Hello everyone,

New member here. I picked up my black 2010 AWD TL this past fall and since then I have really been appreciating it. Like so many here, at first I didn't care about the looks but once I gave it a closer and more complete examination I realized the car was a bargain and great bang for the buck. Once I started to appreciate it I even actually started to really like its edgy lines along with the gorgeous interior and fantastic AWD system. Thus far, this car has not disappointed me at all and in fact has impressed more more with time over these last few brutal winter months we've had up here in Alberta.

My past cars since 2004 have been the following-yes, I'm a crazy car enthusiast: '04 BMW 330CI, 2006 TL, 2005 BMW M3, 2008 MDX (family/wife's and still own), 2004 911GT3, 2008 Jeep Rubicon, 2008 BMW M3, and now this TL. I currently only own the TL and MDX but let me assure you guys I have not been missing any of those past toys with this fine car in all honesty.

In my pursuit of the "perfect" car I realized there isn't such a thing. Through many years of trial and error-if you can call it that driving such beauties-I realized all great cars have its special qualities but they are not perfect. Long story short, I was always looking for a car that gave me everything- sport, luxury, comfort, practical, all season etc etc-but no can do. It had to be a stable of two or three cars to do all that but quite frankly I got tired of wasting money on garage queens. It was only this past fall after dropping of our MDX for an oil change at the dealer that I started my love affair with this TL.

I'm not sure if it's the angle the car was staring at me or what but whatever it was I had to finally take it for a spin-I was hooked! This car was a hybrid of many of the fine cars I had driven all rolled into one. I was and still am very impressed. The car salesman who has known me as a car enthusiast for years said once the car is given a chance, it sells itself. I must agree. He didn't say a word to me in our test drives because he realized he didn't have to.

And to think I almost missed out on this great car because of a silly chunk of metal on its nose. Now, I actually like the grill and feel it suits the edgy lines of the car.

 

I echo you feelings about the TL,if people can get past the grill issue and take the car for a test drive and consider all that they are getting they will probably realize that the car is a gem waiting to be discovered .

 

I'm in a similar position (but lacking your extensive automotove pedigree).

When the 2009 TL came out, the looks and lack of an MT drove me straight to try to snag a leftover TL-S. But I couldn't find any that met my color preferences with the 6MT. So I kept looking.

When the 2010 6MT TL was introduced I decided to give it a drive based on some of the reviews I was reading.

One drive and the decision was easy. Picked my car up about a month later and forgot all about the BMWs (3 and 5) and G37 I was considering.

Having owned the car a year today, it's easily the best overall car I've owned. Handling and performance are over the top for a largish sedan, the interior, tech features and build quality are excellent, and yes, I've come to really appreciate the styling.

Not everyone will like the car's looks and as you say, that's too bad for them, because they're missing out on a great-driving car. But I've not once regretted my decision, and I look forward to driving the TL every day.

 

Welcome to AZine and grats on the 4G

 

Took the words right out of my mouth. I picked up my 2011 AWD on Jan 25 and last week I really got to drive it and get to know it. It is different than the 2006 TL I have but the more I drove the more I loved it. I can tell you that 2 years ago I hated the grill but I think it fits the car ....If I wanted a Camry I would have bought a Lexus or a G37. I even hated the 3G design when it first came out and came to appreciate and learned what a great car it was once I drove it.

 

As I already said it before, even if I had the financial means to own several toys, my TL SH-AWD for everyday use would still be one of the cars in my fleet.

It is the best sub $50K sport sedan for the money in the market, hands down.

 

Totally agree!

 

Good post and Congrats. To reiterate much of what was already stated, the car is extremely well rounded and balanced in so many areas or vehicle categories that I think that even beyond the looks, it creates a few issues for those with more strict priorities.

One not looking for so much of a niche product can't really appreciate it and might not understand. Fortunately, to those who can, we know that the style is only one area of an entire package and if you appreciate the whole thing, the styling becomes very welcome.

That's why most of us like it but for others, most can't get past it or what people see or think first. Others don't appreciate enough aspects of the vehicle but might be sold on a few of them, so it still leaves questions over the styling and they might entertain the controversy of the whole subject moreso than others. No one is at fault, it's just to say that everyone has different needs and tastes.

A RWD purist might argue that the SH is not a pure or raw handling feel, isn't an evenly weight distributed vehicle, and is too large and heavy. Someone with a poor weather traction priority will suggest that SH is too variable. The luxury purist might argue the car could stand to be a bit more refined, quieter, have a softer ride, and add a few more features or options. The dragster or magazine racer would want it to be faster maybe even FI or V8. The most practical shopper would want better gas mileage and lower price tag. There are other examples as well but for someone looking for a car that successfully combines all of those areas, aspects, and concerns, the TL is IMO placed very high on a short list.

For me, it eliminated not only my need but also desires for a small, sporty RWD roadster or coupe with a great 6MT setup, an SUV, a spacious mid level luxury sedan, and a practical, well priced, reliable, low cost maintenace, high resale, everyday commuter, and successfully combined the elements of what makes each great.

No, it is not necessarily the best of any one of those cars or excels in every aspect of why you might buy one but it's close and brings it all together like I have not seen before, at least as far as what I am looking for. Plus with the 2012, it's only improving on all that.

 

Well said.

 

Winstrolvtec

I agree with most of what you said...just few comments on your points.

As everyday car for many areas of the US and Canada in winter, a RWD is just not practical...here in Seattle we are experiencing a winter blast this week....guess who are the first spin outs....you guessed right, RWD cars.

RWD automobiles are very enjoyable with the right weather...I would own one as a "Sunday car"

The TL SH-AWD weight distribution is not that far off from a 3 Series or a 5 series X-drive (within 3-4%, even less with the Quattro trim of the Audi A4 and A6), not a small feat for a traverse engine platform....I gladly accept few percentage point worse weight distribution (basically almost non detectable) over a roomier cabin....

I don't see how the "variability" of the SH-AWD system (all AWD system involve variable torque distribution front/rear by the way) impact poor weather traction....the behavior of my TL SH-AWD in snowy/slick surface has been nothing short of amazing....definitely on par with our long list of Subaru vehicles in the family

I do not accept a criticism of the TL under this perspective...sorry, the TL is a sport sedan and behaves like one....if you want a more soft, cushy ride, choose another car, the are excellent choices in that department...I do not feel the TL ride stiffer than a 3 or 5 series.....firmer than a Benz for sure...but that is a given.

Yes...it would have been nice to have cooled seats, rain sensitive wipers, more gears (for slushbox drivers), blind spot warning system and departure lane warning...but you have to draw the line somewhere....nothing come close to the overall TL equipment/technology in its price range anyway.....so it is a moot point IMHO.

The practical shopper that want better gas mileage should settle for a 4 cylinder TSX or fully equipped Accord with a similar engine...the concept of fuel economy and $40K+ sport sedan does not match....

 

I feel joy every time I get in the car to drive it. I've grown fond of it's looks. I don't "love" any design. They all have flaws. The overall "goodness" of this product is remarkable. The only product I've ever owned that I felt was perfect when introduced, and was judged perfect by critics, and was so ahead of the curve that competitors are still trying to catch up was/is my Pioneer Elite Pro F-111 Kuro, http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-...carouselMain.0. And that achievement apparently put the Pioneer out of the display business.

 

Man i feel like that everyday and i adrive a FWD 09 Tl. When i get my AWD i will have a permanent smile on my face.

 

I secured a 0% lease rate and I am upgrading my FWD TL to a SH-AWD Tech on Friday! Very excited.

 

Saturno, I assume you know that those are not really my criticisms but the criticism the vehicle receives because everyone is looking for something different, we all have different tastes and needs but that shouldn't decide if the car is good or bad or how it competes in general. Sometimes people lose sight of that especially since there is so much controversy over the current styling.

IMO people often can't seperate the idea that a car is simply not geared towards them or their individual market vs it being something no one wants because they don't. That's why my examples were only there to show the niche nature of the TL, particularly the SH.

And as niche as it is, it also offers at least some degree of appeal to all markets. Many TL owners can't afford or don't want to spend extra money for a car like a well equipped mid level if they want more size in the luxury markets. Or due to demographics, can't/won't own a RWD coupe if they are looking for overall performance but both of those types of consumers could easily own and drive a TL SH, as it largely meets both of those needs, maybe even better.

I agree with all your counter points and I too don't agree with the all the types of critism the car receives and am glad you posted in response to them because it just goes to show that while the car may not be someone's first choice in drivetrain, engine or AWD character, size, or styling, etc, etc, it still delivers as well or nearly as well (again, maybe better). People may not necessarily like how it delivers but there is little denying that it does. I think it all traces back to the thread's point in how well rounded the car is.

 

Please gve me some details I want to give in my FWD for an AWD. This winter here in NYC showed me I need an AWD. I would gladly apreciate any details.

 

you can upgrade lease? did you have to pay anything on top?

 

Hey Litt, this is great! You will really love the SH-AWD!!!

Are you getting a 2011? When will 2012 be available in Canada?

 

The TL's SHAWD system is very impressive on dry traction too and one of the main reasons I got it, not just for our bad winters. Having driven many various high end sports cars over the years I can honestly say the TL's AWD makes the car feel like it handles like a M3 while providing the safety and assurance of the AWD. The road grip on the corners is truely amazing. That is the beauty of this car
-all season fun while enjoying it in comfort and luxury for a bargain price!

 

Sorry I didn't mean to hijack this thread. I was just appreciating the SH-AWD.
You can break out of a lease if the buy it out. In this case the new dealer is buying my car and paying out the lease. I did owe extra above what the dealer could give me for my car. But I rolled as much of that as I could into the new lease. At 0% its not too bad.

 

Strange, I didn't like the 3G at all when it came out so I kept my 2G CL. Finally after years I like the last iteration of the 3G, the Type-S. I drove one again for the first time in a while, really nice, but the interior truly made me appreciate the 4G's and a few other enhancements. The is sort of irrelevant to me as any 4 Dr car feels bigger after having 2 dr vehicles for the past 17 years.

 

Just want to throw my 2 cents in here...

CalgaryAWDTL, I'm a car enthusiast as well, I agree with you on what you're saying. The only thing I don't think is comparable between my 2010 TL SH-AWD and some of my other cars (I used to own a 2008 M3 as well, and currently have a supercharged V8 MB) is the power. The M3 and E55 launch when you step on the gas, that's one thing that I miss when I drive my TL. That being said, the TL is one of the best cars I've ever owned due to how well rounded it is. For the price, I believe it is hard to beat.

To saturno's comments that "the concept of fuel economy and $40K+ sports sedan does not match", I disagree completely. I think it's very important to the decision to purchase the TL. There's a reason the TL is my daily driver, and that's because it is decent on gas. I can understand you saying that about the M3, or some other V8 sports car, but I believe a lot of people who purchase TLs (and other cars in the same class) do care about fuel economy. I know I do.

 

True but when I feel like having those moments I just slip the TL into the S mode which I find is quite responsive too. I don't miss the lack of torque down low in the E92 M3 but no doubt above 5K RPMs it was a totally different beast to the TL but we're talking about perhaps THE benchmark car for everyday driving and enthusiasm costing double the money of our TL. I get maybe 8/10ths of that fun in a car for half the money plus 100% more practicality with the AWD system.