I'm just over the 500 mile mark on my TL-S and I must say that I'm somewhat disappointed in my purchase. Before I bought my TL-S I test drove it for about 15 miles. My initial impression was very positive. However, after extensive driving over the past week my enthusiasm for the car has diminished. First off, let me point out what I like about the car.

1)Styling(inside and out)
2) Acceleration is excellent.
3)Long list of standard features.
4)Interior and trunk volume.

Here's what I'm disappointed in.

1)Handling. I think high speed handling is great when taking low degree turns. However, when I approach a 45 degree turn I find myself having to slow down considerably. The car feels bulky. I can really feel the weight of the car. I don't find it a pleasure to drive the car in a subdivision when I have to make a lot of stops and turns.

2)Ride. It's just uneventful and boring. It's certainly not cushiony. I understand you have to sacrifice ride quality for better handling. However, I'm not impressed with handling so I'm left with a rather firm riding car that handles just okay. To me the car does not have a sporty feel to it. It's just not that fun to drive.

When driving on imperfect roads I find myself having to continue to align the steering to stay on the road. If the left front tire hit's an imperfection in the road the car steers ever so slightly to the left so I have steer it back over. This is annoying since the steering is so tight. The car just doesn't hug the road as you would expect a $30K plus car would. Maybe I have a defective tire? My alignment seems perfect as long as the road is smooth.

3)Creaking sounds. I hear creaking sounds coming from the dash but can't pinpoint exactly where it's coming from. I also have a creaking sound coming from the seat belt fixture located right by my ear. I can live with these because I know they can be fixed.

All in all, I must say I'm disappointed. Maybe my expectation were too high. In my opinion, ride and handling on the TL-S are average while acceleration is exceptional. I feel like, as much as I paid for the car, everything should be exceptional. The car I had before my TL-S, was a 92 Nissan Sentra SER.

I realize that everyone on here loves their Acura's and I'm not trying to put a cloud over their purchases. I just had to vent my disappointment and just wanted to tell anyone about to purchase a TL-S or any other car to test drive, test drive and test drive before you buy.

 

My advice would be to get Comptech springs and sways. I got them on my TL, and it handles like a completely different car. Sure it sucks to have to spend another $600-900 on a brand new car, but if handling is your primary gripe about your car, the improved handling won't disappoint. However, they don't help with the creaks.

 

Sorry to hear that you are dissapointed.

Your first two concerns might be able to resolved with the CompTech springs. I am having them installed next week, and can let you know how they address your concerns. There are also many guys here that already have them who can clue you in.

I have not experienced the problem you are having with the car staying straight after hitting a pothole or bump. Maybe you do have a bad tire, tire balance, or slight alignment problem.

On the creaking, I happen to be one of the lucky ones and do not have any squeaks or creaks. (sorry )

Overall, since this is a "TL" haven, we tend to extole the virtues of our cars to the point where they become myths or legends (no pun intended ). They are all not perfect, but the pros and the cons seem to get magnified here, as we are all pretty much passionate about our cars (or we wouldn't be spending time on-line writing about them).

Hopefully, you can get the problems fixed and/or add a few mods and get re-energized about the car.

Hang in there.....

:-jon



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02 TL-S NAV w/Spoiler, Body Kit and Bowling Ball Wheel!
01 TOYOTA MR-2 Yellow
98 MAZDA B4000 4-DR PickUp

 

Jon,
I would like to know how you like the new springs after you've had it installed. Also please let me know if this makes the ride little smoother.

I agree with steveb regarding the ride comfort. They had a big over sight in not having a ajustable tour/sport suspension.

 

sorry to hear that...just take it out and race it....it'll make you feel alot better

 

To "Disappointed in my TL-S" ..

I know the feeling of just having spent $34K on a car and nearly regretting the decision. Can I ask what your alternative choices were, or did you just get caught up in the hype over the TL Type S? Did you test drive the CL-S extensively to perhaps measure the performance and handling characteristics? I think for what you were looking for in the type S -- the IS300 is the car for you -- minus the acceleration, it probably has everything you wanted in a car for this price range. And honestly, the only virtue the TL Type S has over any other car in its "league" is the power and straight-line acceleration. Acura boasts that the TL-S has performance qualities that'll enthrall ANY true car enthusiasts -- B.S. But.. BUT... $31,710 for a car that outperforms the ES300, the I30, and other near-luxury boats that people may consider for under $35K ..

 

Sup Dude,

I feel for you man I think it's because your putting out 34k for a car and expected alot from it. Since your putting out 14 extra k to buy a luxury instead of a mid size seadan you want it to feel 10 times better Still, maybe you haven't gotten alot of complaments. I say break it to the 1000 miles cause I have it and feels a little better. Here try this, go out and test dive 20k cars and than drive your car Also I'm waiting for my comptech springs. I'll tell you if you get better handling but you lose a little luxury for handlings

Mr.T

 

Sorry your experience is not up to your expectations. My new TL-S is everything I'd hoped for. The suspension is firmer than I thought it would be too, but not in a bad way. Try a mountain road with lots of sweepers. The car doesn't lean at all and sticks like glue. Your confidence will be restored.

I'd take the car into the dealer for the sounds in your dash and the stability issue. My car tracks very well and the only sound is the melodious engine sound.

Maybe this will help your experience. Perhaps you should have gotten the cushier TL instead of the S. It really is more hard edged sports sedan than cruiser.

Regards
-w

 

Steve,

I picked mine up yesterday and it was pouring rain so I really didn't get a chance to drive it. I put about 100 miles on it today and haven't had any of the experiences you have.

It tracks like it's on rails even over the rough (and I do mean rough) roads of NJ. It's more responsive on turns and sweepers than I had expected, amazing since it's replacing a M-B C36 AMG. It sounds like you and I may have been looking for different handling experiences though. After the spine jarring firmness of the C36, I wanted a car than handled well but was more forgiving for everyday driving. In that regard, as I said, the TL-S's handling was a pleasant suprise. And compared to the C36, it's suspension tuning is incredibly forgiving over bad roads for the level of handling delivered.

Fit and finish is flawless - not a single rattle or squeak. Even the exhaust pipes are even.

It sounds like your car may have an alignment problem or some other type of suspension issue. I'd take a dealer demo out and drive it under similar conditions to see if it handles the same way.

If it makes you feel any better, my MDX took a while to "settle in". Initially, it too had creaks, rattles, and strange noises which all went away by themselves in the first month.

I hope it works out for you dude.

 

It would be nice to be able to test drive a TL-S with Comptech springs before I went that route. All in all, I'm satisfied with my TL-S. Just didn't quite live up to my high expectations.

 

Jon, I think you hit the nail on the head. I've been following this forum for several months now and my expectations of the TL-S kept growing and growing. I've been anticipating this car since I heard of it nearly 6 months ago. I don't think any car would live up to those unrealistic expectations.

Please let me know how those CompTech springs turn out.

Thanks!

 

I can't do that yet because it still needs to be broken in.: ) Only 550 miles on it.

 

Steveb,
I completely agree with you on all of your dislikes... Just know that isn't in the TL-S only... I traded my '99 QX4 for a '99 TL and I was severely disappointed in the total package... Yes the car is fast and stylish, but it has a real feel of cheapness to it... More like you are paying for speed and not luxury... My QX4 rode 10x's better that my TL but it wasn't as fast... I guess if you want both, get a 5 series BMW...

------------------
99 Laguna Green TL
Factory spoiler
Factory wind deflector
Burlwood shift
35% Tint
18" Chrome

 

I was seriously considering a BMW 325 but I was disappointed in the power. I thought for $32K a car should have more than 187HP. It felt sluggish with the automatic. I also didn't care much for the plain interior. The 330 addressed the power issue but still had the plain interior. I also didn't think the $40K plus price tag on the 330 was a good value. However, handling was second to none on the 3 series with sports package.

I test drove the IS 300 and was pleased with handling and price. However, I didn't fall in love with the styling. If I had to choose between the Bimmer and IS 300 I would have gone with the Bimmer simply because it sets the standard in that class.

I'm sure if I would have went with the Bimmer I would have noticed some short comings too. I think there's tradeoffs you make on any car you buy. Despite the TL-S shortcomings I mentioned above I still believe it's a good overall value. My expectation were unrealistic that's why I was somewhat disappointed.

 

Well... comment box here... Right now my TL-S has just over 900 miles on it, and I was driving at this place where it has 3 lanes and it's like a second gear chicane, so I took the car at about 70% of how I normally did it with my old GS-R. I was very surprised with the tracking of the car, it handling is certainly not bad at all, with, I believe, just a bit of back end sliding out but the VSA corrected it, or i must had been corrected by indicing oversteer to overcome the plow of a normal FF car. The only thing I do concern is the factory tires that come with the car... I believe with another set of wheel/tire package should greatly improve this problem.
BTW, I notice the right muffler is kinda lower than the left too... just FYI...

 

3 things:

1) comptech springs:
Handles a little bit better, slightly more aggressive profile, and rides
very close to stock.

2) tires:
45 series, summer tires will drastically improve handling and body roll.
More so than springs.

3) get to know your car:
It may feel heavy and boaty (because it is). But, you just need to
learn how to find it's limit. Most car's limits are much higher than
people know. 2 drivers at sears point enlightened me to this. They
were running class 'b' on the road course in 2 rented Lincoln town cars,
each had 4 passengers. It really was a thing of amazement, watching
two big black boats screaming around the course with for helmets
inside bobbing back and forth.

 

I had high expectations too of the TL-S. That's why I have not bought one yet. It needs to be lighter and come with a 6 speed manual.

 

No car is customized for your taste.
Did you read the label "MODS NOT INCLUDED"?
I hope what you are looking for has nothing to do with the size of the car. That's something that can't be changed.