Took delivery of my car, VIN # 00168X on 3 October 2003. This is my third monthly report. It seems like years ago when people were worried that their dealer would be sanctioned if they released cars early.

Today's report is rather short because there's not much to report, which is great for such an early build car in light of the long sticky on build issues at the top of the forum.

I'll start with some basics from the trip computer, which I have not reset since taking delivery:

Miles driven: 3960
Average MPG 21
Average MPH 33
"time" (for me, total time spent with key in ignition) 122 hours 12 minutes.
50% oil life left

Driving experience: I have no rattles or untoward noises. All the noises I described previously went away. I often turn off the radio just to listen to the engine noise, and other than that the interior of my car is as quiet as a tomb, even on rough roads. It's still a blast to drive. The "overboosted" steering is just a fact of life for the car and I've adjusted to it. I'm still seriously considering lowering springs, but am in no hurry. The dual climate control is a godsend! I no longer have to cook when the wife wants to get warm! When I'm by myself, the climate control stays at 65; the wife wants it a 75. In the last TL, I lost every time! Now everyone wins....

Seat memory: Works intermittently. Usually, first thing in the morning, it works. When I've parked the car for a while and come back to it, the memory disappears (green light goes off) and the settings are gone. Then later in the day, the green light comes back on--settings are back! I hope Acura comes up with a solution soon.

Seats: Remember the "butt-print" issue? The butt-prints haven't gotten any worse at all. They were pretty shallow in the first place.

Paint: One dark spot on the hood from road damage from a box and its adhesive persists. I haven't bothered to do anything for it yet, but suspect the hood would need to be repainted. Can wait until spring.

Tires: You've read my comments about the EL42s. I want to change them, even though I've had no vibrations or flat-spotting. The main reason for wishing to change is the fair wet and snow handling--It's not that bad, but I don't feel as confident as I would with better tires. Michie Pilot Sport A/S, here I come! Purchase planned for later this month. They cost, but my safety comes first.

I've never had any fit-and-finish issues with this car. The Honda employees must have put mine together first thing Monday morning.

I am planning my first long trip in this car; I'm planning on going to the North American Int'l Auto Show in Detroit this weekend when it opens up. It's only a three-hour drive, but I'll take the opportunity to measure up the car's "touring" properties.

That's it for now! I am still having fun with my car!

 

neuronbob,

Thanks for your reports. You seem to be a satisfied customer. So do I.

Except some tires noise, paint finish, and seat memory issues, this 04TL is terrific and great for me. If I cannot work out any deals with my money-grubber dealer, I may swap tires by my own cost. It should be ok.

I previously have 3200 miles trip from NYC to Little Rock in November. It's really a pleasant drive for my wife and me. The useful Navi plus quite comfortable environment & features apparently make drivers and passangers feel cozy and tremendous.

 

I have a 5000+ VIN car that I brought home at the end of October. I bought it in Houston and brought it back to Dallas. I have about 2900 miles on it now.

Oil change reading is at 60% (just hit it at 2813). If anyone wants some reference points (even though a lot of factors are involved in determining when to change the oil), here are my % change points :

90% - 610 miles
80% - 1330 miles
70% - 2005 miles
60% - 2813 miles

I really don't have many complaints.

The EL42's aren't great, but I'm going to hang onto them for now. I want to get at least 10-20k out of them before I think about trading them in. I apparently haven't encountered the vibration problem that people talk about and I'm constantly cruising at about 60-75mph on trips to work and down to Houston.

My seat memory disappears, too, but it's no biggie since I'm single and the only person driving the car.

The car has had trouble starting without re-cranking on about 3 occasions. And it's not as if it was really cold outside (in the 50's and 60's). I'm not sure what's up with that, but I know at least one other person has mentioned it.

I've somehow lost the valve cap on one of my tires. The plastic top part broke off, but the rest is still there. May need to see if I can get one of those from the dealership.

After about 2000 miles, I started noticing the rattle from somewhere in front of the sunroof controls - in the headliner somewhere. That's probably the most annoying thing so far.

I thought XM radio was the most unnecessary thing in the world, but after having used it for a bit over 2 months, I'm going to subscribe when the free period is up.

 

6000k here, oil: <20%. Car is better now than new. Clutch engagement has improved markedly. Early sun roof rattle has disappeared. Suspension smoothness has also improved. This car continues to delight me every time I take it for a spin. Nothing I have encountered to date has been able to touch it Saab, BMW,WRX. I'm almost jealous of myself. I gave my TSX buddy a drive and he was mightly impressed. DAMN, THIS WAS A GOOD BUY!!!

 

Just picked up mine today -- about 99 miles on it right now (had 3 when I walked into the dealership this morning) -- and the only thing I have to complain about are two rattles. One is in the steering wheel column and one on the passenger side door.

The passenger side door one might be a result of the sunglass case, but I will research more.

The car still needs to go in for the body side molding install as well as the trunk tray/splash guards, which for some reason weren't on it when I got in this morning.

 

Congratulations on the delivery, I know you have waited long. Please post or pm me with the details of how your ordeal got all worked out for you.
Bruce

 

Damn, 992 miles in 10 days. No rattles. Clutch is getting way better. Boy, can I burn gas on city streets. Fwy is way way better. F1s are way better than ELs. I hope I can get a rebate per the tire fights. The tires make a huge diference in braking distance. I'll measure it better on dry roads tomorow but it's better than 30ft.

 

brucedeb1:

Thanks! I posted my experience in a new posting.

 

great review, thanks

 

Thanks for the comments so far. This is the nicest car I've ever owned. I am SO happy with this car. One other comment...it's ULEV, so it minimizes my contribution to air pollution.

Thanks, Acura!

 

good review, thanks!

 

I have had mine (5speed Auto, Navi) for about 2 months, 2500 miles.

I have to say the car is getting better as it breaks in.

Oddly enough those early rattles have vanished, every one of them except the occasional glvoe box, but I haven't heard that in a couple weeks.

As my service manager told me, the vibration with the EL42s is almost gone as they wear in. The vibration gets a little less noticable each week, not just a faint steering wheel "feel" on the highway.

I too have my memory seat light turn off, but since I'm the one who drives the car 99% of the time, it hasn't become an issue yet, and probably never will.

Overall the car feels better as the break-in stiffness gives way and settles in, and I'm getting more used to the characteristics of the car.

I'm much happier now than I was in Novermber, so that is a good sign. I do plan on replacing the tires with something much nicer, but I'm in no hurry at this point.

Ryan