AJAX

I just returned from Florida in my 5at 04TL with Navi and wanted to post some thoughts about the car. I drove there and back without stopping overnight, only stopping for fuel and rest stops.

1. The seats are very comfortable on long trips, even in the back. My wife and I had our two year old and Grandma along for the ride and they had no complaints even after 10 plus hours on the road.

2. Gas mileage is excellent, I averaged 8L/100k according to the trip computer. I think this is about 30 MPG. This is with 4 passengers and the trunk crammed with two golf bags and luggage for 4 travelling at 70-75 mph. The trunk can hold lots of stuff if you pack it right!

3. Its quiet inside the cabin even at high speeds the wind noise doesnt seem to increase very much.

4. The headlights are outstanding. I know some people dont like them much but compared to what Im used to they are incredible, cutting a nice bright swath in the dark.

5. The Navi is very accurate. It did get confused a couple of times but managed to figure itself out. By confused I mean that it wanted me to make a u turn when none was required to reach the destination, this only happened in Orlando. Once you have travelled with the Navi in the middle of the night when you are unsure of where you are going, you will find it irreplaceable. Kids also get a kick out of the navi voice as an added bonus.

6. The motor is quiet and very powerful. Even loaded down the car moves! Passing power is superb. This is my first Honda and I must say that I love that motor! The sound when it gets over 4500 rpm is sweet!

7. The auto transmission is smooth and has excellent shift points.

8. The car handles very well on interstate highways. Even loaded down with the LM 22's on it the car handles the off ramps and tight fast turns with confidence. I cant wait to get the Pilot sports on for summer driving!

9. The ergonomics in the cockpit are very well though out. Everything is well within easy reach of the driver.

10. The voice controls for the Navi, stereo and climate control make the car much safer to drive in traffic. Not having to take your eye off the road or your hands off the wheel to make adjustments is quick and easy with a few simple commands.

11. If you adjust the rear and side view mirrors properly there are no blind spots.

I could go on and on but sufficed to say Im very impressed with the car. One could get the wrong impression reading some of the negative posts on the board so I wanted to write something positive for a change. I still have to restrain myself from going out and getting in the car to go for another drive! Enjoy the car guys I think it is quite a remarkable automobile and sometimes doesnt get the credit it deserves.

J0KER

Awesome write up, and right on!! I couldn't have said it better myself
Greg - who loves his TL as well

Sonic

Wonderful! I am eager to get my TL... Must wait till April ...

JoganJani

Wow! How many miles drive is that? 1500?

adam209

awesome. makes me confident in a cross country trip in the summer

AJAX

It was 2243 km's or about 1400 miles each way. Excellent highway all the way...gotta like the USA!

paddiwakk

Did you see any 04 TLs along the way?

Norse396

AJAX,

Excellent post, I'm looking forward to driving mine on a long trip after it's fixed. The headlights are awesome, as is the engine and ergonomics. The only thing I would change is maybe the drivers seat length, otherwise the seat is very good.

Also when the car is clean, man what a beauty!

AJAX

I only saw one TL along the way, it was black and was being driven by a young looking female, complete with radar detector!
She was moving along pretty well so naturally I kept pace to admire her car. The car looked sexy in black and it has prescence on the highway for sure.

neuronbob

Thanks for the writeup, I'm planning on driving home to Colorado Springs this summer in the TL (1350 miles, but wife makes me stay in a hotel for the night along the way ). Gives me confidence.

Swat Dude

Neuronbob,

Do you mean staying in the hotel gives you confidence??? What exactly is your wife doing for you at the hotel????

TLXLR8S

thats one reason why i have a NHP/Ebony. what color do you have?

rets

Great stuff. I wish I could do this kind of long trip again, did you drive all the way back to Canada by yourself?

I may have no problem to take this long ride, but my passengers will force me to find the hotel for one/two nights during this long drive...


Also, you're the guy asking if LM22 would good for a long trip to South, right? About a month ago...

Congratulations, you completed the trip with wonderful experiences.

RavenHwk

Okay. Gotta ask the obvious! Why 24 hours straight????
Seems like a grueling trip ...

casooner90

Great write up - good read. Thanks for sharing.

Tripp11

It's called that Kama Sutra Tantric driving....come on dog, you've heard of it, right?

godfreyl

Quite a trip and a great write up........Thanks.

AJAX

Rets...yes that was me asking about the LM 22's and I was withmy wife/daughter and Grandma. The LM22's performed well all the way on dry pavement, didnt look like they took too much of a beating either!

RavenHwk..it was alittle gruelling but my daughter was not feelinh very well and I wanted to get her home asap so I drove it straight.

tlxlr8s...My car is Silver

Onre last point...I filled up every time shortly after the low fuel light came on and the most I could get in the tank was 13 gallons so there is lots left in the tank after the low fuel warning light comes on...3-4 gallons I figure.

TLXLR8S

isnt it good to have a low fuel light early. more time to find a gas station. i was driveing once in a GMC and when the light came on i went off the exit and by the time i found a gas station i was almost dry. so i think is better earlier then later.