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2012 Acura TL

134 messages,  Last post on Feb 18, 2013 at 7:24 PM

You are in the Acura TL Forum.

What is this discussion about? Acura TL, Sedan

    

Messages Page 11 of 14

#96 of 134 Re: I won't miss my 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD. [billyperksii] by markcincinnati

Mar 21, 2012 (2:21 pm)

Replying to: billyperksii (Mar 20, 2012 10:33 am)
As I said, I have identified areas that need improvement, but none of them so far have made me regret getting the TL.
 
I will shop Acura again -- but I will also shop the other cars I mentioned. The TL is such a value, it is hard to understand why they aren't seen everywhere.
 
DOH! That's 'cause they really are right on the cusp of being fugly and they do have too much Honda in them.
 
I have overlooked these complaints because the car seems very well built, contented and in Advance trim is a very good performer.

#97 of 134 Re: I won't miss my 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD. [markcincinnati] by hpmctorque

Mar 23, 2012 (1:31 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Mar 21, 2012 2:21 pm)
If you're willing to give up SH-AWD, it seems to me that an Accord EX-L V6 is an even better value than the TL, and arguably better looking. The Accord is also less exclusive , of course.
 
I prefer the trimmer size of the previous generation TL more than the current one, and just today I happened to be talking to the owner of a '05 TL that feels the same way.

#98 of 134 Hesitation by liz50

Jun 26, 2012 (12:30 pm)

2012 TL Tech 6 spd. auto. I have a hesitation when changing lanes or turning. Could be dangerous. Motor not responding to pedal pressure (for only a second or two.) Anyone share my pain?

#99 of 134 2013 TL by billyperksii

Jun 27, 2012 (6:56 am)

Anyone has any news on the upcoming 2013 TL?
Type S?
Refreshed styling?
Hybrid?
Just any news.
My 2009 AWD TECH is still bullet proof with only 17K miles, my sales guy is persistent in getting me in the 2012 AWD TECH ADVANCE-I dont think there is any value in that trade, its still the 3.7 engine-maybe a supercharger would change my mind.

#100 of 134 Re: 2013 TL [billyperksii] by markcincinnati

Jun 27, 2012 (2:40 pm)

Replying to: billyperksii (Jun 27, 2012 6:56 am)
New TL as a 2014 MY is what is being said "here in the cloud."
 
That is what I would expect, but you never know -- I'm sure there will be SOMETHING that differentiates a 2013 from a 2012, but I would bet it won't be anything compelling.
 
My hope is for the TL to be offered only w/SH-AWD to perhaps make a statement that Acura's serious about being in the Premium class.
 
I would hope for an S type, too -- something beyond the Advance trim.
 
Finally, I am most hopeful that Acura, in the next TL, will make the interior -- the dash area -- less Honda-like and more "special."
 
If Chrysler can upgrade the 300's interior, I know Acura can do the same.
 
If you look at the cars likely to be shopped against the TL, the TL just seems a bit overpriced from behind the wheel (visually.)
 
If I had my druthers, I would like the reduced friction treatment that was applied to the 3.5 engine to be applied to the 3.7 and switch to an 8-speed transmission at the same time. Of course, fuel stratified injection would be a good way to improve the engine's efficiency without any loss of grunt.
 
I have decided that my 2012 TL reminds me a whole bunch of my $54,000 Audi A6 (2005 MY). I don't say this to damn the TL, in fact I think the TL's ability to mime the previous generation Audi A6 (C6) is quite a feat.
 
The ONLY issue (styling excluded from my rant) I have with the TL is that the front disc brakes are just fair. Mine have been warped -- or they feel that way -- since the day I bought it new. The answer has been to turn the rotors, which didn't really help much.
 
I have asked for a new set of front rotors -- we'll see.
 
Other than that, this TL is trouble free -- as predicted.

#101 of 134 Re: 2013 TL [markcincinnati] by graphicguy

Jun 27, 2012 (6:55 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Jun 27, 2012 2:40 pm)
mark...agree with you. The TL SH AWD is something I've owned (current gen). I now own a new S4. Lots of similarities, except the S4 is about $10K more than the TL SH AWD.
 
So, what do you get for the extra $10K? Well, in the Audi, you get a healthy dose of smoothness and a premium "feel". You get a healthy does of performance upgrade.....a second less in both 0-60 MPH and in the 1/4 mile times. An upgrade in the suspension (feel and handling). A "next level up" in refinement. And, a step up in interior and exterior style as well as build quality.
 
All that said, the TL SH AWD is an outstanding value at its price point. I'd choose it over an Infiniti Gx or a Mercedes C 4Matic.

#102 of 134 Re: 2013 TL [markcincinnati] by billyperksii

Jun 28, 2012 (2:31 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Jun 27, 2012 2:40 pm)
Mark I dont know if you saw my post (elsewhere), but I wondered over Audi Land to take a look at the A6 Premium Plus. First off, as I got in the dealership the salesman (nice guy) wanted to get me in a slightly used A7 Prestige- nice car but the price was still not reachable. To make a long story short, I tested the A6 and just could not justify the exrtra 15k over the TL TECH AWD. I love the Supercharger and the ameneties but there was absoulutely no value in trading up.

#103 of 134 Long Time Audi Snob by markcincinnati

Jun 29, 2012 (8:28 am)

First Audi - 1978 5000 w/Power Pack (which meant everything on the car was power operated) - had a 5cylinder engine and a stick shift. FWD.
 
28 Audis later - Last Audi 2009 A4 2.0T Prestige Sport with every option except automatic cruise control.
 
Shopped for new A5 P+ and new A4 Prestige, several other contenders including, most notably an Infiniti G37X and an '12 Acura TL Advance SH-AWD with a couple of must have accessories, parktronic and splash guards.
 
Used carwoo.com to get quotes from four different makes and models.
 
In September of 2011, got an offer of 13% below MSRP for a new Acura. I should note that I test drove, in one day, back to back to back an Audi S4 P+ (DSG), an all optioned Cadillac CTS/4 w/sport package and 19" wheels, etc and an Acura TL Advance SH-AWD.
 
I thought the Acura and the Audi were of similar feel -- and with the UMBER leather, I thought the Acura had a fine interior (not up to the other two, but attractive.)
 
The 13% off sticker offer was too good to pass up, ended up with a black leather interior, my least favorite of the Honda, er, Acura leather color pallet.
 
The Acura is not hideous for 2012 -- there's the compliment. It drives great, performs well, is very efficient, has a better sound system than the B&O on my last Audi and feels bigger than an A4 even though the A4 has a longer wheelbase.
 
Getting behind the wheel of the Advance version of the TL SH-AWD, I quickly forget about the looks of the car and focus on the power, the smoothness and the overall soundness (very tight) of the chassis.
 
Why, dear lord, can't it just be purty(er)?!?
 
Then I reflect upon my typical daily use of the vehicle. There's a song by James Taylor, "Damn, this Traffic Jam" -- well it took me an hour an 6 minutes to make the 19 mile trip from my office to my house the other day. You figure out how the 305HP helped, how the SH-AWD ever got even a little activated and how I was lucky to use more than 5 of the 6 gears of the auto transmission (I still wish it had 8 speeds, however.)
 
At MSRP, this thing is north of $47K, the similarly equipped Audi A4 2.0T Prestige is north of $48K. The Cadillac was north of $51K. These cars -- all -- are overkill for bumper-to-bumper traffic or secondary roads limited to 45MPH and heavily patrolled.
 
The Acura's secret weapons: SH-AWD and the sound system. I feel confident that our mild winters have met their match in the Acura, even in bone stock trim (and tires). I know if I ever need it, too, that the SH-AWD will damn near banish understeer and make my TL a "high value" S4 clone.
 
I bet I would be really pissed if I had an S4 (having had an S6, which was my favorite car of ALL time) these days -- I mean, c'mon, most cars, even much less expensive cars are more than very competent to suffer -- in comfort -- their drivers and passengers to travel from home to work and back.
 
I keep telling myself, I'll go for something "more" next time. Then, I get behind the wheel of my wife's 2011 FX35 (Infiniti) -- and that thing is comfortable, powerful, fun to drive and more luxurious than any Acura I know of. I then tell myself, I don't need an S4 or Bimmer or even a Volvo S60 T6 -- I need a CUV (like the Infiniti) -- if I'm going to move along at an average clip of 20-30MPH, I might as well be comfy (and know there's still plenty of capability if this damn traffic jam ever ends!)
 
If you haven't test driven a TL Advance SH-AWD (not the FWD version, the AWD version), go for it -- you will be at least pleasantly surprised and possibly impressed.
 
Now, if they'd just make the TL even less hideous looking, I think they'd have a winner!

#104 of 134 Long Time Audi Snob by markcincinnati

Jun 29, 2012 (8:28 am)

First Audi - 1978 5000 w/Power Pack (which meant everything on the car was power operated) - had a 5cylinder engine and a stick shift. FWD.
 
28 Audis later - Last Audi 2009 A4 2.0T Prestige Sport with every option except automatic cruise control.
 
Shopped for new A5 P+ and new A4 Prestige, several other contenders including, most notably an Infiniti G37X and an '12 Acura TL Advance SH-AWD with a couple of must have accessories, parktronic and splash guards.
 
Used carwoo.com to get quotes from four different makes and models.
 
In September of 2011, got an offer of 13% below MSRP for a new Acura. I should note that I test drove, in one day, back to back to back an Audi S4 P+ (DSG), an all optioned Cadillac CTS/4 w/sport package and 19" wheels, etc and an Acura TL Advance SH-AWD.
 
I thought the Acura and the Audi were of similar feel -- and with the UMBER leather, I thought the Acura had a fine interior (not up to the other two, but attractive.)
 
The 13% off sticker offer was too good to pass up, ended up with a black leather interior, my least favorite of the Honda, er, Acura leather color pallet.
 
The Acura is not hideous for 2012 -- there's the compliment. It drives great, performs well, is very efficient, has a better sound system than the B&O on my last Audi and feels bigger than an A4 even though the A4 has a longer wheelbase.
 
Getting behind the wheel of the Advance version of the TL SH-AWD, I quickly forget about the looks of the car and focus on the power, the smoothness and the overall soundness (very tight) of the chassis.
 
Why, dear lord, can't it just be purty(er)?!?
 
Then I reflect upon my typical daily use of the vehicle. There's a song by James Taylor, "Damn, this Traffic Jam" -- well it took me an hour an 6 minutes to make the 19 mile trip from my office to my house the other day. You figure out how the 305HP helped, how the SH-AWD ever got even a little activated and how I was lucky to use more than 5 of the 6 gears of the auto transmission (I still wish it had 8 speeds, however.)
 
At MSRP, this thing is north of $47K, the similarly equipped Audi A4 2.0T Prestige is north of $48K. The Cadillac was north of $51K. These cars -- all -- are overkill for bumper-to-bumper traffic or secondary roads limited to 45MPH and heavily patrolled.
 
The Acura's secret weapons: SH-AWD and the sound system. I feel confident that our mild winters have met their match in the Acura, even in bone stock trim (and tires). I know if I ever need it, too, that the SH-AWD will damn near banish understeer and make my TL a "high value" S4 clone.
 
I bet I would be really pissed if I had an S4 (having had an S6, which was my favorite car of ALL time) these days -- I mean, c'mon, most cars, even much less expensive cars are more than very competent to suffer -- in comfort -- their drivers and passengers to travel from home to work and back.
 
I keep telling myself, I'll go for something "more" next time. Then, I get behind the wheel of my wife's 2011 FX35 (Infiniti) -- and that thing is comfortable, powerful, fun to drive and more luxurious than any Acura I know of. I then tell myself, I don't need an S4 or Bimmer or even a Volvo S60 T6 -- I need a CUV (like the Infiniti) -- if I'm going to move along at an average clip of 20-30MPH, I might as well be comfy (and know there's still plenty of capability if this damn traffic jam ever ends!)
 
If you haven't test driven a TL Advance SH-AWD (not the FWD version, the AWD version), go for it -- you will be at least pleasantly surprised and possibly impressed.
 
Now, if they'd just make the TL even less hideous looking, I think they'd have a winner!

#105 of 134 Long Time Audi Snob by markcincinnati

Jun 29, 2012 (8:28 am)

First Audi - 1978 5000 w/Power Pack (which meant everything on the car was power operated) - had a 5cylinder engine and a stick shift. FWD.
 
28 Audis later - Last Audi 2009 A4 2.0T Prestige Sport with every option except automatic cruise control.
 
Shopped for new A5 P+ and new A4 Prestige, several other contenders including, most notably an Infiniti G37X and an '12 Acura TL Advance SH-AWD with a couple of must have accessories, parktronic and splash guards.
 
Used carwoo.com to get quotes from four different makes and models.
 
In September of 2011, got an offer of 13% below MSRP for a new Acura. I should note that I test drove, in one day, back to back to back an Audi S4 P+ (DSG), an all optioned Cadillac CTS/4 w/sport package and 19" wheels, etc and an Acura TL Advance SH-AWD.
 
I thought the Acura and the Audi were of similar feel -- and with the UMBER leather, I thought the Acura had a fine interior (not up to the other two, but attractive.)
 
The 13% off sticker offer was too good to pass up, ended up with a black leather interior, my least favorite of the Honda, er, Acura leather color pallet.
 
The Acura is not hideous for 2012 -- there's the compliment. It drives great, performs well, is very efficient, has a better sound system than the B&O on my last Audi and feels bigger than an A4 even though the A4 has a longer wheelbase.
 
Getting behind the wheel of the Advance version of the TL SH-AWD, I quickly forget about the looks of the car and focus on the power, the smoothness and the overall soundness (very tight) of the chassis.
 
Why, dear lord, can't it just be purty(er)?!?
 
Then I reflect upon my typical daily use of the vehicle. There's a song by James Taylor, "Damn, this Traffic Jam" -- well it took me an hour an 6 minutes to make the 19 mile trip from my office to my house the other day. You figure out how the 305HP helped, how the SH-AWD ever got even a little activated and how I was lucky to use more than 5 of the 6 gears of the auto transmission (I still wish it had 8 speeds, however.)
 
At MSRP, this thing is north of $47K, the similarly equipped Audi A4 2.0T Prestige is north of $48K. The Cadillac was north of $51K. These cars -- all -- are overkill for bumper-to-bumper traffic or secondary roads limited to 45MPH and heavily patrolled.
 
The Acura's secret weapons: SH-AWD and the sound system. I feel confident that our mild winters have met their match in the Acura, even in bone stock trim (and tires). I know if I ever need it, too, that the SH-AWD will damn near banish understeer and make my TL a "high value" S4 clone.
 
I bet I would be really pissed if I had an S4 (having had an S6, which was my favorite car of ALL time) these days -- I mean, c'mon, most cars, even much less expensive cars are more than very competent to suffer -- in comfort -- their drivers and passengers to travel from home to work and back.
 
I keep telling myself, I'll go for something "more" next time. Then, I get behind the wheel of my wife's 2011 FX35 (Infiniti) -- and that thing is comfortable, powerful, fun to drive and more luxurious than any Acura I know of. I then tell myself, I don't need an S4 or Bimmer or even a Volvo S60 T6 -- I need a CUV (like the Infiniti) -- if I'm going to move along at an average clip of 20-30MPH, I might as well be comfy (and know there's still plenty of capability if this damn traffic jam ever ends!)
 
If you haven't test driven a TL Advance SH-AWD (not the FWD version, the AWD version), go for it -- you will be at least pleasantly surprised and possibly impressed.
 
Now, if they'd just make the TL even less hideous looking, I think they'd have a winner!

Messages Page 11 of 14

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