Motohip

I noticed that in the rating thread a lot of people gave a 7 for comfort. To me that seams low. I thought about getting one because I'm sick of my 99 CL. It used to be comfortable and quiet, but that was coming from a del Sol. Now that I'm used to it, I want a more comfortable car, but I don't want to sacrifice handling. Also I want comfort, but I don't want floaty.

So in short, can you guys give me an idea of how this car is on...

Road noise
Vibration
Speed bumps
Pot holes
Expansion joints

If possible can you compare it to a first gen CL if you have driven both?

Oh, and let me know if it's a Type-S or not. I'm leaning more toward that model.

Ken1997TL

Compared to a First Gen CL...

Far less road noise

Car feels more solid

Excellent on speed bumps with minimal jostling

Pot holes are definitely smoothed over

Expansion joints are merely whispered to the driver

The steering still communicates whats going on to the driver however, but I see this as a positive.


Overall, you get a more controlled and smooth ride with less noise or vibration.

TotalyLeO

to answer your question, i just bought my new TL (2004) and the qualtiy is like no other,
Road noise i give it a 8.5
vibration?? i really don't feel that much, 9
speed bumps, no probs but rarle go over them?
pot holes really try to avoid them......
expansion joints you can feel like goping over a bridge or something'.?


thats what i have for ya....im sure you'll get a least biast opinion from the rest of the forum, this is my first Acura....

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

When my TL-S was stock, the ride was VERY comfortable. But steering was still communicative. I loved driving it so much that I used to go for late night cruises for no reason. I never did that with any of my other cars in the past.

TommiGSR

iTrader: (1)

yea when my s was stock, it was comfortable, but it felt floaty. dropped it and put some struts on there and it drives like a dream now

suj220

Damn I thought i was the only one who did that! Put some Enigma in the CD player and you got a good thinking and driving mood goin!

bmoreTLS

nothing like a late night drive and some :rh: glad i have tinted windows.

TL_S_Driver

Road noise - i'd have to give it a 9
Vibration - not really an issue so 9
Speed bumps - could be better but not bad so 8
Pot holes - i really try to avoid cause the ride irritates me so 7
Expansion joints - not sure what is meant so no comment.

mezzerTL-S

Road noise - can't hear anything over my exhaust...so 9
Vibration - vibration? get your wheels balanced
Speed bumps - stock 8... with suspension drop 6 (gotta go really slow)
Pot holes - stock 8... with suspension drop 6 (gotta really miss them)
Expansion joints - 9

Motohip

Thank you guys a lot! I didn't expect this many responses that actually answered my question. I guess TL owners are more mature than CL owners.

I felt that my CL was floaty when I bought it. Then I got Tokico coilovers and it's no longer floaty, but on big bumps I can feel them too much. Even if I go as slow as possible over speed bumps it seems really stiff. But there's a LOT more communication from the steering wheel which is a good thing.

I'm torn between the fun factor of the TSX and the ride quality of the TL-S. It's hard to decide because sometimes I just want to cruise and listen to my music at a low volume and sometimes I want carve corners with the music loud.

Again, all your posts were very helpful.

Motohip

Oh, and can you guys still hear the radio at a low volume while cruising on the freeway? Sometimes I don't like to have to turn it up too much cause it gives me a headache, but I still want to hear it over road noise.

mezzerTL-S

You're really stretching my memory now, I've had my CT exhaust on for a while now but from what I can remember the you might have to turn the radio up slightly on the highway but still at an enjoyable level.
Jeff

fsttyms1

go test drive one and see if its what you want. while its no lexus its a very good ride

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

When I first test drove a TL-S, I thought it was the quietest damn car on the planet. Then again, I came from a Chevy Tahoe and a Mitsubishi Eclipse.

As for the radio on the highway, I can still hear it even at 4 bars... and I'm going deaf from my system, too. Bottom line is that the TL-S is very quiet, comfortable cruiser that can provide a reasonable amount of fun driving with very communicative handling for a 3500+ pound FWD family sedan..... when stock. Try modded. You will be addicted.

Motohip

I'm almost convinced that....nowIwantaTSX, so about the car being quiet, that's great.


It's nothing you guys said, it's what the TSX guys said. And some even came from a Type-S. They say the TSX is really quiet too but also has a nice tight suspension. I just think I will have more fun with that car. BUT! That's only if I can afford a new one. If not I may still buy a Type-S.

fsttyms1

the TL-S is faster (alot) and has more interior room just remember that

Motohip

That's true. But maybe that's okay for me. I've never owned a fast car, so it's nothing I will miss.

Now if only the TSX had a turbo.

fsttyms1

it would probably be equil to a tl-s with header intake and pully

now imagine the tl-s with a SC

Deity711

I think the ride is pretty nice. It is not as supple as the RL I test drove before I bought my car, but it is solid, like someone said. You're going to feel the bumps more, but you're not going to hear every bolt on the car loosen up over every pothole like you would with a GM product.

I also think it depends a lot on tires. The factory Michelins that it came with gave the car a very soft ride. When I switched those (as soon as I could!) out for some Bridgestone Turanzas, the ride got a lot stiffer, but gave me the better handling that I wanted.

Mike_McCready

That makes atleast two of us. Late-night rides are so awesome. The car is so versitile, you can have an exhilerating midnight ride, or just a calm "think-shit-over" ride my TL