I am thinking of trading my 03 tl type S for a new 04 model with Nav system.
Have most of the early problems that have been mentioned on this site been
resolved? Also has anyone gone from an 03 to an 04? If so are you happy with
the change?

 

I went from an 02 TL(non-s) to a 04 w/ nav. I definitely love the change towards more sporty. Their not directly comparable to me, this feels much more firm where the 02 was more "squishy".

I haven't had my 04 long enough yet to say if all the problems are gone, but I don't have any NOW. The only rattle in my car is the child seat.

 

I just picked mine up yesterday.

I've put around 80 miles on so far and haven't seen ANY of the problems discussed, including the tire related ones. Everything works as it should, the car looks and runs great, and I'mhappy with its performance.

It's my opinion that the navigation system is well worth the price of admission. The navigation functions are great as is the ability to control the audio system on screen and the ability control navigation, audio and climate control by voice command.

I have no experience with the second generation model, but I do prefer the style of the curent model.

Hope this helps...

 

I like the open road touring capability of my '02 TL-S. No doubt the '04 TL handles better but in order to do so it needs a stiffer suspension and very stiff sidewalled tires. A big tradeoff for ultra handling.

Remember the '02-'03 TL-S commercials where the guy drives from NY to Maine for lunch or the guy who drove from LA to SF for a date. My '02 TL-S was that kind of car, my '04 TL is not.

Other than the EL-42 tire problem, I have had no problems with my '04 TL. But it does always seem to be in one gear to low, it definately runs substantially better in SS mode.

 

You're one of the few people I've actually heard complain about the ride being too firm. From the reviews it would seem that the '04 TL is a great touring car with a nice highway ride.

On a side note, I owned a '99 TL. The '04 TL seems to be better in just about every respect than my old TL (at least from my limited experience on 2 test drives). It seemed more refined, more solid (no more body flex), had less body roll and seemed quite a bit more quiet. As for the ride quality, I would say it was less floaty and more controlled or buttoned down, but had good impact absorption on poor roads.

 

I went from an 02 TL-P ("non-S") to the 04. The newer model is better in every way except that the car loses its "sleeper" look. By this, I mean that the newer model looks like what its mission is--a sporty luxury sedan; the old model could be a sporty sedan but didn't look like one.