CincyR/T

I've been contemplating purchasing a 2003 TL/CL and am just curious whether the they are scheduled for a major overhaul or not within the near future (similar to the accord) Secondly does anyone know if the TL is ever gonna get a manual? I really want a sedan, but the 6 Speed Type S CL is so tempting. Lastly, but not all that important, is there an ETA for the Acura's to be available with XM radio? I know they now have OnStar as an option but factory XM would be sweet.....if its anything like GM's it will only be a $295 option to upgrade with XM. Thanks in advance for any and all help
CincyR/T
(Currently contemplating purchasing a TL )

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Well, you should do a search as this has been discussed many times. One thing to keep in mind is that Acura has not made any announcements about the future of either model, so everything you hear is just rumors. So far, the latest I have heard is:

- The TL will be redesigned in '03 as an '04 model. Acura will be going back to it's "regular" release schedule which means that that the '04 model will be out late '03.

- They have not announced the manual on a TL, so as of now, no manual.

- The CL will be discontinued after the 2004 model, and replaced with the TSX, a 4-door manual sedan that's only slightly bigger then the CL, but smaller then the TL. Not much is known about this, but this is the latest rumor, and if it's true it could be one main reason that the TL will not get a manual.

- Right now I believe XM radio is primarily an aftermarket item, so don't expect Acura to be adding it anytime soon. I don't think that many companies are even offering this yet.... there are some starting to (mostly domestics), but not many.

Eternal TL2k3

If ure gonna wait for the 04 model just hope that the new TL wont be built off the new 03 accord platform... thats one hella ugly looking car in my opinion

As for the TL gettin a 6speed... highly doubtful but they might throw rearwheel drive with the HP boost because acura needs to go into this realm if it wants to keep up with other entry level luxury sport sedans

once again, all rumors... edmunds and quite a few other sites have stated that 04 will definitely be a overhaul year

t-rd

There should be a major transmission overhaul for the entier Honda/Acura V6 lines.

CincyR/T

Welll I wasn't sure about XM since I know that Honda/Acura have signed up with XM as a partner to carry their service sometime in the near future. GM is all about XM b/c they own a certain percentage of the company. I've just browsed a bit here on the forum and it seems like their is a major problem with the trannies on the Type S TL's.....that's a major dissapointment if its true....especially since there is no 6 spd available on the TL

neuronbob

Actually, Honda IS an investor in XM, so I'm sure they will carry XM-compatible products at some point in the future, but as you know....no pre-announcements...

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Well, I wouldn't say that there's a major problem with the tranny's especially since the member's of this forum are the minority when it comes to TL owners. If you've read 30 tranny problems... there are 2,000 that are fine. There are no more problems with this car then with any new car as far as percentages go.....

Take GM as an example (since you mentioned them a couple of times).... http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showt...threadid=78011

CincyR/T

Well yeah..I understand that it may be only a small percentage. The only reason I mentioned GM was b/c I know they are carrying XM...believe me I will never buy from the Big 3 again...I've known to many people and seen to many GM cars (I work as an installer at a national Electronics Chain) with problems. Gm's must not even have a quality control department. I'm currently the unfortunate owner of a 1999 Neon R/T and have had quite a bit of problems with it since new(of course going in I new I was gonna need a headgasket before 40k miles) I'm currently looking into the Infinity I35 and IS300 in addition to the TL. Just something about rear wheel drive and cold snowy winters that kinda has me shying away from the Infinity or Lexus. All my coworkers drive Honda's and love em....maintence free and unlike one of the Big 3's they don't loose half their value as soon as you drive em off the lot. Thanks for the information. Just gotta decide now if the 6 speed is worth losing 2 doors and some interior space

sssick

Well the I35 is front wheel drive just like the Maxima, but that is more of a quieter, older persons car than the TL-S is. IMO.

CincyR/T

Darn it...I meant the G35----Infinity can keep the I35....bland styling and overpriced IMO

sssick

Lol...I sort of figured you meant G35.

iNteGraz92

uh, the tsx is NOT replacing the cl.
1, the tsx is a sedan
2, death of the cl is just a rumor

Eternal TL2k3

G35 is definitely a hot car... its one of the cars i was lookin at before the TL... the downside is that they cut a lotta corners on the car cuz u can see it when u look at the materials used for a lot of the car... aside from that, the steering wheels ire really great since its smaller with a really thick grip... rear wheel drive rocks and its 0-60 is in the 6.1sec range... if u want to wait, theres word that the 6speed is going to come to the sedan version (its definitely in the coupe)... the car will run u loaded around 35-36k minus the nav...

the TL has more of a solid build to it though ... very nice and sharp... hopefully it doesnt get fuked up with the overhaul...

also, u might want to look at Road & Track.com for their tests of the 11 entry level luxury cars... got some great info from braking , acceleration, handling, slalom etc.... it all depends on what u want in a car