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Acura TL vs Honda Accord

1159 messages,  Last post on May 26, 2009 at 4:29 PM

You are in the Acura TL Forum.

What is this discussion about? Acura TL, Honda Accord, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 116

#1 of 1159 Here is the new place by pocahontas

Nov 25, 2000 (5:26 am)

...to discuss the Acura 2.3 TL Vs the Honda Accord
EX V6. Below is a link to a previous discussion:


Part I - http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/engaged/edmund.cgi?c=Accessories&f=0&t=595&q=0-">Acura 3.2 TL vs 2001 Honda Accord EX V6.


Happy Motoring.


Pocahontas,
Edmunds.com/Roving Host

#2 of 1159 Absurd comparison? by keyrow

Nov 25, 2000 (4:55 pm)

If comparing VERY similar vehicles is absurd then I gladly assume the title. I am currently shopping for a new car and have narrowed my choices down to three: Accord EX V6, Acura TL and Infiniti I30. Yes, some will say these are totally different vehicles; to me they are not. Of course there are differences. But to me the Acura TL IS an "Accord Deluxe" just as a Lexus ES300 is essentially a "Camry Deluxe" and as such I am not certain it is worth the price difference. This is not a flame against those who believe the differences are worth the price premium. IMHO, if I decide to spend 28-30k for a car the I30 is superior to the TL. FOR ME alone, I am just not certain the "luxuries" are worth it.

#3 of 1159 If Features Made the Car... by mike_542

Nov 25, 2000 (9:54 pm)

If features made the car, I would definately get the Acura TL. Unfortunately, this is not true and the Honda Accord beats the TL in drivability. For example, the Accord's rear seat is much more comfortable and it's 3 liter engine is much smoother than the Acura.

#4 of 1159 Re Compare&Seat Space by ftm1

Nov 27, 2000 (5:47 am)

To respond to (rvd2) the rear seat LEG&HEAD space in the TL
is smaller than in Accord sedan.Here are some specs in inches for the 3.2TL & Accord sedan REAR LEG ROOM in the Accord is 30.0in compared to 27.0in for the TL/ The REAR SHOULDER ROOM in TL is slightly more than Accord 55.0in TL 54.5in Accord/The REAR HEAD ROOM is more in the Accord 2.5in to 2.0in TL/ NOW to the FRONT Accord FRONT SHOULDER ROOM 56.5in TL 56.0in FRONT LEG ROOM is the same for Accord & TL at 40.5in The FRONT HEAD ROOM is slightly more for the TL at 2.5in to 2.0 on the Accord.The rear seat in the TL does not fold down & the seat is also more padded & comfortable in the TL. This also has something to do with the body structure of the TL being stronger than Accord.I still will remind people that the 99TL had a price drop of $4,000 form the 98 model.That was a different car but the current TL is a much better car.What Acura did is to make the TL a better value than other upscale cars.To do this they used the Accord platform & Acura &Honda share many components not parts.The Accord is a great family sedan thats what it is.The TL is a upscale/nearluxury sedan what that delivers is better refinement & performace with added luxury.In all the reviews that I have read none have said the TL was a dressed up Accord, they have said somepeople think so. I have seen many that have said that Lexus ES300 &Toyota Camry are more alike also that the Infiniti I30 & Nissan Maxima are essientially the same but I30 has more sound deadning material& a more plush interior.I got my 2000 TL for the all the things the Accord could not offer.

#5 of 1159 ftm1 by carguy62

Nov 27, 2000 (4:45 pm)

"I got my 2000 TL for the all the things the Accord could notoffer."


...and you paid for it.


I feel honored that the Accord is compared to vehicles that costs thousands of dollars more, and that I was smart enough not to spend thousands of dollars more for my transportation.


#6 of 1159 For what it's worth by prov1632

Nov 27, 2000 (5:01 pm)

For what it's worth, in our recent purchase of a TL we compared the Accord EX V6 to the TL. Of course there were other cars in the comparison (Camry, Taurus), but the choice came down to these two. Even with a list of what each had, it got very confusing. As a last comparison (and to help the dealer come down a few $ we drove the Honda EX V6 to the Acura dealer and asked him to put the TL beside the Honda. Then we moved from car to car comparing how each felt, equipment in each, etc. Bottom line we chose the TL. Here's differences I see:


Accord
Less expensive (about $3800 in prices I had)
Regular fuel


TL
More comfortable seats - the bottom seat cushion felt larger front to back
Heated front seats
BOSE 180 watt stereo w 5 speakers vice 4 on Accord
16 inch wheels w larger tires vs 15s on Accord
Outdoor temp display in dash
High intensity headlights
Traction control & 4 wheel anti-lock brakes
4 year warranty vs 3 on Accord
Alarm system
2 power points with one hidden in the console
Extra 25 horsepower
5 speed transmission vs 4 on Accord
Style different - fewer on road

#7 of 1159 sorry to budge in, but I thought by wenyue

Nov 27, 2000 (11:03 pm)

Accord EX V6 had traction control.


Also, I think it also has 4 wheel anti-lock brakes.


I seem to recall that EX V6 has an security system as well.


Also, doesn't the TL has a single CD player, while the Accord EX has a in-dash 6-CD changer? I thought it's weird that the Accord EX has a better CD player than the TL.

#8 of 1159 The correct choice for me 3.2TL by ftm1

Nov 28, 2000 (1:42 am)

I got this car & did pay more why not for what it has. Since people like (carguy62)say the TL is a dressed up Accord or why pay more. Then why did you get the Accord EX V6 instead of the LX V6?
I still go back to what the Accord & TL markets are Accord is Family sedan 3.2 TL is Upscale/Near Luxury sedan. If you think the TL is a dressed up Accord then think so.Thats the only reason I compare the two cars.The cost was not that important to me for what I got.The extra features alone like I said the Accord did not have at the time or still does not have.I have to slighty compare the features of my car a 2000TL with the 2000 & 2001 Accord because 2000 Accord did not have traction control system this is a safety feature.Another safety feature the TL has is HID lights that Accord still does not have & to retro fit with the real thing would cost way over $1000
Somepeople think the fake bulbs are the real thing not true.The extra 25HP is not a bad thing this car is pretty quick & powerful.This is another point to (carguy62) why pay the extra money for the EX V6 Accord over 4cyl Accord I guess you wanted more HP.The 16" wheels you could go aftermarket but you still have to pay.The same with stereo but you still have to pay. The heated seats are a nice feature they warm you up quick. If you have a bad back like I do you can use the heat while driving at anytime.The TL seats are more comfortable than Accord. I got this car & plan to keep it for 5 or 6yrs.I also got the TL because Accord at time did not have side airbags.
The 5speed Automatic tranny is smooth this seems to be what luxury auto makers are going to.The Accord has its 4sp TL 5sp with sport-shift.Even one of the Accords major rivals & what some say is the new family car king VW Passat has 5sp auto as option.I do my homework when I purchase a car thats why I have been driving Honda cars for the last 20yrs. I have not picked wrong yet with a 90&94 Accord & an 80 Prelude back when American auto makers were selling people junk & I kept the Prelude around for 15yrs until I sold it.All reviews say same thing about TL competitively priced/ best buy/ best in class world beater for years to come/ impressive overall performance/sensible choice the only low points for the car are its stock tires & styling thats why I put on a factory body kit & spoiler.

#9 of 1159 . by ftm1

Nov 28, 2000 (2:46 am)

To respond to your post (wenyue) yes the 2001 Accord does offer traction control now but when I got my 2000TL last year 2000 Accord did not have it or sideairbags. Like I said I was going to get the Accord EX V6 back in 98 or 99 but I just had paid off my 94 Accord EX 5sp. I then saw a concept picture of the redesigned TL & what features it might come with.This was one thing that took me away from Accord.I also remember that when the Honda saleperson called me about buying another Accord from them I told him I was getting a TL.I told him TL has more of the stuff I was looking for.I said TL has traction control Accord does not.His response to that was you don't need it with the Accord I see they put it on.This is a safety feature & with the TL you need it also because of the powerful engine. I have not taken a look inside a 2001 Accord but because the TL was just redesigned back on the 99 model & Accord had design from 98 model.The Accord was freshend up abit inside.Acura would probaly have to change the dash design of TL to put indash cd changer.Acura gave the 2000TL alot last year form the 99 newly redesiged model we got the 5sp auto tran along with changes to the engine to give improvement in midrange accerlation.This also made the car quicker & gave it an extra gal on highway mileage.They also gave us new DVD NAV SYSTEM as option over 99cd rom.The only change for the 2001TL I think is that inside safety trunk release thing. Since the TL has only three ways to open the trunk.This is with remote on key fob/inside trunk release by drives seat & by going back to the lockable pass thru & pulling a wire.TL do not have a key hole on the trunk.The factory alarm is a real joke this goes for the Accord also.I had a real alarm put in the car the day after I got it.My alarm has many features like digital wheel sensors & anticarjacking.

#10 of 1159 Accord EX W/Leather by howardhonda

Nov 29, 2000 (4:30 am)

I bot 2000 Accord 4 cyl with 5 speed manual trans last December. I feel that I have the best of both worlds: the economy of honda maint. & 4 cyl at one extreme and the "near luxury" at the other. After all the TL and the accord are made by the same mfg, with the same styling and design. Even the dash controls are layed out in a similar fashion. The TL is a little more luxurious and heavier with the 6 cyl. but I'm happy with the better gas mileage and the fuel efficiency of the 5 speed manual trans.

Messages Page 1 of 116

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