A tiny ray of hope for the 4G TL
 

Like many have stated over and over, I'm no fan of the 4G TL either.

That being said, I also hated all the pictures of the redesigned RL as well. Like most observers, I'm just not impressed by the ugly front end at all. HOWEVER (an this is where the HOPE comes in), today I was driving in front of and later behind a white '09 RL. It came up fast behind me, then passed. I have to say the car looked pretty good from all angles. Especially the side and rear end. One thing the photos released by Acura did not convey at all is the road presence this vehicle has. It looked wider, tougher, and all-over much more impressive than any of the pictures I've seen. It's a damned nice looking car! Even though I still don't LOVE the grille, in person it looks far less objectionable. In fact it's gone from a HATE relationship to a NOT BAD AT ALL feeling.

SO, until I actually get to see and physically walk around the 4G TL I'm going to put my judgement on hold, and say let's give it a chance. It certainly won't be the first time I changed my mind about a car's appearance. I sure hope I can say the same about the 4G after checking one out for myself. And worst case scenario, it really is as fugly as the pictures look, it won't sell for shit, Honda will be forced to react to bad sales and redesign that grille for the 2010 model year.

Me too. I'm going to wait until I see it to make an opnion. I saw the Motorweek road test last week and from some views the car didn't look too bad. Maybe if they painted the grill the body color it would improve it, but I don't know.

Not sure if they are willing to pull a fast one on the 10 models .... to me it might not be feasible for them & the general public might not be as critical as us Acura TL diehards ..

We shall see ... meanwhile I'm happy riding in my 3rd gen TL ....

I hope they leave it alone - it has an aggressive look and makes the TL standout

I think we've seen a sufficient amount of photos of the 09 TL's to determine that this car is beyond ugly. Even the videos which shows the car from several angles in motion does not change my mind in any way. I am truly disappointed in this brand for a poorly executed design. Unfortunately, I will not pass judgement when I actually see this vehicle, for I am disgusted with what I see thus far. I refuse to force myself into liking the 09 TL.

Well, I do have hopes for the new TL.

However, I did see the new RL in person and boy, that grille was mighty ugly......

It's all in the details. In my opinion, the redesigned TSX grille and front end is a winner.

it depends what color RL you see. As the OP said, I also saw a wdp RL and it looked very good w/ the tints.

Acura still f'ed ALL enthusiasts by not offering a manual transmission.

it will in 2010...

I hated the new TSX when I first saw it as well. Now that I've seen a couple around on the streets I don't mind the new grill as much. I guess it can grow on you.

I just saw a commercial on TV for the TSX. I would take that car with that grill over the TL any day!!!

I got a call from my dealer today. She said they have a firm date on delivery - Sept 25th. I'll be there shortly thereafter to check what I consider a step backwards in design myself.

Trust me pictures don't lie.


Thats what I thought about the 09 TSX, but when I saw it in person, I almost vomited, with the arched fenders + camry like wheels + horrific grill + and the bland rear design.:ugh:


Sad to say like the 09 RL and the 09 TSX, the 09 TL will have great features, but its exterior design seems to be done by down syndrome monkeys:wstevens:.

Isn't that a bit exagerated? Vomited?! I know everyone is entitled to their opinion but that seems a bit over the top....

When I first saw the new TSX, I didn't think it was horrific, but I didn't think it was really great looking. I got one as a loaner and thought it looked better in person. I wasn't a fan of the interior, though.

I'm still having trouble accepting the looks of the 4G TL with alternatives out there that look (at least to me) much better. I'll wait to see one in person, but as it stands I can't stand the looks. I'll be the first to eat crow when I end up buying one - I'll post that I did so on this forum.

Waiting to see one in person...