Hello, just new here. I'm about ready to bite on a new 4th Gen TL but needs some final advice. Test drove models from '11 to '09 and the base up to the SH AWD.
Just curious if anyone has input as to the model they have, would chose or would change what they have now?
3.5 vs 3.7?
AWD complexities vs straight forward FWD?
Colour?
Fire away, and thank you.

 

The 3.5 is FWD only, the 3.7 is AWD only.

My prop shaft was replaced under warranty. That's the only major issue I've had.

I bought my 2009 SHAWD Tech about 2 years ago and I've put about 50k miles on it-- no regrets at all.

 

see my post: https://acurazine.com/forums/fourth-...2014-a-921393/

Good luck

 

Not the same year range but I just got a 2012 SH-AWD and really there is no comparison between the FWD and AWD they drive totally different and the AWD is the only way to go!

 

+1^

OP, If I were in your shoes I would select the best used sport sedan at the best price (unless you want AWD, then the Acura system is a must have). You can get a great used Infiniti 2wd for a lot less than an Acura and it will impress your right foot just as well.

 

just be mindful of the oil consumption some have. i have a 2010 awd and it does burn oil.

 

Why would you be promoting a different car model when the OP was asking for people's experience with Acura TL's ?

 

Sometimes individuals fail to see the many options available to them when they are considering a new vehicle. I have long been a fan of Honda products, having three in my garage at once a while back. But as I venture further into the automotive world (wholesale) I've discovered there are some very good examples of sport sedans out there that don't have such a high resale value. Thus they offer the same luxury, quality, ride, and styling you could find in an Acura for less $$$$$.

I would suggest that anyone, including yourself, explore what the market now has to offer. Getting hung up on one particular brand limits your options.

Besides, OP left the door open with this parting sentence...

 

got the 12 shawd advance for almost a year now and absolutely love it. cant really compare it to anything else since its the only one ive driven but i have no complaints so far.

We got hit with about 7 inches of snow last night and it handled great!

 

Go with the SH-AWD. Such a great system, you won't regret it...

 

When I bought my car I looked at 3 specific different models. Lexus IS250 AWD, BMW 335i X-Drive and Acura TL SH-AWD. I was only looking for awd.

The Lexus provided amazing reliability and luxurious feel. It was a real A to B car. It was responsive and the roads could be felt, but it lacked power out of a 2.5L engine and it lacked technology, it seemed outdated. The rear seats were also extremely small which I considered a flaw back then, but now I don't really care for a large back seat.

The BMW 335i X-Drive was an amazing drive. It was sporty, and there's no other car in it's league that competes to sportiness of the twin turbo's spooling up and the power kicking you to the back of the seat. But it lacked reliability. A known turbo and pump issue is what held me back. Along with that is the typical cost of german maintenance. Also a small back seat.

The Acura TL had the best of both worlds. It gave the sportiness feel with the powerful 300hp engine and it gave the luxurious feel along with some what of a reliable sense and the weight of the car puts the AWD system down on the floor in the harsh winters of Canada.

If I were to do this all again, I would probably go with a Lexus. Sportiness or not, the outdated Lexus IS250 AWD still was my all time favourite body style and the reliability is unbeatable with Lexus/Toyota brand.

I don't call my TL a sport sedan. While some say there's power, I feel like there's lag in the power and it doesn't seem as sporty as some people seem to emphasize it. Maintenance wise the TL's been pretty good. I didn't have that issue with the propeller shaft but my driver side door speaker went the second day of owning the car. It was replaced by dealer free of charge regardless. The transmission seems to be jerky and lagging, not smooth whatsoever. Burning oil is not too bad for me. I don't really notice and I change my oil when it shows 15% regardless.

There are lots of brands out there so you have to kind of try and see what you prefer and what your main priority is out of the car. I wanted AWD with power and luxury while still avoiding major maintenance issues. Now I don't care much for power because of gas prices lol. I tried out the Infiniti G37x and while it was good, I knew it had a major list of maintenance issues. I avoid all american brands (Ford Taurus SHO), and Audi/VW was out of the question due to electrical and sensor issues.

My next car will be a Lexus... probably the new GS.

 

Purchased 2011 SH-AWD Tech package with 14000 miles about 8 months ago for $25,000 - (CPO at the Dealership)


26000 miles today, no problems. My consumption might be high because I drive in sport mode most of the time and have a heavy foot. (So my bad not the car)


Overall, this is a great car for the money; the AWD system is most likely one of the best around. (Similar AWD systems like on TL SH-AWD are only found on vehicles costing thousand's of dollars more)


A lot of luxurious features are a bonus, most other cars will have these as options with a steep price tag.


No car is perfect, hence the TL is for sure hard to beat for the price.

 

I always use the axiom that my dad taught me when I was a teenager, several decades ago*. Calculate your annual cost of ownership. I am not including maintenance or repairs. Maintenance is necessary and predictable. Repairs are hit and miss, preferably miss.
If you pay $30,000 for a car, (including taxes) trade it in 4 years later for $12,000, then your annual cost just to own the car was $4500. Your monthly cost before gas, insurance, car washes, winter tires, etc. was $375. Car ownership is very costly, especially if you buy new.
If you do not know all of your car related costs to the nearest $50 a month, you are probably paying too much.
My first car was a '54 Pontiac which I paid $250 for. It needed a new transmission so I got a used one for $15 and put it in on the driveway. Drove that baby all over Ontario for 3 years going to McMaster! A full tank of gas was $8.00.

 

I am new to the forum and have bought a CPO 2010 TL AWD tech about a month ago. The car is just a joy to drive .

AWD and traction control works great especially in the winter here in Canada
I would definitely go for the tech package, the ELS sound system and PB start are are definitely worth the added cost.
I have not had any issues so far and I just look forward to driving it everyday.
The 3.5 and 3.7 are two very different cars, I say go for the 3.7 AWD on-ramps are very fun in this car

 

TL 3.5 FWD = Very good sporty FWD sedan

TL 3.7 SH-AWD, especially manual = One of the best sport sedan in its power and size class regardless of price.

 

I've owned a G35, BMW 330 and now a 2010 TL SH. The 2010 is the most comfortable of the bunch by far. Reliability has been awesome as well. The G rode very rough (but damn that is a good exhaust note). The BMW was quite unreliable (headliner fell off after 6 months new and other issues that required dealership visits). Highly recommend the TL with the 3.7. My only regret is not holding out of the 6MT and going with the 5AT.

Good luck

 

I think this was mentioned on many previous post that if you are going for FWD TL, you might as well buy the V6 Accord but if you want a TL you get the AWD.

I think I agree with this logic.

As I always say on my post, the only downside of this TL-AWD is the MPG.

You are going to be visiting the gas station very often. Why? Its so fun to drive, that you want to push it always.

Goodluck!

 

I owned a 2011 SH-AWD Base and traded it in (49k miles) for a new 2013 SH-AWD Tech. Both cars are great but definately prefer the 6sp auto to the 5sp auto. In addition, the Tech's sound system is better.

 

I just bought one of the last 2014 TL Tech's 3.5 in Cincinnati. I got the dealer down to $32,800 plus tax and title. I am loving my car and have zero regrets. I don't like the factory 17" wheels on the fwd TLs, but once I added the 19" accessory wheels the car took on a whole new look. It drives great and I would say the tech package is very nice if you can get one. I was actually going to buy a TLX, but I felt the build quality wasn't as good as the TL and of course the price was too good to pass up. Good luck on your purchase. I don't think you could go wrong on either model.