Sign In Join 



Acura TL 2009 -

1532 messages,  Last post on Nov 23, 2009 at 11:05 AM

You are in the Acura TL Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Acura TL, Sedan


Messages Page 124 of 154
1
...
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
...
154
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#1222 of 1532
Re: New Insideline Full Test with slow 0-60 #s [jpdisarro] by traumeri
Nov 15, 2008 (9:59 pm)
Reply

Replying to: jpdisarro (Nov 15, 2008 4:32 pm)

Road & Track just did their full test of TL SHAWD and posted 6.3s but also noted that the FWD TL was only 0.1s off, thereby confirming Insideline's findings.
 
Anyway, I test drove the SHAWD today and compared to my FWD test drive a couple of months ago I did not feel any noticeable accel gains at any speed. This is not a deal-breaker but certainly disappointing. Performance-wise this places the TL at the bottom of the pack (A4 2.0T, ES350), but I was hoping the new "advanced" TL should drift toward the middle instead.....
#1223 of 1532
Re: New Insideline Full Test with slow 0-60 #s [traumeri] by bodble2
Nov 15, 2008 (10:54 pm)
Reply

Replying to: traumeri (Nov 15, 2008 9:59 pm)

But I have a feeling Acura's objective with the bigger motor in the AWD model is simply to compensate for the added weight, rather than to offer a high-performance alternative. In your test drive, did you notice that AWD eliminated torque steer?
#1224 of 1532
Re: New Insideline Full Test with slow 0-60 #s [traumeri] by jpdisarro
Nov 16, 2008 (8:10 am)
Reply

Replying to: traumeri (Nov 15, 2008 9:59 pm)

Those numbers aren't spectacular, but they're still almost half a second better than Edmunds's figures. With rumors of a V6 being added to the lighter TSX, I wonder if Acura would dare make the TSX faster than the more expensive TL.
#1225 of 1532
Re: New Insideline Full Test with slow 0-60 #s [jpdisarro] by traumeri
Nov 16, 2008 (11:48 am)
Reply

Replying to: jpdisarro (Nov 16, 2008 8:10 am)

RE: Torque-steer. For the AWD there is a hint of it when you push it hard, but then you can feel the AWD kick in to compensate while you are on the throttle. In general the reviews out there sums up the AWD pretty well. I did not push the FWD that hard last time, so I cannot say how bad the Torque-steer was.
 
RE: Accel #'s. I'm just a bit surprised that the SHAWD had such nominal gains over the FWD (both Insideline and R&T stated such in their new reviews). While the 0-60 was lower by 0.4s comparing the FWD(insideline) to the AWD(R&T), the 1/4mi was only differed by 0.1s. Slalom and lateral accel #'s are marginally better than the FWD with base tires, and essentially the same as the TL-S 6MT. So it's really hard to figure out how much is the AWD vs the 19" summer tires.
 
Essentially, Acura is expecting us to pay $3K+ for minization of torque steer and a more sporty handling feel that translates into small gains on the test track. I'm not sure if this will win over previous BMW/infinti owners, and am not sure if it helps that much to retain previous TL owners. The AWD performance "gain" comes at the price of slightly worse MPG, heavier weight, and smaller trunk space.
 
Now I find myself drifting back to the base TL and having to decide if the performance inferiority to say the Infiniti G37 is worth the slightly better interior package and rear seating space. Although one may argue that G37's Navi is just as good if not better (lane assist, 3D buildings, etc).
 
RE: the TSX V6, I'm not sure how much better the 0-60 might be due to torque-steer limitations in the FWD set-up. Perhaps 1/4mi and 50-70 numbers might be improved.
#1226 of 1532
Re: New Insideline Full Test with slow 0-60 #s [traumeri] by jpdisarro
Nov 16, 2008 (6:04 pm)
Reply

Replying to: traumeri (Nov 16, 2008 11:48 am)

My father's 05 TL has significant torque steer. I wonder if the magnitude of torque steer is different on the 09.
 
This is a matter of personal situation, but I would prefer the SH-AWD system for winter driving. RWD is obviously out of the question for me, but I have even had some "entertaining" experiences with FWD during the winter, so AWD would be a huge plus. Additionally, the SH-AWD model comes with 18" wheels and a slightly stiffer suspension.
#1227 of 1532
Re: New Insideline Full Test with slow 0-60 #s [traumeri] by billyperks2
Nov 17, 2008 (9:40 am)
Reply

Replying to: traumeri (Nov 16, 2008 11:48 am)

I am totally surprised that you mention you felt Torque steer on the AWD version.I tested the car last Saturday in the pouring rain and experienced ZERO torque steer.Luckily for me my sales associate is about my age (early thirties) or even younger.I told him from the get go that I am going to push the car hard from the stoplights and hard in the corners, he said "GO for it." The AWD felt totally solid in all aspects even the brakes are a MAJOR improvement over my 2003 type S and this was in the rain.The shift points were right on the money, paddle shifters worked like a beauty.The leather is top notched but I did not like the two tone scheme in the test car.Also the big fat steering wheel was not of my taste.The five star wheels I could live without but its not that bad compared to the FWD version.I am waiting to see the HPT version to pass judgement.Overall, the car felt quick all over the REV band and the suspension felt tight but a little harsh for the weak at heart.
The tech toys were satisfying to use if you can find them on the dash.
#1228 of 1532
Re: New Insideline Full Test with slow 0-60 #s [billyperks2] by traumeri
Nov 17, 2008 (6:23 pm)
Reply

Replying to: billyperks2 (Nov 17, 2008 9:40 am)

It was very slight (I think due to the initial FWD-bias as you apply and reapply throttle), but it is so minimal it should no longer be a knock against Acura. Where SHAWD will fail (I think) to win over enthusiasts will be its pedestrian raw power, lack of gears, and it's heft. I suspect the enthusiast will not be able to overlook the fact that it is that much slower than the G37 and 335.
 
I am not a diehard enthusiast so the TL is still in the running, but it's harder to justify the SHAWD over the TL at this point ($, MPG, weight, cargo space). Ultimately, the TL buyer will still be the previous group that value interior refinement over absolute performance. However, its advantage over the G37/335 there is not great enough to sway AT-driving enthusiasts that I thought was the reason for creating the TL SHAWD.
 
I walked away from my SHAWD and G35 test drives unconvinced that the SHAWD is a compelling competitor for the enthusiast's wallet.
#1229 of 1532
Re: Extra / Spare Key [drmike29] by bodble2
Nov 17, 2008 (11:36 pm)
Reply

Replying to: drmike29 (Nov 15, 2008 9:17 pm)

"...how would you be able to 'drive away' if the keys were lost out of town?"
 
I guess you can't, but wouldn't you be in the same predicament if it had a regular ignitiaon and you lost the key?
#1230 of 1532
Navigation screen by bodble2
Nov 17, 2008 (11:39 pm)
Reply
Has anyone noticed if the navigation screen suffers from the same reflection/glare problem as the one in the new TSX? It seems to have the same basic design --- the actual nav screen is set behind a outer plastic screen, which picks up the reflection from the surrounding dash surfaces.
#1231 of 1532
Re: Extra / Spare Key [bodble2] by drmike29
Nov 19, 2008 (12:51 pm)
Reply

Replying to: bodble2 (Nov 17, 2008 11:36 pm)

Spare key in wallet with the regular key ignition. That's not an option for the keyless system?
Mike

Messages Page 124 of 154
1
...
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
...
154
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion
To POST a message, please Sign In.

New? Join Now!

Forum Tools

Please sign in.
Email Address:

Password:

Forgot Password?

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s)

Advanced Search

Browse by Vehicle



View All Vehicles
Advertisement
Ask the Community
See What People Are Asking

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic


View All Topics
Advertisement