97AcuraCL

is there any word on whether or not the 6mt will be available in the future?

krio

yes, they said in the 2010 model... type-s or not.

krio

press release...

The 2009 TL enters the competitive luxury market at an ideal time as the segment in which it competes is expected to remain strong into the next decade. The new TL is forecast to share substantially in this success with a projected sales increase to about 70,000 units per year, an increase of 5.8-percent through 2012. Available with the largest and most powerful engine in TL history, along with the sport-driving focused SH-AWD® system (the world's first torque-vectoring AWD system when introduced in 2000), the new TL arrives ready to compete with vehicles like the Audi A4 and A6, BMW 3-Series and 5-Series, Infiniti G35 and M35, Lexus ES, GS and IS sedans, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class

TLTrance

I think you may have misread my post... I agree that the 09 is already stamped out and in production, so no changes for this year, but there is hope for 2010. Afterall, look at all the minor changes they were still able to make from 2004 to 2005 model years.

KeithL

Damn, back to the stpuid Bridgestones on all but the SH-AWD, that sucks, at least in the past if you got navi you got Michelins.

jumbosizeme79

i dont know if this is a repost, but if you go to acura.com and future cars they have videos of the new TL

KeithL

But the changes in 05 were not major styling changes or anything I would call substantial. If the styling is a dud I wouldn't expect a change until 2011 at earliest and more likely 2012 when they would do a refresh anyway.

FiveLiterCheater

They got rid of the sleek looking aluminum door handles

TLTrance

Who knows, it might be an option a la BMW rip-off :P

stevesTL

Sorry, but I don't think there will be any major changes before 2012 if history is any indication. I think Acura wants an aggressive look and like it or not it's here. It will sell very well despite the initial complaints. Personally I don't love the side profile of my 05 but I like everything else. So that may be the case with this one. Just overlook (as best you can) the odd grill. As someone here said, in 6mo time people will be talking about the features, handling, mods, etc. on their 09's.

Edward'TLS

If people dislike the TL exterior styling so much as to affect the sales figure, I'm sure that Acura will fix it up in the MMC update 2.5 years away.

A good example is the 7th gen. (previous gen.) Honda Accord. People were so put off by the rear end styling that it had to surrender the best seller crown to the Camry. Honda went so far to fix it by virtually redesigned the complete rear end (not the usual minor refresh) in the MMC update.

Type34

With the new pictures out, I still think...

"the beak"
19" wheel option on the SH-AWD
rear reflectors
overall interior design, but...
no touch-screen navigation
did I mention "the beak"?

We're on our third straight Acura and considering I do most of the maintenance, I rarely see our dealer...which is why we'll probably stay with the brand, but I'm still disappointed with the latest product offerings. The RL is especially making the Cad CTS-V looking more like a possibility in the future.

Btw, anyone know yet if the '09 TL wheel bolt pattern is 5 x 114.3 or 5 x 120?

ChrisQ1980

I hope sales are horrible, and they do another total re-design, but since Acura has a new target market I don't think it will do poorly at all. I'm sure it will be success.

Costco

You know what, in those pics that krio posted the TL sorta grew on me. As in, before, I saw it as "so ugly, there's no way in hell that I would ever buy one" but now its "so ugly, I probably would never buy one". Maybe it was because the rear reflectors were slightly less visible due to the distance of the pictures. Now I'm starting to really think the grill is the main culprit. And dark colors seem to suit the car more.

I still think the interior is the best part about this car. It looks absolutely great, it doesn't have that many buttons. I like the placement of the key fob holder and the red push start button. The key fob holder location is much better than Nissan's awkward left of the steering wheel placement.

smsTL

iTrader: (1)

Hey everyone Acura has new pictures and Videos in their website of 09 TL.

InformativeSilence

The front grille is the only thing bad about the car

stevesTL

I went from thinking "so ugly" too, but now I actually think I want a dark blue sh-awd model. I'll have to squint when I approach from the front, but otherwise I like it, alot. Those 19" wheels are awesome! Anyone hear if they will offer some type of real wood trim option, a la the G35?

vc123

i believe these rims r standard on the SH AWD model



while these ones r the optional 19".......



even those 18" looks sooo small on the new tl ....

mrjoshua

In April I finally gave in and opted to lease an '08 Infiniti G35x Sport. I had waited to get a glimpse of what the new TL would look like and the initial spy photos weren't promising. And now I can say without an ounce of hesitation that I'm glad I picked up a G. The new TL's backend is just horrific (minus the exhaust which is integrated nicely). Hello mutated Toyota Camry! I doubt Acura will be able to modify the rear much after their sales plummet and their senior management scrambles to repair the damage done to the TL's stellar reputation via a botched resdesign, but they will likely be able to retract the forward bucktooth look which would make the front-end look highly attractive otherwise.

What very few seem to have questioned is how and why Acura would have opted for another 5-speed transmission. This is insane! The 2009 Infiniti G37 sedan will have 328 hp and a 7-speed transmission, not to mention even better brakes and Scratch Shield paint. Pricing will likely top out at $42K. Will buyers be willing to dole out a probable $45K+ for the Type S when it's finally rolled out considering its competition? Highly unlikely.

What an embarrassing downfall for what was once a great brand.

krio

amen.

milk man

How about lets wait and see when the real thing shows up in the dealer then compare......Maybe just trying to make yourself feel better for getting the G

Sclass88

The pictures Krio posted up make the car look GREAT! And I hate the new model from the pictures that have already been released...

Skiluv

First Post

I had a 05 TL Black with Camel interior and my wife and I loved it. Unfortunately we traded it in for a SUV because we had a baby on the way. I showed her the new pics and this will be our second car in the next year or so!

I also, think everyone will like the 4th Gen a lot more once they see it in person.

SpecialFX

It actually doesn't look so bad in the dark blue. The silver for some reason is horrible. The front is very odd but whel the 3G came out I wasn't initially crazy about it. Now I love the look. The narrow trunk openning looks strange and could be a problem from a practicality standpoint. I'll have to wait to see it in person and see how it grows on me.

smsTL

iTrader: (1)

^^wheels are hot!

static808

The new Acura TL will definitely sell....alot. People want to be seen and its not that bad looking..just way different. I like seeing all the ugly comparisons and everybody has the negative comments. If the TL sells 500/month then we should start with the negative comments and terrible design talk... give them a few months.

Overall, once the comparos come out and they start going head to head with the 535xi, A6, E and Infiniti M, many people will realize this car is a freakin bargain an probably 1 or 2 in the comparo.

nbkgu7l

Did u guys notice that the New Acura TL doesnt come with all power windows automatic!!! other luxury brand does! and that sucks! so i dont see the difference of honda and acura!

Colin

Did anyone notice that a BMW 3 series doesn't come with real leather or metallic paint standard?

neuronbob

There is some differentiation between TL and RL here. Stop spreading FUD.

Costco

All else said I don't see why anyone would want this new TL. Audi, BMW, MB, Infiniti, and Lexus all offer everything that the TL does and then some, all the while looking much, much better exterior-wise. The 3G had great styling, but the 4G TL is the ugliest car in its class.

Real leather doesn't wear as well as synthetic leather anyways. Did anyone notice the TL doesn't have a standard rear window sunshade, or rear passenger window sunshades either, not even as an option.

Colin

So you're saying you'd proudly point to your vinyl seats while you rationalize your decision. Point is, no car has every feature, blasting one car because it lacks your 'pet peeve' it pointless. We could play 'tit for tat' feature for feature but that's equally pointless.

Costco

No, I'm saying vinyl seats have their advantages also, instead of having your driver's side bolster look like trash after 2-3 years, you can even leave it in the sun and not even care if you wanted (which describes most people). I do understand your point though, I would complain about the same things regarding BMW. But even on our 2003 TL, WDP and a few other colors were an option and also cost more. If you think it's pointless, I fail to see why you even argued with him that way in the first place.

What advantage does not having all auto windows have? None, besides cost. The fact is the TL is a luxury vehicle, and while it is not a "no expense spared" vehicle, it would be nice to have it as an option. No one needs to get it, but having it there for the sake of it is considerate.

Even though I see a decent difference between comparable Honda/Acura models, I think the rest of his post was useful constructive criticism.... he didn't just it put it in words very well.

Colin

...and it's a luxury vehicle that has to live within the Acura line by offering more than the 'lesser' models and not having a few items in the 'higher' models. It also has to have room to grow with new features during it's product cycle. As for having it as an option, think again. When has Honda/Acura ever offered a single item as a option? Maybe one day it will be a part of an option package but there won't be a time that I can foresee where you'll walk into a dealership and check a box that says 'I want 'xyz' feature" It's just not the "Honda way" of doing things efficiently.

As for nbkgu7l offering constructive criticism. Huh? He posted what amounts to a "drive by shooting" and didn't stick around for the discussion. If he meant well but 'just didn't phrase it well' then I'm sorry... for him. This is a word based medium, if you cannot phrase your points properly, you cannot expect people to understand what you are trying to say. Failure to his the target, is not the target's fault.

nbkgu7l

what im trying to say is! for a $42k car! doesnt come with this feature!(all power windows automatic) its sad!!! i said every other luxury brand does! and that could be something that makes difference between honda and acura models!!!

nbkgu7l

some people wont notice but people like me will! and i dont know about u guys but thats sad! the only acura model that has that feature is the RL I know its no something like we need for daily basis but come on! we are talking about luxury brand that supposed to make the difference between the regular brands like honda toyota nissan ford chevy etc so thats my point!


------------------------
Boca Raton fl,

2005 TL Nighthawk Black

kobi2002

The TL will outsell the rl as it always does. As far as lesser things, lexus gives you almost the same options as the higher modeled cars. people will buy what they can afford. having more features in the rl in no way shape or form will lead me to buy it. So i think honda dropped the ball on this one. Not just for the windows but for alot of other things as well.

artbran

iTrader: (2)

I have to admit, the more I look at the car, the more I see Camry in it. I think its terrible. (mind you I didnt read the whole thread) I also look at the rear and think back to 1997-1999 when the first Gen CL was out. I heard back then that the car was not selling because of the pointy rear. Everyone liked/loved the front and sides but they were turned off by the rear of the car. I kinda am worried that Acura's projected sales will not be up to what they think they will be because of the rear they put on this car. Either way, everyone that I show the pictures to say that the car looks like hell and that they are surprised that Acura, who up to date has made such nice classy cars, wants to put this out. The interior I have to say is nice and I like it but I dont like the idea of driving an Acura that looks like a Toyota (in my eyes). Hell I would rather buy another Supra and rebuild it than buy the new TL...

Just my $0.02

CJITTY

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


You might want to hang out here for a little longer so you can see some more options before you say that.

CJITTY

Those 19" spokes look like broken off soda can tabs

Colin

LOL, you entirely missed the point. I'm not in any way suggesting that the TL will not out sell the RL. The RL is one of the best cars out there that is still a sales flop and there's no good way around that.

I think that Acura agrees with you since the new TL is equipped with almost the exact feature set as the RL. It's as if Acura has finally realized that it is pointless to protect the RL further. But the TL will always lack a few items because you just can't bring everything to the table at the same time.