Hi All,

I have been lurking around this get form since 2009...

I have a 2009 CBP FWD Acura TL...Non Tech...wanted TECH but dealer offered a great deal I couldn't turn down...0% Financing, tint, AWD 18 inch wheels, rear spolier, car and trunk mats and free oil changes.

Decided to finally create a account because I need some advice from fellow 2009+ TL members...

Quick story...I live in the great city of Toronto...I personally think my TL is the sickest/baddest etc. 4th GEN TL in Toronto...I love the car...everyday when I drive this car I get nothing but head turning from people on the streets or in there cars...these are OMG looks...wow that's a nice ride...

My problem
....not to hate on the older fellows...I see nothing but OLDER dudes driving this car...I feel like I'm driving an old mans car...I purchased this car back in 09 because I saw nothing but younger dudes driving the previous model.

Because of this I'm thinking of trading in my TL for an 2011 NISSAN 370Z COUPE...?????

Help....Keep or get something else???

 

I guess I need some grammer classes....I meant "I have been lurking around this GREAT FORUM since 2009...

 

I'm 34 and love my car more and more each day...

 

Do please go for it with the coupe, if you just don't feel comfortable with OLDER dudes driving the same car that you have.

The worst thing in life is to drive everyday in the car that you don't feel right in.

 

For what it's worth, I'm 33 and just purchased a white 2012 SH-AWD with tech, aero kit and 6 spd manual. I'm still waiting for the dealer to locate the car so it will be a while before it's in my posession.

I'm not young by any means, but maybe a little younger than the average TL owner. With said, I don't consider the TL to be an "old man car" at all.

The 370Z is a completely different car. If you need something practical, the choice is obvious. Do you have a winter car? If not, you probably won't have much fun with the 370 in the snow. Do you need back seats?

Good luck with your choice.

 

I love my car but its just...I don't know...I do have a SUV(2010 GMC Acadia)...Also of note I only have 23K KM on the TL...which is like 15K miles I think

 

I'm 26. I don't feel old driving the TL though, does it make you feel better?
If you want a coupe then go for it, whatever make you feel good. or go for a convertible, I had a lot of fun with my Z4.

 

I don't know what other people, their age, and their car has to do with you and yours. The 4G screams individuality, not I belong to this group of car owners or drivers. Not that there is anything wrong with either but there is a difference.

I think it is mainly your specific demographics as I believe the majority of 4G owners here are in their mid twenties to late thirties and I think Acurazine makes up a good enough sample size but it's true that this gen is not as "young" as the last but not because of it's style or overall image, it has a lot more to do with pricing and the car now being aimed more up market. FWIW, I'm 28.

It still has plenty of youthful appeal in my experiences, maybe even more now and among even younger folks than before but the diffference is you then don't see them owning or driving the cars at the same time because some are not even of driving age and of those that are, the car is much further out of reach than in the past.

This is a good thing IMO because it eliminates all the previous gen's ricer image, something that I never cared for. It's one thing to want to hook up your ride, it's another to race light to light by yourself and at other times, horde around in public parking lots. Not knocking it, I've been there and done that, it was a lot of fun and served it's purpose but that scene consists of mostly late teens and those in their early twenties, which most eventually grow out of. Personally, I don't like that a decent enough luxury mid size sedan can get associated with Civics, WRX's, Mazda's, etc simply because it gets mixed up in that scene, which was the case for the 3G TL IMO.

If anything I feel that older folks go for the 4th gen in order to give them a more youthful appearance. I know there is a fine line here of the car's image or perception and who actually owns and drives them but the car does not have an older person demeanor nor styling, as it's relatively sporty and the design is rather edgy.

 

As the model gets older it becomes affordable to more individuals. Eventually the age of the average driver will come down too. Although, this will never be an 19-yr-olds car.

 

the 4g is unique and an aggresive car, thats one way its not for everyone. but thats one of the many reasons i love it. i live in a little town of 1200 population. EVERYBODY here drives an american car! your buick, pontiac, chevy, ect, ect. boring. people here dont barely even know what an acura is. so i feel different driving it, but its a good feeling being different. even my 3g tl got a lot of looks. oh yeah im 35, and the 4g is a car that is sporty, and refined, for someone 20 years old, up to 80+ years old.

 

It's because in the GTA only us older dudes can afford a TL. lol. Don't forget that winter is coming and you'll be parking the 370Z and taking the TTC.

 

I don't think the TL necessarily fits into any particular age category since it treads the line between sport and luxury. I guess I would more expect to see someone in their 20s-30s who is looking for something sporty to be in a G37 Coupe or 370ZX rather than a 4-door sedan (unless it was a BMW).

When I bought my 1995 Corvette I had just turned 46 (yeah--I'm turning 62 soon) and my wife used to joke that what you mostly saw in Corvettes was old farts like me (this is truer of the newer models).

If you are young and single and carefree I would suggest getting the craziest most fun/least practical thing you can get your hands on. To my mind this would be something other than a 4-door sedan.

Just my opinion.


Doug

 

OmAy, some teenagers would consider a 31 year old like you...."old" too!

Hey, you've got a great car-don't trade it in because of age pressure.

 

If I like a car, I couldn't care less who else is driving it. I left "peer pressure" and "gotta be with the cool kids" attitudes back in high school. lol. Drive what you love, not what others do.

 

Thanks for the comments...So I went over the weekend to see how much my TL would get me for trade-in....$20K...I guess I will be keeping my TL and enjoying it for many more years come....

 

Couple of reasons for low value the Nissan salesperson told me were:
1. Car would be hard for them to sell("cause nobody wants the TL...")
2. Some hail damage is visible...which he stated is "VERY BAD" to have when coming to sell the car or trading
3. My front grille is painted...LOL...

Ok Nissan...FU...I think they didn't want the TL...just wanted to sell the coupe without trade...more $$$ for them

 

drop by carmax for a free appraisal or an Acura dealer, they may pay more for your TL.