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Comments
On a glorious note, we picked up the car last Saturday. We love it. On a not so glorious note, it's already been back to the dealer!!! Turned out to be a bad fuse (no biggie), but they found that the fuse box cover was from a CL. Whazzup with that!?! Anyone else have this happen? Just one of those 'things that makes me go hmmm...'
Thanks
Are the '02 models really due next month or is it just the Type S? I already saw a review somewhere comparing the S to a BMW.
If you're not interested in the 260 hp, better handling, larger wheels, and perf'ed leather that will be part of the TL-S, it may be a good choice to buy the '01 TL. The main improvements for the base '02 TL are memory seats and an in-dash 6 CD changer. If those aren't important to you, you'll save big $$ by going with the '01.
$27197 including wheel locks and mudguards,
Probably not the best price but a heck of a lot
better than the $29030 msrp.I have noticed when
it is sitting in my garage there is a low level
honking sound coming from somewhere.Any ideas?
I also have a 98 CL with 50k miles and it is
still like new.The only problem have had is premature brake lining wear covered under
warranty.Happy motoring Ya'll.
Almost 3000 miles on it already - love it.
I plan to go back again to the dealer and now that I have your comments I will mention that I am not the only one with this issue. If I get it solved I'll post a follow-up here.
I have been in contact with the Acura Customer Service HQ and was told they were sending someone to look into the problem. Today, I met again with the service manager and the Acura manufacturer representative, and was later joined by the floor manager. They told me again that the problems I have been experiencing with my new car is not unusual, that the problem was the cellular phone and frequencies out there meshing, that there was nothing wrong with the car. The floor manager, at one point, commented that I should change my lifestyle, that I should not have a cellular phone in my car. The Acura representative said that I should change my driving habits. I asked to leave the car for further inspection and asked them to write me a note of what they had just told me and to provide some documentation of typical problems one might experience having a cell phone in a car. They refused to further look at my car, as they said that there was nothing wrong with it and that they would not provide a documentation trail, and asked me to leave.
With the Acura manufacturer representative standing beside him, the service manager put his hand on my back side and began shoving me towards the door. I felt intimidated. At that point, as the only woman customer there, I felt physically threatened, as there were other car salesmen hovering. I was on the verge of tears. I was told to get out of the dealership and never come back.
Please help me as I feel as if I am in a nightmare. My family has driven Hondas and Acuras for the past 20 years. We have at least 5 or 6 six of them right now. I do not think that these problems are representative of Acuras, but I am extremely anxious about the problems with the particular Acura I purchased and how I was treated. I am in the process of filing a complaint with the MN Better Business Bureau. If you have had similar experiences with the type of car (cellular-related?) problems I have described or have any suggestions, please email them to me at lphamx2@yahoo.com or leave a message at 1-888-392-4832, extension 612-416-2800. Please also report similar problems to your BBB, manufacturer and dealership.
With appreciation,
Lan
I own an Accord and Integra. I do like the TLs a lot. At my Honda dealer, an oil change for any Honda is $14.95 with coupon which is always readily available at their website. At my Acura dealer, an oil change for any Acura $27.95. Does anyone know why other than Acura name?
My Honda dealer also said that they service Acura automobiles as well. So far I've taken my cars to its dealer (Honda at Honda and Acura at Acura). But I'm tempted to service my Integra at the Honda dealer. (Never again at Firestone. They screwed up my other Accord)
lphamx: As both an Acura and Infiniti customer, I have never seen/heard of dealership employees asking their customers to leave. I have been through hell with my Infiniti service folks, and they still would never ASK me to leave...they may imply that I leave by saying that whatever I brought my car in for is "normal" in which case you would have to retrieve a second opinion from possibly another dealer. I just dont see a dealership asking their customer to "leave and never come back." Again, even with the hell that I went through, they never said that to me, and even still greeted me respectfully when I had to return (for the last time, and they knew it) for them to quickly check something.
I am trying to understand if the cell phone is the cause of the buzzing, crackling, rattling throughout the car sound system, as the manufacturer and dealership do not see this as unusual. Is this a common experience in the Aura 3.2TL? Is this a common experience in all other cars - for example, BMWs and Lexus of the same class? Fords? Hondas? Toyotas? Hugos? Are there any reports or news that you have seen that talk about how cellular phones may interfere with how the car performs?
If there is a link, as Acura and the dealership claim there is, I believe that all car and cell phone manufacturers and dealerships should disclose such safety hazards to all consumers.
For clarification, most of the time, I charge my cell phone at home. When these sounds occur, most of the time, my cell phone is just lying at the console, or other times, in my coat pocket or computer bag. During the particular incident I described, the phone was lying at the console being charged.
Thanks again for taking time to provide your comments.
Regarding your decision on the TL vs. TL-S: the additional cost for the TL-S over the TL is predicted to be +/- $2.3k. I think it's worth the additional money. The #1 benefit of the TL-S is the better handling...the 35 hp increase is #2...the VSA is #3. If cost is a consideration (and for most of us non-stock-optioned people it is) I would easily choose a TL-S w/out nav over a base TL w/ nav.
Anyone seen articles in other mags yet?
I have a Nissan Pathfinder and also get interference when the cell phone is in use. I have a headset and voice recognition dialing for any activists on the board. Nonetheless, I don't think you should be getting any interference with the phone just resting on the console. In any event, it sounds like the way they treated you was inexcusable. Acura in general is trying very hard to earn a 'first class' reputation for customer service. Those surveys that come out every time your car is serviced go directly to Acura headquarters and are used to evaluate a dealers performance. All dealers strive for the 'Precision Team Dealership of Distinction' award. I would definately call Acura client services (1-800-862-2872) and tell them about your incident. I don't think they would want your dealer continuing with that behavior.
Apparently there is also a two-page article on the TL-S in the Feb. 12 issue of AutoWeek. I don't know if it's out on news stands yet.
If it leaves me wanting for more sport, how much as I supposed to get from an upscale sedan?
It's not a bad review, they just apply a different standard than I would.
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
I use a StarTac dual-band phone with SprintPCS service (1900 MHz PCS) and have NEVER experienced any interference of any sort. I usually keep the phone under the coin holder, in that indented space between the seat heater switches. With the car stereo on, there is NO interference either when the phone is on, when it is ringing, or when I am using the phone. This all applies to my 2000 3.2TL and 2001 3.2CL, which has similar units (except for changer which shouldnt change anything with regard to interference). I also keep the phone close to the BOSE stereo in my Infiniti, and again, no interference. Perhaps the interference in your case is due to a cellular service which is NOT PCS (either Analog 800MHz or Digital Cellular 1800MHz).
I am having problem with my remote. Sometimes it takes 6 tries for it to work but sometimes it works on the first try. I suspected it's the car key battery but the dealer says it's high tension wire that's causing the interference.
I also have squeeky seats on uneven road (haven't tried lotion), and minor dash rattle for the past 2k miles.
Does anyone know what's the Nav update price after 2 years of free updates?
What's my car worth now (w/nav) to sell? Thanks.
Thanks
I also had this verified do to a freak accident that bared the radiator & put a hole in it at top.
I had to put in a new one & dealer said the radiator was Japan model & it would cost $100. more than US model.
The car they say is do out in late March & the price they said would be about $2500 more than TL.
http://www.acura-tl.com/2002_TL-S.htm
Article lists whole bunch of stuff, but as I'm unfamiliar with TL, I thought some of the things they mentioned are already a standard feature for the 2001 model. I figure some of the 500 change affect the non Type S without the Nav. system. I'm debating between 2002 and 2001 model. Does anyone know some major changes other than the CD Changer and the revised exterior? Thanks.
Tim
The Standard model 2002 Acura 3.2 TL will go into production the first week of March. The earliest Production dates I've seen are 3/4/01 - 3/8/01. The Type-S model will beat the standard ones by only about 10 days. Delivery times should continue to be approximately 12-15 days, depending on where in the Country you live.
Jamie S.
Perhaps that covers the cost differential.
find was disconcerting They had 6 sport sedans going head to head and TOTALLY LEFT OUT THE 2002 TL (or even the 2001 tl)!!!!
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR>>>>>>>>>>>
Update: I wanted to let you know that I took my car to Audio King for an independent assessment. The audio specialist spent about 30 minutes with a cellular phone in my car. I was in the car with him and was able to record as he was testing. At very low volume, we heard loud buzzing reverberate throughout the entire car, especially when the phone was close to the coint tray and the power outlet - same thing for CD, radio AM or FM. He mentioned something about capacitators and pulsating, because the sounds seem to strengthen and then retreat in that pattern. He said what I am experiencing in the car is NOT normal, something's wrong. He said that problem may be very difficult to fix because it may be due to faulty design and replacing it with another stereo may not fix the problem. Problem could be the BOSE system and the way to really fix the problem may be to replace the car's sound system entirely (with a non-Bose). The specialist was not able to put this in writing as the person in charge did not want to commit anything other than they heard "strange sounds" which could be due to "bad shielding." I have been riding with a tape recorder in my car and have been able to pick up a few of the problems. I took my car to another Acura dealership and they said everything was fine.
Something to chew on: If these problems are typical, then many, many more people would experience them in many different cars. How many millions of drivers and millions of cell phones are on the road these days? How can some manufacturers design their cars in such a way as to protect the car's system from interference? Is it a normal, common occurrence in Acuras? Say that it's a normal, common occurrence in Acuras - does this make it "normal or typical" or does it say something's up with Acura? Or, something's up with my Acura?
A colleague commented that his Chevy never has the problems I describe of and can not believe that the dealership and manufacturer tried to convince me that there were no problems with the car. He and another male colleague were in the car with me when they also experienced the problems - loud sporadic crackling, buzzing.
We're not talking static or a computer. We’re talking about a moving vehicle going at 40-50 miles an hour, among many other cars going just as fast if not faster during rush hour. I almost hit another car because of the incident I described earlier. How safe or assured can I feel about what other unexpected things might happen next in my car, while the dealership and manufacturer continue to deny a problem exists?
I want justice. I want disclosure.
Thanks again for your kind words and please share your experience & advice, especially if you've had similar problems with the dealership below.
As you can probably guess, I would not recommend
Dealership:
Bloomington Acura Subaru
7801 Lyndale Avenue South
Bloomington, MN
Phone: 952-881-6200.
Acura Manufacturer:
Customer Service HQ
Acura Automobile Division
Phone: 800.328.2238
I have a '96 3.2 TL Premium....Very well (dealer) maintained and in great shape...I frequently have business people in the vehicle and get it detailed 3 times a year...I commute about a total of 35,000 miles a year (95% highway) and the car now has 113,000 miles (again - 95% highway)...Had all the emissions work done (mostly warranteed), timing belt replaced etc...
The TMV Trade-In is around $14,500 - and that figure includes the hit for the high mileage...NADA says Trade-In is about $12,500. Kelly Blue Book puts it at around $10k....
I took it to a dealership (that I'm buying a new Honda Odyssey from!) and they said the best they could do was $8000!
Seriously - the car is in great shape w/ no dings, no accidents and a couple of "touched up" scratches...Interior is like new.
What's it worth and what's the best way to unload it for a good yet fair price?
TIA
a) It is the older generation TL, which never caught on with the public and had quite a sorry reputation, unlike the dynamic newer generation.
b) The comparatively high mileage of the car.
Your best bet would, I guess, be to sell your car privately. The dealer would never pay you anywhere close to what the car is really worth. They would only pay you a rate for which they can un-load the car at an auction (rock bottom rate).
Hope it helps.
Later...AH
Most cities have a number of independents who sell hand-picked, extra clean, but often higher mileage imports. Some of these will offer you more - because they have buyers for higher mileage cars. Still, you'll never get more than wholesale but the fact that yours is in top condition should help you get more than most.
If you want the most though, sell it yourself - if a dealer is offering you $8k, you could set the price at $10k and you'd probably sell it the same day (do everybody a favour and disclose the mileage in your ad). Best way to price for selling is to watch what other '96 TL's are advertising for in your market and adjust your price for mileage. The "book values" often lead you to price incorrectly - you'll either price too high and have it on the market for weeks or too low and you'll regret having cheated yourself.
My 2 cents
TIA!
- Ray
Who still finds such a device superior to a manual trans in many circumstances.....
Here is a link to the Acura TL scroll down & it says something about the Sport-Shift www.hondabeat.com/acura/tltech.cfm The transmission in the 99 are slighty different from 00-01 models. 99 has 4 speed & 00-01 have 5 speed that enhances acceleration & engine efficiency.
The 00-01 models will shift-up from 1st to 2nd by themselfs the 99 will not. I think Acura did this to keep people from over reving the car in 1st gear.
I don't know how much off the MSRP they will give you. I really don't think you will get any or much because the TL is a hot selling car.
You may be able to get a good deal on a 2001 3.2TL sedan & not the 2002 TL Type S. You also may for sure get a great deal on a CL not the CL Type S. The reason for this is I have seen on my dealers lot plenty of them.CL does not sell as well as TL or CL Type S. I see it this way from any dealer little or no wiggle room on The 2002 Type S TL & CL Type S. I see some on the 2001 TL when the Type S comes out. I see more on the CL because I see plenty on lots. Shop around to find a good buy.