alin2

Hi all:

I am picking up my new Acura TL 6-manual, navi, A-spec today. I'm excited to be getting a stick again, but it is a very sad day.

I'm trading in my Porsche Cayenne Turbo that is completely optioned out (20" Sporttechnos, 4-zone AC, Sport tailpipes, Illuminated door sills, park distance control, thermal glass, etc.) Why you ask? Because of my impending divorce is putting a serious crimp on my monthly cash flow...for now.

So, I am excited about getting back into Acura (my first car 14 years ago was the original Acura Integra LS). But it is a sad day when trading in a Porsche...escpecially a Turbo

1988 Acura Integra LS
1992 Acura Integra GS-R
1996 BMW M3 (E36)
2000 BMW M5 (E39)
2004 Porsche Cayenne Turbo

Lore

alin2,

While you won't be speeding along like you did with the Porsche, rest assured that your new toy will still provide countless hours of fun.

EZZ

Looking from the car list you've had, the TL might seem a little tame. That is an impressive vehicle list you've owned.

alin2

I loved driving the Bimmers, but I couldn't stand the nearly constant things going wrong. From power steering failures, alarm system gremlins, etc.

The Porsche Cayenne TT was flawless. I gonna miss the sensation of hurtling down the road in 6000 lbs of truck with the turbos winding up...sigh.

But, I'm really looking forward to the TL. I disliked the "manumatic" steering wheel toggles in the TT. But, I gotta say that I'm not really looking all that forward to the dreaded..."torque steer" after being in RWD Bimmers and the 4 wheel drive TT. The test drive was very impressive. Hopefully the A-spec package will tone down the torque steer.

I gonna get past this divorce and start saving again...

Rocket0901

Alin2-

What do you do for a living?

e46m3

alin2,

I understand where you are coming from especially that your last two cars were the E39 M5 and Cayenne Turbo. However, I myself was surprised with the new Acura TL as it does not drive like a Honda Accord which my previous TL did. Instead, it drives closer to a BMW 5-series (non- M of course). You won't be disappointed but you are not going to like the over boosted steering especially that you are coming from a BMW and Porsche.

Good luck!

rets

alin2, sorry to hear this. Wish you would enjoy TL, too.

Eduardo

Why is the steering on the TL overboasted?! Is there anyway to minimize this?
I keep reading about the A-spec package but that places the TL on par with a fully loaded BMW 330i with the Performance package.
In addition, I would probably swap tires on the 2005 TL (and get the Falkens). This would add to the total price.

The steering/handling of the TL is what now makes me inclined to buy a 330i instead of the TL (which will be sad:'( ).

e46m3

It is over boosted because Acura made a mistake. I won't be surprised if they fix that problem in the MY 05 TL. Audi and BMW had problems with over boosted steering in the past. Even the first year of the E46 M3 had that problem which they fixed on the second year (02).

People here said that changing tires and suspension will help reduce the problem but it is still there. It is a good thing that my 04TL is just my daily driver. But then again, the rest of the car is awesome that outweighs this issue, IMO.

alin2

I'm a physician

alin2

Heck yeah I'm gonna enjoy the TL A-spec! I enjoy driving anything that is well engineered. And, now that I have cut my monthly payment by more than half, I will be able to afford other things...like food, shelter, etc.

Also the 13 mpg the Cayenne TT got was painful every week at the pump.

I just got back from the dealership. They don't have the full A-Spec package on yet. I'll have to wait until next week to get the suspension mods and the new steering wheel. The TS-X I'm driving now aint bad...

badazzTL

damn alin2 ur a baller. awesome cars you've owned. i hope u enjoy the TL

acura_driver

I would expect that Honda/Acura has done its research and determined what their target buyer wants re: the steering. They could decrease the boost and increase feedback, which would make many people on this board happier. But they may turn off many more potential TL buyers. I think the 04 TL steering is pretty much the same as what my 01 CL-S had.

-r

Eduardo

That's a main reason why I am willing to wait for the 2005 TL. I've been spoiled by the heavenly steering of the 325i.

alin2

Yeah. If its one thing that Germam marques have is supreme feeling for the road. But even with less numb steering, until the TL goes RWD with 50/50 balance or AWD, the TL will never handle like a Bimmer.

RetAF

I wonder if undersized PS pulley would improve the feel????

TL-Rocket

BTW, the over boosted steering has been corrected. My SSM/6MT has just the right feel.

TL-Rocket

alin2

I keeping an open mind re: handling, especially given that I have ot yet driven the A-spec. I think Acura has reached the limits of FWD. The front wheels are just being asked to do too much.

Only bad thing is that RWD and AWD with powerful engines require winter tires where I live. Then again, my M5 with winter rubber (Blizzaks) was an AWESOME snowmobile.

lindros2

I compared the TL to a new 530i (E60), but couldn't justify $800+/month in a lease with $3000 down.

TL is a great car - and was a great deal when I got mine in October. Enjoy.

e46m3

How was it corrected?

The funny thing is that my 99 TL steering feel was awesome. I just think that Acura made the mistake of over boosting the steering. I can't do a point and shoot driving with this car and I am aware that it is very capable.

It only really affects me when I do spirited driving on off and on ramps, otherwise it's fine by me.

neuronbob

When I drove a car with a 57k VIN at Auto Show in Motion a few weeks ago, the steering didn't seem as overboosted as on my very early VIN car. I think the problem was corrected, but I similarly don't know how. My problem was mostly resolved with the addition of the A-Spec suspension.

Welcome to the club, alin2! Fellow physician here. One of my colleagues has a Cayenne Turbo and at one point I thought I'd be interested in it, but I decided I'd rather put the money I would've spent leasing it toward my retirement. Happy motoring!

alin2

neurologist or neurosurgeon?

neuronbob

Neurologist. (and happy with the resulting lower malpractice ins. payments, compared to a neurosurgeon...)

BTW, I'd have a hard time giving up a Cayenne Turbo, too, if I had one. :'(

broly_retired

alin,

Next time bro, sign a prenup

that dumb girl is probably gonna enjoy your cayenne man

you did all the work!

Teh Jatt

sorry to hear about ur problem.... hope everything turns ok... and enjoy ur TL

alin2

It is hard giving up the C-TT. But, at least I getting back into a stick.

Nodoze2004

If you are enjoying the TSX, you are going to LOVE the TL!! I did not care for the TSX as it was severely underpowered (my opinion). I liked the handling, but not the power.

Speaking from experience the TL A-Spec is a VERY nice ride indeed! It does suffer from some issues when taken to the limits (even the A-Spec suspension damping has felt a bit soft from time to time) but overall it is a joy to drive!!

One last note, if you are looking forward to much better gas mileage......be prepared as I am getting 16mpg with the TL (combination city/highway). Granted I do stomp on the fun pedal, but not as often as 16mpg indicates!

Still I cannot wait to drive her

wstevens

alin2,

Ughh.... Getting rid of your Cayenne sucks bigtime ass. Coincidentally, I was in my 04 TL 6MT today and was owned by a C TT on the freeway. THose things seem to defy the laws of physics.

I think you should seriously considering hiring someone to make sure your wife as a little accident

JK.....sorry to hear about your situation

alin2

Off topic. Truthfully, I am grateful to my wife for allowing me to enjoy the cars that I have had. We're both physicians, so our combined income allowed me to enjoy the past vehicles. Now, I'm gonna have to save more money for the dream car....a Porsche Carrera 4S or an E60 BMW M5.

1st impressions of the TL. It was delivered late last night by the dealer.

1. The car feels very well put together.
2. Superb ergonomics...as usual with Honda/Acura. If it's one thing I can't stand is poor ergos in an premium vehicle. It's a pleasure to have an appropriately placed dead pedal...why can't the Germans just copy that?
3. Very peppy engine.
4. Slick, but a little numb manual trans. Nice short throw, but a little too light for me.
5. Clutch has too much throw.
6. Steering is definitely numb. Very little road feel. I agree with the overboost.
7. Awesome set of features. I could get used to XM.
8. Nav is a million times better than the Bimmer or Porsche versions.
9. Can't wait to get a Bluetooth phone...grrrhh Verizon.
10. Dealer did an awful job prepping the car. Swirl marks and crap galore on the hood. Sigh, I guess I'll have to break out the PC orbital.
11. Engine has nice growl.

Overall, the TL is an amazing amount of car for the money. I can't wait to get the A-spec suspension and 18" wheels on.

boosted7

alin2, doesn't the cayenne turbo cost more than your dream carerra 4??? or M5?

alin2

Yup. The C-TT cost $95,000 and I added 20" sport technos, sport exhaust tips, illuminated door sills. This put in over the 100k mark probably. Of course, since I only had it for 7 months, I lost "only" about 22k.

The new M5 is estimated at around 80k. The new 911 is not yet released in the 4S version. But they run around 90-100k optioned out. If you want to see a dizzingly complex option list (antithesis of Acura) check out the Porsche options.