PsychDoc

I drove the SH-AWD today and I have to say I was a little concerned about the harshness of the ride.

Is the ride of the FWD version significantly more forgiving?

Can anyone compare the rides of the TL's to the G cars?

crxb

yes the fwd car is a more forgiving ride

KeithL can answer you 2nd question

Colin

If you switch to FWD tech, you have more choices. The following dealers have Mayan Bronze/Umber:

PARAGON ACURA (718)507-3900 UA8659KW KA BE/EN
CREST ACURA (315)422-2232 UA8659KW KA BE/EN
ACURA OF BROOKLYN (718)692-1700 UA8659KW KA BE/EN
ACURA OF WESTCHESTER (914)834-2222 UA8659KW

bmode

Yes, the FWD is a bit cushier overall. I test drove the G Sedan, and the ride was comparable to the FWD, but it had more get up and go overall. The G had 245/45/18's, and my FWD has 245/50/17 which help with cruising comfort yet still sporty. I think the rims are too small on the TL, but for now it's working. My reason I went with the TL is because of the Acura good track record for me and the interior, I've never had serious trouble with an Acura and I love the reshaped back of the car. Besides, the G I wanted ended up costing about $45K and two of my neighbors have them, the TL fully loaded for me was $39K.

KeithL

The FWD is much softer and more forgiving, I would say anyone that has driven a 3G TP and 3G Type-S the differecne is even more dramatic, the 4G TL has gone softer and the AWD more firm. The good news is the 4G AWD is much more well behaved and compliant, so while stiffer it actually behaves better on rougher roads. In addition to ride the FWD sterring is almost video game like, no decent feedback or road feel, while the AWD is much better, although I prefer the sterring on my old 3G Type-S better.

I also drove numerous G35 and G37 Sedans and the AWD out rides them all. The G37 non-Sport is not as soft as 4G TL FWD, but close, the G36/G37 Sport is stiff and you feel it on rought roads, I give the big win on G37 Sport vs.TL AWD to the TL by a long shot.

KeithL

The ride is not for everyone. I had and 04 TL whie had a firmer ride than the 07/08 TL, in 07 they softened the base TL and had the Type-S which went stiffer. In 09 the 4G takes the spread a little further. Here in ATL I deal with mostly smooth roads, if I were back in NYC/NJ I doubt I would be likeing the AWD TL as those roads are murder. I honestly looked at a Genesis and what drove me away was the soft floaty ride, even softer than FWD TL and no where nearly as compliant on rough roads. I have grown to love a ride the flows with the road and not absorb it.

bmode

Keith, I would appreciate if you rephrased the FWD having no decent feedback or road feel in you opinion or comparatively to the AWD. I think it does have decent feedback and road feel, it's much better than my 3G TL, which I loved.

KeithL

True, but then the assumption should be all comments on a forum are the posters opinion.

I will say I have not driven a base TL 3G since 07, I drove 2 3G Type-S' for 18 months and I feel the FWD 4G was much less feedback than those, and even the AWD has lees feedback and road feel. But to each their own, I strongly encourage peopel to ignore most of what we say here and use it as guidance only, take it with a grain of salt and go test drive them all. Most dealers have a AWD car that was a demo they could not sell for 6 months so it is easy to test drive AWD, FWD , G37, whatever your heart desires and make your own conclusions, beuaty (in this case ride) is in the eye of the beholder....

alexSU

iTrader: (3)

I drove the G37, with the 18 inch rims, it's a rough ride! I felt most of the little bumps and somehow the car just didn't feel as solid as a TL.

bmode

Well isn't it? LOL. No matter what the factory specs are for any car, the feel of the car is left in the mind and imagination of the driver. I actually felt that the 4G TL FWD was faster than the G Sedan that I test drove? Ya know? It's all about feeling and everyone's feeling is different.

Colin

Of course not, SSFTSX only speaks facts. To the OP, the ride of the FWD TL will probably be more sporty than the ES you mentioned. The G will be sportier still. That said, the TL is anything but harsh, even in SH HPT versions. The new dual-stage ‘blow-off’ style hydraulic suspension dampers do a good job of remaining firm over small bumps while still absorbing larger potholes with ease.

SebringSilver

Isn't the TL a "sports sedan"?

The firm ride is expected, no? I test drove a SH-AWD TL a few months ago. It was firm, but at no time was it harsh. That's usually the sign of a good ride/handling compromise.

PetesTL

To me, the benchmark of ideal ride/handling compromise is BMW. My previous '05 545i had the perfect combination of ride comfort and sporty handling. In that respect, my SH-AWD comes pretty close.

bmode

Colin you missed my point. It's all still subjective when it comes to topics like this. The only thing pretty much that you can't argue with it the weight of a car. LOL.

Notice how Pete posted his comment above, "To me..." This keeps it subjective and opinionated, even with his personal experiences which are facts for him, it's differs from driver to driver.

Colin

No I didn't. I was making social commentary.

bmode

It's not nice to fool Bmode, you prankster you.

evocative

In short, the base TL felt like my Logitech steering wheel for GT4 on PS2. The SH-AWD does not.

csmeance

ssftsx has promised to be nice, so you guys be nice to him too...

CPR

Drove it yesterday in 'Jersey; compared to my '05TL, it's like night & day.
Ride was firm, & taut, not stiff
Only concern are the roads in NYC; (potholes, etc.)
Best DVD audio stereo, I've heard in a car; blows mine away.
Debating whether to pay the $586/39 month lease, or wait till the economy worsens.
Can't justify paying almost $200/month more than my current lease.
Tech pkg rocks.