I received my June 2004 CR in today's mail. Four cars were tested: BMW 530i, Jaguar S-type, Mercededs E320 and Volvo S-80. All except the Volvo cost (as tested) about $52K, the Volvo was $46K. The Mercedes came out on top of the four, but was not recommended due to very poor reliability data. Next was the 530i, which was also not recommended, probably due to the cumbersome I-Drive. Ironically, in 2001, CR rated the BMW 530i as the best car it had ever tested. Neither the Jag and Volvo was rated very highly nor recommended.

The big story to me was that CR included the TL with this group as a "luxury sedan"(as opposed to it's inclusion in the "upscale sedan" category in the Feb 2004 issue). The TL came in at #3, after the Lexus LS430 (at $66K) and MB S430(at $79K and not recommended due to reliability). The BMW 330i was not in the top 13 rated in the chart. The TL scored higher than any of the tested cars.

This rating is just another recognition of the TL's ability to compete with the big boys and is an indication of its great value. I predict that this article will help the TL to further exceed sales expectations.


CR Ratings:

1. Lexus 430
2. MB 430
3. Acura TL
4. MB 320
5. BMW 530i
6. Lexus ES330
7. Lincoln LS
8. Audi A8
9. Jag S type
10. Jag XJ8
11. Cadillac CTS
12. Volvo S80
13. BMW 745 Li

My options were the BMW 530i and the TL. I am very happy with my TL and my wallet is even happier.

 

interesting....

 

You just sprinkled troll bait.

Here, trollie trolls...here, trollie trolls...

 

Thanks for the report numex, makes the next 2 weeks of waiting for my TL even more difficult!

 

Old news, I already stirred the pot with the article. Not to deflate our ego, but the 330 is not there because its being redesigned for the next year, judging from BMW's current new offerings it should be a bomb too!

 

Sorry VTech, didn't mean to step on your post, which I must confess, I did not read (although I should have). With a title like "Suck on this one Euro Trash!," it wasn't immediately appearant to me that you were referring to a Consumer Reports article.

 

I know this site has a much "hyped" opinion of this car and to some extent I concur. Maybe I need a reality check, (I have never spent the $$ to own a BMW, Lexus, Jag, MB, etc.) but regardless of the value that this car offers with the impressive list of standards at a $33K sticker, Acura has to take care of the number of manufacturing defects that are posted all over this site before this car will live up to the hype in my mind. I know I am on the opposite end of the spectrum than most on this forum, but I know without question that if each of you owned the 04 TL sitting in my garage, this would not be the case. At 2400 miles, there is not a car on the road that should have as many issues as my TL.