Ok, I have owned a '05 TL for 4 months until it was totaled. That was replaced with an Infiniti.

I'm considering picking up another TL. (I have a new M5 now, but am thinking of spliltting that into 2 cars: daily sedan, and dedicated track car a-la Elise).

Anyway, I still love the TL styling and drive and interior, but am kind of hesitant to get in one again.

1) I fear RATTLES and squeeks. I didn't have many on my last, but I just read so much about them on here. Am I nuts to worry about it so much?

2) I just hate that it doesn't have MP3 CD ability! I can't believe the RL has for so long and the TL hasn't. Is there a good iPod solution yet that allows listening to and charging the iPod while plugged in? (and no loss of satellite radio)

3) I wish there was a way to play DVD video. You can do this on the IS & ES and our Infiniti which I really like.

4) The leather wear wasn't the best on my '05 TL. The leather seems to wear faster than other cars.


Any advice?

 

I picked up my 06 TL at the end of March . . . .

1. mine has a squeak already -- the silver frame around the shifter is mounted to a different point than the surrounding fake wood grain and I can feel that it moves separately - hence the squeak . . . I am going to bring it up on my first oil change that is coming up

2. The Ipod adapter from Acura works well, sounds good and charges the battery . . . . but is awkward to use via the voice prompts (I posted a decent workaround last month - https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...&postcount=175 ) . . . . personally I think the adapter is overpriced due to the amount of labor it requires to install (dealer install was almost as much as the unit itself was)

3. there are several posts on installing a video switcher to allow you to add a backup camera or DVD video player . . . but you would have to install it and use a manual switch . . . . I'd rather see a factory option myself (I'm getting too old to tear my car apart to add toys)

4. can't comment yet . . . . since I plan on keeping the car for a long time I'm assuming I will have to have new seat covers installed eventually . . figured when I have to I would go with a custom option and upgrade the quality . . . .

-DZ

 

Oh, advice . . . . . if you liked the 05 TL and think it is better than the Infinity, then do it . . . . . but you'd be giving up an M5? what year? How does that one compare to the TL you'd get in it's place?

 

Well, I liked it, but not better than our M35 Infiniti. There are so many technology items on the Infiniti M's and they're not the same class anyway.


I have a brand new '06 M5. The TL doesn't compare of course. 500 HP vs 258?

I was hoping to have my M5 and a track car like an Elise, but with some family changes coming I've decided to not tie up that much money in cars. For the same money as my M5, I can have a nice sedan for a daily, and still get to the track in an Elise or something similar. So, bye-bye M5. Makes me sad, but oh well.

So, I'm considering a TL again or maybe a Lexus ES. The ES doesn't excite me as much, but it's interior is NICE and a little larger. Plus, it has DVD changer (DVD video and audio) and ability to play MP3 CD's. Technology-wise, it's quite a leap ahead. My dilemma is whether it's worth $7K more. The extra money plus the fact that I'm just not thrilled with its looks make it a tough call.

If I knew the TL could be rattle free (or had a good chance to be) along with a reasonable aftermarket solution for MP3 and DVD, I'd do the TL.