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Older Acura TLs

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

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What is this discussion about? Acura TL, Sedan

Messages Page 788 of 906

#7864 of 9045 Re: Habitat 1 [billyperks] by habitat1

Oct 13, 2005 (2:09 pm)

Replying to: billyperks (Oct 11, 2005 7:38 am)
Perhaps you should look at trading up to a BMW 550i via European Delivery. It has a "real" 360 horsepower, which should provide you with considerably more satisfaction than even a 390 (claimed) horsepower RL would.
 
I just returned from a 900+/- mile long weekend trip with my 911, during the middle of which I drove my old 1995 Maxima for 30+/- miles to keep it loosened up. This morning, I hoped in my TL 6-speed and boy, did it feel sluggish. No surprise after driving the 911, but still more sluggish than any car 'claiming" to have 270 horsepower should. Not to raise an old debate, but I would still claim that, up until about 50 mph, my old 190 horsepower Maxima was as quick. Or almost. But one thing is for sure, the 355 horsepower rating of the 911 is measured using a different species of horse than Acura uses. One more reason why test drives with one's own butt meter is mandatory.
 
Have you tried the M45?

#7865 of 9045 Re: The outside mirrors........ [roar1] by bodble2

Oct 13, 2005 (2:52 pm)

Replying to: roar1 (Oct 12, 2005 6:15 am)
I have found the reverse-tilt mirror to be invaluable for parallel parking, in terms of using it so I wouldn't hit the curb. I've come to depend on it so much so that when I drive a car without that feature, I can't parallel park worth a damn!

#7866 of 9045 Re: XM Radio [highender] by habitat1

Oct 14, 2005 (5:09 am)

Replying to: highender (Oct 11, 2005 4:10 pm)
highender,
 
Thanks, yes I did get a 2005 911S Cab. The deciding factor was being able to fit my two daughters in the back seat. Had we been childless, the Boxster S probably would have won out on price. But given that I had a "family" justification for the extra $40k, I must admit the 911S is a dream. Weather permitting, we will be going on a family pumpkin hunting trek this weekend to the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
 
I have kept our TL 6-speed, at least for the time being. It's a 2004 w/nav, 20k miles, in excellent condition with new tires. My original Acura dealer offered to buy it from me for $25k. It looks like private party sales are in the $28k+ range here in DC. We also have an MDX and I could un-retire my 1995 Maxima SE which is residing at our second home. I don't commute every day and I'm thinking that the 911 can almost be my daily driver, with the exception of winter weather, heavy rain, or very short hops.
 
So, my dillemma is: Do I keep the TL and live in semi-luxury all of the time, or do I sell it, re-invest $25k, lower my auto insurance premiums and maintenance requirements, but have to toggle between a new 911 and an 11+ year old Maxima? Not the worst dilemma in the world, but I need to decide soon.
 
P.S. How is your Cayenne doing? I have a friend that is contempating one. He lives in the snow belt. Doesn't need the off-road capability or capacity of a full size SUV, but wants AWD, can cary cargo and haul a boat occasionally, and something that is fun to drive all year round.

#7867 of 9045 Re: XM Radio [habitat1] by delmar1

Oct 14, 2005 (7:22 am)

Replying to: habitat1 (Oct 14, 2005 5:09 am)
habitat1... I would release the 11+ yr old Maxima...even if it is a good 'beater' car. The delta in insurance between the Maxima and TL is immaterial. The cost of potential maintenance of the Maxima is higher. The TL is a much more enjoyable ride than the Max.
 
For my wife and I have the TL, TSX and BMW7. TSX is our 'beater'. The TL is a great daily car.

#7868 of 9045 Re: XM Radio [delmar1] by bodble2

Oct 14, 2005 (8:22 am)

Replying to: delmar1 (Oct 14, 2005 7:22 am)
So where does the Bimmer fit in? Does it rest for long periods in the garage?

#7869 of 9045 Re: XM Radio [bodble2] by delmar1

Oct 14, 2005 (8:58 am)

Replying to: bodble2 (Oct 14, 2005 8:22 am)
The 7series is shared between my wife and I during the week...where we are not hauling our kid and her friends. The TSX is where the kids can spill their drinks and french fries...and where I can fold the rear seats down to haul junk from Home Depot. However...that 7series is a candidate for a trade-in for a SLK350 during 2006 as I no longer am on job road trips as I was in the past.

#7871 of 9045 Re: XM Radio [delmar1] by laurasdada

Oct 14, 2005 (9:57 am)

Replying to: delmar1 (Oct 14, 2005 7:22 am)
Calling your TSX, or any Acura, a "beater" somehow makes me sad...

#7872 of 9045 Re: XM Radio [delmar1] by habitat1

Oct 14, 2005 (11:56 am)

Replying to: delmar1 (Oct 14, 2005 7:22 am)
Appreciate your suggestion, but given my options, "releasing" the Maxima doesn't make a lot of sense (or "cents"). On a good day, I might be able to sell it for $3,500. I have no comp or collision coverage, so liability only insurance costs are nill. The maintenance and repair costs have been minimal as well. There is no doubt that the TL is a much nicer ride than the Maxima, but if I intended to drive the 911 75% of the time and have a back up for the other 25%, it seems like a 2004 TL is a waste of luxury and money. If I do keep the TL, I'll probably re-orient my thinking to splitting driving more like 50/50 between the TL & 911.
 
As for your subsequent post about possibly getting a SLK350, you might want to also consider the Boxster S. My Acura/Mercedes gave me an SLK350 to try out for a day last summer. It's certainly a very nice car, far superior to the previous SLK, but the Boxster S is still the pinnacle of handling and "fun to drive" in the roadster category, IMHO.

#7873 of 9045 Re: XM Radio [habitat1] by delmar1

Oct 14, 2005 (12:32 pm)

Replying to: habitat1 (Oct 14, 2005 11:56 am)
For dollar sense....yes you would get only $3,500 for that Max with little insurance costs. However I was factoring in the intangible subjective fun factor to negate the difference.
 
As for ending up driving the TL more by keeping it...that is what I am finding myself doing. I still reach for the TL keys often...even over the 7series. Go figure...the TL is a fine vehicle (and that is why I was suggesting releasing the Maxima...as why settle for a third stringer. Also...the TL exterior/interior will look a lot more appealing in a few years compared to a Maxima...as they really did a fine job with styling).
 
Thanks for the tip on the SLK350. Well....that is my wife's selection...so it is a bit more of 'form over substance'. Boxsters are nice....but we might even wait for a Cayman instead...but that will be a long wait. I would even had considered a Honda S2000 (ridden in one...not test driven one).

Messages Page 788 of 906

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