We would probably not get another TL, as we had been hoping for a level of luxury higher than our Accord V6, but plan on keeping it for now. Our dealer is just great and they do all the routine maintenance for us.
But in the last analysis, it has been a good car, fun to drive, but not as comfortable as we wished. Hopefully Honda will update the Accord and we can get another EX V6 when the time comes.
By the way, my dealers fix for the defective and noisey door gasket was to coat them with silicone...it did not help!
so can't really drive it and can't wait a year to deal with legalities )
but wondered what state you live in ? Thanks for your time !
You got ripped off.
The noise might be your brake pads.....
I just bought an Acura MDX Touring with RES and Nav, and I love it... but I'm giving this to the wife when I finally decide on my next car.
I was very close to a Lexus IS but there is a 4 month wait for the Luxury/Nav with Mark Levinson options... so I started shopping.
While in the showroom a few times for the MDX purchase, the TL started to grow on me.
Although I find the exterior boring, the interior is very nice - minus the cement-like surface dyed seats.
I've been considering the purchase of a new 06 TL with the Nav and A-Spec options, but this forum has made up my mind.
I'm going with the Lexus.
The Lexus forums are nothing but posts from happy buyers.
No complaints... no rattles... no people wishing they spent their money on other cars.
I'll wait for Lexus to start producing more Mark Lev equipped IS's and will be nothing but happy with my purchase.
I wish everyone luck with their TLs.
I love my MDX, but won't take the $40,000 chance on a loaded TL.
The lemon law is okay but your award (if you win) will roughly equal your one-year of deprecation. If you can afford to dump it...then do so.
Mine will be paid off in Oct and then it's history.
...But make sure you want a very sporty Lexus IS. The cars’ ride maybe very similar (rough) to the TL.
The IS also has the low profile tires and may have a stiff suspension which may also contribute to a rough ride.
I could be wrong but I believe the TL’s rattles may arise from the constant pounding of the stiff suspension and low tires.
Mine is three years old and has more rattles now than when it was new.
.... Just a thought . I could be wrong.
To base your opinion of a car based on a Problems and Solutions board is ill-advised IMHO. Of course you are going to read about issues here. Yes Lexus is a better car when it comes to quality. But, Acura is no Yugo (or BMW :P ).
I would guess the VAST majority of TL owners (such as myself - '04, 32K miles) have had no problems with their TLs. There are lemons out there, but I would guess there are lemons in the Lexus line, especially in the first year of production (which it is for the new IS).
Would you be taking a chance buying a TL? Maybe a 1 or 2 percent greater chance versus Lexus. They are fairly close in relative terms. Chances are, you won't go wrong with either.
Happy motoring with either!
You're really basing your decision on what you read in a "Problems & Solutions" Forum discussion?? :confuse:
"I'm going with the Lexus.
The Lexus forums are nothing but posts from happy buyers.
No complaints... no rattles... no people wishing they spent their money on other cars. "
I would suggest you do some more due diligence and look at the problems and solutions forum of the IS 350/250- there are complaints of rattles & vibrations.
Bottom line- it's your money- buy the car that makes you happy. But, to make a decision based on what you read either in the TL or IS problems and solutions forum is....
Happy Motoring
But you didn't mind the exterior styling of the MDX? :confuse: I know it's an SUV, not a sedan, but the plump, minivan-esque shape of the MDX is pretty yawn-inducing, don't you think?
Actually, there really isn't anything on the SUV market that really catches my eye.
I enjoy driving it, but the purchase was not based on my likes, it was based on the wife's.
As for the Rattles and Vibrations....
I have driven both the IS and the TL.
The IS rides like a dream (A sports dream, but a dream for that style vehicle), the TL does not.
I have also not heard of anyone complaining in the IS forums about either situation. (Assuming you're talking 2nd Gen '06 IS models, and not the earlier 1st Gen models. I'm not interested in those so I have no knowledge of them)
I'm new to the Acura forums, but I'm a long timer to 3 Lexus IS forums and am aware of everything Lexus IS.
The TL, when compared to the IS in terms of problems, is plagued with issues.
The TL has what I would consider a much cooler interior and I really like the design, and I do find things nicely laid out. (Black interior, not that fake wood crap in the lighter interiors)
They are 2 different cars and both have pros and cons.
The TL has more power, a fun to drive 6-speed and a slightly larger back seat.
The IS has AWD, vented and heated seats, adaptive headlamps, paddle shifts, keyless doors and ignition and the interior is much, MUCH more refined in terms of quality.
I agree that the TL is nothing to shake a stick at, and at the price, it shouldn't be.
I also believe that there is a chance of something going wrong with any make or model.
But, with that being said... my point is this.
Go to the top of this thread and count the people's posts with comments on problems and issues they are having.
Yes, to be fair, it's called the Problems and Solutions thread.... but where are the solutions?
Now, go to any Lexus Forum...
My fav is the Lexus Owners Club.
Although you do sometimes see the occasional guy asking about how to fix a gas door he broke... it's not a bunch of people talking about what is wrong with the car.
It's just happy people talking about what they like about the car.
Yes, any car can and may have issues.
The very early '06 IS, sold starting back in Oct '05 did have an issue with the gas pedal cover.
Lexus offered to fix them for free and contacted all owners to schedule a time to fix it.
Loaners were given and the repair took only 1 hour.
IS owners came home to a package on their doorsteps a few weeks after getting the repair.
Lexus sent 20GB IPODs to all owners, an apology for the inconvenience.
That's class... and a job done right.
A similar person who buys a TL and has rattles and auto-trans issues should and does deserve the same respect.
Where is Acura when there is a problem that clearly needs to be addressed, 4 yrs after it was revealed?
I don't give a hoot about the service guys because I expect my car to be trouble-free, which it is. In fact every Honda I've owned has been trouble free. My brother can't say that about the 02 Lexus IS300 he has. It had a bunch of aggrivating (altho minor) issues with it.
Lexus ain't trouble -free bro. Neither is Acura. Get real.
I understand that every car can have issues... that's understood.
I'm also glad to see you have been trouble free with your car... don't get that much here.
I was back at the Acura dealer last night and have decided to wait and see the '07 TL
They're bringing back the Type-S with over 300HP, and a slight body change.
The completely new TL won't be till '09
I have to see that before making any decision.
The tires make no sense unless you sell tires!
They were hoping to but at this time, Acura is not saying anything for 100% sure.
Word from Acura is that the SH-AWD requires a certain amount of room and the current body style may not allow for it.
The people at the dealership had asked about this and they were told that if Acura can get it done for '07, they will.
Otherwise, it will not be available until '09, which will offer a completely new body style.
Anyway, back to problems and solutions...
May just be an option, not the only model available.
But you are absolutely right, which makes me ask... what's gonna come with the new RL?
Extremely worn original equipment tires (less than 24K mi)
Faded, dull black surface dashboard has turned grayish and looks extremely weathered.
And...frosted over radio glass. We don't have navigation, but there is a frosted appearance underneath the glass to the radio. Local Acura dealership won't deal with it. Says they don't do "that kind of work." All we want is for them to fix the glass...I guess that can't be done?
Unfortunately, that is normal for the low profile OEM tires. Nothing you can do about that.
Faded, dull black surface dashboard has turned grayish and looks extremely weathered.
This has been discused on this board numerous times. Applying Armour All (or other similar products) seems to work. I suggest searching this forum for "faded dash" to get the details about the solutions.
And...frosted over radio glass... Says they don't do "that kind of work."
Now that is inexcusable. Please remind the dealership that they are an Acura dealer and are responsible for reparing ANYTHING on the car, even if they have to shop out the job. Heck, if they can't do "that kind of work", they should replace the whole unit (but then you will have lots of rattles)!
If you don't get anywhere, call Acura and make LOTS of noise. That kind of attitude just irks me to no end.
They may be able suggest particular products and methods for restoring the dash.
I've seen some pretty nasty cars get turned in, and the service guys have a method of restoring them.... their almost brand spanking new when they come back out.
(Not sure how long that freshly restored look lasts though)
Most of them are pretty open to questions.
Give it a try.
As for the stereo, if you talking about the LCD screen, there nothing that can be done for that short of replacing the head unit.
That can be done, but those OEM factory head units are NOT cheap.
The tire wear is completely normal. Aaargh is completely right. Life expectancy is somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 miles.
As for the worn dash and stereo window... why are these occurring on a 2 yr old car?
Is this car parked out in the hot sun every day?
Just curious...