i have seen the '02 up close and even test driven one but haven't gotten really familiar with the way it looks. haven't seen that many of them around in NJ. i know i was quite impressed with it at the dealer's, specially the head-on view. i was never crazy about the previous model, many of which i see every day in the parking lot. i saw a black one in the parking lot a couple of weeks ago and i really liked it, but haven't seen it again since.

does anyone have side by side pix of new vs old?

 

Well, the obvious differences in exterior between the TLS and the regular TL are the headlights, 17" rims and the rear tail lights. These couple of months, I have been examing the differences between the two and I can honestly tell ya that I can spot one like a mile away... hehe..

 

yeah, head-on it is a big difference with the lights and bumper treatment. isn't the grille larger too? one of the reviews said something about new sheet metal up front, but i'm not sure what the extent of it is. even from the rear it has a more distinctive look to it, i can't believe it's just from the clear lenses...

 

Other minor differences.

Windshield washer nozzles hidden on '02 vs. '99-'01
Different hood. On '99-'01 models the hood and grill is all one piece. On the '02 models, the hood opens w/o the grill.
Different wheels for both the TL-P and TL-S

 

also, the new 02TL/TLS has the built in fog lights, and different mirrors, that look a little smaller, and more sporty. the rear is identical, but the cleared lights make all the difference.