Road Rage

Saw some pics in AutoWeek. I am not impressed and doubt I would buy up for 20 or so ponies:

1) The new bumper does not do it for me - it looks less tough, more feminine, like the TSX.
2) I do not care for the fog light positioning - they tend to get damaged down low, and again, it makes the car look like a TSX
3) I do not like the wheels - the anthracite finish always looks like a leased Audi to me (that is, it is always filthy, to the point where kids write "Wash me!" on them). The base TL 5-spokes are cleanly shaped, and provide visual movement at lower speeds.
4) Expected more HP and torque - for less cost, I can get the same outcome with a good cold air kit and a perf header/catback.
5) I am sure the handling is crisper, but Acura does not have the performance/comfort tuning of BMW, and for my use as a daily driver, I find the TL ride only acceptable as is - lower profile tires, thicker anti-roll bars, and stiffer spings/shocks (all part of the Type-S tuning) will not help in this regard.
6) Side mirrors also get the dgimmicky lights in them - TSX anyone?

Look, I am sure there will be flamers, but remember that I I do not like compromises in cars, so I have several. I have a sedan to perform as a sedan/commuter/grocery getter, and the TL is a great fit as is (automatic, very good acceleration, excellent fuel economy, lots of room). For performance, I have an S2000 with many handling and performance mods, 2 sets of tires/wheels (one is for track - Yokohama and Kumho racers) - even the passenger seat has been removed. Car provides me with the razor-sharp handling I love - it is a no compromise sports roadster. It is what it is, the TL is what it is - the TL has no "boy racer" parts, and the Type-S has too many of them, without the real ballz it should have. The Infiniti G-series gives more engine - Acura should have gone to a 3.5L and at least 300 HP, rather than 20+ ponies and some stick-on parts. I think they blew it, and are holding the good stuff (such as the engine I mentioned) for the next 4G TL.

Sorry, me no likee - TL Type-S does not make me happy in the pants.

Peace out, y'all!!!

RR.

BATTLESHIP

Completely agree ...100%.

ACTROS

iTrader: (7)

Well said! I concur.

03CoupeV6

Furthermore, I believe the "Type-S" moniker should have been left dead as Acura said it would be. It seems too ricer for a brand like Acura. You can buy stupid seatbelt pads and other ricer accessories at Autozone that say "Type-S" on them, not something I associate with a luxury brand trying hard to be taken seriously.

This is the type of thing that keeps Acura looking like a glorified Honda rather than having the status of Lexus.

SouthernBoy

Thanks alot RR. My '04 manual TL is Anthracite/Ebony.

Most everything else you mentioned I have to agree with. I do not like "boy racer" cars. I like sleepers.

vc123

YES i agree with u 110%
OLD tl is MUCH MUCH cleaner while the NEW tl base and type S doesn;t have that smooth clean look anymore

SouthernBoy

Hey, even when I had my 1966 SS396/360 Chevelle, I left the stamped steel wheels on (painted the same color as the body) and also left the Chevy "bowtie" baby moons on the wheels. I also ordered a rather rare option.. the black vinyl top. The car looked like a sleeper but ran VERY well.. high 13.2's bone stock with tires and a sharp drag tune on the Holley, and 12.8's with headers, an R3310 780 CFM Holley dual feed, plus a few other simple mods.

Yep sleepers. More fun in the long run. And instead of wasting money on gee-gaw boy racer visual mods, I put my money where it counted.. under the hood.

richpearl

Among other things, Road Rage wrote:

"Acura should have gone to a 3.5L and at least 300 HP, rather than 20+ ponies and some stick-on parts."

RR, I don't take your meaning. Acura's 2007 TL type-S did go to a 3.5 L. The difference is about 28 ponies + more torque.

But I do agree with your overall conclusion. I did buy an '06 TL 6MT less than a month ago, so this could be sour grapes on my part. Still, my TL shows noticeable torque steer in the lower gears in curves, even though the '06 6MT supposedly has a computer chip to lessen the torque steer. It has more torque steer than my wife's '04 AT TL. So, I don't think the added ponies and turkeys (torque) can do a lot for the new type-S.

I'm most disappointed with the visual mods: They do mostly look like tack-ons, just as you noted. Acura took a very clean design and added "details" that seem to clutter it up.

--Rich

tmitch2315

For me it will depend somewhat on the price differential. I have a 2004 with 34M on it and by the latter part of 2007 I may want to move on. I will drive it and compare. If it is an extra 10 they can forget it. If its an extra 4 and it drives A LOT better I could care less about the cosmetics. Having had a 2001(or was it a 2 ,what ever the first year they came out) TLS I can tell you those fog lights are toast. They cost so much to repair I sold it with them broken.

trancemission

Thanks for the post RR, great review, we have a thread dedicated to this.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...37#post1531737

I was going to merge them but too many people posted in this one.. Didnt want to confuse anybody..