Hi everybody!
This is my "official" post #1.
I'm shopping for a new car in the so-called "entry level luxury" range. I came accross the TL after a couple of cross-brand comparisons, and it's almost like it seems too good to be true. (lots of features for the money)
I've been to a dealer last week to check out the car, since I've never even sit in one ... (don't shoot!...)
Here are some questions that came up after the visit.
- does the the TL have 'drive-by-wire' like the S60 or the X-type - I hope not
- does the transmission have the "adaptive" function - learns how you drive 90% of time - than you're stuck with it until some ecu/software upgrade...
- how old is this generation of the TL? I know the S-type came out last spring. How about the base TL?
- Does the Acura model year tipically start in the fall? I mean is the 2002TL a "very new" car or that was launched in the spring too?
The reason I'm asking is that I'd probably not get any kind of "deals" early in the model year.
I'd have a lot more questions, but I think that'd be enough for now.

Thanks in advance,
BigBird

 

don't know what that is....

 

"drive-by-wire" is when you don't have a wire... ...go figure...
A push on the acceleration pedal commands some software to set the amount of gas/acceleration. There's no "wire" (direct mechanical link) between the gas pedal and the engine.
It looks like some car companies outsourced this software to Microsoft, though .
Lots of bugs, hesitation, slow response, surging, etc.

The same goes for the "adaptive" transmission...

BigBird

 

No
Yes & No. The computer constantly updates to your driving style and reprograms itself. You are never stuck with it..
1999 was first year. Type S came out in March 2001 as a 2002 along with new fascia & other items for TL-P.
Yes, usually in the fall. For some reason the 2002 was released in march, probably to get a jump on the competition (my guess) as well as to run the production at least 1-1/2 years prior to any more significant changes (again, my opinion)
Maybe, but with the recession, etc. many of us did very well. Consider also that most dealers over the past few years gave very few deals on TL's. They sold them anyway.

 

Thanks for the very useful info rockinTLS!

How do you find the shifter? My car will be driven mostly in heavy traffic (anybody from Toronto - you know what I mean ) by my wife, but I'd still like to drive it sometimes ...

Is it "adaptive" in a sense that it selects from a couple of predefined shift-patterns based on the driver's current input, or it "learns" the driver's style once and for all?

I know the S60 has the "learn" system, and it's not only a PITA to reset (go to the dealer) but it always requires update downloads to fix bugs...

Thanks,
BigBird

 

" My car will be driven mostly in heavy traffic (anybody from Toronto - you know what I mean ) by my wife, but I'd still like to drive it sometimes ... "

Yeah, we planned the same thing when we got ours in May 01, for the wife....

She continues to drive our minivan while i continue to test the TL to ensure it's in good condition.....

 

alrite, I hate to say this... but if you live in Toronto, I had say that you stay away from Acura.........

I personally have dealt with Downtown Acura, and Acura of NorthToronto....... TRUST ME THEIR SERVICE SUCK!!!

Heard good thinga and some bad things about Acura Sherway, too.

In gerernal, Acura Canada Customer relation doesn't help you when you have trouble with the dealers..... So, this is my VERY HONEST opinion, don't buy an Acura, in Toronto...

And trust me, I am NOT an isolated cases............

If you want to know the details, let me know.....

 

Oh forgot to say that the price is far from "too good to be true"

The car is build in the states, it shares platform with the Accord, CL. It's really half ture leather, half leatherette. I don't know what you are comparing to, but I think you get exactly what you paid for.... Oh, and the plastic wood trim looks cheesy, too.......

Just be aware of what you are getting...... It's your money, spend it the way you want it and I will wish the best of you.

But, just take the serivce and quality into consideration...

 

I'm not sure how the Acura adaptive works but I can say its much better than the Saturn it replaced. That car was tuned to my wife and it never quite shifted right when I drove it.

The TL shifts perfect for me and her. It seems to always be in the right gear and when its not you don't have to give it too much gas to drop down. Great tranny.

One negative that still bothers me is that the Traction Control is lame. It only operates the brakes and does not do fuel cutoff. So if you are on ice and you gun the gas your wheels will spin. The Saturn it replaced had great traction control. It had fuel cutoff.

Be sure to check out the NAVI, its worth the look. We only use it a few times a month but we are glad we got it. Its great for taking long drives to places you have no idea how to get to.

 

I don't think any "entry level luxury" car has full leather anymore .
Most manufacturers just call it "leather seating surfaces", hoping people will not realize the difference. I'll be missing my 93 MaximaSE's seats .

I was comparing the TL to the Volvo S60 2.4T, Jag X-type, and C-class.
All of these are way more expensive for the same equipment level.
The Volvo has a (big) problem with the software, and there's not much info on the X yet, but it's a brand with a "spotty" reliability - it has real wood though .

Like I sad, I have a 93 MaximaSE, but I would't buy a new Maxima just because it's soooo butt-ugly.... IMHO, and sevice (in Newmarket - at least) sucks big time.

For the TL, I visited Sterne Acura in Aurora. The sales guy seemed OK.

BigBird

 

It's good the transmission is smart to "readapt". It would be even better if it would be manual .



I never had TCS, that would not bother me too much.

Unfortunately, we dont get Navi in Canada . I did hear that Acura has one of the best Navi's out there, though.

Thanks,
BigBird

 

Well basically those guys at Sterne Acura told me to take the Go Bus back to Toronto........ WTF........... so I had to wait 5 hours for service. Because they don't give loaner to anyone under 25. That's just insane, I mean loaner car should be part of the service especally that I am taking it in for something more then just an oil change.

Now, within your price range, I do believe that other cars have better quality materials, and as to the reliability I don't think they are any worse then Acura...

I have test drove the S60 T5, the gearbox is okay, and the steering is too light for my taste. Not as fast as I expected, but the car was new, maybe that's why.

I think the S60 is one of the BEST choice on your list. It's superultra SAFE!!! the seat is comfortable, and I personally like it a lot, but I think their automatic tranny is from GM... If I am not mistaken

The X-type got ford parts, and I don't think that's a good thing, although they got AWD, which can be a big plus during the winter here.

The C-class, I don't like it all that much. The layout and everything is okay, except the small tacho. The problem I have with that car is that the door felt so light that when you slam it shut, it feel cheesy even compared to the TL...


Again, I am not trying to tell you what to buy or anything, but buying a car is a big decision, and I obviously hope that you get something that you will be happy with. You will get possitive things on the board most of the time, but I must say that the case in the GTA area is really different. I mean the service really pissed me off.