lakeman

I just read the TOV review of the TL that was out today. It is a good read for those of you considering this excellent vehicle.

http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-ar...icle_id=193192

BlackShadow

Simply amazing!:wow:

Going back to the J32 engine, we also found that it makes the car a stellar performer at the drag strip, even with the hindrance of FWD. We ripped off repeated 14.4 runs in the 97-98 mph range until we finally managed to nail a nearly perfect launch and extract a 14.20 @ 98 mph pass with a 2.16 60 ft. All this in a 3500 lbs car with half a tank of gas, 200+ lbs of driver and camera equipment on factory tires at stock pressures. That's right, we didn't even drop the tire pressure.

With a skinnier driver, 1/4 tank of gas, empty trunk, and lowered pressure with stickier tires, the 04 TL 6-speed can dip into the 13s easily!

InAcura

Sounds great! But, damit, I'm too fat.

LVSBB6

I like

njtom

Nice, thanks for the heads-up.

Bitium

GREAT REVIEW!!!

Love this part:

the steering. Oh yes, we've heard all the complaints about torque steer, etc. and let's dispel that right now, this car doesn't have a torque steer problem. The amount of power you choose to deploy through the front tires does influence the steering, but it does so in the manner you choose. But there is a drawback, one present only on the 6-speed model TL as far as we can tell. At very, very light throttle, say as you add a little throttle to maintain speed up a grade, etc. the steering can develop a little wiggle. Nothing major, almost imperceptible most of the time, but it is noticeable in gentle sweepers. Lift off the gas and it goes away, apply more throttle and it disappears again. What's causing this? It's the LSD stupid! (that's directed at the auto mags who've been *****ing about torque steer, not you dear, intelligent and well informed readers). At very light throttle openings you're right on the verge of where the LSD really begins to take action and when it does it helps steer the wheels into a corner, hence the slight variation in steering angle. Combined with the very quick steering, especially off-center, and you get a little movement in the wheel, if not in the path of the car. It's a price we're more than willing to pay, as you'll understand in a moment, but it may be something that Acura takes a look at for mid-model cycle revisions.

I didn't feel any torque steer, when I test drove the 6spd....it might be different to the 5at. The 04 TL is much more improved compare to type S and other previous models.

Nitrotiger

i love my tl-6 cant wait to rip a 14.2 or a 14.0 i ran 14.5 in my 01 cl-s 5at so as long as i rip at least 14.2 i will be happy

lakeman

Having driven this baby in the mountains of SC/NC I love this part:
"Feel this thing dive for the apex on the gas, totally neutral still. And now we power out, unwinding the wheel and aim for the edge of the road - this car is a rocket and is really putting the power down. Now for the next corner, let's push it a little harder. Pick a braking point, wait for it, wait for it, okay, "NOW!" - Damn these brakes work well, no fade at all. Twitch the wheel just a bit into the corner to begin turn in - hey, is that the rear end coming into play? Yes it is, I've actually got the tail out on a 3500 lbs FWD car! When the car has rotated enough, get back on the gas, smoothly but quickly - the LSD just locks you onto your line, again there's no understeer. And the game just went on and on like that. "
I drove some pretty good roads, but was not up to pushing the TL like these guys did. I must make a return trip and see if I can break the rear end loose.

Z Factor

I'm bookmarking all of these.

Thanks