Shopping for used TL. Currently own '00 TL and have enjoyed it. Looking for opinions on 3rd generation vehicles (TL's) vs 2nd.
Thanks for your feedback.

 

Hey Mark Hagenbach, if you've enjoyed your 2000 TL overall, then it's a natural progression to the 3rd Gen models. I also have a 2000 TL and have really had great luck with it. While many have suffered and endured the inherent tranny issues of the 2nd Gens, they are still great cars IMO.

Personally I like the tighter sportier appearance of the 3rd Gens. If you're serious about one , do your homework on their specific forum. Anytime that you can get a premium car such as an Acura at well less than half the original price, ya got yourself a quality automobile at a bargain.

Just be careful of the maintenance history, especially the earlier '04-'05 models as they still are plagued by tranny failures. Go for a clean, well documented '07 or '08 TL for your best overall value. Best of luck in your search in keeping the loyal faith of owning another newer TL !!!!

 

IMHO the 3rd Gen falls a little Short for my Tastes (It doesnt feel like a TL if that makes any Sense) Everytime I see one on the Road I think:
Thats a Super High End CIVIC Si + TypeR + TypeS becouse it doesnt feel that "Grandpa Only" Like the 2G or the 4G
Heck it doesnt feel like an Acura!.
In my Book A Luxury car should be Very Poist and Conservative (look Audi, Mercs, BMW that Compares to Acura) where the 3G Shouts SPORTY!!!! Anywhere you Look at It.

I would Buy a 4th Gen Instead SH-AWD 6 Speed AUTO If Possible.

 

So where does BMW fall in your book then? Not luxury cars?

 

Maybe take a look at where Cadillac has went with it's luxury car line.
They are aiming directly at the upscale businessman, no longer your Grandpa's couch sedan.

 

I completely agree with you although it is a bit weird the explain the 2nd gen had a luxury/limo look compared to the sporty design of the 3rd gen. All my friends refer to my 03 NBP as a limo because of the long side profile it gives out and thats what I really love about my car, the limo look and the aggressive front ends that the 02-03 models have and that's something i've never noticed in another car and that's why I love the 02-03's so much the lines are clean and aggressive. The interior quality is top notch and the seats have nice lazy boy thick look to it.

Although having driven a 2008 Type-S for 2 weeks it really is an amazing car, the feel is something the 2nd gen lacks, the sportiness the handling and the overall performance is something that cant come close to the 2nd gen it was a great driving experience. Although the 3rd gen destroys the performance of the the 2nd gen I felt like I was driving a civic Si, bmw 3 series... it was a very sporty ride, It just didnt drive like a luxury car, it didn't swallow road bumps without feeling it in the cabin, it didn't have that whisper quiet smooth ride, and it sure as hell wasn't comparable to the steering wheel of the 2nd gen which can be turned with a pinky. Dont get me wrong the 07-08 TL's are solid but the looks are not appealing to me, the 3rd gen looks like it got compressed when next to the 2nd gen. I think my next vehicle might have to be a Lexus....

 

BMW doesnt scream ""SPORT"" even on their "M" Series (M3, M5, Etc.) they have that "Corporative" Feel and Luxurius everywhere if anything BMW is the Standar of Luxury just besides Mercs... You cant find nothing wrong on a Bimmer even the Low Spectrum Have a Nice Stand.

But OP wanted Opinions of the 3rd Gen vs 2g.

 

I have both and I find myself driving my 2gen all the time except when I need to use the nav or I have a need for speed, lol, my 3rd gen is a 6 speed and is more fun to drive but the 2nd gen is a classic to me and I feel like it turns more heads

 

I just shelled out $2300 for a rebuilt tyranny so factor that in too

 

So the 2nd gen "feels grandpa like"

And You think conservative looks make it luxury? The 2nd gen was by no means conservative looking 12 years ago when it came out. It didnt blend in like the conservative lexus es. And do you think this is conservative looking? It is on your list (and a wagon to boot) Looks have nothing to do with luxury. What the vehicle has to offer does. In my opinion conservative looks is boring and to me a lack of design.

Conservative??

 

Lulz at skrimach.

 

Ohh an RS Avant.
Fatty has taste

 

my posts don't appear?

 

Sure they do. Don't you see them?

 

^^
lol

 

3G TLs are great vehicles. they are reliable (no tranny issues), small and maneuverable and good looking. but they're all over the place here in canada. i think there are more of 3g tl in toronto than civics. that's the only reason why i wouldn't buy one and maybe get the RL instead, if you want to stay in the acura family? i know the RL is a different class but it's very close to the 2G TL in terms of size/look. The sh-awd is also great. despite the 4wd it feels very much like the 2g tl; the ride smooth, compliant and the power is good. it's got lot of features and gadget gizmos too for a 2005 car. IMO the RL is the most under-rated car ever.



doesn't it look great? and i think they are pretty cheap in the states for a used 2005 model.

 

Yeah Pickler, you're absolutely right on the money ! I've been checking these RL's out some too. Once Acura decided
to put the big trademark chromey grill on it, the otherwise very well designed automobile was truly an awesome brother
of the 2nd gen TL.

Having a 3.5 RL with the SH/AWD is definitely a step up the ladder with a few more bells and whistles to boot. If not mistaken, I believe that the RL is manufactured in Japan......which might account for it's better quality control on a more limited production car.

The 2nd gen TL's are far more plentiful at bargain prices due to their age and also the known tranny issues. RL's are a bit of a rarity to find. I think that may be contributed to the RL's initial cost and Acura failing to promote these upscale automobiles. It could be that the tranny stigma indirectly affected consumer's overall mindset on the RL, appearing so much like the older TL's. So, in closing they may be the bargain find of a lifetime !

 

yep the only problem is finding one for sale. there is none listed here for sale last time i checked lol. i think the biggest barrier with the RL was its price. It was priced the same as a BMW 525i. even still i would have picked the RL over a 525i. most Americans didn't.

 

I'd go with the 3G..either 07 or 08.

 

The 2G is the best in my opinion. No problems with it at all. Drives good. MPG isn't the best but who cares you get what you can afford. I can't wait to make it a nice project

 

We have had both and just recently sold the 04 and replaced it with a new MDX. We had an 01 that was replaced with the 04. A few months ago I picked up and 03 with 46k miles.

A few observations. 2nd gen more "luxury feel" vs "sport feel" for the 3rd gen. We felt the 3rd gen was a far more agressive in both style and performance. Fast and handled like it was on rails. With the 6speed and performance tires it was a bit tough in midwestern winters. The 2nd gen is more luxurious and more "grandpa" like, something good for youthful drivers.

We've found the mpg is about the same with a slightly larger range on the 03 due to a bigger tank. If the 04 was an auto, we would probably still have it as the stick was too much car for the teenagers.

Two very different cars with the same name.

 

Yeah, ya summed it up pretty well. While it appears as though you really liked the 3rd Gens progression, your family situation has brought you back to the old faithful 2nd Gen TL. It's in reality the ultimate compromise, as I'm sure that the luxury ride will bring "Grandpa" back on board again, looking for some performance mods !

 

Is money an issue? If not go for a 3G. Some 2G's are 10-13 years old now and have significantly more wear and tear than an 07/08 obviously.

 

While the 3G may be newer in years, they are now entering their own cycle of maintenance getting closer to that 100k mark. It basically all depend on one's preference, as each gen has a unique personality.

The 2G have already went through the teething process, most have already had all the major issues resolved and are presently a super value. With a 3G, be prepared to lay out some additional money for the regular upcoming "wear and tear" which will make a 2G more desirable.

But, as you stated.......it's all about the initial outlay of money and personal satisfaction !

 

@ RS6 pic...

 

Yea I have both a 99 and 08. Both run great but the wear and tear on the 99 has become too visible (Paint becoming cloudy on trunk and roof), which makes it much less attractive.

As mentioned earlier, I'd go with 08 Type S. But again 08 $$$ > 2G $$$

 

So, ya got some feedback......what's your opinion on our requested feedback ????? Thank you for updating !

 

Do all 3rd Gen TLs have navi? or was it an option. I was thinking for some reason it was standard.

I'm trying to decide this very issue right now..... between having my 02TLS painted and driver's seat repaired; or trying to find a nice 3rd gen TL 6-speed manual I can afford.

 

I have the '02 TL-S. There was an '04 TL 6 speed on the market here at the Acura Dealer. Took it out for a spin.

The 04 six speed really put the power to the wheels, and it handled very well. It didn't feel as luxurious as the '02, and rode more stiffly. LOVED the shifter, smooth as silk.

Got back in mine, and used the sport shift on the way home. Not bad at all, and I really preferred the overall "feel" of my car.

I loved the manual, but decided the difference was not great enough to change cars. It didn't feel like a luxury car to me.

The 2nd gen balances luxury with sport better than the early 3rd Gen, which feels heavily biased toward a sportier ride and experience.

YMMV of course....

Mike

 

Thanks for the direct comparsion of the exact 2 cars!
I had a dealer loaner 3rd Gen TL for a day, of course it was an auto, not a 6-spd.

For having basically the same engine, the 3rd Gen TL felt a little stronger, but the drive-by-wire throttle on the 3G didn't seem as responsive as my 02TLS for some reason. I LIKED the sportier, firmer ride & seemingly better handling & sportier over feel of the 3G.

I DO NOT like the single unit combined headlight/foglight system on the 04-06 3Gs, the foglights should be down low and I like how on the 2Gs the low beams & high beams are on at the same time instead of one or the other on the early 3Gs.

The interior of the 3G had a totally different feel than the 2G, a higher sided feel, and nice, but kind of a sterile feel to it. Probably nothing I won't get accustomed to after awhile.
I'm sure the Acura 6-speed manual is almost as good as sex to drive, plus more power & sligher better gas mileage...maybe

 

ive had both, 2003 type s a-spec and 2005 6spd with nav... i probably would have kept my 2g if it was 6spd, thats pretty much the only reason why i bought a 3g and sold the 2g shortly after buying the 3g. also i think there is less problems with the 3g especially with the manual transmission. the seats in the 3g area lot more comfortable then the 2g, plus all the bells and whistles that come in the 3g is a nice upgrade from the 2g