In late October 2011 I took a road trip out to Colorado in my ’06 TL. I had made that trip before, but for some reason I really seemed to notice how rough the ’06 rode and the road noise was horrendous. Upon my return I had the doors and trunk sound-deadened, and although I could tell a slight difference, it wasn’t worth the money. I decided it was time to buy a new car.

The Lexus dealer had a used low-mileage GS350 on the lot, so I went and test drove it. I was not impressed. While it was quieter than the TL, the ride wasn’t that much of an improvement. I never felt like I had command of the car, the B pillar seemed awfully close to my shoulder and head, and there was not that much headroom for me (I’m a little over 6’). Scratch the GS off my list.

While I was at the Lexus dealer, I tried the ES350. Yes, it’s quiet and I hardly noticed the speed bumps getting it out of the parking lot. But it’s just not that fun to drive, although I wasn’t quite ready to give up on it just yet.

Next was the Volvo S60 T6 with AWD. That was a fun car to drive, but I was a little concerned about the reliability not being equal to that of a Lexus or Acura, but I wasn’t ready to scratch it off the list.

Next was the Infiniti G37x Journey. Nice car, but to my mind it was not an improvement over the TL. So I test drove a used low-mileage M37x, but that was a big disappointment. I thought it would be an improvement over the G, but it wasn’t. Scratch Infiniti off my list.

Test drove the RL, too. It was a start in the right direction, but not quite.

Also looked at a 2012 Audi A6. Nice car, but more money than I wanted to spend to get the options I wanted.

Tried a used Mercedes E-class. Quieter on the road than an ’06 TL, seemed to handle OK, but... You know how when the dentist gives you a shot of Novocaine before filling your tooth and you can’t feel your lip? Yeah, the Mercedes felt numb like that. Scratch Mercedes off the list.

So one night during some slack time at work, I read a few reviews of the 2012 TL. I knew that the ’12 didn’t look as bad as the previous years, but I was not aware of some of the refinements such as an improved suspension, some sound deadening and new 6-speed AT. Still wasn’t sure I wanted another TL, however, so I kept looking.

Went on another round of test drives with the Volvo and the Lexus ES and came to the conclusion that the Volvo is essentially a coupe with 4 doors and was smaller than what I wanted. The Lexus dealer let me have the ES all to myself one afternoon. To me it had a funky dashboard and of course was not fun to drive, but would be great for a long road trip. Still wasn’t ready to scratch it off the list, though.

I have never been impressed with BMW but I went and test drove a a 335i anyway. I was surprised at how loud the exhaust was when I stepped on the gas pedal. The car was a little too small and the trunk was puny. Scratch that off the list.

Down the road from the BMW dealer was the Acura dealer where I bought my ’06 TL. Found the salesman that showed me the RLpreviously and asked to try a SH-AWD TL. Sometime during the test drive I knew I had found the car I had been looking for all this time, I just didn’t know it would be another TL. I put on my best poker face when we returned to the dealership and over the course of a few days got the price I wanted for a 2012 SH-AWD TL with Tech.

What a pleasant surprise. I like this car a lot and I feel at home in it. It’s much more refined than the ’06 ever was and it drives like a dream. It has plenty of power and a lot of bells and whistles that I still haven’t figured out yet. I thought the most fun car I would ever own in my life was a ’72 Fiat 124 Spyder convertible I had in my youth. Nope, this is it and I like it more every day. If Acura keeps going in this direction, I can’t imagine what this car will be like in a few years.

 

Congrats and enjoy

 

Congrats! Share a pic or two.

 

Congrats,you did the right thing to test drive various cars,i did the same when i was looking and can safely say i am not disappointed with my choice to go with the Acura brand.

 

Acurallac...Congrats on your purchase. It is interesting how you went trying all these cars and came back to the TL. When shopping for my TSX replacement, I did try a BMW 3 series, the G37 and came back to the Acura family again. I am not sure why but they just seem to offer the best for me, but again, that important two letter word...ME.

I am getting super excited to se what will be released at the Detroit Auto show starting next week with the RDX, ILX and NSX concept with the RL later this year. As much as love my TL, I am already drooling at what my TL will be replaced by....and I can say that the NSX seem it MAY be by next car....

 

Congrats!! I did also test drive a few on your list before getting the 2012 TL SH-AWD. Heck of a car

 

Thanks for the great story! I love my 2012 TL Elite (the Advance model for Canada) too - it really has the right balance for sports and luxury, and it has what many of its European competitors don't have - reliability. I also could not believe how much better it is than the 2010 TL SH-AWD with Tech that I previously owned!

Yes, please do show us some pics! Congrats.

 

Congrats!
Hope nothing like road noise makes you dislike THIS car enough to walk away from it. I like that that was your main gripe on your 06 and you test drove at least 4 or 5 of the perceived superior competitors and felt like they weren't any better than the TL. If anything, this thread has made me love and appreciate my 04 even more. Although, I will say, I normally ride with my music on so road noise doesn't bother me much.

 

Glad to see someone has come back from the darkside.

 

Congrats on finding your 'one'!

Seems to be a very common story. I had started my search with Lexus firmly planted in my mind. Spent a full day driving different new and used options of ES and GS at the dealer. And then just 'happened' to land at Acura just because it was on the way back home. 5 mins in the car and Lexus had sunk to bottom and TL to the top of the list. I think it goes to show what we all realize - Acura really needs to step up its marketing to showcase the excellent machines it has in its stable.

Enjoy your new ride, and post some pics!

 

interesting story on what lead you to get a TL. I was also debating with similar cars like you (TL's competition)... ES350, G37, E class, and I'm glad I made up my mind to go with the 2012 TL. Looking fwd to photos of your new car.

 

Congrats on the new ride.

 

Congrats, and welcome back.

 

Very nice!

I have had with my car for a week now and I am really impressed by it (Base + tech.) I set to buy nice family sedan and ended up having the TL. The car is very quiet and refined and has all the tech features that I need. The car might not be as fast going off the line vs. the AWD 6MT model but it is deceptively fast on the highway (because it is so poised.) I often find myself at 75 mph+ without realizing, good thing I got the V1 installed again.

 

Wow! This is rather gratifying to find all these replies to my post. I was afraid everyone would think I was long-winded. Here's a pic. As you can see, the TL is outstanding in its field .

 

Nice story! Welcome to the 2012 TL Family!

 

Nice color. Was my second choice.

 

Nice car - now get it out of that mud!

The path to my TL was similar in many ways to yours. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your new car.