I know this sounds crazy...but I'm confused. I'm looking at getting a 2004 TL fully loading with A-Spec or 2003 MB E500 with panoramic sunroof, cd changer, navigation, and sport package. I don' know which one I should get.

I got quotes on each and the MB will cost about $100 more a month.

The problem is, I love honda-acuras....my friends think I'm crazy and say the TL is no Benz. I have already owned 2 honda's and 2 acura's. The features on the Acura are amazing, and the navigation on the is great. That's why I had to test drive the TL to help make the decision, but it only made it worse. I love the way the car drives and looks, especially the a-spec. I test drove a E500 right after, it's amazing but I'm usta the way the Acura feels. there's a definate wow factor with the mercedes, but will that wear off and would I widsh I chose the Acura?

What would you guys do?

MADD

 

Well, the Mercedes is VERY expensive in maintenance. It's also a far more "old people" car. It drives very different as well.

Wait till you can test drive both, then make a choice.

Tracer

 

the TL is more sportier, has new technology like DVD-A and bluetooth and voice activated NAVI, and great performance

 

Both nice cars, but IMO not the same class. Benz all the way here. Let Acura prove they got it right with the new model. That may take a year. Wish I had your dilemma.

 

He has drove both cars as he stated :p

 

I would opt for the TL for the following reasons:

More reliable, and less expensive to maintain
Hands free phone
Better sound system
Less money
No "mercedes" stigma. I don't want the attitude that goes with the Mercedes brand name. "Stuck-up?", I don't know about that but an E500 may offend some of my peers & clients. I'm in Seattle, so the attitude here may be different compaired to where you live (it may be my hang up as well).
Better fuel economy
Much better Navi

gary

 

IMHO the only thing the MB has that the TL doesn't is RWD. The one downfall of the TL is that its FWD.

 

Two totally different cars...

 

Make the E500 the 4-matic and forget the Acura. Mercedes includes all scheduled maintenance so cost of maintenance is not an issue. I love my Acura but I don't see the problem here.

 

Well Acura TL is a nice car, but thats like comparing apples and oranges.. Mercedes Quality is up there, Acura would fall short on that.. its not what you see, its what is there after you drive the car for couple years..

TL will give better MPG, Better reliability, less to fix things..

While MB will give u class, prestige, high quality leather, small luxurious things that can be worth it..

By the way many people like the Honda/Acura Navi system over any other company's, even MB or BMW or Lexus...

 

All Mercedes come with free maintenance for the first 4 years or 50,000 miles.

 

Check E55. You probably can get it for $50 more a month. It is not as nice as Honda but gets to 60mph in 4.2 sec. BTW maintenance is FREE on MB for 4 years/50K miles.

 

How does a car that cost $20k+ more than the TL only cost $100/mo more?

 

Exactly. Why torture yourself?

 

Everything you guys said, is exactly how I feel...that why I needed your advice.

The reason it only cost more $100 more is because I'm leasing it. I was able to secure a great deal on the MB at $688 per month through a leasing agent on a brand new 2003 model, with basically no money except for the basics. The Acura in NY state is going to lease around $580 with A-spec and having to balloon taxes(vicarious liabilty insurance, which allows people to sue the manufactures after an accident)

The Acura is an awesome car, it has exverything I want. I love the features. I have a 2001 CL-S with navigation now, and I love it. So it's everything I have now and more. The car is faster, better looking and with A-spec it looks amazing. It doesn't look like a cheap attempt at an import car, it fits the car perfect...looks like BMW sport package.

The MB is all about status, and I wrestle with that. I don't kow if it's too much prestige. the car drives great. The power is incredible, must faster than the TL. I hit 80 in about 7 seconds. It's smooth all the way to the limit. Plus the MB has crazy features like glass roof, keyless entry, radar cruise control, parking assist.

The navigation on the Acura is hands down the best on the market.

I wish I could buy both. Well, I still have a week to decide. I never thought Acura would be able to compete with a MB until you have to decide to get one!

Thanks for your support guys.

MADD

 

the cupholder in my dads new E is nifty

 

e55AMG ;D. Youll be smoking m3s cobras all day, and still have the luxurys of a MB and its still a MB!!

 

Its so easy to say "get the TL and pocket the difference." But the MB is gorgeous. I'd say lease the MB for a while and get your midlife crisis(?!) out of the way. Then settle on the TL after the lease runs out. Get the best of both worlds.

 

How?

Do they make Coke or Pepsi for you

How like the TL Holder?

 

That MB is very nice and very fast, but it is more money and IMO it does not look tight as a 04TL and not as sporty..

If u want Luxury go with MB, If u want Sport/Looks go for TL

 

Really not much difference...for $20,000

MB E500 -- 302 hp/339lbs -- 0-60 5.7 -- 1/4 m 14.1/99.8
ACURA TL -- 270hp/238lbs -- 0-60 6.2 -- 1/4 m 14.7/96.3

Plus MB sucks on gas, you actually have to pay a gas guzzler tax...averages 17mpg. Compared to an average of 24mpg for the TL, which is about $400 more for MB a year on gas.

Sorry I had to edit post...

 

WHOA!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cop:

Where did you hear 5.7 and 14.1? If that is true, that is amazing!

 

:hitit: :hitit: :wow: :wow: :wow:

 

It is much more than that.

Having a very memorable car vs another that is much less. It is all about satisfaction and if you factor in status as part of the satisfaction, it is OK.

If affordability is not an issue, no brainer; get the Benz.

 

u get 7 mpg more in the MB U SERIOUS!!!

it is a big difference in torque, 101 to be exact

 

With that big a difference in displacement, you better have a lot more torque!

 

But How the hell does the MB with a bigger engine get 7 mpg MORE THAN THE TL!!!

I think he has his numbers mixed up

 

What's going to happen to maddtl when the new RL comes out in April still cheaper than any Mercedes E class and probably better too?

 

LOL

actually the price is gonna go up on the RL, so you never know

 

i don't know about that. according to Edmunds.com an E320 can easily have $16,000+ of options (and this is with the more cost effective packages instead of one by one) which bring the total price to $65,000 before TTL with a true market value around $60,000. :wow:

Acura has a tradition of offering cars fully loaded from the factory and that brings the price down a bit. even if the new RL is going to be considerably more expensive than before, i just can't see a $20,000+ discrepancy between the new RL and the old RL or even the new TL.

 

Correct

I was just saying the RL Will go up, I know the MB is Still WAY MOREE!!!!

You are basically paying for name,quality,rwd,power,etc..etc..

Also is the E class a RWD? Cuz if u live in snow, i would consider the TL..

 

the mb doesnt get 7mpg more than the tl

 

Sorry for the confusion...

I meant that the TL gets 7 miles per gallon more than the MB.

I read the performance numbers off the regional factory salesman's pamphlet @ the Ride and Drive. He was really cool, we were talking about how the cars were built and tested.

The navigation are terrible for German cars...they finally updated to DVD's, but they are still not touch screen or voice activated. The ne BMW has the navigation built into a heads up display. go to BMW site, it's really cool.

MADD

 

I still surprised peops are discussing this.....MB E500 hands down! Live like a baller while you can, that is a GREAT price for that car. I really wouldn't pass that up. Good luck with whichever car you get though

 

Actually, I think there's much to be discussed. After all, why be just any baller (and get the M-B) when you can be a financially wise baller (by getting the TL)?

 

MB has a far superior turning radius

 

Here it is...

Since it's a lease, forget everything about maintenence (ie 36-48mo). Whoever said that should edit their post. If you can afford the 100 extra...go for the benz. People can always say you'd say a 100 if you went w/ the TL. Ok - you probably could have saved another 100 if you went with an Accord. Are you to say to never buy a Benz - or a TL? Nah you just movin up the ladder.

Bottom line - from my own experience - you will feel a lot better in a Benz than an acura.

 

While true, the above statements fail to consider one important point: there are ballers in this world who even drive Kia's (with chrome wheels and windshield wipers ofcourse). So you want to be a baller? Get a Kia. You want luxury, comfort, and status? Go MB. You want an overall package that is not skewed in just one or two categories? Get a TL.

 

E500, but I think its a LOT more than $100 a month more..

 

Agreed, oh.. and u looking to get laid, MB is a better choice...

Acura pluses, as stated earlier is reliability, but who cares with MB service they'll give u C class to ride while your e being servised...