autophile1

Just wondering when the 2003's will be released. Will it follow the 2002's and be released in spring or revert back to the fall release of the rest of the Acura's?

Anyone know of any changes that will be made for 2003? Any little things?

Thanks

oracion

I doubt that if there will be any change at all.

AzNTL

I would think it would be a carry over of the 2002 models like what happend to the 2001 models..... just the cup holder and baby seats fasteners... something along that line would be the 2003.. they will wait for the redesign of the TL in 2004 or 2005..... 6 speed here i come

typeR

no the 03 is due for a complete re model...the 02 's are just a minor facelift and add the type S '03 i would think fall like normal though because of the type S

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

This is something that has been discussed many, many times. The 2003 model looks like it's going to be another refresh (like the '02), nothing crazy. The 2004 model (which will be released in 2003) will be the one that gets the redesign. However, you probably will see a six-speed in the 2003 model if Acura has success with it in the 2002.5 CL-S. Also, the 2003 model will be released in Sept./Oct. of 2002 which will put it back on the "normal" cycle for releasing cars (just like they're doing with the CL)......

Edward'TLS

The 2002 cars just have a minor facelift. So they will stay for at least another year before a complete redesign is due out, unless the car is not selling well which is not.

It is Honda's habit that, say for a 4 year model cycle, a minor facelift and upgrade work is done right in the middle of the model cycle, to freshen up the looks of its cars.

Sherlock

Already read that 6-speed hits the TL-S at end of 2002, trying to decide if I get an S now, or wait for the stick.. the drool is piling up now.

And the Accord/sedan platform is now on a 5 year rotation, so if 99 was the new TL, 04 should be new.. The Accord I have was a 98 new model, so 03 will be it's new model.. Or did the TL change in 98 ???

BLEXV6

The 1999 TL was the 1st year for the new design. It appears that the TL will have a 5 year lifespan as is the Accord.

Funny, Honda used to change the Accords every 4 years. I guess money now speaks, as Honda now stretches their vehicles out 5 years now, at least for the Accords and TL-s.

TLinBama

A thing about "redesigns" is that the more radical/dramatic they are, the bigger impact it has on lowering the value of the previous generation. Of course if you make a vehicle as sweet as the Legend, and kill off it's name, it'll still be a head turner at 10 years old. Anyway, that's one of many reasons MB, BMW, Lexus, etc. don't have dramatic exterior changes on successful vehicles. I see Acura trying to fit into that mold, once it decides on a "corporate look." After sitting in an RSX-S today and seeing the front ends of the TL, CL, MDX, and RSX, I think Acura has found a look. I wouldn't expect anything drastic in 2003/2004 in terms of styling. I would expect 300+ hp as an option...

autophile1

So you think 300+ HP as early as next year?

TLinBama

Well, my guess is that with the hp wars going on, the 2004 model year would be good timing. That wouldn't come out until Autumn 2003 which is 2 years away! Of course this is all speculation, but 300 hp in a front wheel drive car is a pretty big deal. Cadillac has it, but isn't handled like I would expect from Acura. A thing to consider is that just 10 years ago 200 hp to the front wheels was considered by some as a major revolution in the automotive industry!

Xtrema

Here's my prediction.

The new Accord will be reveal next year (Sep 2002) as 2003 model. And the new TL will be 6-8 months behind that and release in Spring 2003 as 2004 model.

Why?

The weakest link in Acura right now is the RL and NSX. While NSX is low volume anyway, and it's unique there'll be no pressure to change it quickly. But the RL flaghsip should be getting all of Acura's resources right now. It's into it's 7th year, it's style and technology is now REALLY outdated even by Acura's own TL's standard. To improve Acura's luxury image, they really need a V8 image car to fight with LS430/Q45/7 Series and S Class. And RL is no where near that territory. So I think the RL should be release in Sep 2002 as 03 model just before the new TL.

imax

Next month I believe :p :p :p

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Ya know, I think I would just wait until the 2008 model b/c by then, it should have everything you want, but then I read that the 2009 model was going to have NOS so I may just wait for that..... :p

yee

Honda has scheduled mod on the TL in Mar/Apr of next year... but they have said how much of a mod...

BigSkyTL

The accord i believe is in great need of a total revamp, considering the all new look of the camry. (looks exactly like the NEW ES300) The new camry is sharp, looks nice, and has some nice technology on the interior. I think the accord needs to make a bold new statement in order to keep it's own market share, or it will really fall behind ...quickly. Especially since Toyota is on its way to becoming the first foreign MFR in the Big-3 car companies in the USA. (about to take over Chrysler in total market share)

I also really agree with Xtrema; The RL is worlds behind its competition, and is way OVER priced for what you get. It's a good argument that the TL-S is a better car than the current RL....for MUCHO-BUCKS LESSSS. The RL definitely needs a TOTAL makeover in order to compete with LS430/Q45/7s/and S-class. Only 225HP, weak torque, FWD, less room, and just tacky ultra-conservative design, in and out. I believe (I hope) Acura is aware of this and is dumping all of there R&D into the "All New RL". I love Acura, and hope Acura will keep its face as innovative and advanced competitor, rather than an "always trying to catch up" manufacturer.

daverman

I agree that the RL is seriously outdated and needs a facelift. I doubt that the 03 TL will have too much of a facelift as Acura has only just settled on the scalloped-headlight-in-the-bumper look and the "borderless" grill that abuts the headlights. I think that the TL and CL are way overdue for a rear-end redesign. The rest of the car looks just fine.

Oh, and I think the NSX should sell for much less than the horrendous $85k sticker. $65k - $75k is more like it. Its design is way too old and not classy enough to hold onto that price range.

Edward'TLS

This all make sense if the TL is onto a 5-year cycle.

Fall 1998 (year 0) - MY'99 TL = all new 2nd gen. TL
Fall 1999 (year 1) - MY'00 TL = 5 speed transmission
Fall 2000 (year 2) - MY'01 TL = no change

Spring 2001 (year 2 1/2) - MY'02 TL = minor facelift & added features
Fall 2002 (year 4) - MY'03 TL = ? ? ?

Fall 2003 (year 5) - My'04 TL = all new ?

If it is a 4-year cycle, the MY'01 would have the minor facelift. Right now with the minor facelift on the early spring release of the MY'02, it is exactly 2 1/2 years away - right in the middle of the 5-year cycle. As a result, MY'01 is replaced half a year sooner, and the MY'02 will probably stay on for half a year longer until MY'03 is out.

thephantom

Hey, stop thinking about when and what they might change to the TL. If you need a car now, buy it. All the speculations are well, just speculations. I look at this like computers. I'll buy the best one today, someone else is going to come out with something comparable or better. Just enjoy what you've got.

DJ Iceman

I must respectfully disagree, Daverman. The CL had a striking rear end design in the last generation, which they genericized for the current version. So it doesn't need a REdesign, it needs to go back to the OLD design!

Oh, and as for the NSX, I'd gladly pay MUCH more than $85K for that car as it is! We are all entitled to our opinions, but I love the design, looks, and performance of that car to the point where I feel it approaches automotive perfection.

tea elle

Dude, you are sooooo biased! Your CL is pretty dated already, why would they go back?

I agree with you about the NSX though!

daverman

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Iceman
I must respectfully disagree, Daverman. The CL had a striking rear end design in the last generation, which they genericized for the current version. So it doesn't need a REdesign, it needs to go back to the OLD design![/i]
I stand corrected. Yes, the previous CL tail has much more character than the current CL's.

Oh well... I don't know about "automotive perfection". It is a very impressive car, no doubt.

jcrist

Motor Trend has the 2003 TL listed as "Redesign" on their Future Vehicles section of their web site. Although, this is probably the shortest description of of any future vehicle on their site so that don't know much.

Cycles are not always consistent so you can kiss that philosophy goodbye.

The earliest you'll see an all-new TL is fall of 2002. The earliest you'll see a new TL-S is spring 2003 probably as they always release the high-performance models later. (But don't bank on it.)
Either way, I think for sure you'll see a redesigned TL in some form or another by Spring/Summer 2003 at the latest.

I'm getting a TL-S now. The only thing worth waiting for in the VW Passat W8 and that is $8-$10K more than the TL-S. Same with the Volvo S-70S (PCC) and who knows when that will be out.

You can't go wrong with Acura no matter what happens. Great car for the money and great resale value. Always.