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Sedans Acura TL Acura TL 2009 -
1532 messages, Last post on Nov 23, 2009 at 11:05 AM
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I contemplated the SHAWD for 2 months and test drove it with both the 19' and Base 18" wheels. Here are my observations: SHAWD is great as far as handling- flat in corners, stable but for the avg and even aggressive driver unless you are hitting Laguna Seca every weekend, or live in an area where roads are poorly maintained and AWD is a must-its not worth it. The car is heavy and with the 19's a rough stiff ride. With the 18's I noticed a stiffer ride than the FWD w/ 17's and much more cabin road noise from the 245/45/R18's. The FWD is excellent,,, I tested this car a ton. Overall I waited to get the SH-AWD, but in the end the FWD TECH simply won the race.. it looks the same (except for the wheels) has all the same features, ride is superb and handling/power more than anyone would need and I am an aggressive drive and the dealers offered far more agressive pricing than the AWD model. Bottomline- the SH-AWD IMO is not worth the $3-4,000 more at all. Neither car is a 5 person.. thats a misleading description, noone can sit on the middle back seat but a small child,, they made it too high causing anyone over 4' 8" to cram their head into the roof,, that should be corrected. Some will hate the new look others love it, Personally it will grow on you,,, its different, sleek and modern. We love it. The car is simply awesome ( so far)....
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Replying to: golfrski (Nov 23, 2008 5:29 am)
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Replying to: ezielanski (Nov 23, 2008 6:38 pm) I had a terrible experience with the 03 Type S, the car was outright undriveable in the snow.
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Replying to: billyperks2 (Nov 24, 2008 10:38 am) 
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Replying to: bodble2 (Nov 24, 2008 11:12 am) Lifelong New Englander and skier. Having AWD would have been beneficial a few times in my driving life, but certainly not a necessity. With FWD and all-season's, I've always gotten to my destination (until the TL). I am not, of course, billyperks2 so what is right for me, may not be right for him. Since, for the first time in my life I've bought and mounted snows, this has emboldened me to consider a RWD car next... Oh, and speaking of the '09 TL, stylewise: In profile it's not bad. My only objection is the pronounced and superfluous front wheel arch. The front end, though, definately needs an exorcism!! |
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Replying to: bodble2 (Nov 24, 2008 11:12 am) |
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Replying to: golfrski (Nov 23, 2008 5:29 am) There are some AWD ownders in Acurazine that claim after breaking in they were able to get ~5.6s in the 0-60 but again per Acura the AWD is at best 0.3s faster in the 0-60 and probably due to the torque-limiter clearly stated for the FWD only. To me the biggest detractor for the FWD is the undersized 17" wheels. golfrski, did you think about changing out the 17" OEM wheels for the 18" or 19"? I'm hoping the dealer has some 18" OEM from ownders opting to upgrade the 19" but not sure how much it would impact the ride.
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http://blogs.edmunds.com/strategies/2008/11/sport-sedan-shootout-two-wannabes-on- e-winner.html?tid=edmunds.h..topfeatures.sportsedans.0.* Looks do kill--
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Replying to: sweendogy (Nov 24, 2008 6:14 pm)  This is just one big, bloated sedan with very awkward looking front and back end. Whoever buys one is buying inspite of its looks. No one will buy it for its looks, which is a complete 180 from the previous generation.
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I'm not trying to convince anyone else what to buy. But a freind of mine who had an RL coming off lease ended up with a new 2009 328i in spite of the Acura dealer doing everything he could to keep him in the family. And, sorry guys, the notion that one is an "aggressive driver" and finds the FWD, automatic transmission base TL a "sporty" car?? Are you fantasizing? Perhaps you are "aggressive" in attitude, but you certainly don't appear to appreciate the finer points of handling, braking, steering and controlling your own gearshifts. I own a 2004 TL 6-speed with the sport suspension and Brembo brakes and, in spite of those benefits, it is still more than a handful when you goose it too much trying to accelerate while turning. I don't consider myself an "aggessive" driver, but I appreciate "precision" and driving my friends 328i manual was INFINITELY more satisfying than any slushbox, FWD TL. So shop around. It seems that some people are attributing qualities to the TL (at least the FWD, automatic model) that are way beyond reality, at least in the "sportiness" department. If you are buying it for other reasons, fine. But call a spade a spade. And if you really do value driving dynamics, do a "real" test drive of the 328i 6-speed sport. It may have 60 less horsepower on paper, but it will run circles around a base TL and remind you what "fun to drive" means.
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