Older Acura TLs

varmint · November 2003

Of all the cars in their line-up, I agree that the 325i does compete most directly with the TSX. But when people think of the 3 Series (here in the US), they think of the 330. You really have to twist the offerings to come up with package that competes head to head. In fact, many will tell you that you can spec out a comparable 325i on paper, but you won't find one in the real world.

To find a direct competitor for the TL, you'd have to leave a 530i overnight in Brooklyn with the doors open.

torontotl · November 2003

Congratulations and glad you've joined the 2004 TL club of happy owners. My car will be one week old tomorrow and I can't tell you how happy I've been with it. I have absolutely no concerns with the reliability of the car since I've had no problems at all with either of the Hondas or Acuras I've had in the past.

gregory28 · November 2003

Congrats to you as well. Which model and color combo did you get?

Keep us posted- pardon the pun- on your driving experience.

Are you driving 60 mph and under for a certain period of time. My dealer said to do it for 500 miles. I feel like an old man on the highways of NJ!

As I was driving home I thought I heard a rattle coming from the steering wheel area; it was the sound system! Not a great song on the demo disc, but incredibly "alive".

gregory28 · November 2003

Very funny comment about the open 530i in New York.

The fellow who sold me the TL owns a TSX and absolutely loves it.

automophile · November 2003

Congratulations! I just can't wait for my lease to run out next month so I can get my TL. Our TSX is so awesome I can't even imagine the TL being better.

Please extend your break-in to 1000 miles or more - it will be worth it in the long run. To aid the break-in for my Solara, I took a lot of long, circular freeway drives on the weekends, over a loop of about 80 miles. It paid off - the Solara has run extremely well for 5 years, very smooth and is much faster than it should be for 200 hp. I found that you can enjoy the scenery a lot more at 55mph! By the way, it should be 2500 rpm, not the speed that you watch.

jaydoll · November 2003

unless I am mistaken, the protection package is the wheel locks, trunk mat/guard and the splash guards. Not sure if I am naming this package correctly. It's retail I was told is $398.retail The winter mats go for $99.retail

kahunah, they have recommended the Sport SP 5000. I am taking a good look at the Conti extreme contact and also the Sumitomo tire.

uncledavid · November 2003

Yup. Protection package is Acura-speak for the items you just described.

You can get the mats at a good price at hondacuraworld.com.

If you don't like the OEM black rubber mats because your interior is either tan (parchment)or gray (quartz), you can get very nice all season mats at mats.com.

mjb20 · November 2003

Got my new 04 TL with nav tonight. What a great car....especially for the price! Got a silver/ebony with AT with nav. It's much nicer than I imagined. It took longer for the sales guy to show me all the nav functions than it did to close the deal. So far I'm very impressed.

uncledavid · November 2003

Enjoy the new ride in good health.

kahunah · November 2003

Once you get settled in with your new ride, give us your impressions of the nav system from a daily driving perspective.

gregory28 · November 2003

You should make some comments in the Acura TL member's room. Tell us how your driving experience goes.

gregory28 · November 2003

Thanks for the comments. 1000 miles, I don't know if I can wait that long.

Acura suggests changing the oil every 7.5k The new engines run so cleanly, the filter gets changed every 15k

gregory28 · November 2003

Amazingly, the salesguy never pushed a rust proofing package or extended warranty. Probably because I leased. What's the deal with paint sealant? Acura-TL.com people were discussing this. Or is that a Southern California thing? What does it cost?

s852 · November 2003

It's usually the finance person pushing those products, not the salesperson.
Sometimes they can be fired for not hard selling extended warranties, and various dealer packs of crap.

gmanzx3 · November 2003

Thanks for the info waltercat.
I'm not ready yet (only 22k), but I'm not thrilled with the stock Michelins. I figured the 225/55 were close in diameter and would look a little more aggressive on the stock wheels. It's also a lot cheaper than buying 17in wheels/tires. Thanks again.

rockyball · November 2003

I am helping a 70 year old client buy a car this weekend. Her preference was a 2002 or 2003 TL with less than 30,000 miles or even a new 2003 TL if we can find one. After researching this board, though, it appears that transmission problems could make this an unwise purchase. She is 50 miles from nearest dealer and at 70 she doesn't need a troublesome auto. So is there really a problem with the TL or is it only a problem with 2001, 2002 models or TL-S? We need your help!!

torontotl · November 2003

I have the Abyss Blue Pearl with ebony interior and no navi and I get soo many comments on the car and the colour. I fact I had a 2004 Maxima owner follow me into the parking lot and stop his car next to mine, and then circle the car and spent a good amount of time looking at the exterior and interior. I thought he was going to steal my car. Anyhow, this car does get a lot of attention.

I am not babying it too much. I spoke with the service manager two nights ago and he said drive it as you usually would except no full throttle accelerations until break in period is over at 1000 kms. I have taken it to higher speeds than the equivalent of 60 mph.

scott31 · November 2003

Buy an '03 made after May of 2002 and you'll be fine. I have an '03 TL-S made in March of '02 and 16000 miles, no problems.

gregory28 · November 2003

Abyss blue is a great color- one of my favs.

The manual says to not accelerate too quickly or break too quickly for the first 600 miles. Interesting that it doesn't say anything about rpm's or speed.

Everyone says something different about this. I guess I'll just drive it at 100 mph today. :-)

The dealer told me to wait 500 miles. Apparently, no one reads the manual anymore.

I'll go through the manual this weekend. I still don't know how everything works yet.

iceneedle · November 2003

I test drove a 2004 TL yesterday evening (I own a 2000 TL). I was surprised to see that the illumination of all the buttons around the NAV system (climate control, radio, nav, etc.) was either very dim or non-existant. In fact, to show me various features, the salesman kept turning on the ceiling light so he could see the buttons. I had the instrument cluster lighting adjusted to about 2/3 brightness.

Has anyone else noticed this? Is there some adjustment for this? Was this car defective or is this just a bad design?

Thanks.

sampy111 · November 2003

Does anyone know of a site that has a large selection of DVD Audio's. I've tried Best Buy and Circuit City but there selection is very limited.

Thanks

torontotl · November 2003

You can adjust the intensity of all the interior lighting at the bottom left of the gauges there are buttons. You can also just push the MAX button and you will get full intensity lighting. Even without this I do not find any of the lights to be dim. The car you drove must have had them on a lower setting.

bodble2 · November 2003

Paint sealent supposedly fills in the rough surface of your paint and help it keep its lustre. Some people just say it's an expensive wax job. My take on it is that you'd probably never be able to confirm whether it does what it is supposed to do. To take it one step further, how would one know whether the dealer actually put the stuff on?! You can't see or smell it. He could've done nothing more than just waxed your car. I just say no to all the sales talk for paint sealent, rust-proofing, scotchguard, etc.

gregory28 · November 2003

Thanks for your feedback.

You're one of the most enthusiastic people here regarding the new TL. When are you going to jump into the pool? The water's nice. What are you driving now?

msf2 · November 2003

Give www.dtsentertainment.com a try. The list of DVD audio and DTS 5.1 music cd's is not very long.

talon95 · November 2003

Does the MAX button just override the current setting temporarily, or does it actually reset the lighting level?

kahunah · November 2003

I want to keep my new TL looking brand new for as long as possible but there are so many cleaning and waxing products out there that trial & error is not a reasonable option. My '00 TL is still shiny but there are plenty of swirl marks. What products do you guys (and gals) like to use? What do you think of using Acura only cleaning & polishing products? Any advice would be helpful.

bodble2 · November 2003

I'm driving an 01 CL-S. I want/need to get into a 4-door. I've pretty well narrowed my choices to the TL, or TL, or TL

I'm procrastinating! Seriously though, I haven't quite decided on the colour (White/parchment; Desert Mist/parchment, or Abyss Blue/camel). And I figure if I waited until close to Christmas, I might get a bigger discount, or any discount. Also I want to see how the issue with vibration at a certain RPM/speed plays out.

1violinist · November 2003

I don't think Acura actually "produce" cleaning or polishing products. They get it from another company and jack up the price!

Many of my friends recommend Zaino products:
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc

kahunah · November 2003

I've never heard of Zaino. Looks like good product. There's a European product called Zymol, I heard goods things about. Are Maguires products any good?

billyperks · November 2003

I saw it this morning at the Dealer while doing an oil change.

This color does something for the car-its awesome.

Not to be biased- my TLS has the same color.

I probably will trade up in a few years when the car is nicely polished up- ie fog lights, lighted steering wheel controls, maybe AWD and the whole nine yards.

iceneedle · November 2003

TorontoTL: I did use the buttons on the left side of the dash to adjust the brightness. It adjusted the brightness of speedometer/tachometer just fine. It still left all of the other buttons either unilluminated or so dimly illuminated that they weren't visible in the dark.

ruski · November 2003

16K miles is still young. Give it time.

mikeradio · November 2003

I saw the TL tonight although didn't test drive due to bad rain.

It looks and seems to have every feature imaginable. The Nav is great.

I find some things odd though...

The Nav screen does nothing for the climate control on the TL but does let you operate the radio. On the RL the nav screen lets you deal with the AC controls but the radio is just a standard type radio.

Also, my 6 year old car has auto on and off headlights. How come this basic feeature seems to be missing from the TL? The dealer said I can keep the headlights on at all times bewcuase they will automatically turn off when I leave the car.

I just find this odd as everything else is so totally automated.

Any thoughts? I am seriouslyt considering this car,

uncledavid · November 2003

The HVAC is intergrated with the NAV on the TL. You can control heat and AC with verbal commands.

I believe the TL has auto off, but not auto on headlights.

You might want to be aware that the new RL is due at Acura dealers this coming summer.

automophile · November 2003

These are all high-profit, super markup items for the dealer that are of VERY dubious value. The paint sealer can cause repair and repaint problems (who knows what it is?) and can wear off unevenly, as well as having no real value. Spray on rust-proofing can clog drain holes and actually CAUSE rusting as well as interfere with car mechanicals.

Basically, the dealers hope that you will sell the car or lose the paperwork before you try to make a claim on the "lifetime" warranty. DO NOT BE FOOLED by these "Scams".

If you want GREAT looking paint for your new TL, look no farther than the excellent Zaino polymer car products. It goes on and off effortlessly and shines and protects better than anything else that exists. Check out the Zaino forum here for hundreds of happy users, as well as great advice on prepping your older car before polishing. I've used it for years, and will NEVER go back to wax. Sorry to sound like a commercial, but it is really that good.

automophile · November 2003

sampy - are you in Calif.? The Frys's computer stores have a whole separate section of DTS DVDAs. Wherever you shop, check to see if the DTS discs are in a different section from the other DVDAs.

And - Enjoy!

jaydoll · November 2003

gregory28,

Please be kind enough to explain to all of us novices what the science is behind driving 60 mph and under. Is it related to a certain RPM? What does your owners manual say regarding this issue? Waht data supports driving atthis rate for the first 500 miles?

J

gregory28 · November 2003

Borders has a good selection. They can also order from 800 titles. On line you can go to http://www.amazon.com

Sales clerk told me a large new quantity will be in stores next month.

gregory28 · November 2003

There's an occasional rattle coming from the steering column area when I'm driving. I'm getting it checked next week. I'll post after the mechanic checks it out.

Other than this the car has been terrific.

The sound system must be the finest on the planet to come from the factory.

I'm getting quite spoiled listening to XM Radio- which is static free and commercial free or commercial limited depending on the station you're listening to. The DVD-A is an exhilarating experience.

jaydoll · November 2003

In years past when oil wasn't what it is today, and engine tolerances were not what they are today, the thought was that high revs could cause lower oil pressure to critcal parts of the engine during breakin when rings were seating and wear patterns were forming in the cylinders.

I am scheduled for pick-up today.

jaydoll · November 2003

In years past when oil wasn't what it is today, and engine tolerances were not what they are today, the thought was that high revs could cause lower oil pressure to critcal parts of the engine during breakin when rings were seating and wear patterns were forming in the cylinders.

I am scheduled for pick-up today. Good luck with the rattle in the column. I hate to hear this stuff when I am getting my car in a few hours. I still have a fews hours to go with and g-35 coupe/6 speed in the color I want anywhere in the country. Looks like it's me and the abyss blue/camel TL.

torontotl · November 2003

I'll have to check this out tonight when it's dark out. I have to say that I haven't thought that the lighting of the various buttons has been too dark to see. I have no problem finding and seeing the buttons. Has anyone else had dim dash lighting?

mmm17 · November 2003

The 2004 TL all ready has lighted steering wheel controls and fog lights. As far as waiting to trade up, I had a 2003 TL as a loaner and the 2004 so much better I couldn't believe it. Go buy a 04!

scott31 · November 2003

I'll give it until 42k miles (end of lease) after that, it can do whatever it wants.

gregory28 · November 2003

Thanks for the info and have fun in the new TL

billyperks · November 2003

I did not know that the controls on the steering wheel are lighted.My wife has an 04 Accord and hers are not lighted so I assumed that the TL was not either.I only saw the TL in the daytime.
As for the Fog Lights-are they factory or dealer installed? Because all the 04 TL's I have seen dont have any fog lights exhibited.

Factory in my opinion looks much nicer.

I know Acura is going to polish up this car in a few years just the way they did the 99 in 02.

I will wait- I have only owned my TLS approx. 11 months now and I am loving it.If I trade right now I will be upside down monetary.

Favorite feature-watching cars getting smaller and smaller in my rear view mirror.

I have said this a million times.

torontotl · November 2003

The steering wheels button are lighted which is really nice I think. We don't get fogs here in Canada but you lucky Americans get them standard. They are the inner lights in the two headlight set up. The outer lights are the Xenons for both high and low beams.

mmm17 · November 2003

I've had numerious people flash their high beams at me because they go by head light count rather than intensity. I wich my '04 had the lights in the lower front bumper instead of the headlight unit.

bodble2 · November 2003

Are we missing that rubber nub of an antenna (near the top of the rear glass) for the Canadian TL's. Is that for the Nav? What do we have instead?

Older Acura TLs

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