Looking for second opinions on TL vs. TL-S. Drove each, back-to-back, twice. First time, went to dealer alone; drove each car - FAST. TL-S was clear winner. Second time, went with wife; drove each car - NOT SO FAST. TL was clear winner. Uh-oh.
Driving the TL-S second time on local roads, the ride was very "nervous";I felt a disturbing vibration in my gut as tires went over pavement; wife felt it worse in back seat - said it was a jiggling feeling - making her nauseous. We agreed the ride quality for a car in this class was poor.
My dilemma: I didn't notice this problem the first time I drove the TL-S.
Could the difference have been something like wrong balance or air pressure of second car's tires, or is the TL-s really a pukemobile, and I just missed it on the first drive because I was having too much fun on the gas? I really would like to hear from others who have driven both cars, rather than spend my life on test drives. If you own a TL-S, do you really need to keep a supply of barf bags in the back seat?

 

cfreger--
i went through the same dilema as you. my major initial concern with the TLS was that it would have a poor ride quality due to its sport tuned suspension (yeah right, i need comptech springs badly). as a passenger i seriously feel no difference between both cars either in the front seat or back. the TLS actually has better front seats (at least IMO) because they are bucketed more. as a driver i do feel that the TL-S is a bit harsher in the ride department. for comparison i'm coming off of a 97 Maxima GLE which has a very soft ride. also for some reason many people have noticed that their tires are inflated to 42 psi. normal inflation as stated by the manual and on the sticker in the doorjam is 32-34. acura could have truly made the TLS a sport sedan by putting on wider tires, sportier suspension, better weight distrubution etc. but they chose not to in order to preserve ride quality/low cabin sound etc. so it could still considered to be a luxury sedan. the way i see it is that for about $1800-2200 i can get a one time performence upgrade with no comprimise on fuel economy and features. the TLS acutally has more features than the TL and is well worth the extra money. as money magazines have stated, the TLS only increases the price/performence ratio and makes the TL a true performence luxury sedan. it can now hang with the likes of the IS300, bimmer 3 class. if you're going to pay 28k you might as well spend a bit more and get the icing on the cake .

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2002 TL Type-S
Satin Silver, Ebony Interior w/out nav

 

Yep... if I had the choice, I would pick the TL-S in a heartbeat... and get the navi... We don't have the navi as option in Canada...

 

I recently test drove a TL-S. Nice but with the mods I've done to my TL, mine handles waaay better and I would bet money I can smoke it.

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<A HREF="http://www.natestl.com/images/sigs/big/sig5big.jpg" TARGET=_blank> </A>
www.NatesTL.com 2001 Silver TL (non-navi), 19x8.0 +47 Alstadt IVs w/ Yokohama AVS Sport 235/35ZR19, SuperCrystal lug nuts, Inspire wood steering wheel & tails, 2 burlwood dash kits & shift knob, TL-S AC trim, Polarg M12 front signals, Alumapro BP-10 sub & ZX400TI Phoenix Gold amp, Python 1500 ESP (remote start, all windows up & down, sunroof closes, prox, etc), blue alarm LEDs, factory spoiler & body kit, Mugen grill, black chrome emblems, Solaris 9005 high beams, AEM short ram intake, Comptech sways, springs & exhaust, Apex'i V-AFC with custom install, all season mats, Polarg dome & map lights, crossdrilled rotors, Axxis Metal Master brake pads.

Not installed yet: Denso iridium spark plugs.
Arriving someday: Comptech headers.
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"Deadly to the eyes, worth seeing."

 

Thanks for the input, but I'm still confused. Does the TL-S ride nervous, edgy, and stiff (to the point of nausea) at low sppeds on local roads, or was there something wrong with the second car's set-up?

 

Any car with a sport tuned suspension is going to ride harder over irregular roads. Go drive a BMW 330 with and without the sport package and you'll notice a huge difference in the way they absorb road impacts. The trade-off for giving up a cushier feeling ride is better handling. I have a TL-S and nobody has complained about the ride being too harsh and certainly no one has been nautious.
From the tone and context of your post, it sounds like you'd be happier in the long run with a TL.

 

So far, no one has complained of nausea. Hysteria perhaps, centrifugal force effects,gravitational pull, etc., but no nausea.

Go figure.