nice car, but it looks like a Mitsubishi Galant in the rear and sides, and like a Pontiac Bonneville in the front.

The interior is awesome though.

 

Nonsense comment. The TL is simply the best-looking sedan ever from an Asian company.

 

I'm not impressed by the looks- and I really WANTED to like this car!

 

I was the same way...i didnt really like the look of the new TL, but after a while it grows on you, and you will love it. Give it some time.

If you notice all the cars that came out in the past 2 yrs or so looked very ugly. It just takes time to get used too.

 

If my car was totalled or stolen (and I'm not knocking on wood) I would buy the 04 TL just because it's new and it sure looks better than the fugly Maxima. The new styling of the TL is just "simple" not ugly, just simple. I think I can live with that considering it's awesome interior and hp. Like Shades445 said, I think it would grow on me. This time I think I'd go for the black one on black.

 

I agree about the Galant, I have said this several times and after seeing a Galant at at the Acura Dealership the other day and the TL its confirmed. It looks more like that car from the back than any other.

 

I agree, given time we will become more accustom to the new designs. I think that many car makers are trying to make their cars more distinctive by going off the edge with their designs. Just look at the new BMWs for instance. BMW in years past had simple clean lines and now (thanks to Chris Bangle) they are far from simple and even controversial. I just saw the new 5 series in the flesh this weekend and it (IMHO) is the ugliest of all the new Bimmers. But that's just my take on it. Some of Infiniti's designs as well as Nissan are a bit out there, but without a doubt you can tell they came from the same manufacturer.

I happen to like the path Acura is going down. Still clean (if not somewhat boring) designs. If you want a car that gets noticed immediately, this isn't the brand for you. Honda/Acura has always been somewhat conservative. The S2000 and NSX are probably the most radical designs they have and that is because they have to be being true two-seaters.

Will we see changes in a couple of years on the TL? You bet! I predict the mirrors will get the turn signal lights we all discussed before we actually saw the car, plus who knows what else. Honda is notorious for keeping a few features to themselves for later model refreshing. A good example is how some cars have black door handles across the line and then a couple years later the upper level models get painted handles. Keep in mind the new RL is just around the corner and they don't want the TL to be too close to it either.

I think the new TL is a great car and a good value, even at MSRP. Acura has put a lot of standard features in this car that is hard to match in other brands without spending a lot more on options. The previous TL was a great buy and so is this one.

 

There probably no value in responding to this since looks are 100% subjective, but I disagree. I'm a little biased, but I personally think the Lexus GS, even at the end of this generation's lifecycle, is the best looking sedan ever from an Asian company. I think the last Legend is a close second given that it's such an old design and still looks quite classy and fresh on the road.

 

I think the new Maxima looks more like a Saturn ION than the TL a Galant.

 

SC... YOU are right. These threads are ridiculous. Because no two people will see the same thing, the same way.

Even 2 people who love a design. Love it for different reasons. Comparing one car to another (looks wise) is a waste of time.

And when you think about how many manufacturers there are, how many brands they have, how many nameplates in each brand. It is almost impossible to design something that everyone is going to say. I've NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE.

 

The side panel is a rip-off from the Bimmer. The back look is an obvious attempt not to look like anything else out there, hence the bump in the middle. The front is generic, like any other Acura. The inside is gorgeous. Conclusion? It is neither the most gorgeous looking Asian car out there, nor is it ugly. It is just in-between, like other Acura products, neither producing exhiliration nor great yawns. I prefer the side of the TSX.

 

I disagree, Rock. There are several classic designs that have been universally regarded as representative of superior design. In my youth, the '57 Chevy and Lincoln Mark II immediately come to mind. Of course, all design is to an extent subjective. But automakers should strive for designs that are timeless, not just trendy or different.

 

Like the Edsel?

I agree they should strive for good design, but I think there is less focus on timeless and more on what will make you buy the car now. Besides if a car is timeless you wouldn't want to replace it in a few years either....

 

It really doen't look like a Galant. I think the new TL is very very good looking, definitely one of the best looking sport sedans in the current automobile market.

 

John I kinda disagree with your disagrement. Because you mention designs that are 46 years old. Coming out of the 30's ANYTHING was an advancement. So it doesn't quite jive with my statement. I wasn't talking about the Model T, the Tucker, The Pierce Arrow, or 65 Mustang. I'm talking about the last decade or so. Not since the First Taurus, or the Chrysler LH cars in '93 (Cab Forward) has anyone done anything really new. Ok, maybe Cadillac's new Science/Art design theme. The CTS, XLR and the SUV. Those are designs that really haven't borrowed from anything.

But everthing else is a little this and a little that. And I still say arguing over what looks good or bad is a waste of bandwidth. It's subjective, period.

 

That is the funniest sh!t I have read all month. Only a few days to go before u win a no-prize award!

I'm with this dude.

 

No actually, the back of the new Maxima looks more like an ELF!!!