Whats with the rear seat not folding down? This kind of stuff in a car like this seems totally retarded it is embarrasing in front of other people..it is assumed they fold down in a 32K car...I can't believe they bolted it down and destroyed all that functionality...what a bunch of brainless Acura designers

was trying to get a snowboard through that pass and it would not fit...

 

its mainly the safety issue...
during the accident the seat might fly out
thats why they dont come with folding options

 

And I thought it was because it stiffened the frame of the car. Having just come from a 98 Accord EXV6, you can feel much more stiffness in the body. At first I was dissapointed that it didnt fold down, but now I am pleased- it does cut down on the rattles and squeaks in the rear.
If you are dissapointed that a 32K car doesnt have fold down seats, then my girlfriend should be livid that her Mercedes S430 doesnt fold down, and thats 75K!
I drove that car cross country with her a month ago, the TLS is better at handling, riding, and pep. I only thought that the S430's brakes were firmer.

 

Acura has a stiffer frame, unlike accord V6. Beacuse of the stiffer frame seats have to be 'locked in place'

 

Yep, I believe there's an X-brace behind the rear seat back to stiffen the chassis.

I don't miss the fold-down feature at all! I don't lug large items in the car anyway; that's when you get a U-Haul truck.

 

actually, the two are identical! not sure why they do it, but even the european rides are non-folding (but you can buy the option for $500! ). i think it's more of a lifestyle thing...rich people do not load crap into their trunks that require folding down the seats. at most, maybe a set of clubs or skis...hence the trap door.

 

I think the fold down seats made the car rattle even more... IMO
As it does in my brothers MAX

 

structure is the same reason Lexus said it doesn't fold in the is300.

 

I wish the TLS had fold down seats. The fold down makes it much easier to bring home long items from Home Depot or even a Christmas tree. I guess this is my new excuse to have a TLS and a Toyota Tacoma Pre Runner SR5 V6 with TRD package

 

I can verify this 100%. When I visited my car at the body shop, they had to rip the seats apart as well as everthing else that was in the inerior. There is in fact an X-brace there when I looked inside, and there is noway anyone can put on a rear-upper strut bar without having to remove the rear headrest...so in other words, you cant.

 

Okay...thanks for the info, its good to know that there is a reason for this after all

 

You are correct. It has nothing to do with safety. If fold down rear seats were dangerous, then the majority of the cars on the road would be dangerous.

 

Fortunately I still have my Accord, so if I want to fold down the seat for something, I leave the TL @ home. I would not want to put wood or something in my TL, that might damage the interior. In fact, as Daverman said, a delivery vehicle is preferable.

 

I personally would prefer to have fold-down rear seats!

As one of you stated, it is great for bringing something back from Home Depot(sliding-door blinds for example), a set of shop-lights, a small piece of furniture like a $15 bookcase from WalMart...you get my drift.

And I will never, ever tie anything to the top of my car again! Scratched the hell out of my paint(my Mazda 626 that is)!!!

 

same here, I too would like to have the fold down availability...is it possible to make it a fold down??

 

Read above. There is a X brace behind the seats. It won't work.

 

I thought this option was a waste in my accord and bimmer. I think the little fold down arm rest is enough, plus I can haul my ski's, still w/ people sitting in the back....

 

hmm...the thing is...I've seen it taken off before....since it can be taken off... wouldn't it make sense that we can make it 'foldable'?!... just a thought..