tea elle

1. The clear "inspire" tail lights look "vacant" to me. They look like something's missing from the lens assembly. What the hell is so aesthetically exciting about clear lenses?

2. The dash is still cheap, soft, scratchable plastic crap that doesn't come close to what it used to be (i.e. in the Legend)

3. If you're 6 feet tall or more, the seats still don't go back far enough and force you to recline the seat back portion too too much to be able to reach the stearing wheel without effort.

4. The Acura logo on the grill is way too big. Even if I do get used to the Impala-esque new big grill/headlight design, the front end looks really cheap.

5. Fog lights????? Yeah right! Who are they kidding?

6. The seats are still lame, thin leather with a weak seat bottom.

7. Need I continue?

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2001 TL Silver w/ Black Leather
CL-S Wheels w/Pilots
Alpine CD Changer
Burlwood Shift Knob

acuraguynj

Tea elle, maybe you're just pissed that you have a recent 2001 model and could have waited just a little bit more to get the TLS coming out now? ;-)

I have a 99 TL and I have to say the TL S is a great step above the base models we both have. I do have to admit, I am interested in seeing what the next generation Lexus ES300 and RX300 are going to look like. Lexus is a great name, but I don't think it will be as aggressive than the TLS, since they have the IS300 for that and the ES300 is for more older folks like me (27)

chiawei

Saw the TL-S as well.

Still can't stand the frog eye and grill.



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2000-Laguna Gree TL
2001-Solar Yellow IS300
2001-Titanium Silver 530i

Guest

I disagree with every point tea elle makes. I'll bet the new-gen ES300 will be the same mild-mannered float-mobile it's always been. A good car for sure, but nothing in the way of motoring excitement. To each his own.

2K2SilverTL-S

I'm getting sick of all the 99-01 TL owners complaining about what they dont like about the TL-S. It's basically the same car, with better handling, suspension, power, and seats. Multiple posts about what you dont like about the TL-S is totally unnecessary considering you pretty much have the same car.

2K2SilverTL-S

And another thing, the openings underneath the fog lights on the TL-S are sweet!

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

Tea time...

You also forget the new ES300 will go for about 34K and did you forget that you pay for EVERY option at Lexus -- hell, they make you pay for a glove box last I checked. (In case you're ignorant, i'm just "joking", but I make my point).

I'm sorry -- as soon as the demand for the TL Type S dies down a bit, and when people start buying it for about 29K/30K, it'll be a steal compared to the Toyota ES300. True, the IS300 is the real comparison here, but I have also suggested that the Gs300 is another comparison -- in both cases, the TL Type S WHOMPS both cars in every performance rating and ability.

Oh... that's right, and about your "cheesy" non-scratch proof dash -- wow, you're really insecure with car or ashamed -- who gives a --- about the dash -- I didn't mind it at all. In fact, you wanna know what I don't like about your Toyota?

1. WEAK!! Are you sure there IS 210 hp under the hood, cuz it feels like the old 188hp '94 I used to have..

2. Hmmm, convenience features such as steering controls are nice, but your Toyota doesn't have that -- but now you're gunna say that steering controls aren't necessary or practical ... typical rebuttal

3. 205 tires --- all season NON-performance. Pleeeez

4. No-sequential sport-shift or 5-speed auto-- only 4-speed automatic .. hmm.. sniff sniff... smells like a Camry. At least Acura does a better job of distinguishing the Acura line-up from the Honda line-up...

5. Options catering to the financially insecure -- such as the "prestigious" Coach edition -- people who couldn't front the dough for the GS or LS series just thought they're make their Camry "super nice"

6. Too much lateral sway in corning -- very "buick"-esque ride. Hestitates immediately when you pound on the accelerator -- very little passing power.

7. Ummm.. the ES300 Euro lights are pretty darn close to the TL Type S .. so I have no clue what you're smokin' there.

8. No frames around the windows -- wind noise anybody? ES300 owners have been complaining about this one for years, Einstein. And, rain gets into them when combined with crosswinds.

9. No memory seating -- hmm, maybe next year

10. I've made my point and I'd rather do something else -- like peel potatos or something.

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2002 TL Type S
White Diamond Pearl
Parchment

Guest

Peter Peter Peter.
You MUST be a dealer.

oracion

I agree with PeterUbers. If you add those options to the ES, the price jumps sharply. Not to mention its higher MSRP.

Hey, Tea. Maybe you should trade-in your 2001 TL for the ES.

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by oracion on March 16, 2001 @ ]</font>

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by oracion on March 16, 2001 @ ]</font>

melson

Peter,

I agree with you 110% I am picking up my
2002 WDP Type S Monday.

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Guest

Peter - you go man. You show them ... Nevertheless, I'll wait for the ES2002 to come out to make my move - I want to see what they will offer (even though I'm pretty sure it will be nothing like TL-S). Also by that time the price on the TL-S should drop somewhat (paying MSRP just does not feel right).
BTW you picked the best color avail. - WDP - I just wish they would allow Ebony interior with that color.

tea elle

I thank you all for indulging what is obviously my profound DISAPPOINTMENT that I leased a 2001TL in mid October and started hearing about 2002TL-S in DECEMBER!!!

I'm obviously very pissed off that I'm in a 2001 and I've just been kind of ruffling feathers here to get some reactions from you guys. Believe me, I would love to have a TL-S, but I do want to see if Lexus finally comes around and puts some balls into the ES300. My fiance wants my 01TL, so by August I'll be able to get what I want...whatever that may be.

Seriously though...thanks for letting me express my frustration. And it was fun getting reactions from you all. I'm a fourth time Acura owner...that should tell you something.

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2001 TL Silver w/ Black Leather
CL-S Wheels w/Pilots
Alpine CD Changer
Burlwood Shift Knob

Guest

My mother-in-law has an ES300.
It's perfect for her.
'Nuff said.

doopstr

I wouldn't expect ES300 to get sporty. That's what the IS300 is for. They are not going to have two sporty 4 doors in the same price range. The ES300 will remain cushy to keep the same kind of customers that they already have..

The TL already had a flair of sport so Type S was obvious evolution, especially since CL Type S was already in place.

Don't be disappointed when the ES300 still drives like a sled.

ClawingTiger

PeterU:

Well said.

BTW, my mother-in-law also has a 2000 ES300 champagne......ughhhhhhh!!!!!

dcdomain

Pssh you guys think the TL Type-S is perfect!? Hell NO! WTF isn't Anthracite Metallic available for the Type-S? WHY OH WHY???

Hopefully by November, if enough people ***** and moan about it, they'll add the color to the Type-S. =)

FlyingPig

Paying MSRP ($1500) more than what you may get in september isn't right?
$1500 for 6 month is very cheap.

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

I have NO clue what people are talkin' about when they mention the "cheesy" interior of the TL-S.

I've been poundin' on my dash, purposely hittin' some snow filled potholes and all I can say is .. SOLID. I've been messin' w/ the 6-disc changer, and that can be a little cumbersome to use at times, but that's probably cuz i'm busy killing some punk in his domestic 3800 Series I or II.

Handles GREAT in the snow. I love it. My '94 ES300 without any sort of traction system just kinda doggie paddled in the snow until i gained some momentum or the wind helped out some... VSC is great, suspension makes for a very horizontal ride (i.e. no sway in turns), and the traction control is quick and persistant.

The ES300 is really geared towards a different breed of clientelle. However, the better comparison is between the ES300 and the overpriced, underperforming GS300. I dunno, but there really isn't a car in the TOyota .. i mean lexus.. i mean toyota lineup that is in the TL-S weightclass. I heard a rumor that the TRD (toyota racing division) was gunna blend some of its technology into the ES300 (2003/4) and offer a sport edition -- but that would leave lexus with THREE sport sedans under 45K .. and that's poor marketing strategy.

As for the four time Acura owner gettin' a reaction outta me .. ehhh.. whatever floats yer boat. Now that the TL-S is in the garage , I am 130% confident in the decision i made to go with this over the new ES300 .. I mean Camry .. i mean.. well, you understand.

Peace

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2002 TL Type S
White Diamond Pearl
Parchment

bebber

I think that anyone who owns a current TL and picks at every little issue of the TL-S is just living out Aesop's Fables. Bitter grapes anyone?

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'01 TL with Navi
Naples Gold Metallic
Wings West custom 2-leg spoiler wing
Solar Gard Titanium Tint 43 all around.
Acura logo tire valve stem caps.

tea elle

No question about it...I am bitter and I am pissed off. I WANT A TL-S DAMMIT!!!!



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2001 TL Silver w/ Black Leather
CL-S Wheels w/Pilots
Alpine CD Changer
Burlwood Shift Knob

Edward'TLS

That sounds like a good idea. Wait for the new ES3x0 (may be more than 3.0 liters) when the 2002 TL-S is out. Wait for the 2003 or 2004 TL-S when the ES3x0 is out. Wait and wait, and end up keeping the current car for ever. This is what people will do if they are not planning to buy new cars. They just criticise and complain about every little details to make themselves feel good.

Guest

Recent model (2000, 2001) TL owners should proceed with caution. Sure you guys may feel pissed off about the new snazzy offering from Acura and some may even be impulsive enough to trade/sell their "old" TL for the new "S". However, imagine how pissed you will then be after (1)having probably paid top $ for your existing car and then (2)taking a soaking when you sell/trade it after only a year or more so that (3)you can now pay top $ for the "S" only to find that (4)next year's base model has the features of the S along with new styling (just my guess).

Expert manipulation by the automotive industry.

------------------
Doug Silver
2000 TL
1995 Vette
Los Angeles, CA

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

I don't think it's expert manipulation on behalf of Acura as much as it's profound ignorance of any '00 or '01 TL owners -- or perhaps, as it's been mentioned before .. you got money to burn!

I had a '94 ES300 -- and yup, guess what, between 2002 (model year that is) and 1997 when I bought it, there were 2 significant model changes -- one going from the 188hp to 200 even, and then 210. Um, I didn't go trade-in my '94 for it -- I loved the new look too!

------------------
2002 TL Type S
White Diamond Pearl
Parchment

ClawingTiger

Dammit tea elle,

Be a man already, and trade in that "obsolete" '01 TL for the "new and improved" '02 TL-S !!!

So what if the dealer burns ya and you take a loss? Seems like everyone here's either retired or spendind the parents' money... money to burn, yeah!

GO FOR THE NEW TL-S, NOW!!!

QUIETSTORMMVN_IN

I would have traded my TL in, if they offered the the TLs in FPR or yellow! And they don't, so i'm happy with my 00'. Besides there is always going to be a car better than yours, you just have to give yours that special distinction. I also can think of a million ways to spend my money instead of buying a new car every other year

------------------
2000 Fire Pepper Red/ebony TL, non-navi. factory spoiler, std chrome wheels, 35% tint, comptech exhaust, wood trim kit...
Quiets ride

hunter001

If the TL-s came as a Sport-Wagon (like the BMW 5-series Sport-Wagon), with the VTM-4 All-wheel-drive system, I would trade my current TL up in a second....otherwise, I am perfectly happy with the current setup.

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2000 Naples Gold 3.2TL/Navi - Factory Stock but with up-graded tires

tea elle

I'm gonna take a pass on trading up. Drove the TL-S and now I realize it is definitely not worth the upgrade. I wish this thread would go away...but it just won't die.



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2001 TL Silver w/ Black Leather
CL-S Wheels w/Pilots
Alpine CD Changer
Burlwood Shift Knob

tea elle

weren't the side airbags new in 2001 also?



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2001 TL Silver w/ Black Leather
CL-S Wheels w/Pilots
Alpine CD Changer
Burlwood Shift Knob

AcidHorse

With all these references to the next generation ES300, where have you guys dug up any info on it?

doopstr

No, the 2000 got them. That was after Acura told us that the 1999 was built so well that it didn't need them.

tea elle

Classic!



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2001 TL Silver w/ Black Leather
CL-S Wheels w/Pilots
Alpine CD Changer
Burlwood Shift Knob

hunter001

Sorry ! The only difference between the 2000 and the 2001 TLs were the addition of a Trunk release handle in the 2001 and Standard Floor Mats (every single 2000 TL that was sold at my dealership had the floormats and wheellocks thrown in for free, so this was never an issue).

I smelled a rat, when I found the 2001s were a literal clone of the 2000 TLs....especially since some of the features that were readily available in the 2001 CLs (that came out months back), were missing in the 2001 TL....



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2000 Naples Gold 3.2TL/Navi - Factory Stock but with up-graded tires

FlyingPig

When they added just floormats and emergency trunk release in '01, you should know something is up.
However, not everyone wants to wait.
There is nothing wrong with 2001 TL. In fact, one of my colleague was very happy to pick one up 2 week ago at invoice.
ES300 is a great car. I like the look of ES300 more. It's got beautiful paint that no Acura can match. I was very happy driving it until I hit the twisties. That's when I wish I was in a civic.

Tag66

Chances of this thread dieing are slim, Tea.. This happens to be the TL-S forum.

Guest

Lexus sucks.

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My very own "Honda Inspire"

FlyingPig

No, they were std as of 2000.

FlyingPig

Hey, Lexus happens to be my favorite brand.
However, if I want to buy a lexus, I'd rather get LS430. ES300 is bad value........

bebber

Hey, don't forget that the 2001 TL and newer also get's the cup holders that actually work. There's a feature they never tell you at the dealer.

14.9

If you own a 2000+ TL non Type-S, WHY WOULDNT YOU WANT A TYPE-S?? Its the higher model, its faster and thats really all that matters.....SPEED!!!!!!!!!!!

AC

Dude, why do you keep calling the Lexus ES300 a Toyota? Wouldn't that be the same as calling our TL a Honda? Also, they offered Coach edition on the LS as well. I don't know what's up with whatshisname, but I like my TL just the way it is. Also, regarding our cheezy plastic feel wood, etc. WTF do you expect, it is plastic.