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Sedans Acura TL 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
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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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Replying to: habitat1 (Nov 25, 2008 4:27 am) I live in an area where RWD is not a good option, so I am forced to look for FWD or AWD. From what I have read, the 328xi is very underpowered when saddled with the weight of the AWD system and also loses much of its nimbleness. The 335xi has enough power, but I am not interested in spending $50k on 3 series.
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Replying to: traumeri (Nov 24, 2008 5:25 pm) road noise on the 245/45/R18's was measurably increased over the 17"s ride was stiffer and more bumps felt with the lower sidewall profile the thin spoke design shows a significant amount of rotor.. i dont like the fact that they dont have the RL embossed caliper so its looks a bit stark.. also as I looked around the lot at 2005, 2006's etc what I noticed were rusty rotors and bad looking calipers... I loved the wheels however the ride and noise was much better on the 17"s I was not about to sacrifice quality and comfort in the ride... for looks.. I tend to find it a bit difficult to see my car's wheels while I am driving anyway 
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Replying to: bodble2 (Nov 24, 2008 10:14 pm) |
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Replying to: eblock2 (Nov 20, 2008 1:31 pm) |
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Gentleman: Agree to disagree, please... There are many, many reasons to buy a car. Everyone has their own criteria which for them is no less correct than any other persons. It matters not what magazines or other folks consider/define as "sporty" or "luxurious" or "ugly" unless that entity is footing the bill for your ride. Or you truly care that much about what other folks think... One man's styling is substantial while another's substance is not so defined... And speaking of styling, as the proud owner of a handsome, sporty, economical '05 TL, I have finally seen my first live '09 TL. Let me just write this about that: ugh. The beak/shield must go IMMEDIATELY. And I agree that the car looks heavy, bulbous and overdone. I am quite superficial and a fool for a pretty face. Therefore, this iteration of the TL shall not be on my list when the time (and the stock market allows...  ) comes to upgrade my current beauty. In the words of Nancy Kerrigan, "Acura: Why, why, why, why, why...?"
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Replying to: jpdisarro (Nov 25, 2008 7:22 am) No first hand experience with the 328xi. But if I was in the market, I'd test drive one for comparison. I've also heard that the added weight and drive train loss of the "x" system is more noticable in the 328 than the 335, but I doubt it would feel "very" underpowered. And, as a RWD based system, the 328xi is much closer to a 50/50 weight balance than the TL (62/38?) . Also, your comment that "RWD is not a good option" may mean that a TL with FWD and 18" (or larger) high performance tires won't be much better. My 04 came with the "HPT" W rated summer tires and they were useless in the snow. I've since switched to all seasons. But it still isn't quite as good in the snow as my old Nissan Maxima with 15" 215/60 series tires. There remains a trade-off between all season versitility and dry weather performance.
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Replying to: laurasdada (Nov 25, 2008 2:03 pm) personally we love it.. its diff looking, stands out and at the end of the day the drive out weighs the look in all aspects... the car is awesome.... and those that say you cant drive aggressively.. thats funny.. i took it out yesterday on very windy roads, punched it (the FWD) and it stuck.. I didnt exp any under steer issues, torque steer issues and it hauls a&^,,,,, great vehicle.
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