I could afford either; I chose the Accord (EX/V6/leather) simply because it is the better value - even after I pony up another ~ $550 for fatter rubber (225/55-16).

 

The accord is a great value. Honda cranks out around 400,000 of them for US sale every year. They make fewer than 100,000 TLs. I suppose some people are willing to spend more to drive something a little less common.

 

60,000 TL's to be exact

 

Accord is on pace to sell about 300,000.

 

"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!! "

Perhaps we should wait 2 or 3 yrs down the road to have a true comparison ? The TL has to prove itself...what if the tranny's start to pop and the body is rattling machine. Accord is a proven reliable machine with one of the best V 6, 3 L engines in the world....that we know for sure !

 

I can think of two good reasons to get the TL over the Accord:

1) The front end.
2) The back end.

Mike

 

Don't forget the cool blue dash lights, DVD-Audio, heated seats...

 

That's worth $8,000?

If money means that little to you then why not just go for a BMW M5 and get be done with it?

 

The Accord EX/V6 leather now has heated seats. I used mine this AM on my commute.

So you can strike that.

I don't care about DVD audio because all of my music is on regualr CD (or XM radio, which is also no included in the Accord/EX/V6/Leather.

So now we're down to "cool blue dash lights."

 

Actually my dislike for the appearance of the Accord was enough to not even make my list for consideration.

As for the M5, I don't want to spend $75,000 on a car, no matter how good/fast/whatever it is. And I have no desire to keep two cars; the M5 would pretty much necessitate that I own a winter car.

Mike

 

If you're concerned about the money by all means buy an accord. Its a great car. If the best value is concerned you can't beat a maual 4 cylinder accord, its less than 20K and by buying the manual you get peppy performance (the auto is to slow for my tastes but it still turns 0-60 in less than 10 seconds). Better yet I would buy a TSX, its not blindingly fast but its a gem at 26 K.

 

Objectively speaking (content for the $$$), the TL isn't worth the extra ~ $8K.

Brand new Accord EX/V6/leather sedans can readily be purchased in this area for $24.5K....

$8K plus is a stiff price for what amount to better looks, bigger rubber and a few more small features.

 

Possibly not. But my itemization of the front and back ends was purely subjective, not objective.

Mike

 

Real world prices, the Accord V6/Ex/leather is cheaper than the TSX...

And the Accord has a lot more power and space.

 

Shouldn't you have said SUBJECTIVELY speaking? Roughly 30,000 folks so far have thought otherwise.

 

No - I spoke correctly.

Objectivity is an unbiased, unemotional analysis that focuses solely on quantifiable facts.

Objectively speaking, the TL is perhaps $3,000 more car than the Accord/EX/V6/Leather sedan.

Acura wants people to believe that it's worth $8,000 more and it's not.

Subjectively speaking, some people are willing to fork over the extra ~ $8K for the Nicer sheetmetal, the Acura nameplate, nicer wheels/tires and a few more minor features.

 

By the same token buyers of the BMW 330 which is 7K more than the TL hence 15 more than the Accord should be examined by psychiatrists since their car ranks lower than the TL!!!!!!! In Cars like anything else in life the law of diminishing returns applies, Why should people buy a 28K Accord when a 19K civic is a perfectly fine automobile that spends less gas is almost as roomy and will take you anywhere an accord will??

 

Honda builds both the TL and the Accord; they are both based on the same platform and use very similar engines/transmission. Valid comparisons are therefore unavoidable.

The 330i with a rear wheel drive car; it would destroy the TL on a tight road racing circuit - particularly when equipped with the handling package.

I'm not a BMW fan; they're over-priced.

And this thread isn't about BMWS.

It's about the TL vs the Accord.

The TL is perhaps $3K more car that costs $8K - $9K more (real world transaction prices).

 

Congrats on your new car, but don't try to tell people that the Accord is anywhere close to the TL. You are trying to justify your purchase which is understandable, but you are kidding yourself. Good job on saving money, but your car is not as fast, luxurious, good looking as the TL IMO.

 

Sounds to me like TL guys tend more towards seeking a more 'distinguished' car than the Accord. Both are great cars and there's no shame in opting for the less expensive but impressively optioned Accord over the TL. Besides is DVD audio and Bluetooth really that necessary?

Bridgewater Acura (NJ) insisted on selling me a TL w/Navi @ sticker ($35.2G) but Open Road Honda (NJ) quoted me a price of $26.9G for an Accord EX V6 w/Navi. In my household, $8,300 is nothing to disregard; not to mention, it makes for some good mod-money with change to spare.

 

Yep, smart man. But what if the 8K were not that important???

 

get the Tl

 

Those blue dash lights on the TL and Audi's are pretty cool, but supposedly they are tiring to the eyes in the long run. Do any of the TL owners feel this way?

Scientifically, the amber/orange dash lights on Infiniti/BMW are the least tiring on the eyes, although IMO they are ugly and make the car look less upscale.

The white dash lights of Accord/Lexus are supposed to be a compromise between form and function.

 

I think $8,300 is a lot of money for the MAJORITY of people who are considering a TL. If it weren't then many of that car's perspective buyers would be purchasing more expensive cars like the BMW 3 series, Audi A6 2.7T, Mercedes E320, etc, etc.

 

Is Bluetooth necessary? Two months ago I would have said no, not at all. Now, I think it's another one of those little luxuries that I once considered superfluous, but once accustomed to it, I never want to do without (particularly if you like driving a stick). It's as easy as talking to someone in the right seat, it really works that well. I think it significantly and successfully addresses the safety issue of mixing cell phones and driving. Is it worth $8k by itself? Absolutely not.

Is DVD-A necessary? Nope. Can I hear the difference even while driving? Definitely. Does it rock? Yep. Is it worth $8k? Nope. Are DVD-A and Bluetooth combined worth $8k? No way.

Distinguished is such a subjective term, you'll always get varying POV's on that. I bought a TL, so maybe I'm not the right person to offer an objective opinion. I can tell you that I drove both. I think a loaded Accord EXV6 is without a doubt a very nice car, especially for the money.

In spite of shared platform and similar powerplants, my opinion is that they are still different cars. They ride and handle differently. Perhaps this is addressable via mods, but I don't want to mod my car. I personally don't care much for the Accord's exterior styling. I find it overly conservative. Subjective? Of course. Shared platforms and all, while not attracted to the Accord exterior, I think the TL is one nice looking ride.

There is absolutely nothing wrong the the Accord's interior. It's tastefully done, high quality, very functional, and ergonomically friendly all at once. By my taste, it's a little bland, but of course, once again we're speaking in subjective terms. At the same time, A TL's interior is a tangibly nicer place to be. You used the word 'distinguished', I'll counter that with more 'substantial' (to me). The way it's laid out and executed, the look and feel, the overall environment.

I know that a TL offers only a very few extra amenities that a loaded Accord lacks, I realize that there is more bang for the buck value in an Accord, and I don't take the numbers lightly either (actually, my final choice wasn't even between an Accord and a TL, I waffled between a TL and a G35, even though I prefer the Accord interior to the G's). I felt that overall, a superior level of execution was there for me in the TL, and I ponied up for it. So to me, yes, it was worth the extra bucks.

Its cool with me if other shoppers/owners/reviewers/whatever have different opinions than me. I neither disrespect their taste nor take offense. Harddrivin1le got exactly what he wanted and I offer him cheers and congrats. We both win.

 

If $8K "isn't important" to you then get a 530i/6 speed with the handling package. Thats's "only" ~ $8K more than the TL with nav.

 

Horse poop.

What makes your analysis the "unbiased, unemotional" one? Sorry bro, but you sound rather self-important there.

Very little about car buying is objective.

For example, I could argue that you erred by buying a new car in the first place, because, "objectively speaking" it is far more financially sound to buy a one year old car after much of the depreciation has kicked in.

Or, I could argue that "objectively speaking" you have spend money foolishly on leather seats when cloth seats will do just fine.

(I know people with nice incomes who, in fact, refuse to buy cars with leather seats because they consider it a frivolous waste of money. I also know people with nice incomes who insist that a good cloth interior is more comfortable and more durable than leather. Objective? Hardly. This is all opinion.)

My subjective opinion is that you are trying awfully hard to convince people on this board that they are committing some sort of mortal sin by purchasing a TL rather than an Accord equipped like yours. Your first couple of posts were informative; the rest sound argumentative and defensive, for what reason I don't know. You say you have the money to have bought either car. Maybe so, but your incessant commentary against the TL smacks of internal justification from someone who deep down maybe really did want to spend that extra 8 grand.

I have no doubt you will reply with a refutation, but I really don't care. Those of us who acknowledge the Accord is a fine car but still prefer the TL and are willing to pay for it are making a subjective choice, just like you did.

 

There isn't $8,000 worth of additional content in a TL (vs an Accord EX/Leather/V6).

I shop value, regardless of what I can afford.

The Accord is a far better VALUE.

 

check consumer reports. their job is to find the best value. i think once in a while, on their website, you can ask them questions. log on and ask them sometime about which is a better bargain.

 

Consumer Reports - the paragon of automotive journalism.

The TL costs Honda ~ $2K more to build than an Accord EX/V6/leather.

There simply isn't that much difference from a manufacturer cost point of view.

The most expensive items in a car are the engine and the transmission. Those are very similar in both cars.

The Acura's wheels/tires are more expensive and the helical limited slip probably adds ~ $100 in cost.

Everything beyond that is nickel and dime stuff - "foam and rags," as they say.

The Acura would represent more of a value if it came from the factory with A-spec shocks and springs. Thing is, it doesn't.

And I wasn't about to pay the local dealer an ADDITIONAL ~ $6K to install what should be coming from the factory to begin with (at least on 6 speed models).

 

Harddriven- Just let it go.......I know you wanted the TL.... just let it go......its ok......maybe next year........

 

What's the title of this thread (which I didn't start)?

Move on to another thread if this topic doesn't concern you.

I own a performance car.

And trust me, the TL is no performance car. Rather, it's a moedestly more luxurious, somewhat more athletic version of the Accord dressed in different sheetmetal.

An Accord EX/V6 could be modified to run circles around a stock TL for a mere ~ $3K (springs, shocks, front and rear bars and wheels/rubber).

And automatic vs. automatic, the TL has only a SLIGHT advantage.

 

Regardless if you think a TL has $8,000 of extra stuff, that is not why Acura would charge you an extra $8,000.

Think of it this way:

Why does Tiffany's charge so much for sterling silver jewelry? Who do most retailers charge so much more for platinum over 18 or 14 karat gold? I have relatives in the jewelry business, and they all said the cost difference between 14 and platinum is negligable. Yet the price premium for platinum over gold is huge, because it can be.

Why does Lois Vuitton cost more than Fendi or Dior? They are all owned by the same company. Is the cost of material for the Murakami LV purses really double the cost of the regular monogram purses? (The white purse Jessica Simpson carries all the time in her reality TV show is a White Murakami LV Speedy) Why would someone pay $1720 for a Murakami LV Speedy w/strap, when a LV Epi Speedy w/strap is $720, and the monogram Speedy is $520 with strap? Or when a Dooney & Bourke look-a-like is < $300, Or when a coach purse of similar size is $260? Or when a DKNY purse of similar size is a hundred something? (Yes my wife is very knowledgeable of the fashion industry

Did I buy a Murakami? Yes. Why? Because it makes my wife happy. Did I think it was crazy? Well, yes, but it makes my wife happy, so no amount of bickering or debating on my part would convince her otherwise. (just as bickering over accord/TL)

That's why I bought my wife a TL, because it makes her happy. That is why I bought myself a G35 Coupe, cause it makes me happy. No need to argue with people why A is better than B or why B is better than A. Since you are the one driving/paying bills/etc, get what makes you happy, not what makes others happy.

If you want to buy a car based on what somebody else claims as value to them, you may as well go out and buy a Hyundai. I think the XG300 has some spiffy features, nice interior, etc, and am sure it costs a load cheaper than an Accord.

 

dude,,,,you must be about 17 or 18 year old who thinks everyone must agree with you.....take a hint man......everyone here has been very reasonable and took you "objective" with a broad mind settings.....

" I HAVE A PERFORMANCE CAR" dosn't really work here, if then get a voyager.....it shares same quality as your beat up chevy,

" TL IS NOT PERFORMANCE " - your accord is??

you got something personnal with me? sound just like a teenager.

is all accord owners like you? never seen such immature person in this forum.....well, good luck with your accord, hope we made you feel better !

 

Yep - some people are willing to pay a manufacturer a much higher profit margin in exchange for a brand name and a few more features.

I'm not one of those people.

Would you have bought an Infiniti G35 coupe if Nissan offered a similar rear wheel drive, "2+2" coupe (with Nissan vs. Infiniti badges) that was based on the same platform, used essentially the same driveline, but costs ~ $8,500 less?

 

you are paying for the added luxury and features that the TL offers that the accord doesn't. no one so far has disagreed that the accord is a good car for the money. If you don't think its worth it then get the accord. It just seems that you are trying to justify buying the accord over the TL because you want to be more frugal when it comes to cars. There are always going to be products that are overpriced in someone's eyes because there is a similar product that offers the same features at a better "Value". If we all shopped the value route then we would all be driving cheaper value sedans like the accord. I personally think there is a price to pay for a more desired product. if the price is too much for you then look for alternatives. i wonder if there is a "Camry or ES330" thread in the lexus forum? this is getting rediculous.

 

A base ES330 doesn't cost $8K more than a loaded (minus nav) Camry SE, though.

And the same basic argument still applies; I'd buy the Camry SE @ invoice rather than the Lexus.

The TL doesn't have $8,000 worth of added/upgraded equipment vs the Accord EX/V6/leather. The Accord even has dual power front seats, heated seats, traction control and XM radio now...

The SINGLE largest functional difference between those two cars is the wheels/tires. That issue can be resolved by calling the TIRE RACK. A few hundred dollars more would cover aftermarket shocks and larger anti-roll bars.

 

there are other things that you can't really put a price on. For example the interior and exterior styling. For you its probably not that big a difference and you can't see it being 8K more. but i like the look of the TL alot more than the accord. i like the 6 speed manual that the acura gives you and the brembo brakes. i like the xenon lights and bigger wheels. you can probably get some of these stlying queues in aftermarket parts but i rather not deal with it. if i wasn't getting a TL i would not consider getting an accord because that is not the type of car i am looking for. i am looking for a entry level luxury sports sedan. the accord does not fit the bill. if you read any of the car publication there is no inclusion of the accord in the top 10 luxury sports sedan shootouts. the point is simple you want value get the accord, luxury get the TL. as sad as it is we live in society where people look at more luxurious things as desirable. most of the time that luxury is artificial and created by advertising and marketing groups. but you know what it works for the most part and we find ourselves wanting nicer things. from your stand point i would say go get the accord. if you see a TL on the street don't look at it and say its a waste of money, its just not the car for you. when my TL arrives i will try to enjoy every bit of it and not look back with any regrets.

 

The TL is a nicer car than the Accord.

It just isn't $8K nicer in my view.

My opinion would change significantly IF the 6-speed TL came std. with the A-spec springs and shocks (as is the case with the Brembo brakes) and perhaps an additional 15 - 20 HP.

And the automatic should include all of the above via a "handling package" option.

I was seriously considering a TL - until I discovered that I'd have to pay a dealership ~ $6K to install the hardware (shocks, springs and tires (A-spec)) that SHOULD come from the factory.

That brings the car up to $40K (while adding essentially zero to the car's resale value). :wow:

 

You're right, you didn't start this thread, though you've sort of taken it over. Nothing is wrong with what you'e saying, other than you keep saying it over and over, bordering on ad nauseum. You're happy with your choice. Cool. I'm glad for you too. If you feel you bought smarter and wiser, then more power to you. Please stop trying to rub everyone else's nose in it. Right or wrong, we like our cars too, for our own subjective reasons, just like you. Peace. Please let it go now, ok?