I have been lurking on this site for a long time and I must thank everyone who has offered their opinions. I will be buying this month and chances are high I will go with a 2013 TL. I will be selling my 07 TL to my son. In test driving the FWD w/ Advance, I felt the seat back was more firm than the seat back of the TL w/ Tech. It kind of bugs me. But, I prefer the 18 in. wheels and ventilated seats. There are not many FWD w/ Advance on the lots these days so I cannot tell if this was a fluke ( sometimes quality control is not perfect) or a true difference. Did anyone else find this to be the case? I was pleased to not notice any increased noise with the bigger tires but the Acura specs claim the same mileage and turning radius when compared with the 17 inchers. Is that really accurate information? I appreciate your help.

 

I have a FWD Advance and the seats are comfy. I am thinking the seats are softer on the tech because more people test drove it so it is more broken in. I am not sure about the accuracy of the gas mileage and turning radius, shouldn't make that big of a difference.

 

For me the only real draw of the Advance over the Tech is the ventilated seats. The larger wheels deliver a harsher ride than the 17's and the blind spot warning is ok but not necessary. If I could get an advance for very similar in price to a tech (due to supply or necessity for the dealer to move stock) I would do so but 2k is too much of a price difference for me. FWIW.

 

The seats are the same on Tech and Advance. I think you felt the difference due to the wheel size. I can't comment on the gas mileage on the 18"s but turning radius, I'd think they are the same regardless of wheel sizes.

 

I drive a '12 FWD Advance and my bro has a '12 FWD Tech. We have swapped cars for long drives and have sat on the rear seats on both cars as well. Didn't notice/feel the harshness in the rear seats for both - but in the front seats for the advance, the harshness is definitely pronounced.
Other things -
I got my adv for less(since it was used) than my bro's tech(brand new) - so can't really complain about the price
The blind spot is 'addictive' - I trust it blindly.Esp. when entering freeways at night - it's a hoot. Much impressed.
The ventilated seats are AWESOME if you live in places where the heat can fry your **** Use it a lot..
With AC on + 2 adults+ on cruise - I average around 33-34 on freeways (will put a pic soon) and around 28 in the city - so the 18" theoretically might/should give a lesser gas mileage than a tech - but I guess your driving style makes a diff.

So..would I pay 2k more if I 'had' bought it new? After my 'good' experience - I'd say YES !

 

Bob I wonder why you feel as though the front adv seats are firmer or "harsher"? You think it might have to do with the fans in the seats?

 

Not sure if one set of fans serve a dual purpose - heating and cooling as opposed to 2 sets of fans - one for heating, one for cooling. Anyone have an idea ?
..but it's an interesting theory about fans making the front seats firmer/harsher

 

I too wondered about the possibility the additional hardware needed for the ventilated seats might somehow cause the seatback to be more firm. I do know I was able to detect a difference in the level of cushion on the front driver's seat just from going back and forth on the lot from the FWD w/ Advance to the FWD w/ Tech. During my test drive of the Advance, I just felt like something was not quite the same in seat comfort compared to my earlier test drive of the Tech. The seats in the Advance are still good, but I find the seats in the Tech more comfortable. And like I said initially, it bugs me because I am otherwise willing to spend the money to get the Advance. I'm glad to hear it wasn't my imagination. Thanks for the feedback.

 

awd over advance anyday.

 

Bob I recall another member with a tech wanted to upgrade his seats to have ventilation as well, he said there was a lot of additional hardware in the adv seats; that's why I believe that might have something to do with the firmness.

 

Weird they wouldn't have the equipment underneath and somehow duct through the seats.

 

WOW! I've never even come close to that unless I reset the trip meter. I just got back from a drive to Baton Rouge from Houston and the best I ever got was about 25 HWY on cruise control at 70.

 

Here's a screen-shot : http://imgur.com/2HLOjd7

 

If you live in any type of warm climate you'll be grateful for the ventilated seats. I test drove a Tech model and my back was sweating after the drive, which was the main reason I bought an Advance model. I don't remember the seats feeling any different though?
I also didn't think I would ever use the blind spot indicators but they are very useful here in So Cal. You get quite dependent on them.

 

Unless you are in Alaska, at some point you'll wish the seats were vented.

 

WOW! Color me impressed. The only time I get any reading close to that is when I reset the trip odometer, and then it only lasts a little while.

 

SH-AWD widh Advanced > SH-AWD with Tech > FWD with Advanced > FWD w/ Tech