I have been looking at the new TL and it is great! On the Acura website I compared the Honda V6 accord to the 2004 TL. They are very similar except for the obvious: 30 more HP, DVD audio, Memory seats. My questions is how do I justify spending $8000 on the TL? Aprreciate your input!!

 

Just sit in one, I think you'll understand where the extra $8,000 is.

 

what kind of question is this man?

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.......................OF COURSE NOT!

 

I was just like you...
the accord== cheap plastic.
the tl == luxury.

The accord is just a less luxurious version of the tl.
Look at the side panels in the rear seat of the accord coupe vs the tl's rear seat panels.
Check out the center console plastics of both cars. There are huge differences in the car. If they don't bother you..go for the accord. But if they do, like they bothered me, go for the tl.

 

if you're having a hard time justifying it, then get the accord. the TL is a better vehicle, but drive both and go with which one has a better feel. save some money and put it into the accord.

 

haha ADAM ur FREAK

 

hey, better than being insane.

 

It seems that the street price difference between an EX-V6 and a base TL is about $7000. So for $7000 you get (value in parantheses is entirely subjective):

More power ($1000)
Better handling ($1200)
Better interior quality ($1200)
Better stereo w/ 5.1 capability ($300)
Bluetooth phone compatibility ($0)
Memory seat and mirrors ($300)
Driver's seat power lumbar ($100)
Passenger power window auto-up ($100)
Heated side mirrors ($150)
Reverse auto-tilt side mirrors ($100)
Auto-dimming rearview mirror ($150)
Trip computer ($100)
Manual shift automatic ($200)
Stability control ($600)
Brake assist ($300)
Xenon lights ($700)
Fog lights ($200)
Bigger rims ($300)
Longer warranty ($200)
Roadside assistance ($200)
Prestige ($0)
Exclusivity ($300)

Sub-Total ($7700)


TL minuses vs. Accord:

Less passenger space (- $400)
Less trunk space (- $200)
No Fold-down rear seat (- $300)
Worse gas mileage (- $300)
Premium gas required (- $1000)

Sub-Total (- $2200)

Grand Total ($5500)

Did I miss anything? A lot of people say that the TL is basically the same car as the Accord EX-V6 with a few more extras, but those few extras do seem to add up to justify the price difference.

 

Hey, the Accord might be all you need. Heck if you aren't hauling passengers, you could be well off with the I-4. Its a lot more powerful in person than it is on paper.

 

wstuart, I had a 2003 Accord V6 2 door coupe. It was a great car but the differences were substantial to me.

First, the difference between the two in handling are like night and day, really. Just test drive them back to back, you'll see.

The other things that I wanted that didn't come with the Accord were heated side view mirrors (as I don't garage my car), Fog lights, Hands free link( because I am always "at work" even when I'm driving), and xenon headlights.

I also wanted to get the manual shift automatic so I would have the option of driving a bit more sporty when I choose. I did not test the manual shift mode of the automatic before buying the car however and I don't think it's the best one out there.

 

If you consider these items an additional cost of owning the TL over the Accord, then you must ADD this cost to the other list. That would make it a $9900 difference! While a real cost on an annual basis can be applied to the additional gas costs, the other items you won't actually pay for. So maybe the difference is more like $9K. At any rate, the Accord is no doubt a great value, but the TL is definitely a step above in looks, handling, and interior amenities. Drive them both!

 

Both cars are based on the global Accord platform. They are otherwise totally different cars.

Agree with those who are saying "drive both".

 

This is a subjective issue. There is no right answer. You need to drive both, ride in both and decide which is a better match for you (the TL may not be worth the money to you). Based on the nature of this board, everyone here has decided the TL is worth the extra money. For some people the money is just not an issue and for others it is but the quality and features are worth the money. Both are very good cars and as long as you are happy with your initial decision, you should be happy with either car.

Good luck with your decision.

 

Agreed drive both.

The key thing after driving both cars (or whatever cars are in your test drive list) is how well does each car fit what I am looking to get out of my purchase. If what you are looking for is reliable transportation, then get the accord (assuming none of the other extras in the TL are on your must-have list and are worth the extra $$$ to you). If you see the car you own are more than just basic transportation (there are lots of criteria here), then give the TL a more serious look.

 

One must take the residual value/ resale value into account when doing the financial analysis.
This will bring the value of the two closer together.

 

All great points by everyone who has posted. Besides all the listable, tangible, touchable, and justifyable stuff; there is the intangible. It is the feeling you have in your head when sitting in the TL. It is hard to put a dollar figure on that. My wife (who knows absolutely nothing about cars) said "Accords are everywhere". She wanted to be different and we could afford to do so.

 

The other list was the additional worth, not cost, of owning a TL over an Accord. So it would be $7700 minus $2200.

It's all purely subjective anyway.

 

The big difference for me in the availability of the 6 speed manual transmission.

The the Accord sedan were available with a sick I might consider saving the $7k, but I'm a tightwad.

 

I had the same argument with myself, but the looks of the Accord are totally different and don't come close to the styling of the TL IMO. If you were trying to decide between a Camry and an ES330 I would say go with the Camry because the body is the same. Here we are talking about two different cars.

 

The need to drive both cars to understand the difference is obvious. Yes, they are both built from the same platform. Yes, the they share variants of the same basic powerplant. To me, for all their commonality, they are still entirely different vehicles. The TL looks different, sits different, handles different, accelerates different, feels different, is different. The Accord interior is very nice, tasteful, very functional, great ergonomics, etc. All good things. Then sit in and drive a TL, and you'll know right away. Compare the seats, the amenities, the appointments, the materials, the surfaces, the switchgear, the look, the attention to detail, etc. The TL interior is more than a just step up from the Accord. I agree with another post about intangibles, where (to me) the TL simply has that unmistakable feeling of "more car". Is it worth the extra money? No one can answer that question for you, except you. It was worth it to me. Good luck with your decision.

 

I sat in both.

I don't see the extra $8K. I see an extra ~ $3K, with an extra $5,000 profit for Acura.

I took delivery of an Accord EX/V6/leather/sedan yesterday. I had to settle for an automatic, but don't care. I have a REAL performance car (LS1 powered 1LE Z28) for scratching that itch. And trust me, as good as that TL might be, that Z28 would flat out eat it for breakfast on ANY road, as long as it wasn't snowing.

I'm calling the Tire Rack and fitting the Accord with a set of sticky 225/55/16s.

The Accord offers much more VALUE; the TL has a much higher profit margin.

 

I'm not sure I agree with this.

According to Automotive Leasing Guide's depreciation ratings, the Accord received 5 stars, while the TL received 3 stars.

According to edmunds.com, expected 5 year resale value of the EX-V6 Accord is 48%, while the expected 5 year resale value of the TL is 44%.

 

Yep...you're right.

AL THINGS considered, the Accord EX/V6/leather offers more VALUE. And Accords can generally be bought @/near invoice - at least in this area (~ 50 minutes from Boston). Dealers generally don't discount Acura TLs that heavily.

$500 worth of aftermarket rubber will go a long way towards closing the performance gap between a TL and an Accord/EX/V6?leather.

I took delivery of my Accord yesterday. It's phenomenal car for the money.

 

After driving the TL i could never go back to a car that doesnt have this much power just my .02 but congrats on the new car

 

Congrats on the Accord, harddrivin1le, it's a good car. I think with the TL, you get what you pay for, and if Acura gets some profit out of it.....well, they deserve it. I can see $8000 difference between the two cars.

This "Accord vs. TL" argument is only an issue for Honda fanatics, who are likelier to cross-shop the Accord and TL. The TL's real market is people who want an "entry level", "sporty", luxury car with extra features, and compared to its true competitors, cars like the BMW 330i, Volvo S60R, Infiniti G35, etc., the TL is quite a bargain (excepting the G35, which is closer in price to the TL but hasn't as many interior features).

 

Isn't this a question of practicality?

Accord - practical.
TL - pratically perfect.

Seriously, Accord is a great basic transportation. You buy Accord because you have a basic need - go from point a to point b. TL, on the other hand is your "want" side saying things like "I can feel the acceleration" or "my car is cool" or "I like driving this car". TL will give you the stupid grin on your face while the accord will get you there and back - no grin.

 

I test drove the Accord and TL on the same day. I thought the Accord was an OK car but it didn't have a "wow" factor like the TL does..

 

The TL has a mere 30 more HP than the Accord (270 vs 240), the same transmission (when the auto is chosen in the TL) and the TL is the HEAVIER of the two.

There's very little difference in straight-line performance between those two cars.

And MOST of the TL's handling advantage comes from bigger rubber (235/45-17 vs 205/60-16).

A set of 225/55-16 performance tires (which I've already ordered) will close that gap considerably.

The Accord has leather, XM radio, a 6 disc in dash changer, power driver and passenger seats, dual zone auto climate control, ABS, traction control, power "everything," etc. How much more is the TL REALLY giving for the money?

And auto: auto, the Accord gets better mileage (21 city/30 highway) and runs perfectly on 87 octane.:wow:

 

It would with $500 worth of tires and an aftermarket air intake set-up.

 

What's the difference between a 26K BMW 325 and A 48K BMW M3??? I wonder???????

 

wstuart,
I don't mean to be abrasive, but I would drive both cars and decide which one you like better. If you find yourself trying to itemize the difference in price and justify it, then just get the accord.
I buy Brand X bottled water which comes from a spring and is more 50% more expensive than Brand Y which also comes from a spring because I like Brand X better. If I had to justify these choices to myself or anyone, I think it would be difficult to enjoy things at all.
Life is too short. Do what you like and be happy. It might cost more and may not be justified in any terms other than it makes you happy.

 

Quite a bit: 149 HP (333 HP - 184 HP) for openers...

And there is no "$26K BMW." The base 325 stickers for $28,100 plus destination charges:

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/bmw/...ar.num1.1.bmw*

The base model 325 doesn't even include leather or power seats or a power moonroof...All of those things are extra cost:

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/bmw/...MW*&x=120&y=20

The M3 is a vastly better equipped, MUCH faster car.

 

I don't want to get into some kind of pi$$in match (my car/decision is better than yours), because the Accord is a great car and I loved my 2003. However, there are differences that one may decide is worth the money. I am one.

Here is a partial list of the extra's you get for the TL money.

Longer warranty
Heated side mirrors
Bigger wheels and tires
Sportier suspension, little things like a strut tower brace and stuff
Better exterior styling, IMO
Upgraded interior
Superior stereo
Manual shift auto tranny, kinda, except for that first/second thing.
Hands free link, which makes my life much more convenient and safe.
Xenon headlights
Foglights
Seat and side mirror memory, well sometimes
That cool side mirror tilts down in reverse thingy, which, ok I don't find all that handy, but it's still cool.

 

Point well taken, harddriven!! The Accord EXV6 is alot more similar to the TL, than the 325Ci is to the M3.

Anyhow, have any of you considered the difference in insurance costs between the two (though very subjective)?? In NJ, this matters ALOT!!!

 

Probably yet another reason to consider an Accord EX.

The car is under-tired (205-60-16 all seasons). That's the only issue I have and it's simple enough to rectify.

The Accord EX/V6 is not a TRUE performance car, but the TL isn't either. Rather, the TL is simply a step closer.

 

No offence here...

We're talking about the money factor. If you have enough money, just buy whatever you think it's best/most values for you by your budget/situations.

If I insist my Dad have no points to buy S500, we will have endless debates day and night... as long as he's happy and this wouldn't jeopardize his life, I don't care...

My uncle MD got his Accord and loves it... what we can say...

 

Some people have the money to easily cover the difference in cost, but feel that money is better invested than spent on a car.

I just don't see ~ $8K worth of difference between those two cars. If I did then I'd have gotten one.

Some people are less conservative and will "go for it" regardless.

As you've said, that's fine for them.

 

Life is hard, short, and often brutish. If you can afford the TL get it!

 

I know an M3 325 comparison is a stretch but the point is very obvious they share the same bones but one costs 20k more than the other. Between the TL and the Accord the difference is smaller but so is the price differential. The M3 is a 330 with modified engine, suspension and better tire/rim package, same BS between the TL and an accord. The person that says the accord and the TL perform similarly have not driven both cars. Is it worth an additional 7k, of course not! That is the whole reason behind "luxury" cars they are a ploy for automakers to make additional profit while offering little in return, DUH welcome to capitalism! If honda were GM the TL would be at least 40 grand and dummies would still pay it because it offers some inproved ambiance. Why did I buy a TL then ??? 1- It is better than an Accord . 2-It will be just as reliable. 3- Its much better looking. 4-People with other "luxury" cars envy the sh*t out of me because I'm driving a superiorr car for less money than their "pedigree" cars. 5-The difference in price (7k) is as crucial to my budget as to which color of socks I'm wearing in the morning .

 

The Accord is a VERY good car for the money. The leases are a heck of a lot less too. If I were unable to afford a TL I would definately go with an Accord.
Ed