dr_brains510

So I was reading a lot of threads of people saying that the Base TL is almost as fast as the TL Type S (quarter mile wise). They were saying how the TLS does the quarter-mile in 14.4 or even more. So I don't know what they were reading but here is a good comparison between several competitors of the TLS. Oh and you can see the times for the IS350 b/c I read that someone here beat one on his modified TL. Maybe he did but these numbers don't lie. You decide for yourselves.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...tl-type-s.html

Aman

ive been waiting for Car and Driver to do a test on the TL and the month they do it just HAPPENS to be the month my subscriptions runs out and there are none at my corner store

bitches

Aman

and how the hell can you put a Buick and an Evo in the same comparison test?

dr_brains510

thats what i was thinking...not only that, they put all these V8's in the mix...thats just dumb if you ask me

Aman

oh, and a BMW made the podium. What a surprise from Car and Driver.

I think the TL held up pretty well, considering this is based only on acceleration and taking into account current company.

dr_brains510

its funny how they said "launch well and you COULD snap off a very quick 5.2 seconds" for the G35. and if you don't? LOL

MichiganRich

C&D has never been a fan of the TL. It's not sufficiently compromised toward sunny weather performance for them.

I've always thought they underestimate the value that our car brings to the table. In the real world, all the bells and whistles that adorn the cars they test cost extra money. Ours comes loaded, no questions asked. I use my car to commute, to travel, to take friends to lunch... all places where skidpad numbers and 1/4 mile times are largely irrelevant.

I subscribed for decades to C&D, but found them increasingly out of touch with the day-to-day ownership of cars.

stillhere153

iTrader: (1)

the dodge charger srt8... no shit its got 150hp on the tl
it is ugly ass fuck though

ps. the tl belongs in the top 5 if it wasn't n/a, why don't they test drive a boosted 06

Bearcat94

Keep in mind this "comparision" was:

1. Sedans - that's it, just has to be a sedan.
2. Quickness - Zero to 60 and 1/4 mile.
3. MSRP between $30k and $40k.

It wasn't about anything else. Want to what the Quickest $30 to $40k Sedan? This is them.


The TL-S times are 6MT "(necessary to run similar acceleration numbers)" and a bit faster than Road & Track got with thier Type-S earlier this year. The G is also a tad quicker here, the IS350 is slower.

pohljm

how can it be faster by .3 sec 0-60 then in the street start 5-60? that makes no sense

groovyone789

and configure a similar SRT-8 and you're at 44,000.

260 HP

iTrader: (3)

Because 0-60 time is obtained by pegging the motor at the peak HP or torque and dump the clutch or modulate it to avoid bogging or spinning endlessly.

When you accelerate from rolling at 5mph, you can't dump the clutch or other methods. All you can do is simply floor the throttle and hope for the best.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

You mean, how come the TL is 0.3s slower from 0-60 than the G35, but has the same 5-60mph time? I guess the TL has traction problem launching from a dead stop. But from a roll (without revving to 5000rpm and then dropping the clutch), traction is less of an issue, and so 5-60mph is the same.

Opps, someone beat me to answering your question...

260 HP

iTrader: (3)

Car and Driver has never been a fan of high powered FWD, to put it simply, for good reasons. FWD cars tax the front wheels too much because they have to accelerate, steer, and also stop the car. At the end, high powered FWD cars tend to understeer (because of the heavy motor up front) and torque steer.

Like Bearcat94 said, C/D simply is listing you the fastest sedan that carry BASE price of $30k to $40k. That's it. And Fyre Man, read again, BMW didn't take the podium.

limited

Probably because they had the six speed. Look at what they said about the IS350 "You won’t be working too hard to repeat our 5.1-second 0-to-60 mph time, as the IS350’s only available transmission is a six-speed automatic."

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

But the TL-S can still outhandle the newest RWD competitors from Japan with a big margin.

psheu

I didn't know that TL-S is DOHC.... I thought it was SOHC.... hmmmm.... am I missing something here?and what is this ranking based on? what a total BS .... i think this ranking is just based on 0-60 straight line..... but when it comes to fit and finishes, those other cars doesn't even come close to TL.....

TeknoKing

psheu, yep, if the rubber timing belt goes, so does the entire engine. But you should only worry if you have near 100K and/or live in extreme cold climate or extreme dry/humid climate.

Toyata is smart about it, it has a chain, so even if the chain rips, the engine simply halts, and with minor calibration and a new chain, it is good again.

gauravp123

guys why are we finding excuses about the finishes? OK our fit and finish it better, OK we love our cars but seriously, why can't we handle when our car doesn't come in the #1-#3 spots?

just playing devil's advocate

don't get me wrong, I love my car, and its worth every penny...but as BEARCAT94 posted, read his items #1-#3 and when this report was only on those 3 items...the TL deserves to be at #7

seriously guys, some of you guys need to take what the article is for, and understand that our car on those 3 measured results that bearcat points out, doesn't deserve to be #1!

blakura

TecknoKing, are you referring to DOHC or SOHC engines or both?

gauravp123

TeknoKing

I was talking about TL in particular, Honda uses both DOHC and SOHC engines.

Few of my friends have shops, so I hear a lot of mechanical info

Blakura, where in NYC are you?

blakura

I'm actually in North Carolina. Is anyone else on here from NC?

visuelz

For more information:

Here's the link to tell which cars have interference engines. All Acura have interference engines except the SLX. I've seen one and that was last year.

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/doity...ference+engine

Interference engines means your valves open further and will cause them to bend or snap. This will also lead to damaging your piston walls, etc. This mean when your timing belt breaks, your engine will need a lot of money for repairs.

Non-interference engines will not do anything your car except just halt. This means when your timing belt breaks, nothing will break.

Aman

Whan I say podium, I mean 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. The Bimmer came in 2nd.

Car and Driver has in fact been a fan of the 3g TL ever since it came out. the only thing bogging it down (according to them) is the FWD. read some reviews. A rwd TL would murder G35s and possibly 328s all-around.

TeknoKing

Visuelz, what told you that I didn't understand the concept behind these two engines?

Thanks though for the input.

blakura

I know this is off-topic, but what's the difference between SOHC and DOHC besides one being single and the other dual, how does it affect performance or fuel economy?

Aman

you're looking for Blackura_NY, who is located in, obviously, NY.

visuelz

I just wanted to further support what you said by having a reference. It was not my intention to belittle you. Sorry!


DOHC means there are dual camshafts, which means you'll have 2 intake valves and 2 exhaust valves. This will allow your car to run smoother, quieter, and cooler and more efficient. It costs more for repairs though.

TeknoKing

Hey, thanks.

TeknoKing

It's all good. I'm actually browsing the site you gave me. Thanks

Aman

no prob

23109VC

this comparo is just plain stupid.

putting a TL, wiht an EvO,wtih an SRT8....c'mon.

i understand the point was to focus solely on 4 doors and acceleration times, within a set price range...but look at what different cars fell within that price range.

apples and oranges....hell...it's apples and fruitcake....

SRT8..please. test drove one... barf. why not strap a booster rocket on my refrigetator... same thing for less money.

buick? okay, they need to have a cutoff for cars that only appeal to people with one foot in the grave, who are about to have their license taken away for inability to drive or see over the steering wheel..

okay. enough bashing..

i've driven a lot of these cars. if you purely look at power, then yeah, the TL won't win.

most of us are looking to buy, or bought, a TL because we were looking at a LOT more than just hp, torque, and 1/4 mile times.

TeknoKing

T Ho

Single OHC designs can have 2 intake and 2 exhaust valves, too. The TL has, for years.
Dual OHC allows for some pieces to be removed, mainly rockers, that allow the valvetrain to be lighter, and therefore, to rev higher. If you're pushing above 7000rpm, and don't want ridiculous spring pressures that kill cams, valves and seats, DOHC is the way to go. Of course, that's from an initial design perspective, because it's not like you can just swap in over in your garage on a Saturday afternoon.

shooter

Let's not get too hyped about this one ... I am sure we all got TL for some rational reasons and shouldn't have second thoughts just from reading this post, even though it's from C&D ...

Aman

...which of course, would justify the reasoning behind buying the TL seeing as Car and Driver is on life support through BMW bribery and advertising, and therefore should not have any of its articles taken seriously.

fish008

Here is the thing that is more interesting to me. The CTS, which was one of Car and Drivers 10 Best and was Motor Trends Car of the Year gets 9th. I love C&D and have been a long time reader and I can't think of a time when I actually disagreed with one of their tests - until now. I wasn't the one driving so I can't really say anything but...something isn't right. What a weird group of cars - I don't think that they belong is the same test.

260 HP

iTrader: (3)

I have to disagree. Have you driven other Japanese RWD cars that compete with the TL-S? IMO, the TL or TL-S has very capable chassis and great suspension tuning. The only thing that hampers its performance is its FWD platform. Compared to other FWD cars in its class, TL handles very well. But if it's compared to RWD cars, it's not a good match. It's like bringing a knife to a gunfight.

I don't have hard numbers in my hands, but in turns and corners, the TL simply doesn't feel as "fun" compared to say G35 or 3-series.

Try this, punch the gas pedal as you're exiting a corner in the TL/TL-S, G35, and 3-series. The TL has very good power, but it also wants to push wide, whereas the RWD counterparts actually tighten their lines.

Don't get me wrong, I love my TL. This is still one of the best looking sedan from a Japanese nameplate. This car also has excellent value compared to others. But from the fun to drive stand point, it's just not as good as other RWD cars. I also have an M3 that makes my TL's shortcomings more obvious.

Also don't forget, this particular C/D article only lists the fastest sedan that carries BASE price between $30k-$40k. That's it.

007TL-S

C & D rant's BMW 3 series as the bench mark this segment !...but they never praise theye'r reliability..because they just suck! ...resale value (check your local paper listings), the buyer lose's theye'r ass for sure (with the exception of theye'r "M"series, cost of ownership really sucks!, ! as for the Caddy CTS , C&D will plugg anything for a little cash'ola!.....But I do agree they do put together some strange comparo's , I dropped C&D a long time ago, I like Road & track better, theye'r Magazine doesn't as bias, and is more entertaining!