The OP is planning to keep his 2G TLX for at least 10 years. This automatically rules out anything coming from European or domestic makes.

What other alternative(s) still has top-notch Japanese reliability that can be safely kept for 10 years without breaking the wallet ?

For long term vehicle reliability, noises, rattles, and normal wear and tear items aren't major contributing factors. Engine/mechanical/electrical/electronic problems and body integrity issues are.

 

What makes you believe modern Acura's will last 10 years with minimal costs for electronics? Even Toyota is finding out that glitches will happen when technology is involved (Rav4 hybrid has them). German's problems have always been with electrical issues, engines are usually average if maintained well and not going with sport versions. If my brother's Bluetooth died after 7 years on a 07 Type-S, the odds of something failing on newer TLX is even greater. Especially with all the sensors needed.

 

The OP wants to keep his car for 10 years. 10 years are a long time. It all comes down to whatever make and model that can offer reasonable minimum repair costs during this lengthy period.

It is true that no modern Acura will have zero electronic failure within a 10 year ownership period, but which automakers will have none ? So this becomes a test in longevity in terms of engine, mechanical, and electrical operations.

 

Yeah with modern electronics I doubt cars will last for ten years. Sure, you may be able to get them to that mark but there's going to be pain as it ages.

And with this chip shortage I think some corners are being cut and if I am correct that will start to reveal itself as the years go on.

 

It's sad to see things like this. The new RDX and MDX have nonsense going on too including faulty bearings on the MDX that need to be replaced, fit and finish issues on the RDX...

 

Have to disagree. Had two BMW's in the near 10 years & over 130,000 miles range with no major high cost issues. Most expensive single hit was was $400 for 4 O2 sensors on the 2004 330CI ZHP sold 2012. Most expensive on the 2013 135is sold 2021 was a charge pipe on the around $200. Neither car was ever out of service for more than two or 3 days. Never stranded on the road.

The 2004 was in the mid $40,000's & returned $12,000. The 2013 upper $40,000's and returned $15,500 last week.

Caveat. First 4 years 50000 miles was all under warranty & free maintenance. I did all the out of warranty maintenance myself so there was only the parts cost + my labor rate of $0.00 per hour. Biggest price hits at one time did not include tires at $1,000 a set or brakes as all cars will replace them about the same time. Pads were always aftermarket HAWK's.

IIRC both cars took at least 2 full sets of brakes + some half sets (front). Half of the brakes were done free by BMW. (not available on current cars). One set of rears for 2 sets of fronts. Plugs were changed once on both cars would guess about $2000 on each car outside of summer performance tires which lasted about 25,000 miles.

Just an observation but BMW's engine, transmission & differential seem to be pretty solid. Have never had an issue with oil usage. The 135is was tuned (JB4) since the 1200 mile break-in. Its the surrounding stuff, leaking gaskets etc that gives BMW's problems. Electronics had an issue in the 135is. Passenger door comfort access receiver failed twice once on them once out of pocket.

Personal note Am not a gluttonfor punishment & would not buy a brand of cars that were troublesome or left me stranded

 

Meh, YMMV but CR says other wise. Far from perfect but IMO CR reliability listings are still the best, AoA did a pretty good video on reliability recently.
All of us have empirical viewpoints on this reliability, it's tricky subject to say the least. In general from my experience and others I know, Japan > Germany for current vehicles especially going for long term (10+ years and ~150K miles) ownership.
Shorter term ownership, the Germans have improved alot in the last decade.

 

Thought I would chime in here. Been looking at the 2022 but with the current market on vehicles, I'm not going to jump in and pay more just because the dealer wants to make a larger profit.

I am still driving my 2011 - or at least my wife is now as I have a company car. We talk about doing something with it but its paid off and drives like a new car. Still tight, fast, and comfortable. It's been mostly reliable, I had the oil burn problem that all v6's had. They replaced everything under warranty and over charged me for the timing chain and such, but at 110K miles, it was still not a bad call. I have 125K or so now. Outside of the service we have done on it, I have had a few minor issues, mostly the rattling sun roof and rear deck, but I just turn up the radio. I drove it as a work vehicle for over 80K miles and should note, also got 80K out of the original tires. On our 3rd set now, so the second set didn't last as long.

I maintain it regularly - change oil every 3500 miles. I check the oil every chance I get and it needs oil by the time I get to that interval. I don't follow the MID, stopped doing that at about 50K miles. It was an inaccurate method anyway given the Acura engine. I do need to service the AWD and probably transmission and I do have a problem that I can not diagnose. Been trying to find similar reports on this forum but nothing seems to be the same. It seems to be a transmission issue, but really not the transmission, so just not sure. Nothing is broken and everything works, so might just be due to age.

As far as reliability, I would go 7/10, maybe 8/10 - my previous Toyota's were always 9/10 for reliability. But, I have also always traded cars in around 100K. I had a 4Runner I kept to 140K, but only once. So, cars definitely go farther today with less maintenance. My current Explorer has over 100K and I have only changed the oil and tires. Currently it is a 9/10 for reliability, I just hate the uncomfortable seats, crappy stereo, and blah drive... If Acura would not have stepped up and replaced the engine, I would give it 4/10 for reliability, but they finally did after years of complaints.

 

Both Honda and Acura dealers liked replacing BRAKE FLUID every couple of years. Turn-out that neither the 2014-MDX nor 2004 Accord-V6 ever needed an actual brake-job (kept original shoes).

Only use Honda Transmission fluid.

When they did the customary timing-chain/water-pump job they should have flushed and replaced radiator-fluid. If they didn't then, I would suggest replacing Radiator-Cap and Thermostat ... (with genuine Honda ones) .

 

get a type s way better than Aspec, your a few grand away.

 

OP Im curious to hear where ur at with all this, did u end up getting ur dream car or a type S?

 

Or did the usual suspects who haven't owned a new Acura for some years beat your enthusiasm out of you? You can find such whiners on every car forum who have a proclivity to exaggerate things and then ultimately to sway you over to whatever brand they are driving. I have driven Acuras for 13 years and have never been stranded at the side of the road. Few cars are perfect, but lets just say i love my current 2021 TLX ASpec. But, it's really about what you like - the heart wants what the heart wants. Just make sure that if you decide to get a TLX, drive the one you are buying or leasing. Good luck!

 

That's great that you had incredible reliability with your previously owned Acura's, however, that doesn't speak for everyone that has owned or currently own Acura's. Just recently a member of the FB group posted another visit to the dealership and showed how many RO's he had for my 2nd gen TLX. The reality is, if you pay attention to what's being posted (issue related), it's a bit alarming for a vehicle that is nearly a year old. Factor in another 7 years + and you will see if it's actually reliable or not. Prime example, Honda/Acura were known for transmission issues back in the days (not like they are far from any issues today but they are better), the likelihood of having a transmission failure was high. After numerous lawsuits, recalls, and tons of bad press, Honda finally extended the transmission warranty to 7 yrs or 100,000 miles. This was a reliability issue. For those that got lucky enough to not have their transmission fail, claim "Most reliable everrrr" while the ones that didn't fare so well, said "F you------".

Regardless, paying 40K+ for a vehicle shouldn't sound like a rolling shit box less than a year old. Didn't Acura brag about the NVH quality in these vehicles? Or perhaps it was a few members that have blinders on to this brand? How about the puddle lights taking a shit about a week after buying this vehicle? I'd be pretty pissed off about it. We can come back to this in 7 years from now to see how reliable these vehicles have become. I suggest avoid keeping the 1st and 2nd year production models. A lot of ugly doesn't show til years down the road. Nobody knew the 3rd gen TL was going to suffer from dashboard cracks as soon as 7 years old. Just food for thought.

 

I signed the Purchase and sale and for price stated is MSRP for the 2022. Knowing that the MSRP for 2022 may be a little higher than for 2021 I am ok with that because I am not paying any AMD. If you do a P&S have it state MSRP with no other increases and not just a price in order to gurantee you are not overpaying.

 

I walked in the dealer and I didn’t even think about mark up. Online showed msrp for the 22 so I took the test driver only a quarter mile and did u u turn and headed back to dealer. The salesman said u don’t want to drive it longer? I’m like nope sign me up I want it.

my buddy is a mechanic for another Acura dealer and he said his were 8k over msrp and ppl were paying for them.

 

Thanks for your guys input. As much as I loved the tlx, I eventually couldn't pull the trigger on one due to nobody having at the moment (with the same colors). I went last Friday to the Lexus dealer, and was amazed at the es350 features for the value. I paid msrp for the car, and was totally happy. I promised my wife for our next new car that it will be an Acura (SHE LOVES THE MDX). But some of the things that swayed me was that this dealership was next to my place and the reliability for the same tested drivetrain. As I mentioned earlier I wanted something for 10 years and problem free. I think I made the best decision. I'm also not a sporty guy, Id like to rather have a less noisy cabin with a comfortable ride. But man I tell you what lol, the tlx is sexier. I just think the es350 was more towards my personal style. Hope you guys dont kill me LOL.

.

 

Glad it all worked out for you in the end and got what works for you, that's the most important thing!
Enjoy your ES350, most probably it'll serve you well past a decade or perhaps two.