I currently own an 03 CL-s and due to a growing family need a 4 door, of course I am going to choose the TL , but Can't decide to whether to get the 03 TL-s with a supercharger, or spend a little more and get the 04 with 6 speed stick

I asked this question in the 2nd gen forum and of course the answers were bias to the 03, what do you guys think? I want a fast comfortable sedan, with still a bit of sportyness to it

Is the 04 That much better???

 

04, but you can get an 05 for a few K more. The 3rd gens look much nice, the previous gens dont really look like sports cars(I know the TL isnt a sports car), where the 3rd gen looks like its moving when its sitting still. The 04 makes more power than the 03 type S anyway.

 

I don't know if it is better. But, I like the styling MUCH better for a 28-year old like myself. If my dad would be buing one, I would probably suggest the 2nd gen.

My

 

A picture is worth 1000 words.

 

"Fast comfortable sedan"...as you problably know the 04 has only 10 horsepower more and just slightly more torque then the Type S. I have driven both and unless your going to redline the engine everyday you wont feel much of a difference in "power". They are both fast and comfortable.
As far as "sportyness"...this is where the 04 stands out and I guess you can say the 03 is more "conservative/classy" looking.
Bottom line...if you have the extra $ go for the 04 but dont be bumed out because you got the Type S as that is also one great car.

 

why would anyone get a 2nd gen knowing that there is a possible tranny issue. especially if you are gonna supercharge the car you are just asking for trouble. the 3rd gen has a lot of improvements over the 2nd gen besides the slight hp and torque. if you get a 6MT it comes with brembo brakes. the car has dvd audio system, bluetooth phone support and satellite radio. the navi version of the car is even better with lots of integrated features.

 

3rd gen for sure.

 

Can't forget LSD.

 

I own both an '03 (TL-S) and an '05. Both are great cars, but the 3rd generation definitely has a higher "fun" factor.

 

If you even read the URL for the first pic, you can tell that it's a 2001. NOT an 03.

Design wise, some people really love the classy, subtle look of the 2G.

It can also look pretty bad-ass with some mods:



The pictured 03 TL-S is my bro's. I really like the car, but I gotta tell ya, it's not nearly as fun to drive as my 05 6MT. So, if you can live with/want an AT, then go with whatever you like more - they're more or less the same car... except for a few nicer things here and there on the 3G.

 

I like them both as well. But I am more biased towards the 3rd Gen. Like mjb said it looks a lot more sporty and agressive than the previous model. But that's just personal preference. I have met people that actually like the 2nd gen better than the 3rd. Other than that, the only thing I can honestly say I don't like about the the 2nd gen is that its not available in 6 speed, and also the 3rd gen has a lot more goodies in the interior (i.e. bluetooth, bigger navi screen, DVD-A, voice activated controls)

I can't remember if the 2003 TL-s Navi had touch screen or voice guidance though, its been a while since I've been in one.

In general, I think the 2nd Gen TLS would appeal to a slightly older audience than the 3rd Gen.

 

But then again, I see people in their 40's and 50's buying the new TL, so it does seem to appeal to a wider range of people.