I'm in the market looking to buy a new Acura TL Type-S! I absolutely LOVE the car and the way it drives. My only complaint is that the trunk hinges close into the trunk which hinders total trunk space, also the seats don't fold 60/40.

Does ANYONE know ANYTHING about the new and upcoming 2003 Acura TL. I'd like to know if they've changed these two things, and would also like to just know what it looks like!!!

Also, if you don't mind, if you have a 2002 with the navigation system, could you give me some feedback on it's usfulness and whether you like it or not!

Thanks for ALL your help!

-Angus

 

Navi is good if you're living in one of the detailed regions.

And it's "ACURA" not "ACTURA" :p

 

Thanks :-) Don't know how that 't' got in there

 

Well to be honest, I doubt that they will change the trunk design and offer split folding seats.

There won't be a face lift for sure........ maybe some VERY LITTLE things here and there...

But I am sure that the 2003 will remain the same pretty much.....

 

Yes, i agree with you on the seats folding down. i would like the car more if the seats folds down 60/40.

 

Ya know, I never missed it. I probably used the split fold-down seats TWICE during the 4 years I owned my Accord, and both times I could have rented a $20 U-Haul truck and made life easier for myself.

 

Trunk space, the trunk is huge especially compared to the 3 series and the IS.

 

There is no such thing as a 20$ u-haul. By the time you're all said and done you can't move a table 10 miles without it costing you 75$ and a bunch of heartache dealing with the idiots at the uhaul stores..

 

Thanks so much for your replies. The TL seems to really be what I'm interested in despite those two minor things I mentioned above. The only reason I mentioned the trunk is because I have an Altima that closes the same way, and when you pack your trunk tight, I found I couldn't even close the door because the hinges were in the way.

As far as the comment about it not being redesigned, I read in an article for 2000 that stated that if the reader "liked the design, then on top of it's already great value, this [Acura TL] would be the car to get because the body isn't slated for a redesign until 2003." ALSO, I found THIS!

 

Yeah, the trunk hinge is one of those things that Honda needs to work on for the next redesign. I think they can come up with a design that doesn't intrude into the trunk space (using a pneumatic piston or such).

I'd be surprised if Acura made any major changes to the TL next year. The basic body design has at least one more year of life in it, and the engine is plenty juicy enough.

And yeah, this forum is invaluable!

 

Sorry, didn't mean to waste anyone's time... just figured if anyone knew anything or had seen any pictures, I'd be able to find it here....

 

I believe a totally new design will come out in 2004 so wait if you can. I also agree with the trunk space issue. Why didn't Acura make it like they did with the hood? Well either way I can't use my trunk that much anymore because I have a system back there.:p

 

I believe there will be a redesign IN 2003, but it will be a 2004 model.

Remember, the 2002 Type-S has been out for like 6-7 months now and it's still 2001.

 

My wife has an '02 TL. Just used to Navi today. Its great as long as it knows the address you are going to.

The biggest problem I run into is addresses that have numbers for road names. For instance, is Route 1 "Rt 1" "route 1" "route one" "us highway 1"

That drives me nuts. God forbid if route 1 has another name at certain stretches. Like "business 1" ahhh!

 

I know what you mean! You kinda get used to it though; just pay attention to the road name when you drive on it, and enter that nomenclature the next time.

I noticed that Interstates are always called "I-XXX", state highways in Kansas are "US-XXX", and rural highways are "HWY XXX" or just "XXX".

 

60/40 seats are not found in the TL because behind the rear seats there are two large braces, one on each side, to increase ridgidity in the body.

 

It looks as though Acura likes introducing some models in mid-year--it generates excitement, but it would be nice to have the CURRENT model TL and TL Type S look new for at least one more year. Guess it's all about planned obsolescence...

 

Redesign IN 2003 probly means it'll be a 2004 (at least) model

 

That motor trend site prob mean model yr 2003, but they have been wrong before so I would assume the 2004 model TL will be the one getting the redesign.

 

I agree that a new hinge design would be great, but that split 60/40 fold down seat won't happen, and I personally don't miss it (from my Integra) at all.... My CL didn't have it so that kinda weined me from not having it so it was no biggie at all with the TL. As far as the 2003 TL, I'm assuming that any changes from 2002 to 2003 will be very minor. 2004 is another story though, Acura may roll a new design for Model Year (MY) 2004. Don't expect to see any 2003's until October of 2002 though, since it won't be a model change don't expect something in March, however if you're willing to wait until the spring of 2003 then if they do changes for the MY 2004 then you might see the big changes as soon as then, but don't expect anything until then.

 

i say you should just go and get it now... i mean
there are always gonna be things with any car that
we'd prefer another way, and new cars and
new models are going to be coming out all the time;
its not practical to sit and just wait cause then
you'll wait forever. i'd say, if those are your only
two concerns buy it. i've had my now for 5 months
and the only real complaint i have is that d@mn
squeak from the passenger side sit.
oh and i really regret not getting the navi... only
hear good things about it

 

Agreed, if you like it, just get it now. I mean, you could just wait until 2008 and get that model.... I heard it may have a 7-speed manual!! The 2003 model will be the same as the 2002 model (like the '01 / '02 CL-S). The redesign will be out as a 2004 model, probably in mid 2003. Acura will be going back to it's regular production schedule of releasing new cars in the fall (like the '02 CL-S)....not sure what they'll do with the release of the '04 though, but that's way too far ahead. Websites like that are usually wrong too.... they said the '02 CL-S would have a 6-speed and bodykit... show me either.....

 

The 3-series trunk may be smaller but at least you can order folding seats...$$$

I WISH THE TL HAD THE "INSIDE THE TRUNK HANDLE "TO CLOSE THE TRUNK like the bimmer.. I'm always closing it via the outside emblems to avoid finger prints...

trivia: I was measuring both my cars for a pet cover and my 2001 330xi has a larger rear seat than the TL in every dimension. (forget about space between the front and rear seats though...)

 

I'd heard 2004 as well. I'd get the navi..we didn't plan on it but they had no 02 TL-S w/o so we d!ckered...anyway it rocks. Example we were coming home over the weekend ended up in a town I don't know very well...the wife said..."taco bell please" with that she punched up taco bell..gave us the closest taco bell to us...1.7 miles poof we were there...now that's value!!