| msu79gt82 |
The new TL edged out the BMW 330i as Consumers Reports best Upsacle Sedan:1: They raved about its Acceleration, fuel economy, handling, transmission, quietness, fit and finish; saying it offered great value.
The biggest con was its turning radius:rolleyes: My '02 TL-S has a horrible turning radius (I'd of thought they'd fix that). |
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| MDteX |
| The new 04 TL is an awesome car. I agree about the turning radius of the TL, ours takes a wide turn. I just saw another new White TL tonight at dinner. I just had to walk by and gaze for awhile. Such a beautiful car. I'm thinking next year we may trade the 2000 TL in for a 2005 one.:eek: |
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| Fireblade6 |
| AND that is why I ordered one. With such a huge back order from the dealers..I just cant drop in and pick one up..not with the options, color interior/exterior that I wanted...so I have to wait until it arrives. |
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| jabba9 |
couldn't agree more about the '02 TL turning radius
just traded my '02 in for a '04, and the radius is certainly better...i think the old was 43' and the new is 39'... |
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| vicpai |
quote:
Originally posted by msu79gt82
The new TL edged out the BMW 330i as Consumers Reports best Upsacle Sedan:1: They raved about its Acceleration, fuel economy, handling, transmission, quietness, fit and finish; saying it offered great value.
The biggest con was its turning radius:rolleyes: My '02 TL-S has a horrible turning radius (I'd of thought they'd fix that).
I agree ONE HUNDRED PERCENT with Consumer Reports!!!...... I want one SOOOOOOO BAD that it's not even funny :( . That DVD-Audio sound system is to kill for ......even better than the much hyped Lexus's Mark Levinson IMO!!! .......and how can one forget the BEST NAVIGATION SYSTEM IN THE UNIVERSE THAT IS SIMPLY UNPARALLELLED!!......NO SIR-EE can't forget that!!!!!! ......and Bluetooth, and 270 horses and on and on and on......and all this for around 35K .......NO BRAINER (for me it would still be a no brainer were it 65K instead). Remember I bought my MDX money-no-object ;)
BTW, I too was totally surprised that they did not fix the turning radius. Actually my 2000TL had a pretty tight turning circle (36 point something)......then when they brought out the 2002 Type-S model it shot up to 40 point something because of the 17-inch wheels! |
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| vicpai |
quote:
Originally posted by jabba9
couldn't agree more about the '02 TL turning radius
just traded my '02 in for a '04, and the radius is certainly better...i think the old was 43' and the new is 39'...
.....but the turning circle has improved less than half a foot. Just checked the figures. For the old model, it was exactly 40 ft. for the TL-Type S and 36.6 ft. for the regular TL. The new '04 TL is 39.7 ft. |
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| jabba9 |
yup, just read the CR review and noticed the turning radius...
however, not sure if it's my imagination or what, but the radius on the '04 sure feels smaller...dunno if it's the 18's or what |
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| wmquan |
quote:
Originally posted by jabba9
yup, just read the CR review and noticed the turning radius...
Did CR test an automatic, and if they did, did they have braking stats for it? Motor Trend had some awfully long braking distances for the automatic-equipped TL (which doesn't have the Brembos like the 6-speed).
Thanks. |
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| jabba9 |
yes, the test car was the auto
braking distance from 60-0 was 130, the lowest of the cars tested...Lexus ES330, Saab 9-5, Volvo S60 |
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| Dale MDX |
I don't think it's guaranteed that the Brembo option actually improves braking distances. It should, of course, but sometimes reality is different than the hype. Generally, tires have more to do with braking distance than the brakes themselves. After all, absolutely ANY car or truck has enough braking power to lock up its wheels with the brakes (ignoring ABS that won't allow that). So if a vehicle can lock up its wheels, it becomes a function of the tires in how fast it stops. (Some people seem to assume that some cars have "weak" brakes as if they aren't capable of clamping down on the rotors hard enough to effectively stop the car. This clearly isn't true if you can lock the wheels with the brakes). There are complications to that simple view, of couse, such as how easy the brakes are to modulate right on the edge of lockup, or, with ABS, how effective the ABS is.
Car & Driver complainied of long braking distances for their 6 speed manual TL, January issue, even though they said the brakes felt strong. 189 ft 70 to zero. Somewhat of a contradiction there. MotorWeek (the weekly PBS show) tested a TL (manual trans) and they reported excellent braking distances, saying results were comparable to recent Porsches. (115 ft 60 to zero).
http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2312a.shtml
So that's quite a difference between two tests. Acura offers a low cost option of high-performance summer tires on the 6 speed. Car and Driver had the base all-seasons. MotorWeek's writeup didn't say which tires they had. Maybe that was the difference? |
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| wmquan |
Yes, the summer tires could have been the difference. I was more curious about CR's observations on automatic version braking, just to go against those awful numbers that Motor Trend showed.
I wouldn't consider the automatic TL (and thus the TL) if the braking was really that bad. Glad that CR posted differing numbers! |
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| y2ks2k |
| I had 18 inch rims on my '02 TLs and its turning radius was still absolutly HUGE! |
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| mauigrl721 |
| I just read the review in Consumer Reports--SO happy to see the results! Acura really hit a home run with this one...:4: |
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| phins2rt |
quote:
Originally posted by Fireblade6
AND that is why I ordered one. With such a huge back order from the dealers..I just cant drop in and pick one up..not with the options, color interior/exterior that I wanted...so I have to wait until it arrives.
Hey Fireblade,
Did you get rid of your other 04 TL?
A quote from a different thread :
quote:
Originally posted by Fireblade6
Hmmm interesting...Just picked up my 2004 TL, took the left headlight apart and went and took a 2004 MDX halogen projector headlight apart....took the projector lense and capsule out..
Both the same dimension, both have the same glass....
yes..confirmed..no Autoleveling in the 2004 TL projector HID.
The only difference between 2004 TL projector and MDX projector is the base in which it excepts the lightbulb. MDX accepts H11. 2004 TL accepts DS2 type of XENON. Am I missing something here?
I guess Acura doesn't make a DOT approved HID lighting system? HUH?:banghead:
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| msu79gt82 |
| ... and I got an '04 TL as a loaner (it had 2 miles on the odometer:eek: ). I must confess it was a mighty fine loaner car for the day:cool: :1: Very impressive. |
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| Fireblade6 |
quote:
Originally posted by phins2rt
Hey Fireblade,
Did you get rid of your other 04 TL?
A quote from a different thread :
No...I still have it. I wanted a 2004 TL with NAV, Anthracite with ebony interior...All my dealer has are the ones with NO NAVI..so am driving a 2004 TL demo model from the dealer with NO NAVI until my ACTUAL TL comes in. You see I traded our other four door sedan for the 2004 TL based on a deal I cut with my dealer with certain options with no charge and certain price that I wanted to purchase.
Sorry for the confusion. |
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| phins2rt |
Fireblade6,
Just curious. Pretty cool that the dealer gave you the demo for a few months. The new TL is a sweet ride! |
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| mdefrances |
| We have 875 miles on our new TL (anthracite/ebony, AT/Navi) and it definitely is a sweet ride. Love the gadgets like XM radio, handsfree phone link, DVD-Audio 5 channel sound system, horsepower. Hope the MDX gets some of these goodies in the next model year. |
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| ndahbar |
quote:
Originally posted by vicpai
.....but the turning circle has improved less than half a foot. Just checked the figures. For the old model, it was exactly 40 ft. for the TL-Type S and 36.6 ft. for the regular TL. The new '04 TL is 39.7 ft.
I read somewhere that in Europe, by law all cars cannot exceed a 40-ft turning radius. So uhm NO you will not see GMC Sierra Crew-Cab pickup trucks in the streets of Paris, London, or Munich (THANK GOD!) |
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| ndahbar |
My goodness, I just finished checking out the new TL on Acura.com (the multimedia detailed presentation, it's very well done), and read a few reviews of it.
WOW I am extremely impressed in EVERY aspect. What a stellar vehicle. I am sure it's fantastic to drive. Kudos to those of you that got one or are planning to trade in your old TLs for one.
I cannot wait to see all this technology and coolness (and more) in the next-gen MDX in a few years. |
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| twosomeca |
quote:
Originally posted by msu79gt82
The new TL edged out the BMW 330i as Consumers Reports best Upsacle Sedan:1: They raved about its Acceleration, fuel economy, handling, transmission, quietness, fit and finish; saying it offered great value.
The biggest con was its turning radius:rolleyes: My '02 TL-S has a horrible turning radius (I'd of thought they'd fix that).
As I mentioned in another thread, CR sucks. Their point of view is different than mine. They are thinking about the average sedan owner, not the driving enthusiast.
The major pluses for the TL: loads of power and get up and go. The 330i, which I have, would be hard pressed to beat it in the 0-60. In fact, I'd probably lose that race 6/10 times on a straight assuming drivers of equal ability. The car is also well-appointed as usual.
The problems with the TL: loads of torque steer and sub-standard suspension for its class. If you are driving the TL on the 210 fwy or something, then you will love it. Get it on PCH between SLO and Santa Cruz, then you'll find the weaknesses.
Acura needs to move to RWD capability and deal with its suspension issues. Only then will Acura start taking the real prize.
It's just my opinion and I am not tryin to pee in anyone's cornflakes. :) |
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| pelucidor |
The TL (which I've test driven twice before getting my G35) is a wonderful car and leagues ahead of the ES330 (which I've driven hundreds of miles in). The interior is gorgeous, as is the NAV. But if it is targeted as a sports-sedan (like BMW 3-series, Infiniti G35, Lexus IS300 etc) instead of a luxury-sedan then there is a problem:
270HP + Wrong Wheel Drive <> Sports Sedan
I doubt those drivers at Consumer Reports accelerated hard enough or threw it around corners to notice the torque steer which I found in my 10 minute test drives of the auto. If I am buying a 270hp car I intend to hammer it frequently and WWD just doesn't cut it. There is no other WWD car I would rather have than the TL, but there is also a lot of rather good RWD/AWD out there for the picky enthusiast to think about. |
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| mesalum |
quote:
Originally posted by pelucidor
270HP + Wrong Wheel Drive <> Sports Sedan
I was very disappointed after seeing the commercials where they stated 270hp to find out it was still FWD. With that much power it should of been RWD.
My first and last experience with torque steer was the Chrysler 300M. It scared me to death when I punched it and the steering wheel rotated in my hand. Now I have the problem of keeping rear tires on my 2004 Z Roadster. |
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| pelucidor |
quote:
Originally posted by mesalum
I was very disappointed after seeing the commercials where they stated 270hp to find out it was still FWD. With that much power it should of been RWD.
My first and last experience with torque steer was the Chrysler 300M. It scared me to death when I punched it and the steering wheel rotated in my hand. Now I have the problem of keeping rear tires on my 2004 Z Roadster.
Don't get me wrong - the new TL is by far the BEST powerful FWD car I've ever driven - vastly better than the 300M I rented in the past, and better than many RWD vehicles too. Just not as fun as the better RWD vehicles. Personally I think once you go over 200HP it is better to have AWD or RWD. Maybe the new RL with AWD will be the shape of things to come at Honda/Acura. |
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| ndahbar |
Great car, especially for the price, there is no denying it. Tons of superlatives.
Alas, after I test drove it (6-speed manual Version) I must say that I am disappointed with the suspenion tuning.
It certainly wasn't too confidence-inspiring when I was more or less hammering it down a long sweeper (and that's on smooth tarmac). It wasn't bobbing up and down like a Buick, to be sure, but put it this way....IT WAS NO BMW.
In its class, the MDX is incredibly praise-worthy, even in the handling/feel department.
But alas I cannot make that comment on the new TL. Maybe 2005 they will retune the suspension.
Oh by the way, GREAT brakes on the 6-spd version! Brembo front brakes.
Last but not least, for some reason, I felt the "30K category" ambiance of the interior. It is nicely arranged and ergonomic but it simply didn't ooze "quality" and "special" like even a regular 3-series would.
Man, what a shame, mate that TL drivetrain to a RWD chassis, make sure the suspention tuning is great, and oh boy, what a car it would be. Of course, it would be a little bit more expensive in this EXTREMELY price-sensitive class of cars. |
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| twosomeca |
quote:
Originally posted by ndahbar
Great car, especially for the price, there is no denying it. Tons of superlatives.
Alas, after I test drove it (6-speed manual Version) I must say that I am disappointed with the suspenion tuning.
It certainly wasn't too confidence-inspiring when I was more or less hammering it down a long sweeper (and that's on smooth tarmac). It wasn't bobbing up and down like a Buick, to be sure, but put it this way....IT WAS NO BMW.
In its class, the MDX is incredibly praise-worthy, even in the handling/feel department.
But alas I cannot make that comment on the new TL. Maybe 2005 they will retune the suspension.
Oh by the way, GREAT brakes on the 6-spd version! Brembo front brakes.
Last but not least, for some reason, I felt the "30K category" ambiance of the interior. It is nicely arranged and ergonomic but it simply didn't ooze "quality" and "special" like even a regular 3-series would.
Man, what a shame, mate that TL drivetrain to a RWD chassis, make sure the suspention tuning is great, and oh boy, what a car it would be. Of course, it would be a little bit more expensive in this EXTREMELY price-sensitive class of cars.
I am promise, ndahbar and I are not one in the same, we just think alike! :D |
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| DaveMDXWave |
My wife and I test drove a 04 TL this weekend (Automatic). My wife simply loves the vehicle and felt that it was one of the best Sedan's she's ever driven. That is saying alot since she dislikes sedans in general.
I also enjoyed the car but was / am concerned about the turning radius and the FWD. Though this isn't enough to deter me from the vehicle it does make me cautious enough to do more research.
Taking a step back, the TL looks and feels much better than the ES330 (for me). I'm in my lower 30's and felt like high 40's in the ES. No offense to younger drivers. :)
The sales person stated that a TL with Navi would take about 6 weeks to order.
Any ideas on what kind of deals can be negotiated on this car?
Thanks,
Dave |
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| perk |
quote:
Originally posted by msu79gt82
... and I got an '04 TL as a loaner (it had 2 miles on the odometer:eek: ). I must confess it was a mighty fine loaner car for the day:cool: :1: Very impressive.
I had the same experience. Took the X in for maintenance and asked for an '04 TL as loaner. The car is quite impressive. Kept it for a day and both wife and I drove it. It's VERY fast and very nimble. It is, however, very stiffly sprung and steering is extremely quick. If I were in the market for a true sports sedan, I'd give it serious consideration. However, I tend to prefer luxury over sport these days, so I'd probably opt for a Lexus ES330 over the Acura TL. |
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| hopeitsfriday |
| Now, only if Acura can apply some of those braking technology from the TL to the MDX, it would be a welcoming improvment. |
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