I am so drained...
So I take my car to the dealership to have them install my comptech icebox and sways, and they said they would provide me with a loaner...I'm thinking something like an old Legend or maybe an '83 Civic--Hell, I didn't care, as long as it would get me to and from work (I work a weird shift, and live 20 miles outside of town). What do they give me? 2005 TL with 3000 miles. That's not fair! Here I was, excited about improving the performance and handling of my sweet CLS, and they torture me with this hot tight-ass ride! That's like a beauty salon loaning you Halle Berry while your good-looking but average girlfriend has her hair done!

Many of the nagging problems with the CLS have been addressed with the new TL. She's torqueyer off the line, less torque steer, much less body roll in corners, she doesn't plow as much in the turns, the sport shift shifts like it's supposed to, in that it feels like a manual transmission without the clutch, and the brakes will haul your ass DOWN in a hurry! The interior is killer, to include a kick ass stereo with DVD-Audio, XM and 5.1 surround (maybe even 6.1?)

And while I love the way my CLS looks, the TL is just plain smokin. I honestly wonder if that was done on purpose; to try to lure me into a sale. We all know these cars sell themselves, and us Honda and Acura owners are fanatical about our cars, and what would get us more revved up than our own car but another, better and newer Honda or Acura?

Well, *sigh* I guess I'll go get my car from the dealer tomorrow. There's now this giant sucking sound in my wallet, and I don't know if I will even notice a difference...

 

exactly what they want to do.

i had a TSX loaner with like 1500 miles. they've really improved the interior and styling. i was actually contemplating on the 4banger TSX, but the TL would be perfect!

 

I don't think the TL is that much better. The interior & features are nice though.

 

Interesting. Most people and auto mags say the torque steer in the TL is worse.

 

With the stick it is. My modded CLS6 has less tq steer.

 

Funny post. I drove my bud's 6MT 04 TL and it wasn't that different to me than my CLS6MT. I actually prefer the feel of the CL, may be the seating position. I like the interior of the TL but I felt the dash felt too big or high.
I love the TL, and for a sedan it's a great success, but I like my CL just as much.

 

the interior is much more modernized...and 270hp is standard.

nice OEM spoiler and ground/lip kit. however, IMO, i prefer the exterior of the 03 TL...it's so much meaner. seems like the new TL is smaller...looks like a TSX

 

HAHAHAHA I had similar experience except I ASKED for TL... had some rattling noise in my CLS so I took in for check-up.. they had to give me a loaner since it was gonna take more than 4 hours to determine where the noise was coming from.. anyway.. i think the technician was planning on giving me TSX considering it's more sporty for my age.. I'm 21 btw... but I ASKED for TL... this car had 950 miles on it.. still had that 'brand new car' smell. I absolutely LOVED it.. Seems that everything was improved from its previous generation... Espeically the new location for sunroof switch..

But then again, I think I liked the car simply b/c it was still brand new.... when you compare numbers... it's still 3.2L , 10 more hp .. similar suspensions... etc. What I didn't like was how they raised its MSRP... i think brand new without Navi goes for 34,000 ... so yeah.. overall.. it was good experience... test driving new TL for couple of days.. I certainly wouldn't mind doing it again either... but at the end of the day.. I still appreciate my CL b/c it's MINE!! haha

Question tho.. how much did they charge you for that installation??

 

since you mentioned RATTLES, did they tell you where it was coming from?

my rattles are driving me CrAzY

 

well, I knew where my rattling were coming from.. but the dealer had to test drive it with me to verify ... unfortunately, we only heard one of the two when we test drove... hate when that happens... First one came from driver side panel... one behind the seatbelt and second one came from area between steering wheel and speeodometer.. this was a week ago and they claimed they fixed the one from driver side panel, but I'm starting to hear it again... planning on taking it back on next engine oil change and have them look at it again... I know what you mean.. it DOES drive me crazy but I tend to play my music loud to ignore it.. best of luck to you when u get urs done!

 

Got my CLS back today, and wow what a difference! First of all, I don't miss the TL and was fairly nervous driving it since it wasn't mine. It is a bit smaller and narrower inside, which I didn't like. One of the main reasons I got a CLS over an RSX-S was the interior size. The RSX is an awesome car, but I've owned a few pocket-sized cars, and I wanted to be able to stretch out and relax and still blow past traffic at 120. The TL is closer to the RSX in interior size, and I don't like that. Honestly if I had to choose which new Acura to go for, I'd have to say the RL!

I was pissed that the dealership wouldn't adjust their labor fee, but I know they do that and can get away with it. They quoted 6 hours to do the job, and charged me their hourly rate of $85/hr. I dropped the car off at 1 pm, and they called work at 5pm saying it was done. They still charged me for six hours. Those bastards. So much for my income tax refund.

I got them to give me my radio code for free, and get this--they acted like they were doing me a big favor!! No matter, I told them I couldn't take off work to pick up the car, so I got to thrash the TL for a night!

Some folks on this forum say the icebox doesn't sound any different than stock, but I have to disagree. It sounds much beefier, and I like it. Just the right amount of ass, without the whine or whoosh. And holy shit, did the sways make a huge diff! She corners like the TL now. More even handling, much less understeer. I guess the only bonus for having the dealer install the stuff is that they will honor Comptech's warranty--like an icebox or sways would have problems! If I ever wanted to install the supercharger, having the dealer do it may be a good idea but next time, I'm looking up a local speed shop to install my performance parts, or just do it myself.

 

I am currently driving a 05 TL loaner too. I got it with only 40 miles! All my friends thought I bought the TL because it didn't came with plates or Dealer stickers. This is the 3rd day driving the TL, I felt it handles better through turn with less body roll and the 3rd gear is strong! Yes, just the 3rd gear 1st and 2nd is not much different from a 03 TL-S. My complain is the TL rides too rough for a Luxury sedan. Felt like it came with comptech springs and sways from Acura. I also hear rattling noise from the driver's A pillar and the rear deck, but I just turn up the volume on it XM radio . I am taking it up to the local canyon road tomorrow, would love to see how it feels up there.

 

I can't believe they actually gave you a loaner to begin with, my local Acura dealer were hard pressed to give me a ride back to my work.

But all things considered I didn't buy the car from them and I only show up for warranty and they do decient work so I can't complain too much

 

I haven't gotten a TL yet. The service agent gives me the same TSX everytime I go in. I think last time she programmed in the seat settings. She promissed me a TL the next time. I told her that after driving the TSX, it will be the only 4 cylinder car I would get.

$85 an hour for 6 hours seem a bit much.

 

Yes $85/hr for 6 hours is highway robbery, which is why I probably won't mod through the dealer again. I guess that's why they didn't hesitate handing over one of their hottest cars since I paid for it! I should have requested an '05 RL! No matter still, because both mods were really noticable and have improved performance. The car starts easier, for example, and idles smoother, all from the icebox, I guess!

My next major improvement is going to be a thorough hand buff and polish once the weather turns, so another performance mod is a ways down the road. My driver's seat needs some work as well, so some saddle soaps and polish will be needed as well.

 

 

I don't know about your dealership, but at mine, the radio code is printed on the invoice in a small box labeled r/c. If they never pointed it out, you'd never know so it doesn't seem like a huge security risk. Unless of course a thief stole your radio, and service records, and already had an Acura.

 

I have had a couple of New TL Loaners....not that impressive IMO.