Musky-Hunter

I have a 2nd Gen 1999 TL with 138k. I have enjoyed this car with the exception of the very annoying break rotor warping/pulsating. It is time to replace it and I'm wishing I had not read many of the threads on this board about rattles. After reading the first bunch I went to the dealer and test drove an 05' with 65k on it and what a disspointment, tons of rattles. Also the dash faded badley making the airbag quite visible. Has this been fixed in the 08' model?

I really enjoy the 08' I'm consdiering but fear the rattles will drive me nuts. For those that have a 3G, would you buy it again? Do the rattles drive you nuts?

powerflow

I love my 3G. Any rattles I have experienced are so minimal, it's a non issue for me.

If I had a lot more money, I would buy a G37 sedan, 6MT sport of course.

Blazing GT

I love the 3G.....

DGP-King

i have a 04 TL and wen i see all the problems these 05-08's have i feel really lucky

my tl was one of the first off the line so i figured i'd have more problems but i gotta say my tl is built veryyy goooood!

buttt every car has a diff problem...

like my 06 Cadillac CTS had a fallin apart problem lol

oh to answer your question yes. i would buy again prob a 08 TL-S Auto

csmeance

I have an 04 and I love it. The dash fade can be fixed though a simple cleaning and conditioning process. What happened is a chemical during the manuf. process seeps through the vinyl and causes this appearance. Cleaning with Woolite Solution and conditioning with 303 Aerospace Protectant solves the issue.

As far as rattles, they are present in the 3G TL. They can be easily fixed with some foam and a little time. Otherwise the 3G is solid and as well a safe car. I suggest you look at an 05+ TL for the simple and various improvements over the 04.

JAB00

I have an 05 TL. 4yrs going and still loving it. No rattles. Just taken it to the dealer for routine maintenance and minor fixes, which the warranty covered. If I went back in time to 05 to do it again, I would.

TLType-s12

iTrader: (2)

I love my TL-S. Overall its a bomb ass car. However, after my 3G I will never buy a FWD car again in my life. As soon as I laid eyes on my car at the dealer I was sold. I would not recommend to go from a one gen TL to another. There are times were I just stare at my car and admire its design, but the FWD has to go. lol Id get a G37 or EVO X or somthing in its place.

Babnik

I would definitely buy mine again too. The rattling issue is pretty minor, at least on most cars.

The only changes the 05 has over the 04 is extra stitching on the front seats, a passenger airbag cutoff switch, and different seat belt anchor mounts. Hardly enough reason to pass over an 04. Correct me if I'm wrong.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

Took the words right out of my mouth.

I would also like to add that if the Type-S was available in 05, I would have bought that.

LoveMyTL-S

I have an 08 which I bought last April. No rattle issues at all! Simply love this machine

alexSU

iTrader: (3)

I have an 05 with 50K and I love it! Just a few rattles but the dealer took care of them under warranty. Even if I knew about this before buying the car I still would Buy the 08 and you will not be disappointed!

csmeance

Also the 05 has slightly better build quality, a less pronounced 1500RPM vibration, a better transmission, better audio system (slightly better) and probably it will have less miles.

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

considering what i paid for my 07 when it was brand new, hell yes....i paid 35k otd, for an acura that had a 39k sticker price....there was really nothing else in that price point that could compare to the cars performance and features....now had i paid full price for the car, then maybe i would have to consider trying something else....

berzerker

Just paid off my 04 5AT. 105k miles, great car, no rattles or mechanical issues and it still gets compliments from people. If I wanted another reliable/trouble free car that looks great - I'd buy another TL (pre 09 version) Since the new ones are ass ugly, I'm not even considering those. Although the SHAWD is a very tempting feature...I just can't get past the appearance. With the exception of a few minor cosmetic things (like butt wrinkle seats or dash fade - cured with 303 spray) I have no complaints from my car. The next time around I will go for a rear wheel drive car, like TLType-s12 said, more fun to drive in my opinion. Back in 04 when I bought the TL, and for a few years after, there was no other car that I would have purchased. Now, I'm liking the styling of the G37's and M35's. If the Lexus IS350 was a bigger I'd take a look at those as well, I just can't fit in them comfortably at 6-3 215lbs.

TL's are great cars, just depends on what you want/need.

Spiritman

Ya Baby!
I would like to do it again..........

Will Y.

Yes, I would buy again.

My '05 TL has 43K on it and the lease is ending in May. After test driving the 335i in 6M and auto, the A4 and G37 in 6M, the GS350, etc., I'm inclined to buy my TL at lease end (knowing that I can lease a new G37 sedan for $400/mo.).

I test drove a new '08 TL-S, but can't find a new one now , and the new TL is not my kind of car.

myron

iTrader: (4)

coming from a 99 TL and now in a 2005 TL 6mt, I am not regreting it at all. Love my car. It can be smooth and luxury, or fast and sporty when I want it to be. I would for sure get another one

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Musky, I have never thought of regretting my purchase of a Type S. I'm the kind that keeps my car for years and years. My 1997 Chrysler Sebring convertible I had for 11 years. So when I purchased this car, I wanted sportyness, aggressiveness and something that didn't look like everything else on the road. For me, it's a perfect choice. If I had to buy another car, if I couldn't get my Lamborghini, I would definitely get another 3G TL, but not a 4G. I like the looks of the 3G better.

spiike

No. I would get a slightly used 335i with navi for mid 30's. Then a Worsteiner trunk, mtech kit, tint, csl rep wheels, and JB3. With 350 whp and solid handling.. can't go wrong. But that is just me. I just wish my TL-S had more oomph.

I have zero rattles. Went to the dealer 3 times and they got it right the 3rd time. You can see the airbag crease in my steering wheel and the passenger airbag impression, but generally I'm concentrating on driving around idiots to notice. Freakin almost got hit again today by a lady on the phone.

old coastie

Musky,
We have had our 08 TL for about one year and 20,000mi. We love the car, have had absolutely no problems and no rattles. Now we don't drive on the track nor street race but I do get aggressive on curving no-traffic roads. Again no problems and for certain I would buy another.

Oswald Vater

I've had two 3g's - 04 and 08. The 08 is a big improvement over the 04. Virtually zero rattles. I think it also looks better than the 4g. I wouldn't hesitiate to get another one although I might opt for an "S" if i did. Best wishes with your decision.

BEAR-AvHistory

'06 6MT TL 35,000+ miles. Yes would buy it again. That being said, would not buy a '09 4G due to styling & larger overall size

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

i have had a few acuras in the past few years... 92 legend coupe, 94 vigor both sold, 98tl i have given to my mom to drive and the 07tl to my dad now... and overall acura makes a great solid all around car... yes i would buy the 3G again...

and if the rattles are what is bothering you, getting an 08 will still be under warranty... and all cars have rattles... my GS430 makes many little annoying noises too...

Tito483

I have on 08 TL-S.k I've read on here before and agree that the best solution is just to turn up the volume on the stereo. At the same time, that may be the cause of the rattles. Double edged sword i guess??? I would buy the car the car again though....

Bearcat94

If I could do it again, I wouldn't buy one .... I'd buy 2; One His and one her's.

The "His model" would be a 6MT TL-S.


.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

You know, the site has a lot of comparisons to other cars the the same class as the TL. Acura may not have the mystique of a BMW, or the association with class like a Lexus or Mercedes. But for the options available on the car and the overall "value for the dollar", Acura outshines them all.

2009 Kansas City Acura Meet
https://acurazine.com/forums/midwest-312/kansas-city-2009-spring-all-acura-meet-may-17th-12pm-%40-jay-wolfe-acura-714994/

mjmartin

I've got a 06 TL and an 06 MDX. Would buy both again in a heartbeat!

(Cj)

the 3G was like heaven on wheels

JD TL-S

iTrader: (1)

I bought a new 06 ASM TL NAV Automatic in Aug 06. I tradded it in for a 2007 ASM TL Type-S with an automatic, I modded it big time. I had it 8 months and tradded it in on a new 2007 NBP Honda Civic Si sedan. I tradded that in on a Certified 2006 WDP TL NAV MANUAL with 28k miles and LOVE it much more then all the rest. Once I get all my MODS installed, I will sleep like a baby.

2006 Certified WDP MANUAL NAV TL RULES.

Ramrodthrusterpuppy

Agreed with these points 110%.

I love almost everything about my TL-S but the FWD is a major sticking point. I didn't think that I would mind, but I do. The torque steer, while somewhat corrected by the LSD, is still prevalent....really takes the fun out of hammering out of a corner in low gear. So based on this, for me...I wouldn't buy another 3G.

However, if the 3G was RWD, it would be close to being a perfect sports sedan IMO.

JD TL-S

iTrader: (1)

I was SO CLOSE to buying a manual 135i or new Camaro SS manual, BUT After having so many diff cars I can deal with FWD. But I live north of Chicago and don't have the comfort to having 2 cars, so the TL is for me.

JD TL-S

iTrader: (1)

IF you have a MANUAL TL AND do the correct mods, AND KNOW how to drive, it can keep up with RWD cars...... Just don't enter a DRIFTING competition.....

Rafiton

I have one and I love it, and certainly would buy another one.

Japs08

I Love my 08 Type-S. Don't wanna blink my eyes when i'm staring at it. LOL!

mowbro

07 TL type S here. Purchased last fall with 9,000 miles. So far, really good.

I agree with some of the above comments re: high performance FWD. It's a given; you gotta deal with it. But I knew that. Back in the day I had a Ford Taurus SHO 5sp. The FWD issues are somewhat but far from fully tamed in my TL. Driven at 7/10, the TL (A-Spec wheels and suspension) is really fine. At 9/10 and above (not recommended on public streets!) RWD is more efficient and enjoyable.

Forgot to mention: No rattles.

the Bro.

ray-ban

My first car - 2002 TL
Second car - 2000 TL
Third and now present car - 2008 TL

So I went from Gen 2 to Gen 1 to Gen 3 on the TL's and have loved every one of them.

No rattles in my car, extremely fun to drive. Where I don't share others disappointments that it's a FWD car, I DO wish it was an AWD.

I test drove the Lexus IS lineup, and found it a very rivaling car, however, I fell in love with the 3G when it first came out, and since then have been longing for one. So I did not want to settle. Also bang for the buck? Can't really beat a TL. My car has a LOT more features than a lot of other cars that are MUCH pricier. For example, to get the IS250 say, with the same options as my TL, I'd have to pay $52K with a hefty finance rate (got 0.9% with my TL).

So if I could do it all over again, would I? Yep. My car is stock and still turns heads.