If you just scan down the threads, you come to the conclusion that the TL is one crappy car. I'm just wondering if some are overly critical, whether the other car forums look just like this one or whether the TL really deserves this level of criticism. I can't imagine anyone not knowing anything about the TL coming here and actually buying one. I'd think this forum would scare almost anyone away from buying a TL. It's too bad.

 

I agree, that is why I haven't bought one yet. Waiting to see what happens in '05 and see if they work out the little bugs.

 

People love to vent specific problems and seek forums like this to do so.

Most people are happy and most likely don't even read these forums.

I haven't had one problem of ANY sort since October but I still like to read the threads as there are some good tips. I couldn't count how many times I've looked in the car for rattles, drooping things, peeling paint, wrinkled leather, noises, vibrations etc and have yet to find any so I don't look anymore.

Remember you are looking at about 200 posters out of 50,000 owners. If you don't buy a TL based on what you read here you are doing yourself a disservice as it is one fine car.

 

If you read between the lines, you'll see the the TL is a car built for nit-pickers. So if nit-picking is your thing, you'll love the TL. However, if you want a serious issue to complain about, you'll need to buy a different car.

Disclaimer: My TL has a slight rattle, it's headliner is droopping, and my EL42s flatspot in the cold weather. End of the world? Nah ! I love this car !

 

I've experienced none of the "typical" problems. My TL is solid, quiet and smooth as all get out! I still smile every time I climb in.

 

To make it even more impressive, go to Edmunds.com

From peoples reviews, here is the conclusion.

Acura TL 2004: 377 reviews, the car is at a 9.4 out of 10.
BMW 3 series: 228 reviews, the car is at 9.2 out of 10.
Infiniti g35: 297 reviews, the car is at 9.2 out of 10.
Audi A4: 187 reviews, the car is at 9.3 out of 10.

other cars:
Cadillac CTS: 9.3
Honda Accord: 9.3
Jag X-type: 8.7
Lexus ES 330: 9.3
Lexus I300: 9.0
Mercedes C-Class: 9.2
Nissan Altima: 9.1
Nissan Maxima: 9.2
Saab 9-3: 9.1


So the Acura is still on top of the game.. it also has one of the most reviewed vehicles.. It's still does a great job beating the competition.

 

At least it is has not been taken over by political debate :argue: like the MDX board.

Yes there are problems with the car that have been shared here, but it helps others get them solved. Most time they can be solved quickly but sometimes not (sorry NORSE396 and any others). I would not put off buying it because of what you read here.

This is the 2nd first year model I bought from Acura and the other (1997 CL)has 180k miles and had no issues, it has been the most relaible car I have ever owned.

 

The level of complaints on this board is typical, if not, less than many other boards. As was stated by others, it helps to share problems so that others are aware. I find message boards for cars that I own as a critical source of information.

 

To answer your question, yes.... People tend to share their negative thoughts more so than they share their positive thoughts. What would you write about if the car met your expectations? "I drove my car to work today again.... no problems!" Of course not.

 

It's all about expectations.

I think people's exptations of Acura are higher than that of other makes like Infiniti or BMW. So while rattles do occur in many cars over time typically, it's not unreasonable to wonder why ANY new car (exc. maybe GM cars) would rattle so soon.

While I do think that Acura is still near the top of its game in quality compared to Infiniti and BMW, it's no Lexus in this regard and maybe people expect ES330-like (or even Camry-like) refinement. Dunno.

That said, as you spend more for a car, you should have EVERY right to be more critical.

My question is, do the 7G Honda Accord owners experience similar complaints/issues?

 

Well to clarify, I own the new TL and love it. I've had almost none of the problems listed. Interestingly I also have an ES300...in fact I've had about 4. I can tell you they ALL have had noises in them and all of the noises were the same. The flexing of the interior panels in all kinds of weather, both hot and cold, has been an issue in each and every ES300. This is why I think people are a bit naive to think that all these issues will go away with the 05 TL. I'd be willing to bet most of the interior noise issues will remain. It doesn't help when the interior is so quiet! In fact, I actually find the interior of the TL to be QUIETER than the ES (which is supposed to be the benchmark for quietness). There is no question there is less wind noise in the TL.

 

Wow I can't believe there is another thread like this. Use your head. People come here to complain and to get solutions to problems. I am not going to start a new thread every day titled "My car is fine, no problems here." however there will be people everyday who will notice something they dislike and voice their opinion on it. These people with problems represent a very small percentage of TL owners, and even a very small percentage of people on these boards. Take the headliner problem for example, most of us don't have that problem, however we aren't going to make a thread everytime our headliner doesn't fall. If my headliner started to droop, then I would make a thread. The point of the 3rd gen forum is to discuss the 3rd gen TL and get answers to questions... no one has any point to discuss how great the car is because we already know its a good car. If someone makes a thread it is usually for a reason. Thus the complaints are going to speak louder than the praises because the praises would just get repetative and really have no point.

 

Fionn,

The raw Edmunds numbers don't even tell the whole story. I've been looking at both the TL and the BMW 330xi. I read through the Edmunds reviews in detail. What you find is that there are plenty of rattle complaints about the Tl, but not much else. The BMW also has a good record, but a certain percentage of them have serious transmission and electrical problems - way beyond anything I have seen for a TL. Also, the TL interior appears to be more user-friendly.

 

People come here looking for answers. This means you see a lot of problems mentioned as people are hoping to get some insight into their issue. Think about it, rarely do you see a post... "I drove 300 miles last week and all is OK", even through that is what most people experience. That has been my experience, ~2500 miles with no issues (but I haven't made a post saying that).

 

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My biggest problem with the 3 series is the price for what you get. It's a huge rip off. I will agree.. BMW has great handling with their rwd/50/50 weight distribution. But honestly.. For a 325i you are paying 30k. You have to put in about 8k to even get it fully loaded if not more. For the 330i your base price is around what.. 35k? You get a nice 225 hp engine, and to even consider getting it close to running with a TL, you need a 4k performance package upgrade, thats not including any of the other upgrades you have to get to compete with Acura's options. The BMW's are a huge waste of money.. and I'd rather spend 30k on a car that quite honestly is better looking inside, is near fully loaded if not fully loaded for 33k, and has awesome resale value.

The other problem with BMW is their interior. Their leather seats are hard as a rock.. they have the same leather that my Ford Mustang has. Their display is boring, and their buttons on the center console are all rectange, with no originality. What's worse is the new 3 series interior is even worse looking. They tried to give it the same look as the 5 series, and in doing so made the car.. real unattractive. The BMW's rims are always dirty because of the brake dust, and I think every BMW on the market is 10k over priced. The 325i should be 22k. Not 30k

 

Well said. I thought I wanted a BMW but couldn't justify the extra $$. You get nothing in return other than the fact you drive a BMW.

 

Completely agree, but then again I think people like to read the positive threads / posts to be reassured what a good choice they made!

 

You can go to any site that has a forum like this for cars and you will hear the same things....I have a rattle, my paint looks flawed, my tire went flat and I'm going to sue Acura for that. This is a forum for people to vent over issues but remember people who are on here are very particular about their cars so every little thing is a MAJOR issue.

Yes the car has some rattle depending on the road surface but so do other cars and for the money this is a great car.

 

I sold my 3 series for a TL. Yes the BMW handles well but so does the TL for every day driving. The BMW is nice but is over priced, has a crappy stereo, had rattles too, and many eletrical/mechanical issues. I sold it with 34,000 mile on it due to the 4 year warranty being up. I was worried about keeping the car past the 4 year warranty, I think that says a lot about the long term BMW quality.

 

BMW? There are so many on the road that I don't even look when one drives by. They are just not impressive. BUT...that is just my opinion.

 

I agree 100%. I enjoy every second in my TL. You will enjoy yours too, Ken7, when you buy yours.

 

I never got a pen. I got owned by Ferrari Modena. The fucking car doesnt fly and it does not give me sexual gratification! The TL is junk so I think I'm goint to trade mine for............ ANOTHER TL!!!!!!

 

Every forum that I checked out while shopping was like this one....Infiniti, Lexus, Nissan.....you hear about people's problems with rattles, paint quality, seats, etc.
I've had my problems and frustrations with the TL, but things are slowly getting better and I'm happy with the car.
Oh yeah, and mine DOES give me sexual gratification, but I've always been easy and kind of a slut.

 

I spend a whole lot of time on a Corvette forum, Infiniti G35 forum, and even take a look at the Murano forum about every day. I think all forums have a lot of complaints on them. I just think its the nature of a public forum that people see as an opportunity to vent their frustrations, assuming that someone (like the manufacturer) will be listening.

I personally would not hesitate a bit to buy a TL based upon quality considerations.

 

Face it, forums attract complaints. One of the Lexus owner forums I frequent is 100% complaints - and this for a company that builds some of the most reliable cars on the road. It's crazy. I frequent this site because there are also positive things and tips posted here, which is very useful.

-X-

 

okay...i hope this will clarify and make some sense to someone

Forums such as these were made for complaints as when someone had something good to say about their car, they would post, we congratulate and its gone to the land of lost threads. furthermore, we dont like to praise the car because it pretty much speaks for itself and what we like about the car, is expected to be liked by another so there is no real point in making a thread specifically about how you loved the interior. by the same token, we complain because we think others do not have the same problems and we also have this inclination to find "near perfection" for a car we so dearly paid for and in doing so, it draws more posts and thus it is able to stay on the front few pages. The reason that there are complaints here does not make the TL a bad car in any way and like Jss1 says, most people here love their car and even this forum is composed of enthuasists and 200 out of 50k people. we are critical for critical's sake and not to make the TL seem like a bad car.

 

I used to mod an online games chat room, and all I ever got were complaints about the games - from the people who loved them best! It goes with the territory I've been using the forum to get advice and information before I get my 05TL in the fall. It's been very valuable.

I have some friends who have just ordered an M3 convertible... I hate to think what they paid for it... they never even looked at the TL. Completely taken in by the badge. The husband has spent the last 3 weeks trying to convince me he's a car enthusiast - this from a guy who thinks that regular servicing is some kind of dealer rip-off! It's their life! I'll wave as I rocket past in my TL, listening to the sounds of mashing transmission as he tries to change gears...

 

well what do u expect? not even god himself is perfect!
i have had my car since jan 2004, and its been back to the dealer now for the fourth time for them to fix sh*t they fu(ked up on.
and i aint complaining. ill just abuse of the dam warranty and loaner car all i want.
my tints are being re-done again 3rd time, my cover on the back of the driver seat was comin off..they fixed it, and my steering wheel cover by the ign. is not tight .they replaced that. it was damaged while my alarm was done by acura.
all im payin for is the oil change. and they payin for the rest.

Warranty is your new best friend..... Use it !!!!