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Comments
My wife and I have started talking about getting a TL. We are getting tired of the poor reliability of the so-called "American" cars and have heard great things about Acura reliability.
However, after reading some of the messages on this thread I am not so sure! I am very concerned about the transmission problems you guys have been discussing. Sounds like this has been an ongoing problem with honda ATs? If so, does anyone know if they are coming out with a new tranny anytime soon?
Thanks!
JD Powers award 2004
http://www.jdpa.com/studies/pressrelease.asp?StudyID=860&CatI- D=1
I really don't want to buy a Lexus, they're so boring. Why can't Acura get it right?
See the new RL? Looks just like a BMW. First the tail, now the front.
Initially, I thought it was the transmission. But after the mechanic rotated my tires, the problem went away, but only for a few months. Then things started to rattle again. So I decided to buy new, expensive sporty tires. Problem solved? Not quite. Things were ok for a few months, then the rumbles returned. Is it the weight distribution of the car that causes uneven wear in the tires or perhaps the way the tires are unevenly spun by the transmission?
What's my point? If Acura fixed their rattling/vibrations issue with "new tires", what happens when it is time for you to buy new tires? Do you have to buy your tires only from Acura to prevent the vibrations? Will Acura/tire Manufacturer still make these special tires down the road?
The new TL are great looking cars. I was curious to see what current owners are saying but after scrolling through the last 20-30 postings, I'm not exactly impressed.
This is a fairly disturbing flaw, IMO, with one poster claiming that he was told by service that it's a drivetrain issue. Has Acura adressed this? Again, anyone know the frequency of occurance?
Thanks!
Jack
Hello fellow Canadian. I think we may have crossed paths earlier in the Major Fourm on the TL. I still have not gotten rid of the 02 Odyssey EX-L, but am a little concerned about this vibration problem. Have you experienced this yourself, and are you happy enough with your TL experience to recommend the car. We had Fords (6 of 'em) before switching to Honda. I love the fit and finish in what is essentially a MOM mobile, and was hoping that Acura as the premium badge bearer would offer us the almost perfect car (van) experience our Honda Odyssey has. Any remarks would be most appreciated. Thank you in advance ..... GordS
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
As mentioned earlier, these new tires are a "quick fix" What happens when the tires wear off and you need new tires. Can you find tires made specifically for the TL to rid the vibrations?
Many thanks for your insight and advice on your TL ownership. I am looking forward to hopefully picking up the keys to one very soon.
Safe motoring...
GordS
While mine was in the shop I drove a loaner with around 5K miles and auto trans. Much rougher feeling than my car. It vibrated below about 1900 rpm in top gear -- I put it down to the V6/tranny combination harmonics. It also rattled a little around the transmission tunnel. Opening the two fake carbon fiber storage covers below the radio seemed to help. The ride handling compromise is better in the manual car -- still absorbent but less floaty.
The stereo is good, but perhaps not as strong as my VW GTI's (talk about reliability -- trans replaced, ignition coils, abraded wiring underhood, window winder mechanisms, under-bumper panel fell off, etc., etc.) Monsoon when playing mono recordings.
Pilot Sport tires are very good, also. Enjoy the car, knowing you made a wise decision over the auto. transmission, or competitor rwdrive cars. We will not be stranded or scared of driving in snow, as is typical of high powered rwdrive cars.
Thanks.
As for the wiper off position, I have no trouble. I just lift the arm to it's highest position. If i inadvertantly go too far and activate the mist (one time) position, oh well. Just let go and it's off. It's just a matter of getting used to it.
TIA,
Ro
2004 TL - Silver/Ebony AT - 3500 miles
You should have been able to notice the color difference between the paint on the metal and paint on bumpers, trim, and door handles when new. The paint is usually more towards a beige on the trim, bumpers, and door handles.
Toyota/Lexus cars have the same problem when you get pearlized colors, the bumpers, trim, door handles look a slightly different shade. Paint adhere's differently to plastics/resins and therefore the paint is always slightly different shades between bumpers and body. You can also notice the different on Silver cars(I know I do on my Satin Silver metallic Accord).
I would never buy a pearl white car these days, because cars from just about every manufacturer have the problem you have now noticed.
I have a friend who has an Escalade and at that dealer they have a guy who is independent but he repaints bumpers for the dealer. My friend took his Wife's plum Lexus GS 300 there and the guy did a fantastic job painting her bumper. I talked to him, met him at the Cadillac dealer at 8:30 am, he sanded and repainted my entire bumper for $140. He was finished before 10 am, and I am very satisfied with his work.
He has his own truck and he goes to various dealers and does their bumper work. If you can find one in Dallas(GO SKINS!!! :-)), you should come out cheaper.
Does anyone have a solution before I try to trade this car in on a used Camry
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance for any advice. I really enjoy this forum. Wish I knew more, and I'd have advice to offer myself.
I know some have suggested the moleskin kit to take care of the problem.
I suggested this to the dealer and they said it wouldn't void the warranty as long as it's done at their contracted tinting shop.
The catch is they want me to pay $104 to have it done.
Why?????????...they installed the tint so they have to deal with it. Not to mention I haven't paid for any of the re-tinting and don't intend to.
Suggestions on how to handle this? As far as I'm concerned If the car couldn't be tinted, they shouldn't be doing it.
One is telling me I don't need moleskin, and the metallic films on the rear window won't mess up my nav.
The other is telling me that they need to install the window felts and I can't put a metallic film in the rear window.
Based on what I have heard, it sounds like the second guy might be more experienced with the TL with regards to the felts, but does anyone with a nav have trouble with the films that have metal in them?