I'm one of the few 1st gen owners on this site. I got a 97 3.2 TL when they came out. I chose it over an ES300 and A4quatro. I spent close to $34k back then! I noticed that the newer TL's are not as expensive and are advertised around $28k here in KC.

Why are the newer ones less expensive than the 1st gen TL? I wouldnt imagine the fact that the 1st gen being built in Japan would make a BIG difference. Especially considering that there are more features for the newer ones, like NAV and Sportshift that wasnt available back in my days. I was just wondering where Acura did some serious corner cutting with the TL to accomodate the new features and technology.

BTW, what's the general opinion of the 1st gen TL with everybody here? It's styling is more conservative than the 2nd gen... very similar to the RL at the time.

 

I think it has to do with some missing features (memory seats, thicker metal, larger tires) and now assembled in USA.

I am sure someone here has some more info.

 

I like the 97 TL over a 97 RL because the RL's headlights look a lot plainer than the TL's. The open crystalized headlight look portrays more of a classy and luxurious impression. Plus the RL's stock wheels are kinda plain IMO. I love the 1st Gen TL's. That's why I bought one.

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HID Headlights
PIAA 1400X Platinum Series Fogs
Alpine Deck
Punch 800 Amplifier Obcon Prefab Box w/Fosgate HX2 subs
Infiniti Tweets

 

Mine doesnt have memory seats. I only have 8 way power, 4 way power for the passenger side. Memory seats wouldve been nice though.

 

on the same topic, why are legeds, more expensive than 1st gen. TL's? demand??????

 

I can think of a few reasons:

a) Built in Japan vs built in US. Acura would be saving a lot in import tariffs which could go upto about 25% in case of Japan vs 5-10% in case of an import from the European Union.

b) Lesser padding between invoice price and MSRP. The previous generation had a lot more padding between the Invoice price and MSRP.

c) Design and development also shifted to the US, which again leads to a BIG SAVING.

d) Sharing of a lot of parts with the Accord, which is where the main chunk of the saving is coming from - more than any of the other reasons, mentioned above. This is a double edged sword since from the positive angle, we can get quite a few replacement parts (the ones shared with the Accord) at lot cheaper prices and also get time tested componentry; while from a negative angle, detractors would term the TL an Accord offshoot.



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

 

yeah, the new TLs are made in the US which is a difference about $3000.00 because of labor, shipping and handling, etc. That's the main reason.

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2000 Red Hot TL w/o nav
Burlwood Trim and Shift Knob
Wood Trim Set
Gutter Guard Grill
Photos Of My RED HOT TL
I DON'T HAVE A LIFE

 

Yup, our newer Acura's aren't produced in JLand anymore!!! which is good because it's cheaper but yet bad IMO, because it's not the real deal JLand craftsmanship. At least OEM parts are cheaper!!

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tann@808-'00 TL
non-Navi(Doesn't work in Hawaii)

Factory body kit & Wing, 19" Racing Hart C-5's,
Nitto 555's, CompTech Springs, CompTech Exhaust,
CompTech Headers, Inspire Taillights, NOS(70 shot),
AEM CAI, Alpine 8080, TL rear door handles in front,
Apexi v-afc, 5% + 30% tints,30% front windshield.
tann@pixi.com

 

Are there ANY Acura's that are built in Japan anymore? I couldve sworn that the RL was built there... I also assumed that all Acuras were at least DESIGNED in Japan... I guess I'm wrong?

If so, that's too bad. I'm very impressed with the build of my TL. I've had no rattles, squeaks or whatever yet. <knock on burlwood>

Here's the question of the day then: Would you guys have paid the extra $3000-$5000 if your new 2nd gen TL's were built in Japan? Just curious.

 

I gotta agree with Tann808. The fit and finish on these Acura's are good, but stand to be improved. I can feel the difference between the J made Honda/Acuras and the US Made ones. The fit is just a bit less tight. But its still great, and I still love my TL.

Cheaper 2nd Gen TL's are b/c of all that Hunter said adn the fact that Honda went to a standardized Midsized Platform for many of its cars cutting production costs on the Accords, TL's, and even the Odessey and MDX's. Less differet parts equals cost savings equals lower selling price for us.

 

i have to agree that the Gen 2's are probably cheaper because they are built in the US...but i think overall the quality is mostly retained...although i have heard so many more gripes about the Gen 2 at the dealership than the Gen 1...

 

The answer to your question is that Acura was losing money on the older model TL it was way overpriced.Acura had bad marketing one thing the name change Vigor to the TL twin models. Lexus name plate marketing & quality service was beating the pants off Acura.I had been a Honda owner for the past 19yrs before I got my TL last year.I was not up to date on the features of the 1st Gen TL. Acura said the TL would be redesigned & the price would be $5000 cheaper than the 1998 model.The current TL & Accord share the same global platform as well as other siblings so that would bring the cost down alot.Iam not sure but I think the seats in the 1st Gen are better leather quality.
The current model is leather trimmed now that would brig the price down. The interior has some of the same stuff as the Accord like map reading lights & home link.This also would bring the price down.The mian thing is Acura is going after Lexus & BMW.
I think they have lit a fire with the TL, CL CL Type S, MDX, TL Type S The replacement for the Integra & new RL flagship.


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2000 3.2TL Nighthawk Black/Ebony/Navigation/ Optional Factory Chrome Multi Spoke 16" Wheels/Factory Underbody Kit/Factory Spoiler/Moonroof Visor/Factory 6-CD Changer/Trunk Mat/Factory Black Wheel Well Trim/Clifford IG8000 Alarm System w/add-ons/%51 Tint/Weathertech Floormats/Factory Car Cover/Michelin Arcctic Alpin Winter Tires on Stock Wheels/Factory Car Cover/Factory Gold Emblems Grille & Exhaust Tips

 

The 3.5RL, Integra and the NSX are built exclusively in Japan.

Many key components in the others including the Transmission etc are built in Japan even though the final assembly happens in the US. The TL/CL/CL-s (containing 25% Japanese components) 3.2L engines are built at the Anna engine plant in the US while the similar 3.5L MDX (also containing 25% Japanese components) engine is built in Japan. All Acura transmissions are built in Japan (not sure about the 1999 TL and the previous generation CLs).

The previous generation 3.2/2.5 TL was the biggest mistake Acura made when they tried to model the 3.2/2.5TL on the Lexus ES300, including its "un-legendary" boaty, buickish handling. Acura was trying to compete with the Lexus ES300 in the ES's own territory where the ES300 was very very strong. Bad mistake !!!!

Those TL models hurt Acura badly due to expensive import costs and also lousy sales. During their final years, dealers could not wait to give those cars away. Reliability was their only saving grace but then you could get better and more prestigious cars for the same price.

While designing the current TL, Acura (luckily?) walked away from the previous generation TL's path and dug deep into the "Legend's" performance roots to inject a fair dose of "sport" into the car. They improved the engine, transmission, interior and almost every other aspect of the car thus re-engineering its personality entirely, and also put in a lot of standard features (class exclusive 5-speed automatic, Navigation, HID etc). Honda/Acura, shifted the manufacturing to the US (reducing the import tariffs and thus their costs), shared time-tested componentry with the Honda Accord (thus reducing their cost further) and passed the savings onto the consumers like you and me, by reducing the selling prices.

The result ? Roaring sales outselling the Lexus ES300 by a ratio of 2 to 1 (which was the ES300's sales ratio when compared to the previous generation 3.2/2.5TL), which was un-thinkable with any previous iteration of the TL/Vigor. The ES300 which always rode high since its introduction eons ago, is now on the defensive....rarely happens with Lexus. In fact, Acura has put the Lexus RX300 also on the defensive with the Acura MDX....in the Honda world, the same fate is being dealt to the Toyota Sienna minivan by the Honda Odyssey (another homerun from Honda).....hopefully, the tenor of their recent products will carry over into the next generation RL with the V8/AWD....but ideally, Acura has to bring in a small sedan with the S2000's underpinnings (and handling magic) along with a small DOHC V6/I6 (2.5L to 2.8L) accompanied by, maybe an adaptation of the VTM-4 AWD system from the MDX, to round out their offerings, along with a new kick-ass NSX. That is an Acura I look forward to buying my next car from.

Just my 2c.

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

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by hunter001 on February 14, 2001 @ ]</font>