darthferd

I bought a TL (SSM with Navi). I was a little nervous about the tires, steering and rattling issues you guys keep talking about but so far so good. It's the best car I've ever owned (I used to own a 2001 330CI and a 04 Accord).

caball88

congrats on the new car i have the same color combo as you. the tire issue is mainly in cold weather so we'll see how the "new" tires hold up when nov comes around.

DWP

What's the "steering" issue? The dreaded "torque steer" that every reviewer mentions, although they can't seem to agree on how bad it is? I'm interested in a 6MT TL, which is supposed to have an especially bad case of torque steer. I would just have to see for myself how bad it is before buying, but the problem there is in finding a 6MT demo to test. Most TLs that my local dealers get in are automatic because most people can't even drive a stick. I asked a salesman to call me if they ever get a 6MT demo car in, but they are so busy that I don't know if he will actually follow up on that request.

caball88

well torque steer occurs when you accelerate hard through a turn and the steering wheel is fighting to go in one direction because its a fwd car. the lsd on the 6mt helps to minimize this issue but i have to say that you will experience it to some degree. normal driving i have not had a problem with it but when i am taking a turn more agressively i will feel the wheel start to tug a bit. this is just the nature of fwd. but to be honest its no that important of an issue, 95% of the time i drive like a normal person and i don't feel any torque steer.

Tuetatesu

Grats!

I've had my TL for over a month now... no tires, steering issues at all.

I did have a slight rattle/vibration on the back deck when playing music that had a lot of bass, however the dealer completely fixed that.

I am very happy with the car.

STAC

Long time first time... I bought wife a ABYSS BLUE for 34th birthday... (REALLY MY CAR)
It AWSOME!!! best car we ever owned. Sold 2000 Accord EX/V-6 Loaded but it does not compare to the 04 TL...
I have a slight rattle in rear w/ some base also. What did your dealer do to fix it?
FYI: I searched for 4 months foe a dealer to work w/ me on a good price and I wound up going out of state for what ACURA calls a courtsey car. Saved $1000.00's on one w/ 6000 miles. I had it for 2 week w/ no complaints....

Tuetatesu

I don't know exactly but when I mentioned it my service rep. said "oh yeah, we know what that is. We can fix it no problem." and poof the rattle was gone.

I had the work done at Acura of North Scottsdale. Next time I go there I will try to remember to ask.

johnc_22

Torque steer is not something that normally occurs during normal driving. It will likely only be noticed when driving hard and fast through corners, or sometimes stomping on the gas from a dead standstill. That's how both of my SAABs have behaved and I don't think the TL should be a whole lot different. That said it's all a part of driving a high powered FWD car and most folks adjust and don't even notice it after a while. Car magazines will almost always ding FWD cars for this because their golden standard will always be the RWD 330i.

John