leeherman

Hello all,

I figured I'd chime in with some good news to break up the string of rattle posts!

I picked up my ABP/Quartz 5spd+Navi TL (photos here) on 6/25/2004 and have put over 800 miles on since.

Since I've been on a two week vacation since 6/29, I've used the car as much as I could for running errands, and took two one day trips with it.

My first one day trip was to Montauk Point on Eastern Long Island, NY. The navigation system worked great, and we used it to pick a restaurant for lunch once we got to the Hamptons. The next day we went upstate to visit some friends in Livingston Manor, and it was on the way home from that trip that I passed the 600 mile mark. I came down Bear Mountain and got to enjoy the curvy roads and I finally tested the manu-matic mode as I was driving down the mountain. I liked the manual shift mode, though it takes a bit of getting used to. I'm used to just shifting down to "2" or "1" in my other vehicles.

I also finally opened it up from a standstill and I'm very impressed with the power. It's almost as quick as my '69 Dodge Dart, but without the neat sounds. The TL has a nice growl, but nothing compares to an American V8 unencumbered by emissions devices! The car is certainly faster at the top end, and a LOT more pleasant to drive fast than the Dart. The Dart, however, will ALWAYS be my most fun car!

I have NO issues to report. No rattles, no vibrations, the seat leather looks fine, the paint is fine, everything works as it should. The navigation system works well, though the directions to my friends in Livingston Manor were wrong (lots of unverified roads up there). The sound system is great, and I've been enjoying the XM. Ride and handling are great, and I have no complaints about the EL-42s yet. The car hasn't been in the rain yet, so that may change.

All in all, on a scale of one to five, the car earns...



...five grins.

My vacation is over tomorrow and the car will be settling into its role as a weekend and trip car. It'll probably see less than 6,000 miles/year going forward, but I'm sure I'll enjoy every opportunity to drive it.

neuronbob

Nice review, thanks! I'll be trying out the long-term cruising in this car shortly myself.

dseag2

Thanks for sharing your experience. Ditto for me in 2 months, 1,700 miles. Ample power, fun to drive, no issues.

varanelli

Sounds good. I've had mine almost six months and have put on 6,250 trouble-free miles. My A-1 service reminder went on yesterday, so I'm bringing it in today. I have only a few MINOR complaints:

small glove compartment
should have gone for navi (my fault)
easy to scratch rims (also my fault)
wish fog lights were lower down and wish they could be turned on with high beams
slight bumper color mismatch (a common problem with many car makes/models)

Overall, though, I am very pleased. The car is everyhting I hoped it would be. I still look forward to driving it every day. No rattles, leather issues, headliner problems, etc.

sly

I also have no problems with 3700 miles. Fun car to drive.

Dr.Murdock

i bought my TL on june 19th - it was a present for my 18th birthday and graduation. I am loving the car. Right now i have 600miles on it and im loving it. The ride is excellent and so is its power. The car is perfect - no problems with it whatsoever, I dont know why so many complain about tires and rattles, i guess they are the unlucky ones. i love every part of the TL and have 0 problems with it.

nick04tl

its nice to have a thread without a bunch of complaints.

Novice

We with some problems with our TLs are not complaining. We are simply trying to find some solutions to them.

nick04tl

i was talking about the people that just dont stop bitching. i should be the one complaining. im the one who has to deal with the complainers everyday. it is insane if more people read the owners manual my job would be a lot easier.

rets

Great write-up... thanks.

Dkrudop

4,500+ miles here and everything is still tight as a drum. My only concern (and, granted, it's an extremely minor one) is that the MID thermometer just doesn't seem to reflect outside temps accurately. Love the feel....love the ride.....and I still smile every time I climb in!

Jss1

Ten months problem free too.

leeherman

Agreed!

BTW, I finally drove the car in the rain today. It had to happen eventually.

The tires seemed fine in the wet stuff, and I doubt I'll drive it in the white stuff any time in the next few years.

I had an opportunity to test the traction control and it works! The ground was wet and I stomped the throttle from a stoplight. I've never had a car with traction control, so I was curious to see how it worked. It works well!

Keep on truckin'!

ensley696

I have 850 on mine and its still as good as the day I drove her off the lot. A small rattle from the top center tray door when its closed, but happens so seldom its not worth complaining about. I have started to open her up a little more and love the sound the VTEC makes. I have driven it in rain and its handles great. The EL42's do not seem to give me any trouble, but can be easily chirped if I accidentally come off the clutch to fast. I am still trying to get used to darting into the traffic without chirping the tires, *L*. Other than that, I'm on my 4th tank of gas, avg 23 MPG and have no complaints.

SouthernBoy

I had EL42's on my '02 Altima SE and got rid of them at 34000 miles with about 15000 miles left on the tread. They hydroplaned terribly. I bought Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. SO much better, but those make a strange noise under positive torque.

JetJock

2500 miles and NO problems at all...none!!!...BTW....my car still has not seen a drop of rain...and I'd like to keep it that way....hahaha!!!!

It's nice to see that there are people who got a good car without problems....makes me feel good knowing that Acura still can build a nice car without rattles and falling headliners