Back seat folding down?
02-05-2007, 03:43 PM
#1
10th Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: The Yay baby.. if u aint know, ask somebody
Age: 41
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Back seat folding down?
This might be a stupid question but i just assumed that the rear seat would fold down just cuz i figured nowadays all the seats in most cars do. but i didnt find anyting that would allow that.. the only thing i saw was the middle console in the rear seats opened to access the trunk. Am i just blind or do that not actually fold down? im such a noob
03-14-2007, 11:22 PM
#5
Cruisin'
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Lincoln, NE
Age: 48
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One of the keys in building a performance sedan like the TL is a strong structure that resists twisting. To do so Acura needed to further enforce the weaker areas of the Accord that it's based on. One of these weak areas is the trunk pass-through. So the engineers enhanced the structural rigidity of the TL by placing additional cross members in this area, blocking the pass-through and eliminating fully folding rear seats. If the cross members weren't there the TL wouldn't handle as well nor be as responsive to driver input.
It's a sacrifice to make in the name of performance, and depending on why someone buys a TL it may not be something you need.
It's a sacrifice to make in the name of performance, and depending on why someone buys a TL it may not be something you need.
03-14-2007, 11:49 PM
#7
DRINKING HAS A ME PROBLEM
its a smaller car less weight to intice twisting and its not based on an accord. the TSX has its own platform that is designed for this in mind.
Trending Topics
03-15-2007, 08:34 AM
#13
Originally Posted by manhattan01
I miss fold down seats. My old 2 door accord had em. Now I practically have to rent a truck to go to Ikea.
03-15-2007, 08:47 AM
#14
Cruisin'
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Lincoln, NE
Age: 48
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I disagree that the TSX handles better. It's a smaller car and therefore "feels" more nimble, but that test data doesn't lie.......
TSX*
300 ft skidpad = .80 g
Lane change = 61.7 mph
* Car and Driver, Feb 2006
TL*
300 ft skidpad = .89 g
Lane change = 62.3 mph
* Car and Driver, March 2004
Furthermore, take into consideration that the tests above were done on the 2nd model year of the TSX and the 1st model year of the TL and there's no way in a flat out comparison test that the TSX out handles the TL.
Sure, it'd be nice if the rear seats folded down in the TL. If that's an important factor for the buyer then the buyer shouldn't choose the TL. For me it didn't matter because my wife drives an SUV and we use that for hauling things. It all comes down to making the best overall decision for your specific situation, circumstances and needs.
TSX*
300 ft skidpad = .80 g
Lane change = 61.7 mph
* Car and Driver, Feb 2006
TL*
300 ft skidpad = .89 g
Lane change = 62.3 mph
* Car and Driver, March 2004
Furthermore, take into consideration that the tests above were done on the 2nd model year of the TSX and the 1st model year of the TL and there's no way in a flat out comparison test that the TSX out handles the TL.
Sure, it'd be nice if the rear seats folded down in the TL. If that's an important factor for the buyer then the buyer shouldn't choose the TL. For me it didn't matter because my wife drives an SUV and we use that for hauling things. It all comes down to making the best overall decision for your specific situation, circumstances and needs.
03-15-2007, 12:43 PM
#15
07 TL-Navi 5AT, NBP
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: North East, MD
Age: 63
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Back in the early to mid 90's I was with a friend who was looking to purchase an Integra. While looking at the Vigor (I LOVED that bodystyle) and Legend I made a comment to him about the lack of fold down seats, which was overheard by the snooty salesman.
His response (with his nose in the air) was something like "Anyone who would buy an Acura wouldn't even THINK of carrying things such as lumber or plywood. You would never put stuff like that in an Acrua"
Unfortunately it was raining out side and he drowned.
My friend did by the Integra and it was a very nice car. I proceeded to stick with Mazda back then and got a '94 626 which I JUST traded for my '07. Sure I miss the fold down seats but that's why I have a truck also.
Rick
His response (with his nose in the air) was something like "Anyone who would buy an Acura wouldn't even THINK of carrying things such as lumber or plywood. You would never put stuff like that in an Acrua"
Unfortunately it was raining out side and he drowned.
My friend did by the Integra and it was a very nice car. I proceeded to stick with Mazda back then and got a '94 626 which I JUST traded for my '07. Sure I miss the fold down seats but that's why I have a truck also.
Rick
03-15-2007, 02:03 PM
#17
Rebourne
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Age: 42
Posts: 868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by mlody
I call Acura explanation total BS. TSX handles better with narrower tires and has the folding back seats.
as for TL's handling better than the TSX...... ahhmmm
03-15-2007, 02:07 PM
#18
Three Wheelin'
its really a BS explanation regarding tightness and rigidity in the back since theres a little opening in the rear seat area, big enough to fit snowboard and no I'm not talking about that little tiny window behind the arm rest.
03-15-2007, 03:00 PM
#19
Three Wheelin'
Originally Posted by Rpappi
its a smaller car less weight to intice twisting and its not based on an accord. the TSX has its own platform that is designed for this in mind.
The TSX is based on the accord. Just not the accord in the US. (Its a slightly tweaked euro accord)
03-15-2007, 04:16 PM
#20
Cruisin'
Join Date: Jun 2005
Age: 45
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think it is due to cost. On other cars, 40/60 fold down rear seats is an option. You can even get this option on the M5 and I think performance was one of the key design elements for that car. I think folding rear seats is a necessity when you only have one car. I actually took out the lower bolt holding the upper portion so I just unscrew the top two bolts under the headrests and the whole uppper comes off so I can carry larger items.
03-15-2007, 05:11 PM
#21
Be kind to us truckers !
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: New Albany,IN
Age: 56
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by #1HuskerTL
One of the keys in building a performance sedan like the TL is a strong structure that resists twisting. To do so Acura needed to further enforce the weaker areas of the Accord that it's based on. One of these weak areas is the trunk pass-through. So the engineers enhanced the structural rigidity of the TL by placing additional cross members in this area, blocking the pass-through and eliminating fully folding rear seats. If the cross members weren't there the TL wouldn't handle as well nor be as responsive to driver input.
It's a sacrifice to make in the name of performance, and depending on why someone buys a TL it may not be something you need.
It's a sacrifice to make in the name of performance, and depending on why someone buys a TL it may not be something you need.
03-15-2007, 05:15 PM
#22
Kaa - Ching !!!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Rhode Island.....Self-Proclaimed Chromed Cousin of Brettallica
Age: 58
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
I don't miss the 60/40 split as much as I thought i would............coming from a Accord Coupe to a TL I now have a whole back seat to use!!!!
and 2 extra doors....lol
and 2 extra doors....lol
03-15-2007, 09:53 PM
#23
Burning Brakes
Originally Posted by #1HuskerTL
I disagree that the TSX handles better. It's a smaller car and therefore "feels" more nimble, but that test data doesn't lie.......
TSX*
300 ft skidpad = .80 g
Lane change = 61.7 mph
* Car and Driver, Feb 2006
TL*
300 ft skidpad = .89 g
Lane change = 62.3 mph
* Car and Driver, March 2004
Furthermore, take into consideration that the tests above were done on the 2nd model year of the TSX and the 1st model year of the TL and there's no way in a flat out comparison test that the TSX out handles the TL.
Sure, it'd be nice if the rear seats folded down in the TL. If that's an important factor for the buyer then the buyer shouldn't choose the TL. For me it didn't matter because my wife drives an SUV and we use that for hauling things. It all comes down to making the best overall decision for your specific situation, circumstances and needs.
TSX*
300 ft skidpad = .80 g
Lane change = 61.7 mph
* Car and Driver, Feb 2006
TL*
300 ft skidpad = .89 g
Lane change = 62.3 mph
* Car and Driver, March 2004
Furthermore, take into consideration that the tests above were done on the 2nd model year of the TSX and the 1st model year of the TL and there's no way in a flat out comparison test that the TSX out handles the TL.
Sure, it'd be nice if the rear seats folded down in the TL. If that's an important factor for the buyer then the buyer shouldn't choose the TL. For me it didn't matter because my wife drives an SUV and we use that for hauling things. It all comes down to making the best overall decision for your specific situation, circumstances and needs.
Just to straight the facts - the number you provided for TL is for summer tires. Handling for all-season tires is .80-.81 (depends on tires - Michelin or Bridgstone) and other factors
03-16-2007, 11:16 AM
#25
Instructor
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sterling, VA
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was surprised and disappointed that they didn't fold down. With my last car(s), they stayed up most of the time, but for the occasional long trip it was nice to have the ability to fold down one side or the other for a little extra storage space.
03-16-2007, 07:42 PM
#26
Actually the TL, TSX, RL, and Accord share the same platform.
Have any of you actually removed the rear seat of the TL? There's no such thing as "extra braces" or "cross members" or whatever that blocks the pass through. If you remove the rear seat itself, you'll see a wide open cutout. The cutout is of the same size as my 06 Accord's cutout. So, where did they put the extra bracing?
So.... is Acura lying through their teeth? I think not. The TL's rear seat itself acts as the extra bracing to stiffen the rear end. The seat back is bolted in 5 locations (2 on the top and 3 on the bottom) and it gives the extra flex resistance to the rear shock mounts.
Have any of you actually removed the rear seat of the TL? There's no such thing as "extra braces" or "cross members" or whatever that blocks the pass through. If you remove the rear seat itself, you'll see a wide open cutout. The cutout is of the same size as my 06 Accord's cutout. So, where did they put the extra bracing?
So.... is Acura lying through their teeth? I think not. The TL's rear seat itself acts as the extra bracing to stiffen the rear end. The seat back is bolted in 5 locations (2 on the top and 3 on the bottom) and it gives the extra flex resistance to the rear shock mounts.
03-17-2007, 01:18 PM
#27
Cruisin'
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Lincoln, NE
Age: 48
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 260 HP
Actually the TL, TSX, RL, and Accord share the same platform.
Have any of you actually removed the rear seat of the TL? There's no such thing as "extra braces" or "cross members" or whatever that blocks the pass through. If you remove the rear seat itself, you'll see a wide open cutout. The cutout is of the same size as my 06 Accord's cutout. So, where did they put the extra bracing?
So.... is Acura lying through their teeth? I think not. The TL's rear seat itself acts as the extra bracing to stiffen the rear end. The seat back is bolted in 5 locations (2 on the top and 3 on the bottom) and it gives the extra flex resistance to the rear shock mounts.
Have any of you actually removed the rear seat of the TL? There's no such thing as "extra braces" or "cross members" or whatever that blocks the pass through. If you remove the rear seat itself, you'll see a wide open cutout. The cutout is of the same size as my 06 Accord's cutout. So, where did they put the extra bracing?
So.... is Acura lying through their teeth? I think not. The TL's rear seat itself acts as the extra bracing to stiffen the rear end. The seat back is bolted in 5 locations (2 on the top and 3 on the bottom) and it gives the extra flex resistance to the rear shock mounts.
Just for my own curiosity I started researching other sedans of a more sporty nature to see if they have folding rear seats. I'll post my findings here when I'm done (probably tomorrow).
theres been a couple of times where I wished mine would fold down
03-17-2007, 01:31 PM
#29
Another reason the TL doesn't have a pass thru back seat, it to maximize the interior space of the back seat. The TL has the largest cabin of any car in it's class. It's one of the reason I bought mine.
Pass through for skis FTW!!! 
03-17-2007, 01:54 PM
#31
Kaa - Ching !!!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Rhode Island.....Self-Proclaimed Chromed Cousin of Brettallica
Age: 58
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Originally Posted by jupitersolo
Another reason the TL doesn't have a pass thru back seat, it to maximize the interior space of the back seat. The TL has the largest cabin of any car in it's class. It's one of the reason I bought mine.
Ummm, even if the seats did fold down the rear cabin space wouldn't change>?
03-17-2007, 04:31 PM
#33
Originally Posted by SteveP66
Ummm, even if the seats did fold down the rear cabin space wouldn't change>?
03-17-2007, 06:03 PM
#35
Originally Posted by SteveP66
It couldn't possibly make that much of a difference
Honda did away with the double wishbone suspension in the Civic for this exact reason. They wanted more interior space, the wishbone didn't allow for that without making the Civic as big as the Accord.
Acura not giving up the double wishbone.
03-18-2007, 11:52 AM
#36
Cruisin'
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Lincoln, NE
Age: 48
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
List of 4-dr sedan folding rear seats
OK, so here's a list of 21 four door sedans and if they have a standard, optional or no folding rear seat according to MSN Autos. Some of these are not TL competitors, but I think it gives us an idea of what other manufacturers are offering.
Acura TL = No
Acura TSX = Std
Audi A4 = Std
Audi A6 = Std
BMW 3 series = Opt
Chrysler 300C = Std
Honda Accord = Std
Infiniti G35 = No
Jaguar X-Type = Std
Lexus IS = No
Lexus ES = No
Lincoln MKZ = No
Mazda 6s = Std
Mercedes C-Class = Opt
Nissan Maxima = Std
Saab 9-3 = Std
Saab 9-5 = Std
Toyota Camry = Std
Volkswagen Passat = Std
Volvo S40 = Std
Volvo S60 = Std
Only 5 of these 21 don't offer folding rear seats. It's interesting that 4 of those 5 are Japanese luxury brands.
Acura TL = No
Acura TSX = Std
Audi A4 = Std
Audi A6 = Std
BMW 3 series = Opt
Chrysler 300C = Std
Honda Accord = Std
Infiniti G35 = No
Jaguar X-Type = Std
Lexus IS = No
Lexus ES = No
Lincoln MKZ = No
Mazda 6s = Std
Mercedes C-Class = Opt
Nissan Maxima = Std
Saab 9-3 = Std
Saab 9-5 = Std
Toyota Camry = Std
Volkswagen Passat = Std
Volvo S40 = Std
Volvo S60 = Std
Only 5 of these 21 don't offer folding rear seats. It's interesting that 4 of those 5 are Japanese luxury brands.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rockyboy
2G RDX (2013-2018)
170
12-06-2022 02:29 PM
