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Sorry, couldn't resist.
However, I think you'll find most everybody on this forum to be biased as most of us are TL owners.
PS: Does anyone find the spring action on the doors a bit strong?
If you look on page 35 specifications on a 2004 Acura TL sales brochure, they indicate one of the safety features is "Door mirrors with integrated directional signals". Oh well.....if you REALLY want to see a Sales Brochure where marketing vs. reality are not the same, pick up a 2004 Mercedes E-class brochure. It got so bad that they put a bunch of stickers in the brochure to amend the incorrect info.
Hopefully my 2005 Acura TL will come equipped with mirror turn signals, XM Satellite "Direct Traffic" features and a navigation system with spell check. Thanks for the laugh.:)
Have you been getting that gas mileage from the beginning? I have 3,800 miles on mine (6-speed) and get 30+/- on the highway, but have been averaging only about 16-19 mpg in "mixed" driving around town and the DC beltway. Just had my first oil change and didn't (yet) switch to Mobil 1. The service manager claimed that it can take 5,000+ miles for break-in and good MPG on the TL.
For comparison, in the same "mixed" driving conditions, I averaged 22-24 MPG in my 1995 Maxima SE 5-speed that is nearly as quick as the TL and 21-23 MPG in my former Honda S2000. So I am very unimpressed with the poor gas mileage of the TL in anything other than a 70 mph cruise control environment. Further, my S2000 got 32 mpg on the highway with the top down at 75 mph (EPA rating of 26), so I don't consider my TL's ability to just match the EPA rating of 30 on the highway that impressive.
I can say that I just had the first oil change at 6000 and 5 months (<15% on the MID), and have been seeing 21-22 in mixed to no-highway driving with the automatic.
I got a TL....just liked the style and hi tech interior components...
decided against the BMW 325i and C230.
I have only 750 miles on it, and am getting about 22 mpg mixed driving. I hope it will break in soon, and then perhaps switch to Mobil 1 synthetic.....
I do sense some of the torque steer, as compared to my rental Audi A4( took the cayenne in for service), which has no torque steer. However, the A4 has none of the creature comforts of the TL, and less safety features.
Mixed driving getting 21-22 mpg. Not sure if the TL likes 89 or 91 octane. Going by Dealers recommended first oil change at 2500 miles.
congrats on the TL, BTW. I agree, it is fun and hugs the road and has instant steering feel. Lots of power, though I need to rev it up to higher rpm to access the hp.
we just drove TL down to sunnyvale( 60 min ), and left the cayenne at home.....
No it doesn't. The decreased gas mileage will cost you more than the few bucks to go with the higher octane. You spent over $30K on the car, you should give it the gas that makes the investment worth it IMHO.
>>Going by Dealers recommended first oil change at 2500 miles.
Sounds like a rip off. When a dealer recommends anything that's not in the manual, be wary. The onboard computer knows more than a money-grabbing dealer knows. That's where they make most of their profit.
Also, I have just over 5000 miles on my TL. The gas mileage has improved about 2 - 3 MPG since around 1000 miles. I'm getting 27-28 MPG in mostly (75%) highway driving. One long trip I got 34 MPG!
we are going in tomorrow to try to scout one out and get it....
love the TL voice commands...true hi tech with real world safety usage/applications.
BTW, you said you had "minor trouble pairing the phone" . Does that mean you had "little " to no truoble, or "some " trouble ?
thanks....
First of all, let me apologize as I am sure this has been discussed in the past on this board.
Can anyone give any insight into problems with the 02-03 Type S? I have heard some about the tranny problems. How widespread is this problem? Does it affect a majority of the cars?
What are the other likes/dislikes about the car? I am also considering a Nissan Maxima. Any thoughts on comparisons?
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Sydney
As for the 2002/3 TL-S, the tranny problem alone would be enough to steer me clear of it. I know of at least two owners who are on their second replacements. Acura has covered them with an extended warranty and, I believe, loaner cars. But it is still a royal pain in the butt.
As for the Maxima, I'd put my 1995 up against any comparable car out there at the time on the reliability, quality and fun to drive fronts. Mine was made in Japan and drives as well with 153k miles as it did new. Unfortunately, the Maxima has slipped a bit in terms of interior quality and dependability.
So it's a tough choice. I could easily justify (and did) the price premium of a 2004 TL over a 2004 Maxima. But neither of them as 2002/2003 model used cars would be high on my shopping list.
Go for it.
we will search for a V710....and not a V600, just in case ....
I heard the 2005 model is coming out in October 2004. Does anyone know what, if any changes will be made to the 2005 model? Any additional options/packages to consider, any enhancements? Please let me know. Thank you very much.
Jonnie J
Acura's have very few options/packages to begin with. The only options for '04 were auto versus manual, navigation system or not, and high performance tires or not for the manual. So, I would think the answer would be no to the new options/packages.
To see changes to the TL throughout the years take a look at these links
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id- /2150
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id- /2362
still doing the comparisons...in price...for the phone
It's all on the Acura website. It will let you know what interiors are available with what exterior colors.
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 other threads I am not so sure! I am very concerned about the transmission problems some people 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!
However, one foolproof solution is to get the 6-speed manual. Besides being more fun to drive, having a tighter handling suspension and better (Brembo) brakes, Acura manual transmissions are, according to my dealer, "bulletproof". He passed an old Legend GS 6-speed down to his daughter at 225,000 miles and it is still on the original clutch. I am fortunate, in that my wife learned to drive a stick 25+ years ago from her father. Although we are now in our 40's have two kids and live in DC, have no inclination to use either age, familial status or geography as an excuse to get an automatic. And, for what it's worth, my wife thinks the TL 6-speed is the smoothest shifting, easiest to drive manual of any of our past cars.
I do think you are pretty safe with the later production automatic 2004 TL's, but I also encourage you to consider the alternative, if at all possible.
The trany problems are kind of a mystery to me. They seem to talk about it a lot on the "problems" thread, but the consumer reports buyers guide from last year reports that the TL transmissions over the last few years have very few problems - they are in the much better than average category.
Does Acura ever come out with the year-end deals like some of the other makers do? We don't have to buy right away (the grand am is still running) and if we can pick up an 04 cheaper in a couple months we can wait. Although I do like the idea of waiting for the second year of the new model.
Thanks again
As far as year end deals, I suspect they are getting about as good as you could get now. The 2005's should be starting production next month.
I won't push the manual transmision if you and/or the wife are opposed. But the "autostick" really is just an automatic, plain and simple. Those I know that have Acura autositcks, BMWs "Steptronic", Mercedes "automanuals", etc. pretty much put it in drive and forget about it. I have not found the ride rough or any other downsides to the manual. Firm suspension and less body roll are not necessarily indicative of a rough ride. All 2004 TL's ride on 45 series tires, so none are pothole friendly to begin with.
The Jaguar duratec V6 engines share the same block casting with the Ford versions but that's it. Different cylinder linings, pistons, heads, intake/exhaust, PCM.....it's not the same engine at all. Platform sharing is NOT rebadging.
C) Ford has improved Jaguar reliability tremendously (granted, it was really bad to start with). I don't have the exact link but Jaguar was at or near the top of one of the JD Powers quality reports.
Every mfr has problems. Honda/Acura transmissions, Toyota/Lexus engine sludge. Every mfr has lemons - one bad vehicle doesn't mean they're all that way.
Yes, consumer reports does not accept advertising. But they view cars like washing machines and they are inconsistent with their recommendations. Just because it's unbiased does not mean it's correct.
I'm not saying anyone should buy a Jag X-type over a TL or any other car. But you really should get your facts straight before you start bashing a vehicle.
The TL actually has fake wood so it that hurts the ambience in the Acura somewhat.
Jaguar is dropping the Ford-based frontwheel-drive based platform when they do the complete makeover in a few years so it will seem more like a "real Jag" in the future.
In the meantime, there have been huge $5000 to $5500 dealer incentives that can make the price very attractive after discounts are applied to the high MSRPs.
Resale value on the X-Type is horrendous. It is one of the worse possible choices for retaining value used.
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
I test drove the TL a few days just to do my "due diligence" en route to buying a Lexus GS-300. But I really liked the interior and handling of the Acura. But some of these tranny problems have me concerned.