SilverJ

Ive had my 04 TL for 5 years now...and the combination of looks/performance and most importantly 6 speed MANUAL transmission(to me at least) make this car a classic. Ive been wanting to replace it now for 2 years with a comparable car in a similar price range...but honestly there isnt anything out there I see as comparable. I see all kinds of cars on the road...everyday...new and old and I see a TL like mine...done up the right way (some window tint and clean) and honestly I think to this day its still one of the best looking cars out there. While many other cars that came out in 04 look dated and just "not cool " anymore...the TL still looks fresh and cool. To me...thats a classic. Much like the Acura Legend in the 90's. I think 20 years from now this car will still look good.

piggydog

nsx, 3rd gen preludes, 3rd gen TL, 91-93 toyo mr2, bmw 825 90s 825 all have a good clean simple look that never go out of style.

tftimm

I've said on other threads, the 3G TL probably has the most classic look of any Acura's on the road. I think the TSX will be more sought after due to the tuners and the gas mileage of the 4-cyl.
I think Acura did a great job with the 3G TL and 1G TSX, I'm just not diggin the new rounded body style. I prefer the looks of the MDX and RDX now.

Time will only tell...

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

A classic? no lol. A good all around sedan? yes

VQPower37

i know what the OP is saying i think ... i think this car will age like the legend, I'm so glad i bought this car new because I'm gonna drive it til the wheels fall off which i hope wont be till well beyon 200k miles

MR1

+1 And good looking too.

subbuzz

chairguru22

+2

lldknyll26

3g TL doesnt look outdated whatsoever. it actually looks like it just came out. 3g wont look outdated for another 5 yrs.

Dave_W

I hated the 3g TL when I first saw it. It wasnt till I testdrove it that I actually took a good look at the car. It was at that point I knew I had to have the car no matter what it cost. I have well over 100k miles of seat time in these cars, and I can honestly say it's still the best car I've ever driven in terms of reliability,performance, and economy. I love they way it looks now even more so than when I first bought it. I plan to have my 04 for many years to come.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

go92Legend

As the original owner of a '92 KA7 (Legend LS sedan) with 231K miles on the clock, I think the Legend has a slight edge in timelessness. That being said, I'm on the prowl for a 6MT 3G TL myself and think i has the potential to be as "classic" in the Acura clan.

ludachrisvt

iTrader: (2)

i was honestly just thinking this. I think the car has a very timeless design. I mean, every day when I walk into my garage I am amazed at how beautiful the car is. I LOVE it. I've never felt this way!:ghey: will you marry me?

SilverJ

Interesting Luda...you traded your 04 6spd navi for a 05 6sp non navi ?

SilverJ

and I do feel fortunate to own such a classic car but I wish Acura would have improved upon the TL...instead of making it a ugly rolling chunk of large shit. IMO of course

BlueAc

iTrader: (2)

He had a Benz in between...

And yeah I driving mine till the wheels fall off... then I'll get them put back on and drive it some more!!!

jeowen

yea +1, I bought her new as well, Jan of 08 and the clock just rolled to 21K. I believe that the design is indeed timeless, and also plan on driving it for at least 5 more years- they nailed the 3G design.

blkaspec

PhilB81

Well I only have 16K miles ony car but even now I still always look forward to getting in and driving. I always volunteer to run out on errands (except grocery...) I have only done two 300+ mile trips with it but both times I thought it was very comfortable. I can really see myself enjoying this car for many more years. With that said, I don't think I can consider it to be a classic. Although, when it first came out I thought the design was a bit too bold, I really liked the how classy and understated the 2003
model looked. From a distance it looked average but up close it really looked great, in contrast with the 2004 which back then to me was screaming too much for
attention. But now with years passed I thing it blends in way better but still has an edge that other cars don't.

BigToys32

it might be a classic if they start to disappear. if these are as reliable as we hope they are that means they will never vanish off the road.... which means its not much considered a classic... just an old good looking car

TRIOD3SIGNS

DON'T FORGET GUYS..... the 3rd gen TL may be the first "ACURA" ever built!!!!

I know a aziner from japan who purchased the TL in SF & exported it to Japan. WTF

Its because the 3G TL ONLY EXISTS IN THE US & CAN.(well now they export it to china 2009) It was designed here & built here.(US) The first official non honda counterpart ACURA!!!

SO YES. I could see the 3G TL becoming an Icon... as soon as we can get past the dang computer from blocking all the progress on heavily modifying our engines.

ITS ONLY PURPOSE WAS TO BE AN ACURA..... never a honda.

04TLSTER

I had a legend then a cl acura is the best buy out there, have a 04 tl and love it ! but, not feeling the 4th gen tl. acura f#%@ with that new grill, i went to curry acura and they had 4th gen tl's with painted grills to match the car, some were part of the grill and others had it all painted, and let me tell u i did look better.

PhilB81

I thought that was the case with the 2nd gen tl too. But maybe this can explain the rattles

Japspec954

I fell in love with the 3G from the moment I saw em. I just couldn't afford one at the time, because I'm not a baller. LOL. So the minute I was able to afford one used, I jumped on it!! Until this day, I still think our cars looking SICK!! I'm planning on driving this thing til the wheels fall off. I don't really like the 4G either, but who knows, it may grow on me soon.

mdunn1066

I agree, im still a pretty new 3g owner and i love it as much as i did the first day i sat in her at the dealer. I tell all my friends that the only car that could replace this for me is an NSX, and im working hard to make that dream come true

TRIOD3SIGNS

NOPE, 2G TL is known as the HONDA INSPIRE everywhere else.
Just as the RSX is the INTEGRA
& the TSX is the ACCORD

PhilB81

yup ur right, but the 04 accord is an american only platform too, i got confused.

csmeance

the 3G is an amazing car, and it's tough to find something like it. Acura did an amazing job on the 2005-2008 RL, the 2004-2008 TL and TSX. These car's have everything a person needs, great quality parts, good looks and subperb engineering.

PhilB81

And as far as the RL, I think it's really nice too, but i really wish it was an AWD or RWD option car, if that was the case I think I would have went for that instead of a TL.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

I think a "classic" can be defined by many things.
I will say that the TL is beautiful...even years after it was introduced...and is still beautiful to me every time I clean it and look at it. So yes, it's a classic to me.

I was thinking about what other cars out there I would prefer to have...some might be more lux...some might be better mpg...some might be more fun to drive...but i couldn't come up with ANY that had all the features rolled into one. Jack of all trades

csmeance

PhilB81, I fixed the mistake, thanks for pointing it out!

coreshredder

i too wanna keep the car for a while.. but me normally being a MT guy.. and getting a little bored of the AT... so b/c i am in love with the look and performance of the modest sedan.. i think if i were to trade it .. it would only b for a little bit newer like an 07 or 08 MT .. maybe even a type s

TRIOD3SIGNS

I SAY WE TURN THIS INTO A POLL thread

PhilB81

I agree, but don't make it a [yes/no] make it more of a
[Classic / Not a Classic but still a fantastic car / etc]

Elegant TYPE S

iTrader: (2)

With the 4G out, I think we are safe to give the 3G the award, however I will say the 4G is growing on me.

TRIOD3SIGNS

Is the 4g exclusive to ACURA?

lldknyll26

i think 4g is exclusive to acura. not sure if they have it in japan as honda. i know they have the RL under honda logo. 4g looks as if it was designed by an american auto company. i can kind of see the resemblance of an american car

PhilB81

It's growing on me too, I've been checking out the 4G photo forum and with some wheels and a few other things it looks good. If it gets a bit of a nose job and a few other design changes in a few years it has some potential.

CdTriX

wasn't there a rumour that japan wanted to ship the 3g TL to japan and call it the new Honda Saber? since the 2g TL was the last Saber.

btw the 04 accord is the Honda Inspire

yiujai86

I always thought the 4g tl was ugly until today. It finally grew on me. Now I can't stop thinking of how nice it looks.