Which should I buy? They would both be SH-AWD Tech. The 2009 is decent, but I don't like the grille. The 2012 is the styling that I love. I just can't decide if I want to pay the extra (at least) $5K for a 2012. Also the 2012 would have about 20-thousand less miles. Which would you get?

 

I'd spend another 5K to get something I really like and enjoy looking at. If you plan to keep the car for 5 years, then it's 1K extra per year which is not much.

Also 2012+ TLs are supposed to be a bit quieter.

 

Yeah I think it will be worth it. Thanks!

 

They arent just quieter they also put an all new transmission in the 12+ models with an additional gear replacing the 5spd with a 6.

 

Styling aside I think it's worth it to pay the extra 5k for the much lower mileage, many more years of warranty (can't be extended on 09, unless CPO), lower MPG, quieter ride and large HDD.

If you like the styling much more on one over the other than those factors listed above are just a bonus. That said if you saved 5k and put it towards the 09' into color matching or RJ grille and other mods.

 

If it's 5k more only then I would do it. I personally don't like the new '12 styling for some reason and it's also like 10k more for me lol. Does anyone know the exact differences between the '09 and '12? Is there a full list and features because I can't find it.

 

If you don't like the grille, then skip the '09.

There is nothing worst in life than to drive daily in a car that one doesn't like.

 

Nvm I found it:

- New front and rear styling
- Updated "beak" insert grill
- 6 speed automatic transmission
- Rev-matching throttle blip
- Ability to downshift 2 gears at a time
- Improved fuel efficiency by 2mpg in city and 3mpg on highway
- Ventilated "cooled" seats
- 60GB HDD
- Blind-spot information system
- Upgraded wheels
- 3dB quieter on the highway

Is 3dB a huge difference...? Wonder if you can just like dynamat the hell out of the car lol.

 

^

Some of the features you mentioned are exclusive to the Advance/Elite package, so the 09 tech vs 12 tech differences would be less. Of course you can dynamat the whole car, it would be expensive, although I think much quieter than just 3dB improvement and you'd be adding a lot of weight.

 

Id get the 12 for the 6spd auto alone over the 09 5spd

 

Thanks for all the feedback! If I decide to get a tl then I'll just bite the bullet and get a 2013. I had a 2013 loaner that I absolutely loved but I still can't decide between a '13 tl and a '10 e350 benz

 

ATL7, 12' is also an option for 13' features.

 

Don't forget, decibels are a logarithmic unit. Depending on "which" 3 decibels it is, it can mean a huge difference.

 

If it was me I would get the 2012. Even though it's $5K more it has 20K less miles, has tech and design updates over the 2009 and it's a 2 year old car vs 5 year old car. And as someone else said you could CPO it if you choose.

But at the end of the day you have to decide which one fits your budget better. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

Yes, Dynamat is very heavy in weight.

 

If you're financing it, I'd think about how much more per month it'll come out to. If you're talking less than $100/month more for the newer model with less miles, perhaps it's worth it to you. I currently have a '10 model with tech and the only thing that I regret is not spending a bit more $ on the newer models with the 6 speed tranny.

 

Thanks for the advice. It will actually be a 2013 tl if I decide to get one! My only other choice is the e350 as we already talked about!

 

Yeah I've cut the '09 tl out of the question. It's either the '13 tl or a '10 e350! And yeah the '10 TL's are still really sweet!

 

I drove a pre 2012 TL and man was it noisy. When I heard they made it quieter I drove one again and now I have a 2013 TL lol. Much more refined and I love the extras in my Advance model.
The 10' ES is a nice car but that giant tombstone for a center console looks weird to me. Plus it's really hard to find one with the ML audio.

 

I just took my '13 tl sh-awd tech loaner on the highway and I had a blast! I'm sure you love your tl!