PsychDoc

Yup, it really is. And at a price that's easily $12-20k less. This car competes directly with the mid-sized iconic sports sedans mentioned in the title and betters them in some important respects. It's ride and handling characteristics are easily on a par with these cars and the list of standard equipment to be had with the tech package (the only option offered) is astonishing, and a techno-freak's dream.

For $36k for the fwd model (~$40k for the SH-AWD model with a 305hp engine....but this rides too hard for me living in NYC), you get a 280 hp V-6 that may not break any 0-60 records but scoots the car along plenty fast (~6.0 seconds). Roadholding is awesome with it's standard 245/50-17 v-rated tires and the steering is razor sharp with just the right amount of weighting. The car is larger inside than a 5 series and has a bigger and better designed rear seat.

The included tech features are a geeks dream. Full ipod integration, a built in hard drive to rip CD's onto, real time traffic and weather, Zagat restaurant ratings and descriptions, xenon headlights, keyless entry and start, bluetooth, backup camera, dual climate control, a 440 watt 10 speaker audio system that's capable of playing DVD-Audio...the list just goes on and on.

Couple all this with Acura's Consumer Reports top honors in reliability and customer satisfaction and you have a runaway winner. For anyone who can do without the snooty appeal of a German logo, this thing is a ridiculous steal at the asking price.

Yeah, I know, "The beak the beak...what do we do about the beak?" Get the car in Palladium Metal (light silver). The transition from body color to beak is seamless and the car looks just great in this color. (lol)

evocative

I was easily about to go with the E class when I drove the base TL. It was definitely my top 2 cars that I was looking at.

crxb

Drove the 335. & 535. Bought the SH-AWD

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

I drove the A4, 335, 535, and the TL. I settled on the 5 series. Don't get me wrong, I love Acura and the new TL, but I just think the 5 was a better overall car. It was a split decsion between a Mayan Bronze/Umber TL SH-AWD and a white/black 535.

DLeeWebb

Owned an A4, drove the new A5 and A6, new Maxima (owned a 350Z - traded on the TL), E Class, and the BMW 3 (AWD) and I bought the TL. I can't speak to the 5 Series but It should be a better car considering the price...the TL is a lot of car, especially considering the price...

jangkai

The 5 series is definitely nice but when a 535xi is similarly equipped to the TL SH-AWD with tech, it will cost 60+k. Of course you do get awesome heads up display, handling, etc. Also the current 5series is at the end of its cycle so if I was looking for a 5series, I'd probably wait till the new one comes out.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

You know, the TL has always been the best "value for the dollar". I just wish it would get the credit it deserves when it comes to Mercedes and BMW.

S2000 Driver

Given the long-term reliability and durability records of BMWs and Acuras:

The 5 Series is a great car to lease.

The TL is a great car to own.

I buy my cars and keep them for a long time so...here I am.

hhyg

I, a 525i ower, am thinking to switch to TL 6MT AWD later this year when it become available. 525i is a good car. But the notchy manual shift, heavy clutch, below average safty rating and reliability make me to take look the TL.

ll_22

Where's the safety deficiencies? Was not aware of 5's problems there.
Also curious to know what sort of maintenance problems you've had.
Lastly, I thought the the 5-series interior is bigger than the TL?

PetesTL

Before my TL, I owned (actually leased) a '05 545i. It was a hell of car.....fast, handled like it was on rails, and had a smooth ride....the only big problem: reliability. It was in the shop a total 6 times!.....bad transmission, bad muffler, oil leaks, and numerous electrical problems and bugs. The onboard computer in the 5 series is so complex that a software update takes 1-3 days!!

TSteezyX

So Acura has two competitors in the mid-sized luxury sedan class?

I think if you're going to consider the 5, E, GS, A6, STS etc, you should use the RL as opposed to the TL.

TLevation09

Actually, the stiffest competition for the RL is the 09TL. . . unless I am missing something it seems to beat it on space, price, performance, technology. . which I'm sure will change with the next-gen RL.
After checking all of the above out, the toughest competition to me was the 08 M-35, which was deeply discounted. It is a beautiful car (but to me a bland exterior), but I am still thrilled with the TL after 2500 miles with no regrets.

TLevation09

Agreed. Maybe us docs are able to put science and facts above emotions. . .enjoy your new ride

crxb

after many bmw test drives, reading the bimmer forums - problems like you mention above kept me from buying a 335i (not to mention options quickly drive the price up) -
but I will have a hard time forgetting the acceleration of that twin turbo six. Drove the 8 cyl M3 that car would have been my death

overall the bimmers - nice to visit, but maybe hard to live w/ if was my daily driver

jmaikamon

I had a friend who bought a new BMW 535i in Germany. She was preparing to change station and return to the US. She had one week to put 500 miles on the car in order to to prevent paying the new car taxes when the military shipped it. She was pregnant and she asked me to do it for her. I put the miles on the car on the autobahn driving between Wiesbaden and and Mannheim. I'll take the TL.

DLeeWebb

That's quite a testimonial for the TL!

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

I had an older 535i...white with red leather interior. I liked the car, but it was always in the shop as well. It nickeled and dimed me to death.

hydr0

The BMW 5 is nice, but I just don't see it offering much of anything else (other than the snooty German prestige factor), that the TL doesn't offer at a significantly lower price. Same with the E350. The TL is not an entry level car, but it does come with an entry level price, except with all the bells and whistles of a $50-60K car, IMO.