Originally Posted by gstais

I guess you are already predisposed to not buying a TL. So I would suggest you do everyone a favor and NOT buy one. Your perceived cons far outweigh your pros.

Too bad the TL is a really great car!

Originally Posted by Chester

My 06 TL has 300 miles on it, and both doors rattle so much I can hardly stand it, they rattle when you close them, when you open them, when you hit a manhole cover, a bump, when you play music, hell, listening to a stand up bass on the stereo (even at volumes as low as 13-14) is basically pointing out the rattles in the car from one side to another. My seatbelt rattles (The retractor thing right next to your ear). I am sure all of these can be rememdied...but sheesh!

Originally Posted by JustinZ

thats because the TSX build quality is better than the TL - as it was designed and built in japan

Originally Posted by WooBah

I would buy a TL today; but, I am leery because of all the stories about rattles and fit quality. The transmissions issues seemed to have been fixed with the 06 model, correct?

But, I read on the various Acura Forums post after post regarding rattles on the TL, including the 06 model. It is consistent across ALL the Forums, and they are major complaints, and plentiful. I also see a lot of posts about the quality of fit and finish on the TL, chip painting, panels not aligning etc.....

I love the value of the TL, it offers 90% of the performance of a BMW 330i at a saving of about $9,000. It has to be pushed pretty darn hard to find its limitations, something I am very unlikely to ever do. So, I would love to buy a TL today! But, I am very leery to pull the trigger when I read about the problems and they seem so profound.

On the 3 Series, 2006 model year (E90) forums, the car gets universal praise, as well as from the professional reviewers. The posters post about the upscale fit and finish, the great ride, and the great performance their 325i or 330i. Of course, there are some complaints, but they are very minor and very minimal, extremely minimal compared to the complaints from TL Owners.

I am by no means trying to slam the TL, because I honestly want to be able to buy one, and buy immediately. BUT, I am so leery now because of the rattles and fit and finish issues. I have test driven TL's that do not appear to have rattles, but many of the posts state the rattles show up after a few months.

I sure would not want to spend $35,000 on a car, which includes the California Sales tax of 8 percent, then have a rattle box. If that is indeed the case, I would rather pay the extra $9,000 and have a car that will give me pleasure, not buyers remorse.

Now, if a TL can be purchased without being a rattle box, plagued with fit and quality issues, it is the BEST BUY in the Auto market! No Question!

Any comments or opinions, suggestions?

Originally Posted by priggly

I also like the TL and want to buy one but these are my concerns:

- driveline vibration/harmonic distortion history at highway speeds
- assorted rattles and squeaks (I hate these noises in a car. They are a throwback to the 60's and 70's and should not be present in any modern automobile, regardless of price.)
- premature seat leather wear (even the cars on the showroom floors of dealers look three years old!)
- pulling to the right or left (saleman says the car is exquisitely sensitive to road crown; I test drove three separate cars in a row which pulled to the right, two more subsequently did not. Consistency is obviously a problem.)
- the gauges are not particularly legible, particularly in bright sunlight. I drive in both the US and Canada and the secondary mph numbers inside the kph numbers on the Canadian spec cars are virtually invisible.
- the ride is rough over all but the smoothest roads. This is not particularly noticeable on short rides such as test drives but on long drives becomes somewhat of a problem. Yes, it is a "sporty" ride but I suspect would be fatiguing on bad pavement over a long drive or period of time.
- smallish trunk with rigid rear seatbacks so that the utility of the car is compromised (this will not be a problem for most).

Otherwise, the car is quite commendable, has both superb sound system and navigation, is of high value, is way above average in safety according to informedforlife.org and obviously those who have a copy that does not vibrate, rattle, etc. are pleased. Those who do not are emphatically not so.

How therefore does one know if one is getting Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde? To quote Shakespeare, "Aye, there's the rub." Driving the car you actually buy helps but is not really the equivalent of two or three months of ownership when some of these problems seemingly become apparent.

One more point, in your comparison shopping don't omit checking out the new Lincoln Zephyr, soon to become the MKZ. It is a very nice car: quiet, refined, super sound system and navigation, great seats with high quality leather that does not crack and crease, excellent ride quality, superb 6-speed automatic transmission with seamless shifting, equivalent warranty to the TL BUT it also comes with prepaid maintenance for a period of time. The only drawback presently is an inadequate 3.0L engine which takes 8 seconds or so to reach 60 mph but this is soon to be remedied by switching it for a new 3.5L. At that point the car will be a real contender in this category.

The 330i is a great car but is hamstrung by two serious flaws: 1) the virtually universally despised iDrive which is obligatory if you want the LOGIC7 sound system or navigation and 2) run-flat tires with their inherent noise, stiffness, availability and high replacement cost issues.

Originally Posted by WooBah

Do what I did today. Buy the TL! I bought a new 2006 TL, Alabaster Silver, Quartz interior, automatic, navigation. I love it. I am very happy with the purchase. In the end, I could not justify the $11,000 more for the BMW 330i. Also, the TL holds value very, very well. So, if after a couple years, I want something else, i will trade it in, or sell it, and get something else. But, expect to be enjoying the TL. It is a great buy for a great car. The TL does not do some things the best, but it does ALL things very, very well.

Originally Posted by GeraldB

My '05 TL is a year old with no rattles. I do have a minor gripe about that 1500 rpm vibration at neighborhood speeds; it's not noticeable on the highway. I sure don't understand paying more for a BMW. I'm a little bugged that some newer cars have more horsepower - including the '06 Impala and '07 Camry, for cripe's sake - but I'm sure I made the right choice in '05 and I think I'd choose the TL today also. Great car.

Originally Posted by xtin

Its under warranty so go get the 1500 RPM thing FIXED FOR FREE =)