cvajs

i had made a blurb in another thread and i stated that the navi is really not sophisticated by todays technology standards. so be it, navi is what it is.

my question is, is the TL really a sophisticated car? it has sensors all over, a marvel of mechanical engineering (vtec, etc), but, even with all that is it really "sophisticated".

sophistication usually means complexity. complexity is usually not good.

if this car is so sophisticated, then why if i have my temp set to 85 when the car starts cold it will blow cold air? why don't the "sophisticated" sensors know that the car is not hot enough and wait until it is before turning on the fan?

if this car is so sophisticated, why exactly does it run rough at start up (right at 1100rpms)?

if this car is so sophisticated, why is there the starting "issue"?

i can only compare my TL to my 96 4runner and 02 tacoma, all bought new. my toyotas are not sophisticated, but they run smooth as silk when cold, never have any start issues, don't have any driveline vibrations.

so, i guess i (like everyone else) have to live with the woes of owning a "sophisticated" car.

NEVERaDuLLmoment

are you that dissatisfied with the car?

cM3go

the starting issue exists because your car is sophisticated enough to be really powerful but very emissions friendly, and gas efficient at the same time

cvajs

i like the car, but i also believe that it should be engineered without such flaws. i don't think i'm asking alot since my 4runner (8 years older than TL) seems to have been engineered perfectly for the items it offers to the driver.

cvajs

so maybe we should compromise some, lets have it not start during 1st 5sec of cranks, then start, just to be 98% less emissions than what's required by law. that will save the planet. ok.

can you please explain how/why what's going on during non-combusting cylinders during the start phase that lends way to less emissions. i just dont know.

Brewmaster

sophisticated
adj 1: having or appealing to those having worldly knowledge and refinement and savoir faire; "sophisticated young socialites"; "a sophisticated audience"; "a sophisticated lifestyle"; "a sophisticated book" [ant: naive] 2: ahead in development; complex or intricate; "advanced technology"; "a sophisticated electronic control system"


I believe the TL fits in both definitions, (1) It certainly has the appeal and refinement, it is a beautifully styled car which behaves well in varied conditions and offers exceptional value. (2) It has a number of advanced features (bluetooth, navi, dvd-a, voice-commands, emissions control etc. etc.) which by all accounts may not be perfect but work well for the majority of owners the majority of the time. It may not be perfect but if you look at benefit vs. cost I would stack this vehicle up against any other in the price range.

Sometimes advanced technology means changing your expectations: If you want to take the stairs you can do so immediately ... to take the elevator sometimes you need to wait. Perform calculus long-hand? As soon as you have a pencil and paper you can begin ... use a computer and you need to boot it up first.

campIIIMAF

what's sophisticated is Neveradullmoments Avitar. yea baby!!!


now, for any TL owners out there who begin to feel their TL is just another car, recommend taking a spin in another car, say a Chrysler PT cruiser, or GM product, to snap your attention back to reality

TL Sophisticated Question

planman

IMO, "sophisticated", at least in terms of technology, means complex in the background but simple and user-friendly on the front end. There is all kinds of complex but raw gadgetry out there that the average consumer won't touch. The sophistication comes in when there's a pretty wrapper and ease of use (ie, user interface). I think the TL clearly fits this bill.

Compared to your trucks, the TL is a completely different animal. Its high HP, high compression, ultra-low emission engine may not be as silky from a cold start but it's hard to find anything to complain about once you've got it out on the road. Potential driveline vibration aside, of course...

ndabunka

Mine does NOT run "rough"
Mine has few "Start up issues" in that it only does not start correctly (on the first turn) about one in every 100 tries.
As far as air conditioning temps, this is the way 95% of all cars operate. I've ad BMW and Mercs and none of those "waited" until the engine was warm before blowing air. Are you saying that you 96 4-runner had some type of sensor on the AC/Heating system that prevented pushing air until it was haeted up?

Brewmaster

Amen Brother

leeherman

I keep my climate control set to 72 degrees in the automatic mode. I'd SWEAR that it doesn't blow 'til the car warms up, and I KNOW that it automatically shifts in and out of recirculated air mode to speed cool-downs on hot days. I know that my '99 Toyota Solara doesn't blow air until the water temperature comes up.

I've had my TL for three months and 2,400 miles. I haven't experienced ANY startup issues or roughness in that time.

In short, the TL is a sophisticated car. It's also a complicated car, but it appears to be built well enough that the complex equipment is reliable and works as intended. The TL is also a mass-produced car governed by Federal regulations for emissions and fuel economy, which explains the minor starting issues some people experience on rare occasions. Personally, I don't care if the car takes three revolutions to start instead of two, or if the idle is rough for 30 seconds following a cold start.

Compared to my '69 Dart, the TL is a MARVEL! Hell, it's a marvel compared to my '99 Solara!!

Regards,

havokgroup

Everyone has a different point of view. In my eyes there's is yet to be a perfect car that can fit everyone's style and taste.

I'm happy with my TL, if your not happy with it than get another car.

meathead

I haven't had start up problems since about 5,000 miles. i don't know if it's the milage or that for the first 5k i had the car in winter. i guess we'll see in a few months.

Nodoze2004

While I may be the "Master of my own fate" (as Road Rage would say) this car is not gas efficient in the least.

Either my computer is broken, or this car only gets a maximum of 17 mpg city/hwy.

Of course, on occastion (i.e. every day) I do drive it like I stole it

JetJock

My TL starts quick...I never even hear the starter..the engine fires immediately. As soon as it starts, the engine idles smooth with no vibration. Now, I haven't gone thru winter yet, and the car is garaged, so I might find things changing as cold weather arrives. As for the heater and A/C, I keep the temp set at 70L/72R, and haven't had to use heat yet so I'm not sure how that will behave this winter. I think the TL is quite sophisticated, and an absolute engineering marvel considering all the emmissions requirements etc. I remember back to the days when EPA first started with the emmission laws, those cars were horrible. They ran rough, and were exactly the opposite of sophisticated. People would disconnect the equipment causing even more pollution and those cars were a perfect example of how not to engineer something. Todays cars are vastly superior and more sophisticated and the TL is one of the best examples of what can be done with technology. Good Job Acura for building such a great car...now if they could just keep the rattles to a minimum..lol!

steamer31

this is very true most of the time we get very spoiled w/ the luxury of acura

Road Rage

My car starts, runs, and drives perfectly - i think sphistication here has somethng to dow ith the driver. It is a car for cryin out loud! I'd say if one has to worry about whether one's car is "sophistcated" enough, there are issues, I put a tab of Cialis in every fillup - makes my car quite worldly.

willz822

Had the same problem Nodoze. Was only showing 17mpg. Had to re-set the trip computer before I was able to see 27-28mpg for highway driving.