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Older Acura TLs

9045 messages,  Last post on Jan 07, 2012 at 6:27 PM

You are in the Acura TL Forum.

What is this discussion about? Acura TL, Sedan

Messages Page 458 of 906

#4564 of 9045 FWD vs. RWD by habitat1

Dec 08, 2003 (12:52 am)

I respect those who make the choice of FWD over RWD if they feel more comfortable driving in rain & snow with FWD. However, a few comments / observations:
 
(1) RWD, with stability control, LSD, etc. has significantly improved in recent years. It's still adviseable to get snow tires and rims, but the cost should be reasonable compared to the price of a premium car and the wear and tear saved on the summer tires partially offsets the cost.
 
(2) The new TL, with its high performance low profile tires isn't exactly a snow beater just because it is FWD. I suspect it would be highly advisable to get snow tires and rims if you are going to go far in snow.
 
(3) The FWD TL is clearly banging up against the ceiling of a luxury/performance sedan. Acura loyalists might prefer FWD, but they are kidding themselves if they think FWD is consistent with either performance or a true luxury ride. You won't find a single FWD BMW, Mercedes or upper end Lexus or Infiniti that is FWD.
 
I myself bought a Nissan Maxima in 1995 because it was the best compromise of performance and practicality at the time. I am impressed with many of the features of the new TL and I am a Honda/Acura fan. But a $34k+/- 270hp TL is NEVER going to compete with a 3 series or even a G35 in terms of overall performance and balanced handling. And it won't compete with Audi or others that offer AWD options for foul weather. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a very attractive set of attributes, but it's clearly a compromise when it comes to performance - as is the new Maxima with 265 hp and considerably more torque.
 

#4565 of 9045 Sorry, but RWD better in snow??? by mdhauke

Dec 08, 2003 (1:46 am)

lol, sorry, but nobody is ever going to convince me that RWD drives better in snow then FWD. They may have made improvements to make handling better is adverse conditions, but you still don’t have near the stability you have with FWD.
 
You just have to look as far as a post made here a couple days ago by a TL driver during the snowstorms of the NE. He said that he passed several RWD Lexus’s, BMW’s, and Infinities stuck in the snow as he zipped passed them in his FWD 04 TL.
 
Auto – Thanks for the info on the trip computer. That is a lot better than the answer I got last time. Is this your assumption though or do they state this in the Driver’s manual.

#4566 of 9045 Front license plate by eg424

Dec 08, 2003 (1:49 am)

If your car is registered in California, it is the law to have a front plate. I agree that the look isn't as 'clean'. However, why would one want to aggravate themselves with getting multiple tickets. There are so many aggravating things you can't control. Why add one that is unnecessary.

#4567 of 9045 FWD & RWD by bodble2

Dec 08, 2003 (1:53 am)

I actually never understood why there seem to be an unwritten rule that luxury cars should be RWD. I understand why RWD is preferred for performance cars. But for cars that have very little "sport" to them (ie. almost any Lexus), I think FWD or RWD would make no difference. The only reason I can think of is that FWD was first introduced on small economy cars and thus carries the stigma of being a cheap setup.

#4569 of 9045 If you live in the snowy regions by billyperks

Dec 08, 2003 (10:26 am)

stick with the front axle.
 
I saw several rear axle car stuck on the I95 during last Firday's Blizzard.
 
I was laughing all the way to bank in my TLS.
 
I saw this elderly man in a Jaguar (XJ) at the Westport exit just sitting back and smoking a cigar- I guess he was waiting on a tow truck.
 
Surprisingly, I saw a G35 mowing through the snow as if the car was a Front Trak or AWD Trak.
 
I did not get close enough to see if it was the AWD.

#4570 of 9045 mdhauke by automophile

Dec 08, 2003 (10:42 am)

I have used the trip conmputer on the highway, resetting it to see the current mileage, and the response was very quick. Also, where else could the gas usage information come from? There is no way to "guess" at it.

#4571 of 9045 Silver or Black - I Can't Decide by golfgod2

Dec 08, 2003 (11:24 am)

Okay, I have a dilema here - I'm probably going to pull the trigger on a new TL w/ nav fairly soon. I think the car looks stunning in black, however, I live in the SF Valley in LA where it gets super hot in the summer. My second favorite is silver, however, I do like black significantly more than silver (fyi, my current car is a silver tls w/ ebony interior). For those of you who've had a black car, does it really make the interior temperature of the car that much hotter and is black really that horrible to try and maintain? Any opinions would be appreciated.

#4572 of 9045 Silver or Black by dulnev

Dec 08, 2003 (11:30 am)

1. You're not going to see much difference in interior temperature between two cars with black interiors. The color of interior is going to drive it for the most part. I speak from experience. I have the same car as you right now.
 
2. Silver exterior is "no maintenance". That is why I got it. Black is horribly hard to maintain because the dirt shows up more and every single scratch and ding stand out.
 
Having said that, I like Anthracite's look so much more than Silver, that I'm opting to get Anthracite TL 04. I always regretted not getting Anthracite 2003.

#4573 of 9045 by pat

Dec 08, 2003 (11:37 am)

I'd like to invite those interested to join the Front Wheel Drive, Rear Wheel Drive and All Wheel Drive - what is best for a sedan? discussion. Seems like there are lots of thoughts on that subject that need to be examined.
 
See you there.

Messages Page 458 of 906

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