2001andahalf

It's pretty annoying when I love Acuras so much more than Infiniti's and the Infiniti's keep their cars for very long life spans (design wise). I believe the G35 is expected to keep its design for 7-8 years! TL 1 was 96-99(3 YEARS!), TL 2 was 99-01 AND slight redesign for 02-03, how long before they change the TL 3? Acura really needs to stop doing this because it's not fair at all to consumers who pay top dollar only to see a new model come out every 3 years. Has anyone heard news on this TL's design lifespan? Atleast 5 years pleaseeee..

tzakiel

I dont see an issue here... your 3rd gen wont be out dated when 4th gen is out, it will just be different. now by 5th or 6th gen you will probably feel like you have a real clunker By that time I expect the TL to be able to hover on energy pads or something.

Meek32v6

iTrader: (7)

It's not that bad actually. honda has been doing this for a while as do othe manufactuers.
the first 3 years are about the same and on the last year( 4th year) they make some dramatic change before they go to a totally different design. Dont know why but don't mind. Technology as are cars are hard to keep up with. That's why people lease

03CoupeV6

The first TL was 95-98 which was when it replaced the Vigor. It never sold well, so Honda was forced to build a TL on the global midsize platform built here in the US. The second TL was 99-03 which is FIVE (99 00 01 02 03) model years. The slight difference between the 99-01 and 02-03 is just an MMC (mid-model change) which car companies do between total redesigns. This is what companies do, they MUST keep their products fresh, unless you're BMW or Mercedes which seem to let cars go largely unchanged for 8 or more years.

This is yet another post like "Don't you hate it when people mistake 99-01 for 02-03".

Ken1997TL

Having owned a 1st, 2nd and now a 3rd generation TL, I feel qualified to say that change is good. A 5 year design cycle seems to be ideal.

You want an EIGHT year design cycle? Thats what happened to the Integra and RL. VERY bad move on Acura's part. Increased technology, body rigidity, better engines, safety.. its totally worth having all these.

Who cares what Infiniti does??

03CoupeV6

The stately, dignified, and excellently engineered Gen1 RL was sadly left to flounder and sink because even the last year model of 2004 it just felt old. Car designs have a shelf life, and just like Ken said, change is good - they have to keep up with the Joneses (or the Lexuses).


EDIT: The shelf lives of car designs doesn't mean one can't look bad with awe at previous cars. The key to it is most people will say "What a fine car that was..." and end it with "for it's time."

I have those moments every time I see a Legend, Gen1 TL, Gen1 RL, and Gen4 Accord SE.

sparky57

Curious reaction. Most folks welcome, no - demand improvements. If there were suddenly a 400 HP AWD model with higher effort steering available, it wouldn't effect my enjoyment of an '04 MT A-Spec.

Indeed major redesign intervals for Honda are about five years. The '02 freshening of the second gen wasn't really much of a change.

rw

Scribesoft

Yes, but will we be able to retrofit the energy pads to our 3G's? MMMmmmmmmm Energy Pads.......... Maybe in hover-mode we would stop hearing about the terrible Tourque-steer of our "front-drivers" from the Infiniti/BMW folks?

frenchnew

I do not have any insight on how long the current 3rd Gen TL will be carried on but as you look to other car manufacturers, they are changing their designs too at a rapid rate trying to meet consumer's expectations that keep demanding more technology.

Any manufacturer who keep their design too long see their sales going down and they are criticized by the car magazine's journalist for not improving fast enough.


Most people prefer change and are not very conservative. For the few of us who would like to keep a certain design for several year, this is not too good.

There are also the other factors that come into play. New models brings new parts. Keep a certain model too long provided there are sufficient sales to sustain it, you will see more aftermarket part source for it bringing the cost of those parts down.

I can't pass another factor that is prevalent up here in Canada. Car Theft!!!

The majority of Car Theft is for their parts. The more popular a model is, the more theft it will see. Currently the most current car stolen in Canada include the Acura Integra and the Honda Civic of the previous generation. Since those cars sold quite well, now the demand for parts is there.

Consider that many 2nd Gen TL owners had their HID Headlamps assembly stolen since they could be used on other models, I am happy that for the 3rd Gen TL, Acura have remedied the problem and tried to make the design of the headlights unique in that it would be hard to incorporate on other models.

Best regards

frenchnew

crazymjb

While the g35 may look pretty similar on the outside, the thing has undergone some MAJOR mechanical changes.

crazymjb

While the g35 may look pretty similar on the outside, the thing has undergone some MAJOR mechanical changes. Even if they look the same you could be driving the early rear wheel drive one with one or two gizmos, or you could have the 06 with 4 wheel drive, 4 wheel steering, blutooth, etc. I don't mind acura changing models very quickly, I like to see something new.

Twenties

Okay, here is a quick math lesson:

2G TL 99-00-01-02-03 = 5 years. 3G TL will be 04-05-06-07-08.

Typical Honda/Acura bodystyle life is 5 years.

Why? Because you can buy a new car and make your payments and pay it off in 5 years, then get a new one if you like. 5 years makes sense, with a slight design and feature update half way through.

crazymjb

How much would an 05 TL with navi and a 5AT go for in late 08, early 09(when the new ones were launched) assuming it has a clean record and is in great condition? How about trade in value? EST 60-70k miles. I may have to convince my father to upgrade if the 09 is all that it is supposed to be(sh-awd, prolly putting down a lot more power).

Monte TLS,MAX

The original poster may be wondering this because American and European MFG's tend to run there body styles for 2- 4 years longer in many cases. Example the Grand Prix ran from 97-03 7 model years etc, 3 series etc.

Slinks

i prefer my 3rd gen over a theoretically un-redesigned 04/05. Whats wrong with having options? If you like the old one, get a used one. If you like the new one, get the new one. If something better comes out, that doesn't change how your car functions. Would you rather they stifle innovations (never change anything) so that you drive your car knowing there's not a better model out there?

2001andahalf

I'm glad some people actually thought about what I said, but as usual a select few just love to jump down my throat. I never said there was anything wrong with a 5 year lifespan, if you actually take a look at the post it's there PLAIN AND SIMPLE . Anyway, all I was concerned about is the fact that the first TL being 95-98 I wasn't sure if Acura would do this again with the newer TL...ok? Absolutely no reason for people to annoy me as usual. And I could care less if you think the thread is dumb, I'm not a millionaire and I personally don't like to feel outdated when spending a lot of money. For all of you with millions enjoy, for an average joe like myself I guess the story is different.

SebringSilver

Hmmm...they sure kept the NSX unchanged for a pretty long time.

03CoupeV6

Newsflash:

You have a Gen2. You're already outdated.

We've explained that the Gen1 TL's short lifespan was due to the car not selling well. The price was very high for the time. The Gen2 was built on the global midsize platform and was very successful, and the Gen3 is even more successful.

What are any of us supposed to think when the title of the thread is "Why does Acura always change designs?!" - the answer is obvious: Because they have to. They have to stay competitive and up to date. If you think you'll ever NOT be outdated when buying a car or a computer, think again.

Here's to hoping this thread gets just like the previous one about 99-01 vs 02-03.

03CoupeV6

The NSX was a $90,000 supercar. It didn't sell as many in all 14 years of its lifespan as the TL did last year.

crazymjb

Not for long. What are they doing now, giving it a 10 cyl power plant, thats gonna be fun.

Slinks

I've got an easy answer for you: Don't buy a new tl and you won't have to worry about it feeling outdated when the 4th gen (or a 3rd gen enhancement) comes to market. Or if you still want one but don't want the outdated feel get a lease, then you can stay current as long as you want.

TLXLR8S

i think they should make a 3 yr life cycle. this way i can get the re-design at the end of my lease. otherwise id have to get a different model that i new for that year.

cM3go

most manufacturers are on a 4-5 year cycle, thats just how it goes, they always make minor changes along the way to help sales.

mp3car

The NSX and the Integra are the first things that came to mind when i read this thread...
while there were minor changes throughout the years, the integra went from 94-01, and the NSX from 91-01, with the 02+ not even looking all THAT much different... while there were changes, you still imediately recognize it as an NSX... unlike the major visible differences from a 2nd gen TL to a 3rd Gen TL.

AcuraGT-3

Acura is not a real luxury company. Their execs still haven't a clue. Your right, too much change is not good. You cannot see the gradual change in the TL. They all look different. It kills resale and image.

Acura is really just Honda. They are both on the same cycles. They are all basically Accords.

Not that its NOT working, Acura sells better than ever recently

2005Aspec

Have you looked at the models side by side? There is a clear PROGRESSION.

soopa

It's a 5 year product cycle like nearly every manufacturer.

Infiniti's have changed plenty in the past 5 years. The current QX45 bear any resemblence to the prior? How bout the M45? G35 being a new model and all, you can't go by it.

Personally, I like a significant change every 5 years. I don't keep cars for more than 5 years and I don't like buying new cars that look just like 10 year old cars.

Scribesoft

I think people are over-reacting a bit on this subject (not directed at anyone in particular)...

If you are the type of person who buys a great car and loves it for 2 years, then gets upset in year 3 when an updated version of that same car comes out, you're probably the same type of person who bitches about the hp rating being "revisioned" from 270 to 258.. Even though NOTHING about the car you loved so much when you bought it has changed!

What if the remodel didn't happen until you had your car for 4 years? Would you be happy with your car for 3yrs rather than 2?

Enjoy your car for what it is. We all bought our cars (I hope) because we saw a great overall package.... Maybe it was the handling, maybe the value, maybe all the toys which come standard....

There will ALWAYS be improvements in future years. Live with it..

Many people say don't buy in the first 1-2 years when a new model comes out.. If they buy in year 3, they are already 1/2 way through the lifecycle of many brands... Others buy the day a new model hits the stores... they may have more issues (they may not), but they will maximize the amount of time they have with the car before it's considered "outdated"

I personally have an '05 and absolutely love it, but I still love seeing an '04 or '05 coming down the road. I think mine is much more sporty than the older versions, but I personaly think the older models exude more "class" from the outside appearance.. ..

Anyway, that's just my ramble for now. Just be happy with your purchase.. don't look for reasons to not like it.. The more you feel the need to "Keep up with the Jonses", the more $$ you'll be flushing down the toilet in the process.

Scribesoft

Quoting myself .. I meant to say '02 or '03 coming down the road.. Apparently we can't edit after 5 minutes has gone by.

03CoupeV6

Ever see a well-kept 1992-1993 Legend come down the road and think "Wow, what an amazing car that was." - even though it's very dated.

chill_dog

There's a reason for that...Japanese styling is timeless. I don't want to say traditional, but maybe classical (classy)...you know, like a Polo shirt - always cool. European cars are dated in just a few years...their design is more trendy, like those :ghey: striped shirts everyone was wearing last year. Look at an old Legend, 300ZX, Maxima, Supra, RX-7, Q45, etc...10-20 years old and still . Then look at a 10-20 year old BMW, Mercedes, Audi, etc... . American cars seem to be a mixed bad...some of the cars from 10-20 years ago still look good, some don't. So I don't think it matters how often Acura updates their styling, what we have will always look good!

Ron A

All the time. In '98 I wanted a white 95 legend LS so bad I could taste it, but all I could find was one GS which had a fire inside and they replaced everything with all the wrong colors and trim so I passed on it.

I still enjoy seeing a 92-95 white Legend on the road.

SebringSilver

I actually have a '94 Legend 4-dr in almost as-new condition. It's only got about 54,000km on it, and because of the regular and prodigious use of a variety of Meguiar's products, it gets stares from people and induces remarks like, "I'm sorry, but is that a new Acura??" It's rather amusing, actually.

Scribesoft

Absolutely! I was up in Canada (Quebec) recently and a mid 90's Legend 4-dr was coming up on me fast (Mind you, I'm in my '05TL going around 80-85).. I respectfully gave him full ownership of the left lane.... I look over as he blows by me like I'm not moving.. It was an old guy (probably late 70's) with his wife, both looking straight forward like they were on a mission (kind of like when Batman is driving at top speed to the cave)..

I can't really explain it very well here, but when Batman gets old and trades in the car with all the wings and jet engines, I would expect to see him in that exact same car with that exact same expression on his face.

Yes my story is a little stupid and not very well written, but the Legend, as always, was quite impressive.. especially for a 10+ yr old car.

Actuary

I came from satng and ford also uses 5 years and I'm "ok" with 5 year cycle. I always buy car that's brand new or second model year so it has never beem problem to me.

Phillyboi

Doesn't Nissan change pretty frequently? Seems like it.

mr drippington

are you mentally retarded?????

japanese styling is incredibly short sighted and terrible, look at a 10 year old acura and a 10 year old BMW, one of which is still nice looking and one looks like you bought it since you couldn't afford a good car. German styling has longer cycles since it's better looking and less "trendy" (i.e. copy of german styling)

if the jap cars were worth a damn they wouldn't have to renew them twice as oftem as the german cars just to simply keep up

03CoupeV6

Literature is a treasure. BMW may handle better, Mercedes might have more prestige - but the Japanese automakers blow the Germans out of the water in terms of quality and long-term reliability. And if I'm comparing a 10 year old Legend to a 10 year old BMW, it's an unfair comparison. The Legend (RL) has came a long way - the BMW will look almost exactly the same.

mr drippington

give me a break, jap quality is based on short term 100k durability
the extra money you spend for a quality automobile is clear once you pass this threshold and the jap car falls apart at the seams

I bet you wouldn't even be able to pick out a 10 year old BMW as 10 year old,

10 years old would be an E36 1995, if you'd rather have a 1995 acura you'd probably rather have a huge cock in your ass as well

tzakiel

I'd like to move to have mr drippington permenantly banned from acurazine.. take a quick look at his posts.