xo1rider

New to this forum and looking forward to figuring it all out. I just sold my 2005 Lexus ES330 for a 2006 TL. The Lexus was putting me to sleep, most boring car I ever owned!

Got a shiny black TL with parchment interior with navigation. Added an iPod kit (may have been a mistake )

I've got a 1999 BMW Z3 to use for getting my kicks so this car will be primarily a short commute and road trip car. So far I'm loving the bluetooth link and pretty happy with everything else.

leedogg

Congrats man, and good decision on the swap! (although maybe I should say it was a poor initial buying decision )

xo1rider

It was a poor buying decision but the good news is the trade in value was high and running the numbers it cost me less to own for exactly one year than it would have to lease. I paid cash for both cars, it was a painless swap money wise.

joed40

Welcome aboard!

Sclass88

Congrats! The ES surely is a boring car to drive. You'll enjoy the TL.

TLmeister

Yeah I know what you mean about the Lexus...doesn't excite me, something is lacking about the Lexus. That is why I'm sold on the TL way more fun to drive vehicle. I'm pulling the trigger on the last week of March, I'm all set on purchasing one just haven't decided yet on the color....Congrats by the way!!

papa_giorgio

I just got mine over the weekend and droped it off lastnight to get my ipod link and body kit installed. What's your gripe on the iPod link?

06TL

Did you decide on an automatic or manual transmission?

keithce

iPod link is a waste of money. Its soo useless. You have no control over the iPod whatsoever except for changing the song and making it shuffle whatever playlist you had going when you plugged it in.

There is a thread on the iPod adapter if you really wanna hear people bitching about it.

I got it with my new '06 TL and I can't say i regret, but I wish there was a better solution.

FightingTL

Great choice and enjoy the car!

May I suggest doing the ASpec package and Comptech RSB.

A little cash into the handling will turn your TL into a 3 series handling competitor!

06AM6MT

I purchased the ipod link- after reading up and knowing exactly what I was buying.

Since it was wrapped up in the price of the new car- I am happy with it- perfect sound quality- and after getting used to it- I can navigate my ipod content fairly well (about 4600 songs)

It is not perfect- and the drawbacks are real. I don't think I would pay the bones outright- but as part of the whole new car package it is ok.


Congrats on the new car!

special-ed

That's sooo funny you said that as I have always wondered how that particular car was. I always see the 45+ driving these things so I'm guessing quiet cabin, nice comfy ride, no road feel, plush leather seating, etc.......all the things that would make you literally fall asleep while you were driving it, if you want to call it driving IMO.

I couldn't imagine any drive longer than 30 minutes without falling asleep.

Congrats on the TL!

xo1rider

First of all, I've left 45 far behind for that matter I've left 50 in my rearview mirror, going to be 60 in a few months. Other than being really boring the Lexus ES330 is a very good car with some great features that I miss in the TL. Auto headlamps for starters, better MID including current estimated MPG. I also miss the compass in the rearview mirror, that was a nice touch. It was standard with a 6 CD changer in the armrest PLUS a single CD slot in the dash behind the NAV.

Yesterday morning with the sun at my back the NAV display on the TL was washed out, on the Lexus you get a rear window power operated sun shade plus the Nav display hs a cool feature that allows you to vary the angle, there's a button that changes the angle of the bottom of the display, it also hinges up 90 degrees to allow you to get to the single CD player and the NAV DVD is in a slot behind the screen. One thing I DON'T miss on the Lexus NAV is the inablility to do anything unless you're parked or you can find a voice command. The Acura voice recognition is about 300% better than the one on my Lexus. The Lexus voice command did not work with the climate control among other things.

Having said all that, I'm thrilled to be rid of the Lexus. Nothing compares to the sound system, XM radio, looks and handling of the TL. The Lexus would have lasted me for years and would have been trouble free but it would never have Bluetooth or surround sound.

marclar

You mentioned you have the MusicLink (iPod). Would you recommend it? Why/Why not?

xo1rider

Avoid the MusicLink at all costs , I'm deciding now if I want to have it removed and get my money refunded. I phoned Acura customer service today and will decide in the next day or two. The MusicLink is one of the worse consumer products of any kind I've ever seen.

The hardest part for me is trying to decide what to replace it with or even if I want to replace it. The XM radio is putting a pretty big smile on my face and I may just forget the iPod in the car except for the tape player route.

F23A4

I would have held out a little longer for the ES350. With a SAE net 272hp/254lb-ft 2GR-FSE motor, it looks like the ES will be boring no longer.

....TL is still a good purchase though. CONGRATULATIONS!!

joed40

$50,000 ???? They still get consistent reviews of boat-like and needing more power. Perhaps they can infuse more power. I would hold judgment till production and reviews commence. Meanwhile, I agree with you, at a tad less than 50K (a big tad), you have the TL.

F23A4

Like I posted in another thread, the TL returns the most car for the money in it's entry level luxury category. (An Acura sales guy I know just called me on Monday indicating that they just received an 06 Anthracite/Black TL 6MT w/Navi and summer tires into inventory.....unbeknownst to him, this is the EXACT combo TL I'd get. ) ...the only thing really stopping me is my crackhead-like addiction to my Maxima's VQ35DE.