es466

Hey everyone:

It'll be two weeks ago tomorrow that I got my 2008 TL but due to bad weather, the holidays, and illness I really didn't get a chance to really take it out for a nice spin (Carmel to downtown Indianapolis, ~20 miles) until today when I took it to work.

Having driven a 2003 Honda Accord EXL V6 Navi for seven years (which I'm going to give to my daughter), I thought that I was pretty much making a lateral move save for the badge but now I'm not so sure! I love my Accord and I will miss it big time but here are some observations from my first "real" drive of the TL today.

* The TL is a quieter car (this I realized from Day One)
* The TL feels like a better-assembled car -- no squeaks, no rattles, and overall a more "solid" feeling all around than the Accord.
* The TL overall has much sharper handling and is overall more responsive than the Accord. I've only driven two BMWs in my life, but the handling feels much more "BMW-like" than what the Accord had, FWIW.
* The one thing about today's driving that really impressed me (and again, was different from the Accord) was the exhaust note. I have what is (and will remain) a stock 08 TL, but that distinctive "hum" at 55-60mph on the highway was just very cool. Has anyone else been impressed by this?
* I will be giving up the Navigation that I had on the Accord, but I love the Satellite Radio that the TL offers. Not to mention the Xenon headlights, auto-dimming mirrors, and timeless good looks and reliability that the TL offers.

Here's the TL parked outside the house about an hour after I'd brought it home (I finally established a photobucket account).

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...psa4375340.jpg

I'll try to post some more photos soon... thanks for reading, and let me know if any of you have experienced that awesome exhaust note that I referred to!

Thanks!

slurpee03

Woah, what color is it!? It looks like a very nice dark purple if the lighting does not deceive me.

And the exhaust note amazes me as well. Having not done any kind of exhaust modifications to the car, I especially love the low hum even when the car is stopped or at slow speeds... even if it's my dad driving away from the house in my car haha.

Congrats! After almost a year of owning my TL, I am so very satisfied with my first car choice.

NetoAzul

Whoa Whoa!!! BMW-like???? It handles ok but nowhere BMW, and I love my TL but it has its draw backs too.

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

It's dark in the pic but that color looks like MRP to me. Congrats on the purchase and I can vouch for the things you have said as I have an 08 Type S and my wife has an 04 Accord. It definitely has a more solid feel. You get that impression just from sitting in it and obviously driving it.
Congrats on the purchase!

1black_seven

iTrader: (2)

No rattles??
Give it a couple speed bumps, the TL is notorious for little tiny rattles here and there.
Even my old Prelude didn't rattle as much as this thing.

DaeHanMeenGuk

If you ever want to get navigation, I believe there is a navi conversion DIY somewhere in the DIY section somewhere. There are also other alternatives like integrating a tablet as well. I'm glad you love the car. I've had mine for almost a year now (5 days shy from being a year) and I absolutely love it. Friends of mine have a e90 328i and a C300 and I still prefer my TL over their vehicles.

Enjoy your TL in good health.

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

enjoy the new ride. the rattles will start to rear their ugly heads. or maybe you're the lucky one without some of the little ticks and rattles. everyone has the rear deck rattle and the sub rattle. i still love my car though.

LockDots

Very nice OP!

I understand what you mean by saying that it's BMW-like. They don't FEEL like a BMW but have the quick responsiveness in the steering and braking.

I too have an 08 and compared to my wife's E92 and my old E36 the TL is much much quieter. I'm sure creaks and squeeks will find their way eventually but the fact that it's quieter than a new BMW is always nice

truonghthe

welcome to the site, you can register your color here https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/tl-owners-please-chime-855960/ thnx.

OP your color is MRP (Morrocan Red Pearl) same as mine, as of the navi if you decide to convert into Navi then make sure you get the 07-08 Navi unit since they are different than 04-06 unit. I know first experience when you upgrade into TL from Accord, its a big step up and let me help you out with the pic.

oneonlywgs

nice color. Congrats on the ride. I've owned a 2dr v6 accord and enjoyed the car. Son was born & moved to a 4 dr TL. I enjoy the car.

Ken1997TL

Very nice.

I had an '05 in Redondo Red Pearl

Troybiz

Nice car, congrats

supraru

Just got mine and have the sub rattle. Only during certain songs with certain bass or if I crank it up to much. I'm a subaru tech and am very versed in fixing subie rattles....usually with just stuffing anti itch tape between two parts. Is there a diy around here for fixing the rattle? Or is it just something everyone deals with?

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

^^there are 3 items in the rear deck that cause rattles: the rear deck against the rear window, the sub, and/or the middle seat belt tensioner. all three have DIYs somewhere on here.

some have just gone ahead and dynamated the sub and the rear deck. and placed a thin piece of foam at the edge of the rear deck where it meets the rear window.

my rear deck rattles with certain songs and bass. i will be at some point (even after 7 + yrs of ownership) dynamat and foam the deck. i was thinking of getting a few extra clips since one is bound to break the little buggers taking the rear deck out.

LaCostaRacer

Yes, the TL is a nice upgrade from an Accord. Besides the amenities already mentioned, I really like the map pockets,console design and sunroof switch location compared to an Accord.

Es466- make sure you review the thread of 'features' for the TL- there's always something I learn or rediscover when I look in that long thread. Anybody with a base model that has handling issues, should upgrade the rear sway bar- you will be amazed at the difference that simple and inexpensive upgrade does. You can do that for around $100.

supraru

Awesome. When it gets annoying I'll have to check it out. Seems pretty simple!

GKinColo08TL

[/quote]I'll try to post some more photos soon... thanks for reading, and let me know if any of you have experienced that awesome exhaust note that I referred to!

Thanks![/quote]

I have...it definitely sounds good...taking the rear mufflers off will make it sound better!

es466

Thanks, slurpee03!

Actually, the car is Moroccan Red Pearl .... the photo was taken in late afternoon shadow hence the purplish appearance.

truonghthe

yup your pics remind me of this old pics.

es466

Very sweet Type S!!

dannyz

Congrats! Enjoy your beautiful S-type!

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

I used to drive an 06 accord coupe 4 cylinder ex-l with navi....great car but TL is definitely much better, theres a reason why it cost many thousands more than even a fully loaded accord when new.

truonghthe

^^^LOL I drove my sister 06 EX-V6 with navi and the thing is no where close to my TL-S in term of technology and comfort and lets not talking about handling/power, she then hop into my TL and I guess it fix her statement "why waste money buying TL when TL and V6 Accord w/Navi is the same car" LOL. I even test drove 2012 Accord EX-V6 w/Nav when I buy my TL at Honda dealer and the motor felt like it slugish compare to my TL-S even both car has 3.5.

Acura-OC

^^
0-60 in 6.1 with 278HP and you call it sluggish?
Technology so far apart? What technology are you talking about?
Your sister is honest any you are still in love with your TL-S that is all.

erdoc48

Very nice TL and nice color. I wouldn't sweat the lack of Navi (mine has Navi but I really don't use it all that much) and with smartphones, you pretty much have Navi in your hands. I can run Mapquest or GoogleMaps on my iPhone via my USA Spec adapter and it'll call out directions over the speakers, so I realize Navi isn't as needed as it may have been in the past.

Also, since your car is an 08, it might be worth the 30-40 minutes to check the torque on your spark plugs as there's a thread on here about loosening of the plugs (I'm sure in very few cars) because they weren't torqued fully from the factory.

Best of luck with it!

glitch85

So would it be a bad idea to move to a TL for the quietness? Coming from a Maxima.

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

87k on my '06 with the mods seen below and my car has NO rattles unless I have change or other items in the cup holders. I did have the rear deck rattle which I fixed, as well as rattling from the front door pull down pockets which I also fixed. I also pulled those stupid sunglasses holders right out. I do get some mild creaking noises from the door moldings when it gets below about 5-10 degrees out, but luckily that's not too often. I guess some are luckier than others.

Gregerst

iTrader: (1)

What year maxima? I leased an 04 (6th gen) and I would say they are comparable. TL is maybe a little quieter. A lot of it has to do with tires. Put noisy tires on a luxury car and it will be noisy. That's why I always check tire reviews / ratings at tire rack before I buy a set just to make sure I'm not gonna be stuck with noisy tires for the next 30k miles or however long they last. Been there and it sucks. The G37's now those have a very nice quiet interior with just the right amount of exhaust note.