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Sedans Acura TL 2009 Acura TL
1233 messages, Last post on Nov 20, 2008 at 1:31 PM
You are in the Acura TL Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: traumeri (Sep 26, 2008 9:10 pm) I do like the rear, quite a bit. The "snout" front end? Not sure whether I like it or not. But, as you mentioned, it's neither better, nor worse than what you see on the Audi. But, these do look a lot better in person than they do in pictures. Side profile is very sharp. From the side, the front end gives a "hunkered down" look. They actually had the '08s side-by-side with the '09s. I got the impression that the '08s, while still handsome, look a bit dated by comparison. I liked the interior much better on the '09 over the '08. Again, much better in person than in pictures. Seats are better on the '09, too. I got to drive a "basque red pearl with taupe leather tech" version. Very, very sharp! By my Butt-meter, it feels about as fast as a TL-S. Handles about the same. Seemed smoother all the way around....much easier to drive fast. Rides better. Much better back seat, as you say. It is quieter than the TL-S. As quiet as a Lexus? Nope. But it makes nice muted sounds under the hood. Did a quick "pairing" to my I-Phone. Went off without a hitch. Made a couple of calls while I was test driving. Everyone said they could hear me fine using blue-tooth. I couldn't discern any torque steer, which was surprising, given it's a nearly 300 HP (280 HP, IIRC) motor driving the front wheels. I pushed it pretty hard, too. Seemed to beg for more. I don't think the brakes were "brembos", but they sure felt like it. My overall impression....very nice update to a very nice car. Is it as fast as a G or BMW 335i? No! But, it's close enough that only a stop watch could tell the difference. Does it handle as well as the BMW? No. But again, not far off the mark. It's certainly smoother than the G, though. I prefer the ride/handling trade-off of the '09 TL over either the BMW or G. As always, the stereo is superb. Happened to have a Diana Krall DVD-A with me. Plugged it in and I'd say the '09 ELS trumps the '08 ELS by a good margin. Don't know if that's a result of a quieter cabin, or they made substantial improvements in the stereo itself. Overall, it doesn't stand out in any one category, but does everything well.....better than the outgoing model. The one I drove stickered at $39K and change. That's easily $10K less than a BMW 3 series similarly equipped. Plus, the NAV is worlds better in the TL than the one in the BMW. With the current discounts on the G, I would imagine that's the closest competitor. But, back seat room in the TL is better. Interior is better than the G, too. It also drives smoother than the G. Talked to one of the salesman at the event. He was quite honest. He said the first ones sold will go for MSRP. I think he took a deposit on two of them in the 90 minutes I was at the event. One deposit was for the one I test drove....by the person who drove it right after I did. I hope he didn't see my test drive because I did wring it out pretty good. That's just one of about 4 sales people who were there. I'd guess the others had the same experience. I told him I wasn't in the market. He said give it a couple of months for the initial run to sell down. He said to visit after that if I were looking for less than MSRP. He also said he had one new '08 TL-S left that he'd sell for $32,500. Pretty big jump to nearly $40K for an '09. But, if you let the "buzz" die down a little bit, and could score an '09 tech next year for $36K-$37K, I think Acura will have another "hit" on their hands.
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Replying to: graphicguy (Sep 27, 2008 4:00 am) The issue with the design is that Acura really took a huge risk with it! BIG! I really feel this is where the design trend is going to go, since they have used and beaten every design on car now. The New Audi's are looking quite techy. I actually really appreciate them going with the design and taking a chance. Most cars look better in person, the Accord certainly does. I feel the Accord could have used a little more Accord Coupe inspiration, and it would not have hurt anything. They want that car to be conservative. The Acura is not so conservative anymore. To each there own. |
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Replying to: graphicguy (Sep 27, 2008 4:00 am) In pix, I've not been impressed by the new TL, I do look forward to the real thing. But, as I've never bought the same car, or brand, twice in a row in my life, I doubt I'll TL next. Depending on any number of factors, I'm leaning toward Europe. Although the upcoming G37 and IS Convertibles may throw a monkey wrench into that plan. STill, the Audi A5 is just so lovely (as is the Jag XK, another usual suspect)... Rainy day ramblings... |
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Replying to: traumeri (Sep 26, 2008 9:10 pm) The handling and steering control were great for the TL as well as the braking. The braking was head and shoulders above the others as far as the confidence that it gave me without shuddering, most noticeably on the Infinit. The one thing I regret about the Ride and Drive (since I can't trash the ones at our dealership for kicks) is that I did not turn off the traction control on the TLs that we drove. The traction controls on the TL when you want performance really hampers the acceleration of its strong VTEC engine and gives you less response when you really want to get up and go. Turning it off makes it a lot more exciting than it already is. I am way more confident in this vehicle in terms of positives and negatives than before I had the opportunity drive it.
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Replying to: laurasdada (Sep 27, 2008 11:07 am)
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Replying to: mrsatisfaction (Sep 27, 2008 2:23 pm) |
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Replying to: mrsatisfaction (Sep 27, 2008 2:21 pm) Your occupational bias aside, how much performance gain should I expect from the SH-AWD? The fuel economy hit and the smaller trunk are going against it, but I do want that occassional AWD capability. Personally I am trying to hold out until Spring to be in the market....right now I am hoping the "beak" turn away enough buyers so I won't be paying MSRP by then. I think the new TL is really positioned between the BMW 3 and 5, and also outsizes the G35/7. I also think the new Audi A4 with purported growth in interior/trunk size poses serious competition as well. Obviously no single car stands out as each has its strength and weakness and it all depends on each buyer's priority. For me being a new parent the increased interior room is important and performance can take a backseat (no pun intended) to a certain degree. The run-flats and low value of BMW is prohibitive for me. G35 will be close and the new Audi A4 warrants a look for me. In the end, I think the 09TL will win out. My only fear is that I shell out for the 09TL only to have Acura come out with a 6spd auto by 2011......
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I've been a Honda fan for a long time. Bought a new 1992 Accord (great car). I always valued Hondas for reliability, sportiness, steering feel, and driving agility. I bought a 1998 Audi A4, a car that inspired real passion. It was a wonderful car, but not as reliable as a Honda. When the family got bigger I got rid of it and got a 2005 Acura TL. My '05 TL has been very reliable. It's comfortable, it has a lot of great goodies, it gets great gas mileage. But I'd say that it's almost too big, it's suspension is floaty. The auto transmission has about a half second of hesitation when you need to punch it fast in an urgent situation. I've had loaner TSX's (previous model) and I LOVE the size and handling of the TSX. So recently at a service I got a *brand new model* TSX loaner. It's bigger and IMHO it's lost some of its charm. I don't find it any more appealing than the previous model - it's gotten too big. Now look at the new TL. I haven't driven it or even seen one, but my TL is already borderline boat status. The last thing I want is a bigger car. Look at the new Accord. Vs. the previous model it is HUGE. And my 1992 Accord handled great, had great steering and suspension. My TL is more of a boat and floatier than the '92 Accord. It just seems that Honda is moving more toward Toyota all the time - bigger, softer. It's got me looking more at Mazda instead. We have a Mazda 5, which is a micro minivan based upon the Mazda 3. The Mazda 5 is *shorter* than my TL, but even though it has much less power it handles better! That Mazda suspension is awesome! So while I admire Honda I hope they quit straying so far from their roots.
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| The current 3G TL in certainly no family hauler. I appreciate the fact it has grown up a little bit. I appreciate the extra space and larger trunk. Will that outweigh the looks. I don't know but I will still keep it on my list. I'm glad the TL has grown bigger. My family members grow bigger in size and height so if I can stay with a TL during this I would be happy. | |
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Replying to: traumeri (Sep 27, 2008 6:42 pm)  
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