Debating to buy FWD or SH-AWD
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Debating to buy FWD or SH-AWD
Hey all!
I currently own a 2001 TL with only 120K I have owned since 16. I just graduated college last week...wooohhooo....and grandparents want to upgrade my ride. Im looking at getting a 4th gen TL (my father currently has an 09 TL tech package FWD) and I love it!
Realistically, price range is about 25K (I feel very fortunate).
I really prefer a 2012 model, I like the refreshed look, and prefer Advance but obviously not necessary because just getting a newer car is great enough.
Anyways, drove a 12 TL tech SH-AWD and have mixed feelings. While I love Acura's SH-AWD ( I owned a 2005 RL for 3 months that I flipped for a profit and loved the SH-AWD). So, on the test drive, I kinda pushed the car around corners, and it didnt hold its feet as well as I was expecting. Maybe that one in particular needed new tires? I should have checked. Anyways, I also am not a fan of the worse gas mileage (18/26 compared with 20/29). I do NOT need all wheel drive, I live in So Cal.
Would you get the SH-AWD package if you bought your TL again, or if you didnt get it, do you regret not getting it? Comments, questions, ideas....thanks guys!
I currently own a 2001 TL with only 120K I have owned since 16. I just graduated college last week...wooohhooo....and grandparents want to upgrade my ride. Im looking at getting a 4th gen TL (my father currently has an 09 TL tech package FWD) and I love it!
Realistically, price range is about 25K (I feel very fortunate).
I really prefer a 2012 model, I like the refreshed look, and prefer Advance but obviously not necessary because just getting a newer car is great enough.
Anyways, drove a 12 TL tech SH-AWD and have mixed feelings. While I love Acura's SH-AWD ( I owned a 2005 RL for 3 months that I flipped for a profit and loved the SH-AWD). So, on the test drive, I kinda pushed the car around corners, and it didnt hold its feet as well as I was expecting. Maybe that one in particular needed new tires? I should have checked. Anyways, I also am not a fan of the worse gas mileage (18/26 compared with 20/29). I do NOT need all wheel drive, I live in So Cal.
Would you get the SH-AWD package if you bought your TL again, or if you didnt get it, do you regret not getting it? Comments, questions, ideas....thanks guys!
#2
Hey all!
I currently own a 2001 TL with only 120K I have owned since 16. I just graduated college last week...wooohhooo....and grandparents want to upgrade my ride. Im looking at getting a 4th gen TL (my father currently has an 09 TL tech package FWD) and I love it!
Realistically, price range is about 25K (I feel very fortunate).
I really prefer a 2012 model, I like the refreshed look, and prefer Advance but obviously not necessary because just getting a newer car is great enough.
Anyways, drove a 12 TL tech SH-AWD and have mixed feelings. While I love Acura's SH-AWD ( I owned a 2005 RL for 3 months that I flipped for a profit and loved the SH-AWD). So, on the test drive, I kinda pushed the car around corners, and it didnt hold its feet as well as I was expecting. Maybe that one in particular needed new tires? I should have checked. Anyways, I also am not a fan of the worse gas mileage (18/26 compared with 20/29). I do NOT need all wheel drive, I live in So Cal.
Would you get the SH-AWD package if you bought your TL again, or if you didnt get it, do you regret not getting it? Comments, questions, ideas....thanks guys!
I currently own a 2001 TL with only 120K I have owned since 16. I just graduated college last week...wooohhooo....and grandparents want to upgrade my ride. Im looking at getting a 4th gen TL (my father currently has an 09 TL tech package FWD) and I love it!
Realistically, price range is about 25K (I feel very fortunate).
I really prefer a 2012 model, I like the refreshed look, and prefer Advance but obviously not necessary because just getting a newer car is great enough.
Anyways, drove a 12 TL tech SH-AWD and have mixed feelings. While I love Acura's SH-AWD ( I owned a 2005 RL for 3 months that I flipped for a profit and loved the SH-AWD). So, on the test drive, I kinda pushed the car around corners, and it didnt hold its feet as well as I was expecting. Maybe that one in particular needed new tires? I should have checked. Anyways, I also am not a fan of the worse gas mileage (18/26 compared with 20/29). I do NOT need all wheel drive, I live in So Cal.
Would you get the SH-AWD package if you bought your TL again, or if you didnt get it, do you regret not getting it? Comments, questions, ideas....thanks guys!
Once you get a big boy job (this is just what I called my first real career) then you won't care much about gas mileage as much.
Fun per mile vs miles per gallon
#4
Advanced
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also +1 for getting the the AWD 2012+. As far as advanced goes it didn't seem worth it for me all i really wanted on it was the rims and that wasn't worth the extra cost to me. That being said def get at least the tech package
#5
Based on your situation as a recent college graduate in great all-year weather area, I think you go lower mileage FWD version. You're not even buying the car yourself and you'll have maintenance and gas mileage to worry about... then all this other adult problems: housing, savings, investments, family, etc. so you want something you need more than you want. If I were you, I'd get a brand new car (non-Acura by your budget, preferably Honda) so you won't have to worry about any car issues for the next 5 years but I know how it is to have an Acura bug. You can save up for some good summer tires when you need a change and run those year round.
#6
6G TLX-S
If you don't need AWD traction, then get the FWD model.
The FWD is faster peeling out of the line, than the heavier and power-robbing AWD one.
The FWD is faster peeling out of the line, than the heavier and power-robbing AWD one.
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#8
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Not far enough from Chicago
Age: 46
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I would get a brand new accord before a 4th gen TL if we're talking FWD. If you don't go SH-AWD, I wouldn't bother with a 4th gen. The SH-AWD is what makes it stand out from the pack. I have a '12, and the tires are about shot, so depending how many miles were on the example you drove it could certainly be the rubber. I know I can kick the rear end out more than I ever could before, I have about 36K on the original michelin tires, and at my last oil change they said no way they'd make it thru next winter lol
#9
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I love the more smiles per gallon comment. I just moved back from Tucson to LA on saturday and HOLY CRAP whats up with these gas prices??? In tucson I filled up at $2.36 and paid the same day as I hit LA county $4.69!!! Woah! That 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid with 50 mpg is starting to sound a whole lot better! (nah who am I kidding I love Acura too much to drive a hybrid).
#10
Instructor
I bought a 2012 TL FWD last year shortly after finishing school too.
I've driven the SH-AWD a few times as well, and it does handle differently, but I definitely felt the gas consumption difference. So if fuel economy is an issue, then the FWD would be better.
I don't regret buying the FWD even though there's been a decent amount of snow for the last few winters. Winter tires have made the car handle snow just fine even when driving to Blue Mountain for snowboarding. I think winter tires matter more than FWD vs AWD for snow anyway, unless you're dealing with RWD.
Another thing that has been mentioned in a few older posts here is that the FWD is a bit more reliable. There are some torque converter problems on the 09-11 models which have been improved on the refreshed 12-14 models. This affects the FWD and the AWD but moreso the AWD. This isn't an issue if you're looking for a standard TL though since only automatic has a torque converter.
There's also a bit more maintenance for the SH-AWD because you have to change differential fluids after some mileage but that's hardly a worry.
I've driven the SH-AWD a few times as well, and it does handle differently, but I definitely felt the gas consumption difference. So if fuel economy is an issue, then the FWD would be better.
I don't regret buying the FWD even though there's been a decent amount of snow for the last few winters. Winter tires have made the car handle snow just fine even when driving to Blue Mountain for snowboarding. I think winter tires matter more than FWD vs AWD for snow anyway, unless you're dealing with RWD.
Another thing that has been mentioned in a few older posts here is that the FWD is a bit more reliable. There are some torque converter problems on the 09-11 models which have been improved on the refreshed 12-14 models. This affects the FWD and the AWD but moreso the AWD. This isn't an issue if you're looking for a standard TL though since only automatic has a torque converter.
There's also a bit more maintenance for the SH-AWD because you have to change differential fluids after some mileage but that's hardly a worry.
#13
Senior Moderator
Long term ownership -> FWD TL. Gets great gas mileage, plenty of power and features. Transmission may hold up better along with no oil-consumption issues.
Short Term Ownership-> AWD TL, after 100K it'll become a bit of $ to maintain and repair. It'll be way more fun in corners with better tires. Gas prices are supposed to drop to $2 or less in a few weeks due to the new Iran deal.
Short Term Ownership-> AWD TL, after 100K it'll become a bit of $ to maintain and repair. It'll be way more fun in corners with better tires. Gas prices are supposed to drop to $2 or less in a few weeks due to the new Iran deal.
#14
Some members have more than 200.000 Miles on there SH-AWD with just the required maintenance. I believe an AWD with tech is a nice package, and yes the AWD with Torque Vectoring will make you smile if you like spirited driving.
#16
Instructor
I sold my FWD 08 TLS 6MT for the AWD 12 6 MT. Although I live in a salt belt I wanted AWD for the winter. SO cal don't need it as much, but there is nothing like an AWD car. Tech for sure nav, heat for those cold cali nights
. For the extra money for advance just put that towards some aftermarket wheels. Although... having cool seats would def be helpful in cali. Either way you cant go wrong. I am on my 4th Acura now.
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#18
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This thread/post has been edited since it was posted in the wrong forum, and also because you are not eligible to post a thread in the Black Market Forum yet.
All sale, trade, and want to buy threads or posts must be posted in the appropriate Black Market forum.
Members may not post new threads for sale, trade, or Want To Buy, in the Black Market until they have been registered for 15 days and have made 5 constructive posts, except for cars which is 60 days and 30 posts.
They can post in Black Market threads if they are responding about something being sold that they might want, but they may not post their Want To Buy request in other members threads.
If you are not eligible to post a thread in the Black Market Forum, you will just have to wait.
Please read THE BLACK MARKET RULES for more information.
I regret having to say this under these circumstances, but welcome to the forum.
#19
I live in Houston, Texas. No need for AWD here, but I regret not getting it. The FWD model you can barely give gas from a stop without it squealing out of control and chirping tires. My biggest regret is not getting SH-AWD. Do it, trust me.
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