Does getting a SH-AWD worth it?
05-14-2014, 10:31 PM
#41
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Again this is my opinion, I know how to drive, I have been to many driving schools as well. The TL awd just isn't what all of the fanboys on here claim it to be. There was a video on here showing a stock 99 mustang passing an awd TL on a road course. That's a rwd car with 45 less hp.
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d1sturb3d119 (05-15-2014)
05-14-2014, 10:47 PM
#42
05-14-2014, 10:57 PM
#43
OP-
the FWD car and SH-AWD will drive like different cars.... i drove several FWD models as loaners when my RL and MDX were in for service. I thought they were "nice" but never impressed me with their performance. I test drove my SH-AWD and loved it.
the car rides firmer, and the SH-AWD system is very impressive. it is not for "cold weather" only.. i live in so cal where there is no snow... i didn't get it for that.. it is super handling because it handles FAR FAR better than the FWD model.. not a little better.. but night/day bretter.
if you just put put around and do NOT drive the car hard or push through turns save your money. people who never push their cars will likely NOT notice the benefits of SH-AWD.
if, OTOH, you go into turns and hammer it and actually ENJOY the feel of your car gripping the road through a turn..then you would be a fool to NOT get the SH-AWD model.
I would NOT have bought a FWD TL... end of story.
the FWD car and SH-AWD will drive like different cars.... i drove several FWD models as loaners when my RL and MDX were in for service. I thought they were "nice" but never impressed me with their performance. I test drove my SH-AWD and loved it.
the car rides firmer, and the SH-AWD system is very impressive. it is not for "cold weather" only.. i live in so cal where there is no snow... i didn't get it for that.. it is super handling because it handles FAR FAR better than the FWD model.. not a little better.. but night/day bretter.
if you just put put around and do NOT drive the car hard or push through turns save your money. people who never push their cars will likely NOT notice the benefits of SH-AWD.
if, OTOH, you go into turns and hammer it and actually ENJOY the feel of your car gripping the road through a turn..then you would be a fool to NOT get the SH-AWD model.
I would NOT have bought a FWD TL... end of story.
05-15-2014, 02:28 AM
#44
Absolutely love how the sh-awd takes corners when you are stepping on the gas. Havent had any mechanical issues with mine yet so far and I absolutely love it. Its really a personal preference though
05-15-2014, 07:06 AM
#45
05-15-2014, 08:44 AM
#47
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05-15-2014, 09:00 AM
#49
Burning Brakes
There's a YouTube video of the TL SH-AWD vs an Audi A7 on a tight road course. Although the A7 was faster by 1.5 seconds, the tester choose the TL because he says its more fun and 90% of what the A7 is in terms fo drivng dynamics. Plus it was 20K cheaper lol.
Brock, you're either full of shit or you just don't know the nature of the SH-AWD system.
Brock, you're either full of shit or you just don't know the nature of the SH-AWD system.
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d1sturb3d119 (05-15-2014)
05-15-2014, 11:41 AM
#51
Burning Brakes
The only reason why I even looked at and bought my TL was the AWD system. If I were to stick with a 2WD vehicle, it would be RWD and it would probably be an IS350 due to reliability and performance. I would never own a FWD vehicle that's this large and less HP, and I'm sick of cornering with FWD's.
05-15-2014, 01:45 PM
#52
Burning Brakes
Here's an example of what I mean, just last night going around a turn at 60 mph my TL had very load tire squeal and I could feel it wanting to break loose. The tires are stock Michelins and have close to 3k miles on them. The Toyota Avalon that was in front of me was able to take the turn faster and pull away from me in the turn. I had to let off the gas and hold a lower speed as I watched the Avalon gain distance. I take that same turn in my pickup truck which has 31" tires and is lifted at the same speed with no problems at all, I have hit 80 in my SHO on the same turn and in my Vette I have touched the low 90's. Everyone raves about the TL's handling but either I got a dog or the TL just isn't what others think it is. Is it better than a 3G? I would assume so. Is it better than the Civic or Accord or any other smaller and older car? I would hope so. Maybe some members went from a lesser car to the TL and love the upgrade, but I'm sure some members have gone to a TL and their prior car was actually a better handling car. I don't hate the TL I'm just never gonna love the car, it will be when all said and done just another car.
05-15-2014, 02:22 PM
#53
Intermediate
Can someone knowledgeable detail parts/features that SHAWD have that FWD doesn't? Is it true that SHAWD has upgraded suspension and thicker sway bars?
Last edited by hyperpm; 05-15-2014 at 02:25 PM.
05-15-2014, 02:40 PM
#54
6G TLX-S
^^^^^
Yes.
The AWD TL has harder tuned suspension, thicker sway bars, and thus rougher ride quality, than the FWD TL.
Yes.
The AWD TL has harder tuned suspension, thicker sway bars, and thus rougher ride quality, than the FWD TL.
05-15-2014, 04:44 PM
#55
Intermediate
Just my two cents.....I currently own a 2014 FWD TL. I went to the dealer today to have them check something out in my car. Since I was waiting the salesman and I was talking about the differences between the Sh-AWD & FWD. He was like better yet, lets just take it for a ride and you can decide for yourself. To make a long story short the car drives great. Wasn't disappointed at all. Grips the road a little better than the FWD. The power increase is decent. (not like jumping from a Civic to a Porsche) Stiffer suspension, tighter wheel play. Besides a little thicker steering wheel, white stitch seats its not night and day compared to the FWD. The only thing that I wasn't fond of was the more bumps you feel while driving. I feel if you spend $35K-$40K for a car its ride should be smooth. If you not driving it somewhere that the weather is shitty all the time or your riding a lot of curvy roads you won't notice the difference beside the times the less impressive gas mileage it gets. If its about curves save $25K and buy a motorcycle!! It all boils down to personal preference......
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hadokenuh (05-20-2014)
05-23-2014, 03:18 PM
#57
Just test drive both cars and I can say that its not the SH handling that got me (cannot notice the difference much in handling), its the aggresive response of the 3.7 engine. Its feels like its bigger stronger TSX. The fun to drive factor was there, a happy revving machine, wow. The FWD, well sad to say its like driving an Accord, normal to average, eh...its okay. Probably the new accord got more fun factor because of the direct injection.
Anyway, we will see if our numbers meet.$
Anyway, we will see if our numbers meet.$
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emanon256 (05-23-2014)
05-23-2014, 05:20 PM
#58
Driving school, tires squealing in curve, and the Avalon gets away lol. This guy is wild. If the tires were squealing then you had a bad approach to the curve entrance and probably had body roll going against you since you didn't know what you were doing. Acura designed the car to help the experienced drive era that have multiple classes under their belt.
With the AWD you could have double tapped the downshift paddle. The computer would have matched drive speed with the proper gear to keep from shifting to the wrong gear. Increasing the throttle would have put the torque vectoring into effect. Before you know it you should have plowed into the back of the Avalon for being in the way. Can't speak for the lifted pick up on 31 tires because everyone knows the higher the vehicle the better they drift. Didn't Bigfoot just get the highest rating on the skid path
With the AWD you could have double tapped the downshift paddle. The computer would have matched drive speed with the proper gear to keep from shifting to the wrong gear. Increasing the throttle would have put the torque vectoring into effect. Before you know it you should have plowed into the back of the Avalon for being in the way. Can't speak for the lifted pick up on 31 tires because everyone knows the higher the vehicle the better they drift. Didn't Bigfoot just get the highest rating on the skid path
05-23-2014, 07:12 PM
#59
4th Gear
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2 weeks ago I flew to San Diego to trade a cashier's check for the keys to a new black on black 6MT. It's in the shop now having about $3k cosmetic work done as I don't care for some of Acura's styling decisions compared to my G3 (which I still own, black on black of course). But my point, I took it up the Sierra Nevada Mountains and raced the snot out of it. The SH-AWD (with MT) holds the road like nothing else. I would say compared to my front wheel drive '08 TL, I can comfortably handle easily over 33% more speed. Maybe that's apples and oranges, but I'll offer it for what it's worth.
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