Ta da! Got mine
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 447
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From: IL
Ta da! Got mine
NBP/Ebony/6MT/Navi. I shopped long and hard, even agonized a bit over the choice before pulling the trigger, and I am now one very happy camper. No car is perfect, but for me, this one rocks.
PS - No tire vibrations or issues that I can sense, and I'm definitely paying attention.
PS - No tire vibrations or issues that I can sense, and I'm definitely paying attention.
Newbie for Life
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 11
Re: Ta da! Got mine
Originally posted by UminChu
NBP/Ebony/6MT/Navi. I shopped long and hard, even agonized a bit over the choice before pulling the trigger, and I am now one very happy camper. No car is perfect, but for me, this one rocks.
PS - No tire vibrations or issues that I can sense, and I'm definitely paying attention.
NBP/Ebony/6MT/Navi. I shopped long and hard, even agonized a bit over the choice before pulling the trigger, and I am now one very happy camper. No car is perfect, but for me, this one rocks.
PS - No tire vibrations or issues that I can sense, and I'm definitely paying attention.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 248
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From: Los Angeles, California
I bought my 04 TL about two weeks ago with a build number in the 22,000 range and i think they've fixed the vibration, rattles, and tire problems cause thank God I don't have any of those problems.
Loving my car....and it is Perfect....Perfect 4 me. Wow i'm speakin like a man in love....LOL.
Loving my car....and it is Perfect....Perfect 4 me. Wow i'm speakin like a man in love....LOL.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
From: IL
Thanks to all for the warm welcome. To the poster who advises to take care not to make tire issues a self-fulfilling proficy, I say Amen brother, and thank you for your wisdom. Someone asked if they were HPT; they are not.
My deal is nothing to brag about or give anyone else hope or motivation; I paid sticker with a few perks like mudguards, all season mats and a couple of scheduled service visits thrown in.
Here's my boring story, apologies in advance for verbosity: My old car (TL-S) had been in a serious accident that set off the airbags and damaged the frame. Ever since, the car ran fine, was still very reliable, but the car was just never the same. The repaint was flawed, it developed creaks and rattles in the dash and seats, wind whistled through the windshield at times, and the resale value went straight down the drain. I had it appraised at Acura, BMW, Infiniti & Audi dealers, but it always came back as a wholesaler, worth only about 15-16k, tops. Then I had it appraised at Carmax. They didn't bother to put it up on a rack (I watched them, they never moved it, not even for a test drive), and I guess they didn't research the VIN (I did and it came back with 5 negative hits). They offered me 22.5k, and I took the money and ran.
So I was in real need of a car, and the TL has some sweet competition. Honestly, I am among those who believe that RWD is by nature a better balanced, better handling car. If I lived in a warmer climate with mountains and windy roads, RWD would have carried far greater weight in my decision. But the fact is, where I live, the terrain is maddeningly flat, the roads rarely curve, and I haven't seen dry pavement or 30º in weeks.
I used to feel that German cars kicked Japanese butt in areas of look, feel and interior materials, but this generation of TL has changed that. I've been lurking through threads that focus on interior build quality, but fortunately for me, my car hasn't yet exhibited any of these issues (fingers crossed). What I really think that Acura has accomplished with this car is something the German manufacturers have understood for years and years that I don't quite know how to describe but I'll give it a shot. It's less about measured horsepower and G forces, it's more about a feeling you get driving the car. Maybe call it soul, character or some other unmamed intangible. It's hard to put into words, but this car just has it. To my eye, this car does not look or feel like a bigger Accord. I know the underpinnings are there, but I've driven the 240hp Accord, and this (to me) is not the same car. Honda has put together a terrific combination of looks and feel inside and out, power, fun factor, materials and switchgear that feel great to the touch, etc., that make this car something greater than just the sum of its parts.
For my environment, the combination of power, ride, interior, amenities, and looks were very, very impressive, better in every way than my old car. I like the overall package better than the competition, and the competition makes some awfully nice cars. I'll like it even better in a couple years when the tires wear out and get replaced. Even at full price, IMHO, it offers the best bargain in its class. Maxima gives it a run for less money, but that's where that subjective 'soul' aspect comes into play; TL has it, Maxima doesn't. I wish I could've done better than sticker, but given my particular situation, I'm not sorry I bit the bullet and went for it.
Whoever asked, I got it at Continental Acura in Lisle. If you can get them to budge off of sticker for a 6MT/navi, more power to you. I sure couldn't.
Jeez, this post got way too long, sorry.
My deal is nothing to brag about or give anyone else hope or motivation; I paid sticker with a few perks like mudguards, all season mats and a couple of scheduled service visits thrown in.
Here's my boring story, apologies in advance for verbosity: My old car (TL-S) had been in a serious accident that set off the airbags and damaged the frame. Ever since, the car ran fine, was still very reliable, but the car was just never the same. The repaint was flawed, it developed creaks and rattles in the dash and seats, wind whistled through the windshield at times, and the resale value went straight down the drain. I had it appraised at Acura, BMW, Infiniti & Audi dealers, but it always came back as a wholesaler, worth only about 15-16k, tops. Then I had it appraised at Carmax. They didn't bother to put it up on a rack (I watched them, they never moved it, not even for a test drive), and I guess they didn't research the VIN (I did and it came back with 5 negative hits). They offered me 22.5k, and I took the money and ran.
So I was in real need of a car, and the TL has some sweet competition. Honestly, I am among those who believe that RWD is by nature a better balanced, better handling car. If I lived in a warmer climate with mountains and windy roads, RWD would have carried far greater weight in my decision. But the fact is, where I live, the terrain is maddeningly flat, the roads rarely curve, and I haven't seen dry pavement or 30º in weeks.
I used to feel that German cars kicked Japanese butt in areas of look, feel and interior materials, but this generation of TL has changed that. I've been lurking through threads that focus on interior build quality, but fortunately for me, my car hasn't yet exhibited any of these issues (fingers crossed). What I really think that Acura has accomplished with this car is something the German manufacturers have understood for years and years that I don't quite know how to describe but I'll give it a shot. It's less about measured horsepower and G forces, it's more about a feeling you get driving the car. Maybe call it soul, character or some other unmamed intangible. It's hard to put into words, but this car just has it. To my eye, this car does not look or feel like a bigger Accord. I know the underpinnings are there, but I've driven the 240hp Accord, and this (to me) is not the same car. Honda has put together a terrific combination of looks and feel inside and out, power, fun factor, materials and switchgear that feel great to the touch, etc., that make this car something greater than just the sum of its parts.
For my environment, the combination of power, ride, interior, amenities, and looks were very, very impressive, better in every way than my old car. I like the overall package better than the competition, and the competition makes some awfully nice cars. I'll like it even better in a couple years when the tires wear out and get replaced. Even at full price, IMHO, it offers the best bargain in its class. Maxima gives it a run for less money, but that's where that subjective 'soul' aspect comes into play; TL has it, Maxima doesn't. I wish I could've done better than sticker, but given my particular situation, I'm not sorry I bit the bullet and went for it.
Whoever asked, I got it at Continental Acura in Lisle. If you can get them to budge off of sticker for a 6MT/navi, more power to you. I sure couldn't.
Jeez, this post got way too long, sorry.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 20,067
Likes: 4,698
From: Cleveland area, OH
No need to apologize for justifying your tasteful purchase! Welcome to the 2-TL owning club (see my .sig).
As to the person asking about VINs above 10k, my very early build (00168x) also has no vibrations, flatspotting, or other major issues. Not everyone with early build cars has issues.
As to the person asking about VINs above 10k, my very early build (00168x) also has no vibrations, flatspotting, or other major issues. Not everyone with early build cars has issues.
No need to apologize for sure! Can you speak for the handling on snow and ice, how does it compared to your previous TL-S? Which tires do you have?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
From: IL
Thank you for the compliment. I have standard BS EL42s. Snow & ice handling is trickier with this car. Torque steer is definitely more pronounced with the 6MT on slippery surfaces. You have to adjust your throttle technique, especially from a standing start. Tires may have something to do with it, but a 5AT is noticeably more forgiving. I'm very familiar with the transmission/handling difference; prior to taking delivery of my car a couple days ago, the dealer provided me a freebie 5AT loaner for 11 days until my car arrived. I think my previous TL-S was little more forgiving also, but I can't say for certain whether that was more affected by the AT, the tires, or other factors entirely.
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