Honda Car Forum

For those of you who have purchased the new TL I'd like to hear why you
chose this car over the other vehicles in it's class like the Infinity, MB,
BM|W, Lexus, etc.

Also, how is the front drivers room? Unfortunately we don't have a local
Acura dealer so I'm going to have to take a drive to check one out. I'm in
the market for an entry level luxury sedan or coupe. Our kids are grown and
this will just be my toy. However, I'm 5' 10" and weigh 240lbs and some of
the sportier models seem a bit cramped to me, but I'm not really in the
market for a big car, but rather something sporty and fun.


Thanks,
Jack

On Sun, 03 Jul 2005 14:24:51 GMT, "Jack Dotson" <jdotson@stx.rr.com>
wrote:

>For those of you who have purchased the new TL I'd like to hear why you
>chose this car over the other vehicles in it's class like the Infinity, MB,
>BM|W, Lexus, etc.
>
>Also, how is the front drivers room? Unfortunately we don't have a local
>Acura dealer so I'm going to have to take a drive to check one out. I'm in
>the market for an entry level luxury sedan or coupe. Our kids are grown and
>this will just be my toy. However, I'm 5' 10" and weigh 240lbs and some of
>the sportier models seem a bit cramped to me, but I'm not really in the
>market for a big car, but rather something sporty and fun.
>
>

All nice cars .... the new 3 series is real nice. I test drove the
TL, G35X, 330xi, and A4 Quattro and decided for my needs, the A4
worked best.

But, I knew when I purchased it, long term reliability isn't what the
TL or G35 would be...but the fun to drive factor is nice. The new
2.0T is pretty nice also.

YMMV.

"Curtis Newton" <cnewton-removeme@akaMail.com> wrote in message
news:74ufc1dcpt4scc5s3adr2qrrg8iogkg0do@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 03 Jul 2005 14:24:51 GMT, "Jack Dotson" <jdotson@stx.rr.com>
> wrote:
>
>>For those of you who have purchased the new TL I'd like to hear why you
>>chose this car over the other vehicles in it's class like the Infinity,
>>MB,
>>BM|W, Lexus, etc.
>>
>>Also, how is the front drivers room? Unfortunately we don't have a local
>>Acura dealer so I'm going to have to take a drive to check one out. I'm
>>in
>>the market for an entry level luxury sedan or coupe. Our kids are grown
>>and
>>this will just be my toy. However, I'm 5' 10" and weigh 240lbs and some
>>of
>>the sportier models seem a bit cramped to me, but I'm not really in the
>>market for a big car, but rather something sporty and fun.
>>
>>
>
> All nice cars .... the new 3 series is real nice. I test drove the
> TL, G35X, 330xi, and A4 Quattro and decided for my needs, the A4
> worked best.
>
> But, I knew when I purchased it, long term reliability isn't what the
> TL or G35 would be...but the fun to drive factor is nice. The new
> 2.0T is pretty nice also.
>
> YMMV.

Why do you say long term reliability isn't what the TL or G35 would be? I
thought reliability was one of their strong points? Also, I owned a 2002 VW
Passat with the 1.8T motor and triptonic A/T (son has it now) which is
essentially an A-4 underneath the shell. Same motor, frame, etc. It was/is
a great car, but having already owned the VW I'm looking for something a
little different to try.

On Sun, 03 Jul 2005 14:24:51 GMT, "Jack Dotson"
<jdotson@stx.rr.com> wrote:

>For those of you who have purchased the new TL I'd like to hear why you
>chose this car over the other vehicles in it's class like the Infinity, MB,
>BM|W, Lexus, etc.

I have a 2004 TL. Here's why I didn't choose the following
(remember, this is just my opinion):

Lexus - Very nice cars but not as sporty as the TL I wanted the
sportiness and handling.

Infinity - The G35 interior was it's downfal. I just don't like
it.

BMW - for a similarily equiped 3-class, i'd have to spend up to
as much as $8K more. Not worth it to me.

Audi - I looked at the A4 but the reliability information I found
was an issue

>Also, how is the front drivers room? Unfortunately we don't have a local
>Acura dealer so I'm going to have to take a drive to check one out. I'm in
>the market for an entry level luxury sedan or coupe. Our kids are grown and
>this will just be my toy. However, I'm 5' 10" and weigh 240lbs and some of
>the sportier models seem a bit cramped to me, but I'm not really in the
>market for a big car, but rather something sporty and fun.

I'm 5' 9". Not big but it doesn't seem cramped to me.

I love this car. Good luck!

Waiving the right to remain silent, Lee Florack
<lflorack@rochester.rr.com> said:

> On Sun, 03 Jul 2005 14:24:51 GMT, "Jack Dotson"
><jdotson@stx.rr.com> wrote:
>
>>For those of you who have purchased the new TL I'd like to hear
>>why you chose this car over the other vehicles in it's class
>>like the Infinity, MB, BM|W, Lexus, etc.
>
> I have a 2004 TL. Here's why I didn't choose the following
> (remember, this is just my opinion):

After driving BMW 5 series cars for nine years, I also got an 04
TL.

IMO, it's a better car than the 530i we had last. The TL doesn't
handle quite as well as the rear-drive BMW, but it's quicker and
has the BMW beat hands down in interior comfort, style and
accessories.

It's also about $15,000 less. I wouldn't compare it to the BMW
545, but that car, equally equipped, is nearly twice the TL's
price.

> Lexus - Very nice cars but not as sporty as the TL I wanted the
> sportiness and handling.
>
> Infinity - The G35 interior was it's downfal. I just don't like
> it.

Same here on those two cars, particularly the G35, which looks
overstyled to me.

> BMW - for a similarily equiped 3-class, i'd have to spend up to
> as much as $8K more. Not worth it to me.

I've had three 5's, never wanted a 3.

> Audi - I looked at the A4 but the reliability information I
> found was an issue

Same here. Poor reliability reports across the entire Audi line.

--
Larry J. - Remove spamtrap in ALLCAPS to e-mail

The United States is the greatest country in the world..!
Twenty-five million illegal aliens can't be wrong.

On Sun, 03 Jul 2005 18:47:34 GMT, "Larry J."
<usenet2@DE.LETE.THISljvideo.com> wrote:

>Waiving the right to remain silent, Lee Florack
><lflorack@rochester.rr.com> said:
>
>> On Sun, 03 Jul 2005 14:24:51 GMT, "Jack Dotson"
>><jdotson@stx.rr.com> wrote:
>>
>>>For those of you who have purchased the new TL I'd like to hear
>>>why you chose this car over the other vehicles in it's class
>>>like the Infinity, MB, BM|W, Lexus, etc.
>>
>> I have a 2004 TL. Here's why I didn't choose the following
>> (remember, this is just my opinion):
>
>After driving BMW 5 series cars for nine years, I also got an 04
>TL.
>
>IMO, it's a better car than the 530i we had last. The TL doesn't
>handle quite as well as the rear-drive BMW, but it's quicker and
>has the BMW beat hands down in interior comfort, style and
>accessories.
>
>It's also about $15,000 less. I wouldn't compare it to the BMW
>545, but that car, equally equipped, is nearly twice the TL's
>price.
>
>> Lexus - Very nice cars but not as sporty as the TL I wanted the
>> sportiness and handling.
>>
>> Infinity - The G35 interior was it's downfal. I just don't like
>> it.
>
>Same here on those two cars, particularly the G35, which looks
>overstyled to me.
>
>> BMW - for a similarily equiped 3-class, i'd have to spend up to
>> as much as $8K more. Not worth it to me.
>
>I've had three 5's, never wanted a 3.
>
>> Audi - I looked at the A4 but the reliability information I
>> found was an issue
>
>Same here. Poor reliability reports across the entire Audi line.

We pretty much agree then. I wouldn't have considered the '04
RL, but the '05 looks much nicer. When it's time to trade in my
TL, I'm going to look at the RL too. I have my doubts about the
sportiness, but I at least need to give it a try. Not sure it's
worth the extra $15K either.

>>
>> All nice cars .... the new 3 series is real nice. I test drove the
>> TL, G35X, 330xi, and A4 Quattro and decided for my needs, the A4
>> worked best.
>>
>> But, I knew when I purchased it, long term reliability isn't what the
>> TL or G35 would be...but the fun to drive factor is nice. The new
>> 2.0T is pretty nice also.
>>
>> YMMV.
>
>Why do you say long term reliability isn't what the TL or G35 would be? I
>thought reliability was one of their strong points? Also, I owned a 2002 VW
>Passat with the 1.8T motor and triptonic A/T (son has it now) which is
>essentially an A-4 underneath the shell. Same motor, frame, etc. It was/is
>a great car, but having already owned the VW I'm looking for something a
>little different to try.
>


If you read around Consumer Reports, JD Power or Edmunds, it is pretty
clear the A4 isn't up to par with the TL or G35 (long-term) ... and I
own an A4!

My experience (luckily) hasn't reflected that: I have 60,000 miles on
my 2001 and beside (early on) an annoying wind noise (fixed under
warranty), and the ECT sensor going bad, I have done nothing but oil
changes. But, I think beyond 100,000 miles, the TL and/or G35 will
win the reliability factor.

I agree with the others, I didn't care for the G35 interior and I
didn't fit very well in the BMW..

For me the TL didn't cut it because I wanted all-wheel drive (we live
in Colorado) and I couldn't afford the RL.

Try the Subaru Impreza STi, either will kick the TL, G or almost anything on
the road at half the price.

--
If a job's worth doin' it's worth doing twice!

"Jack Dotson" <jdotson@stx.rr.com> wrote in message
news:TySxe.100337$PR6.46052@tornado.texas.rr.com.. .
> For those of you who have purchased the new TL I'd like to hear why you
> chose this car over the other vehicles in it's class like the Infinity,
> MB, BM|W, Lexus, etc.
>
> Also, how is the front drivers room? Unfortunately we don't have a local
> Acura dealer so I'm going to have to take a drive to check one out. I'm
> in the market for an entry level luxury sedan or coupe. Our kids are
> grown and this will just be my toy. However, I'm 5' 10" and weigh 240lbs
> and some of the sportier models seem a bit cramped to me, but I'm not
> really in the market for a big car, but rather something sporty and fun.
>
>
> Thanks,
> Jack
>

On Mon, 04 Jul 2005 04:05:18 GMT, "H" <a3a44058@telus.net> wrote:

>Try the Subaru Impreza STi, either will kick the TL, G or almost anything on
>the road at half the price.

Although it's a bit less than the cars in the class we've been
discussing, at $32K, it's certainly not anywhere near half the
price of any of them. Also, although it's certainly a matter of
opinion, I don't think it's in the same class as the rest of the
vehicles we're discussing. It's certainly very fast and sporty.
But it's not a luxury or near luxury car.

Waiving the right to remain silent, Lee Florack
<lflorack@rochester.rr.com> said:

> We pretty much agree then. I wouldn't have considered the '04
> RL, but the '05 looks much nicer. When it's time to trade in my
> TL, I'm going to look at the RL too. I have my doubts about the
> sportiness, but I at least need to give it a try. Not sure it's
> worth the extra $15K either.

I think the major differences will be all-wheel drive, larger
interior, and another 30 hp.

--
Larry J. - Remove spamtrap in ALLCAPS to e-mail

The United States is the greatest country in the world..!
Twenty-five million illegal aliens can't be wrong.