bugsnest

The "beautiful day" part in the title was meant as a joke; it's freezing rain and icy and took me an hour and half for a 20 mile commute If you live in the Midwest, I hope you are safe and staying warm!

That said, I happened to see a TL with SH-AWD pass me by on the highway and later an MDX and was wondering how good these cars held up in this weather. It's perhaps coincidence but I read some great reviews on how the "tech" on the TL SH-AWD was and most reviews praising the TL usually were test driving the SH-AWD trim.

I started with a budget of 30K and was asking on pre-owned TL's without tech. I then realized getting a car with tech is pretty much a no-brainer. I am now thinking if I plan to keep the car for 10 plus years (like I normally do) then should I man up and buy the SH-AWD version instead and enjoy the driving experience?
St Louis is very moderate and we rarely get snow. But we do get rain in spring and early summer quite frequently.

I am posting to hear your thoughts too. Is the SH-AWD really worth the upgrade? I am not a reckless driver by any stretch and while I enjoy a fun drive, I also like a smooth comfortable ride on the highways when I am mostly on the phone dialed into conference calls.

Treblig

The proof is in the driving. Do yourself a favor and go all out and get the SH-AWD. You won't regret it! It's not only for foul weather. It is a joy even in the dry and especially on the twisties.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Bug, I'm in Kansas City-we got 10-12 inches of snow here today.

I wish I had SH-AWD today.

wassystyle

Do it, i'm in Afghanistan right now and I get back in April and the 1st thing I am going to do is get back into an Acura looking for 12/13 Advance SH-AWD.

rl man05

yea. st louis got hit pretty hard. sh-awd worked amazingly good for just a good drive around

RDXtremist

sh-awd all the way. had it on my RDX and loved it, which is the reason why i got the same all wheel drive system for my TL.

good weather or bad, it just enhances your driving experience and puts a smile on your face.

potmilkz

sh-awd practically made for snow.. doooooooooo ettttttttttttttt.. go all out and spend 40k for a new one..

KeithL

Go get a new one they are discounting then $4k-$5K now and if you have a competitors luxury brand there is another $1500 incentive.

ucf_bronco

iTrader: (1)

Simple answer...yes!

Trust me, the true fun of the SH-AWD comes during nice weather. All it takes is accelerating through one turn and you'll be hooked. The performance in inclement weather is just a bonus

Oswald Vater

I think that if I were in the Midwest I would go AWD. At the same time if a comfortable ride is a higher priority for you than handling its worth driving both before making your decision. I've not driven AWD but most people say FWD offers the better ride.

El Bro

Yeah, I am looking at a New AWD-Advance right now, and the Price is (40500+TTL)-1500.00. The 1500 is an extra incentive.

weather

Let me add my name to the growing list of people who says: If you can afford it, do it! The SH-AWD is a great example of wonderful engineering, not just on wet/snow covered surfaces, but as a pure driving experience. You will not regret it....unless you can't afford it

23109VC

without question - SH-AWD is worth every cent.

it's not just a bad weather system.. it helps you haul a$$ in the dry too! so fun!! go rip a TL around a 90 degree turn in FWD...and then do it in an SH-AWD.. it's night and day. NO COMPARISON.

get SH-AWD!!

VQPower37

im in the midwest ... the shawd is great through the snow, would highly recommed getting it

KeithL

Are they quoting you $40,500 + Destination or including destination? My dealers are quoting me without destination.

Buffa

I live in St. Louis, and have been dying for snow since I have the SH-AWD. I joked in another post that I thought I jinxed snow in St. Louis, by purchasing my first AWD car.

But yes, well worth every dime (and slightly lower MPG). As others have said, nail the gas around a turn in dry conditions, just once, and it will make you smile. Then its presence in the snow does amazing confidence building. Sometimes it probably builds a little too much confidence because you still need to be careful, especially since we had some ice mixed into this storm.

Testing it in an empty parking lot was a little more squirrelly yesterday than the snow we had a few weeks ago. But it allows you to do things you should never really try outside an empty parking lot.

Edward'TLS

With proper winter tires, the AWD TL is virtually invincible in snow and on ice, as long as the vehicle bottom clearance will allow.

CerberusKy

iTrader: (1)

As Edward said, "With proper winter tires". The stock tires on the sh-awd really are not very good in the snow. Throw a set of bilzzaks on in the winter and you will be much happier. My wife has a subi, that I switch out between summer and winter tire, and it is great in the winter. I'm waiting for my stock tires to wear down before I get a set of blizzaks for the winter; so as for now I always drive my truck when it snows.

VQPower37

^ even with stock tires its not so bad ... im rockin stock eagle rsa ... they slip around a bit, but all in all they do fine, just dont drive like an idiot and ull be in good shape

Dymondawg

Go SH-AWD. I have an '08 Type S and my wife has an '07 MDX Sport (and T&E). I LOVE driving the MDX. The active suspension paired with SH-AWD always puts a smile on my face when I put it through sweeping turns, dry or wet. I haven't driven the SH-AWD TL, but can only imagine how much confidence-inspiring fun is had in those cars.

bugsnest

What an over-whelming response!!! I guess the least I can do is test drive an SH-AWD.... and then take the next big step hopefully

@Buffa - I hear ya, we haven'd had much snow in STL. But yeah, the rain and wintery mix is dangerous!!

Thanks for all the responses....

farmdog

We got about 8' here in Omaha.....My FWD TL is solid in the snow with a set of Blizzaks.

Booya4139

Fwd gives you good mileage and comfortable ride all the time. Tradeoffs. Drive both

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Hang on Bugs-Kansas City has another foot of snow coming tomorrow. I hate to say it, but it's pushing due east....

VQPower37

so did u buy the shawd?

Devil Dog 21

I live in KC and have a 2010 SH-AWD Tech and it handles the snow like a champ. Obviously for cars ground clearance will always be a problem, however my TL hasn't even hinted at getting stuck anywhere. Well worth the money IMO.

LawnPro

bugsnest - any update to your car searching or any test drive results?

drive4show

bugsnest-like Steven i am in KC. My SH-AWD is great up to 8 inches or so. We got a foot of snow last Thursday and I got stuck as soon as i got out of my driveway. Four neighbors pushed me back into the driveway. AWD isn't a lot of good when the snow is so deep that you are high centered. If you get a lot of deep snow and are concerned about getting around, an MDX might be better. But the car is a lot of fun otherwise.

Alexander.

iTrader: (1)

^^ Assuming from your signature that you bought the TL with the HPT wheel/tire package, are you driving in the snow on high performance summer tires?

almostatlowner

Exactly. Last week we got hit with ~9" of snow in KC. I was dumb enough to go in to work, but didn't get out in time. While the TL (with all seasons) did well on the yet to be plowed main streets, I got stuck several times after getting to my subdivision. While snow tires do make a huge difference, I doubt they would've helped this time as the snow was higher than the bottom of my door.

VQPower37

^ thats not a prob with the car gaining grip ... thats a problem with it literally pushing the car up so the cars wheels are not even on the ground,

the only thing that can stop the shawd of the tl is the ground clearance ... which would be solved either by lifting the tl ... prob not a good idea, or getting an mdx

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Wow, it's great to see all these 4G TL guys in KC!


Guys, our National Meet is going to be at Jay Wolfe Acura the weekend of June 7-9th!


Everybody should make plans to be there-and not just the KC guys!

El Bro

Sorry for the late response, the Price of the Car was 40500.00 including destination.

stonehart

St Louis guy here with a SH-AWD. It's very much worth it. Driving in the snow last week was a piece of cake. Very sure footed in the rain and a blast to drive on dry streets. I got this one as a CPO for the Acura dealer. St Louis dealership is amazing as far as service. This is my fifth Acura but first pre-owned. I'd suggest that if you going to get one, make sure to get the tech package. Good luck.

KeithL

Can you share any information as to the details, dealership or anything that I use as leverage? PM me if you can, thanks! If I can get it for $40500 with destination then subtract $1500 conquest I really can't refuse that offer.

LawnPro

Does KC get much for snow for the whole winter? Or just the rare storm rolling thru and dumping 6-8" of snow?

Devil Dog 21

Anybody test their SH-AWD in today's storm? Mine is clean otherwise I'd go for a little joy ride on all the closed highways just for grins. Kidding obviously.

I'm playing in a golf tournament out of town that weekend!! Damn!

millimac247

Just got an AWD TL and I live in KC. Good Times for sure!!! Glad to hear about a meet up. I figured Jay Wolfe would be my service dealer since I work over there and bought out of stte.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Guys, also check the Regions/Mid-West section. There is a KC thread there where you can keep track of what's going on with other TL owners in town.

bugsnest

Wow this thread sure is active!

I have an update. I feel almost guilty writing this
I was able to find a 2012 TL Tech CPO with under 5k miles for a great price! I realize the AWD is a better car but the price on a CPO SH-AWD was pushing me a little out of my comfort range!
I appreciate all the inputs though. Looking forward to the car arriving next week.