So now that the 4G is out and there's all these mixed opinions... i was wondering, what all of you guys thought when you first saw a 3G Acura.

My thoughts were.. "Whoa, that's a TL? SO different... yet it looks very unique and I like every bit of it"

 

I loved it.

 

got soooo mezmerised it wasnt even funny, always said i will one day own a TL 3G and wuala got it

 

My dad bought an 04 right after they came out; I fell in love the first time I drove it. He traded in his s2k for it. I miss that one too. I wanted a TL from that moment. I had a 95 legend at the time and never thought I could love a car as much as that one... I love the TL even more. I am still giddy every time I drive her. But I do miss the Legend sometimes.

 

The styling made me break my neck more than once . . . I loved it! I had always wanted one and couldn't afford it when it had first come out. Guess that was a good thing as there were bugs with the first build. Finally was able to afford it in '05.

 

honestly, i didn't like the 3G when it first came out, but it slowly grew on me...after i got one, the more i modded it, the more i fell in love

 

I was wanting a G35 at first, but when the 3G TL came out, i said "that's the car i'm gonna own, no ifs or buts" - it took me 4 years to own one, but well worth the wait...everytime i get in or out of this car, i always say i can't believe i own this car-the car i've been wanting for almost 4 years...and now i'm driving it. Dang, i love this NBP TL

 

When I first saw the 3G it was back in early '05. I didn't know what it was. I found myself seeking this car out on the road everytime I was in my car. Only when I finally drove up behind one at a light did I know what kind of car it was.

I told myself I had to have it...

 

When the 3G Tl came out, I was driving a 00 TL & let me tell you I didn't like the new comer that much: IMO 2G is a bit more aerodynamic & 3G is more chisled ... kind of like the old Z & new Z (which I think the old Z would have won easily, shape-wise) ... then when type-s came along, I took a long & hard look at it and decided to give it a try .. the rest is history & loving every minute of driving this beast ever since .... now 4G was such a turn off, at least for now ... hopefully Acura will right the ship soon & modify the grille & butt ... or else I would enjoy the type-s for a while & then try something else ...

 

I remember clearly going "wtf" when I saw the 1st one drive by. I wasn't even aware the 3rd Gen design was out. So at first like Trew, I didn't know what it was. Eventually I saw the ads and I checked out the car at the dealership myself and I nearly pissed myself. What a difference in technology between the 03 and 04. ALways aimed towards one day gettin one. I had an 02 and a 00 before the 08. I saw the 09 in a mall yesterday...YUCK!

 

I loved it compared to this 4G that makes me sick.

 

i loved it when it first came out. even my friend who worked as an editor for motor trend felt the same way. they put in a one year test review on a 2004 TL and the styling was described to possibly being designed in Italy or something like that. ill find that article and post it.

EDIT:

here it is:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...l/reviews.html

go to page one to start:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/..._tl/index.html

 

i didnt like it that much at all... i didnt hate it, but i used to LOVE the 2G... i had originally gone into Rallye Acura to buy a WDP 2G Type-S ... it had like 20k miles, and they wanted 26k for it (back in late 2005) so i ended up just buying the 3G TL....

no car, in stock form, is at its peak... check the threads in the 4G section.. i photoshopped a 4G, and man, does it look bad-freaking-ass

 

i remember when i first saw the 3G, i thought of one word. Sleek.

remmeber thinking the headlights made it look sealthy nloved it

 

I loved it from 1st site! I can't say the same for the 4G.

 

my first glance at a 3g, was a wdp with a rear spoiler not the lip ones.. anyways i only looked at the car from the back and i was like shit...thats nice

 

This is a great thread....since I'm a relatively new 3G Type S owner (New Year's Day), I enjoy hearing about how people first reacted to the 3G TL. I wasn't even in the market for a car when I bought my Type S. I had a bad car accident 2 days before Christmas, so I had to buy another car and the 3G Type S was an easy choice..

But I see how people have reacted to the 4G TL so negatively, so I missed out on the hype of the 3G.

 

When the 3G first came out, I wasn't enamored with the design. I think it was in 2006 when my opinion changed, and I started shopping late in the year for a '06 Anthracite Metallic with MT. They introduced the Type-S in '07, and since you could only get a MT in this trim, that's what I got.

The rest is history.

 

When I first saw the TL at the dealership in 04 I really liked it. Ended up getting the TSX instead because of the price difference. But now 4 years later, here I am in the TL of my dreams, 08 WDP TL-S!!

 

Absolutely loved the 3G the moment I saw it. I had liked the 2G, but felt it was a little bland. The 3G was completely different. Unfortunately, I am finding that I have to TRY to like the 4G...that's not a good sign.

 

I loved it. Never seen anything like it before. Having the 2nd Gen TL i was very pleased and couldnt waite to drive one and own one.

 

I've always been a fan of Acura and absolutly loved the 03 TL especially in black, blue and grey. But when I saw the 3g on the road i couldnt get enough of it. I still brake my neck everytime a 3g drives by even stock ones gave me a chubby.

 

I got rid of my 99 GS 400 to come back to Acura for the 3g 04 Navi but i'm going back to Lexus for the 2010 LS 460 as my old man car that can still perform good despite the size of the vehicle. But i'm going to keep my 04 TL as my toy car.

 

I really liked it. Also was looking at the G35 coupe. For some reason...mainly the body lines....the TL just stuck in my mind and I 86'd the Infinity idea that quick.

I also thought to myself....there is a pizzaman that doesnt know how to spell REACTION....and I gotta have the same car! j/k Actually...I believe I was here a bit before you were.

 

I still have my 99 GS400 and drive it every day. Love it. Car is flawless...never had an issue WHATSOEVER. Its hands down IMO far and above fit and finish wise from Acura. You just cant beat a good Lexus. The factory being in Japan kinda helps too! No UAW people messing up the works! Woot!

I only use my TL on the weekends now for fun. Its one of six at this point. I have a friggin fleet in front of my house...and at work in the back lot...lol. Neighbors really frown when I have em all home.

 

do you believe in "love at first sight?" i sure do now...hahaha

 

3G= love at first sight

 

Haha i just noticed that. Thanks for point it out!

 

I loved the 3G TL from the moment I first laid eyes on it. There was nothing about the styling that I had to "get used to". When my wife and I decided to get a new car, and go for a little luxury this time, we test drove Infiniti and Lexus vehicles but quickly decided that the TL was the best combination of looks, performance, price, fuel economy and reliability for us. I am still impressed every time I drive it, 40,000 miles later.

Then something went wrong at the Acura Design Center starting with the 2007 refresh. They started trying to be even bolder with their design and it looks forced. I don't like the partial-clear taillights or the three spoke steering wheel, for example. Then in 09 they come out with this redesign that is just over the top. I took a long look at one at my dealership the other day while getting my TL serviced. I really WANTED to like it. Some aspects of it are really nice. I like the side profile of the car, except that I don't think they should have lost the "cut" that runs through the door handles (a popular feature of the 3G). I can live with that though. But the front is HIDEOUS. It's a double-bagger. The back is ooohhhkayyyy, I guess. And I'm not sure about the interior either, particularly the new button layout. I'm certain I don't care for the loss of the touch screen nav.

Sorry Acura, I'll check back with ya in 2014. In the meantime I'll really be enjoying my 3G.

 

2010 LS460 AN OLD MAN CAR? heh i guess thats somewhat true. simply cause you can only afford that when well, youre an old rich man. hahah i wana be an old man right now then

 

I almost always hate new cars when they come out, it always takes me a while to get used to them. The one thing I remember most about the 3g back then was the "ACURA" logo imprinted on the front bumper bugged me - it looked like something Pontiac would do....in fact, the whole car made me think "Grand Prix", but then a friend got a TSX and another friend got a TL, and i came around quick to the new styling of both. Now i have one, and even though I compared several cars, 325i, Pasaat, G35, etc, I kept coming back to this one as the standard to be met. I also wasn't too crazy about the 07 freshening - clear taillights to me look like something a teenager would want. But I'm getting used to them.

 

When i first set eyes on the 3G i said to myself i have to have it! ended up saving all through out highschool and sold my 95 corolla with a system to buy the 04 i have now...

 

The Lexus is only affordable because at my age you start accumulating nice sums of money when you start saving and not blowing it all like I did in my 20's early 3o's.

 

I was stopped at a traffic signal and next thing I knew there it was pulling up next to me. My eyes about bugged out of my head. I was like what is that! When I saw it was an Acura, with such bold and sweet styling I was shocked. I was sold instantly. Being that I already owned a '97 Honda Accord, and I love Honda products. I knew right then and there I wanted a 3G TL. I've owned my '05 TL for about 9 months and I couldn't happier. I get compliments all the time when I'm out driving it. As for the 4G, when I saw it I about puked and I said Acura dropped the ball with that design.

 

Well when they first came out I was working at a gas station in new jersey at a wawa. If any of you are firmilar with New Jersey you can't pump your own gas. So anyway I remember seeing the TL. It was so freaking nice, silver, navigation so sleek. I knew I wanted one someday. The thing that really caught my attention too was the gauges I thought they were neat, especially how they remained illuminated after the car was shut off. Anyway, I was 17. When I turned 18 and was soon to leave for the military I knew I would need a more reliable car than my 98 eclipse so I was looking to buy a brand new TSX. I test drove and was about to buy but now I am glad I didn't, I waited a little longer after I was making that good money here in the Navy and well. I got my TL, it may be used but I still hold the same joy in it as I did when I first saw it when it first came out. So this was my first impression. :-) .. As for the 4G, I have mixed emotions. It doesn't get the same respect as I gave the 3G when it came out.