jwaters943

This place has gone a little goofy....

"Need more information.....can't go....on......":P

larchmont

(Tell us something we don't know!)

BTW on that next post of his, Clutch gained the very dubious distinction of joining me in a minority opinion of two.

RJC RSX

yeah I'm beginning to think that the new TL will be evolutionary, not revolutionary, which isn't a bad thing at all. It will be a fine luxury touring sedan, and with a hp boost and awd in the near future, it could become revolutionary and really start taking on the germans.

Has anyone thought that maybe the legend being unveiled this fall at the tokyo autoshow = our new TL? It would be like the inspire based off our accord, we get it first and then a modified version in 6 months or so is made available for the japanese market. I'm not sure if that makes any sense, but someone was telling me not to be surprised if the new TL is called the legend. I'm pretty sure here it will still go by TL. It seems too soon to unveil a concept RL. Any thoughts?

phile

Count me in. Sure it helps that the TL can perform, but people want luxury too. When the redesigned Lexus ES300 debuted, it overtook the TL in sales numbers. That car is hardly a performer - with 210hp, it's vastly overshadowed by the likes of the Infiniti with its 260hp engine. But anyone's who's sat inside the new Lexus will appreciate its luxurious interior that is unmatched by any other car in this price range, except maybe the Audi A4 - and that really depends on the buyer's preference between a cold-but-nice interior (the Audi) or a warm and inviting one (the Lexus).

So with the expected increase in price, I guess Acura will make the new TL much nicer. And I'm all for it.

EmuMessenger

I traded my 96 SE 5 speed for my first TL.

My Maxima was much faster than my 99 TL and it is a distant memory, but it was probably faster than my 03 TLS.

Kinda off-subject, but big up to the 96 Maxima SE 5 speed!

larchmont

That makes three! Anyone else?

planman

Umm...anyone remember a great car from the 80s and early 90s called the Legend? Acura just about committed brand suicide when they dropped the Legend name in favor of their alphanumeric model designations.

I think they were so scarred by that they won't be changing the name of their cash cow sport sedan any time soon.

need4spd_RENAMED

Emu - Thanks, for the info, if that's the case, then I will be disappointed in the new TL, hope not, was looking to upgrade performance (or keep at least the same) and get that new car feel again, my 96 is a cream puff, with only 54K on the odo, but just need to change after 8yrs of the same thrill.

Nuff said, if we want to talk more we should start a new thread or e-mail.

bdt980

This thread is officially dead---We have absolutly nothing else to talk about on the TL until we get some more photos. If you havent noticed a lot of things are getting repetitive because of the lack of info the past week.

Come on someone Save the thread and give us some more hard facts to discuss!!

ntljr

This is just the most exciting stuff to read. I have gone from a very happy 02 TL-S owner, to a "I think I might drop down an 04 deposit this weekend" kind of guy. Althouh we know nothing for sure, I am just so amped about this car after reading through this board. It took me all week to find time and finish it. It's been 2 years (to the day) since my TL-S purchase. This is just about the time I start thinking of a new car, but I've never bought the same car again... until now! The response I have had on my Acura is the best so far. It's car number 9 for me, and I think I'm staying with the Acura family. My hopes are that this car is the talk of the town when it comes out... no matter what the specs are. It just needs to WOW me... and I think it will. The first few months of owning my TL-S were the best. Everyone stopped me to ask what it was. The S model was such a huge step up for the TL. I really hope we get that feeling all over again. Sporty sedans are all the rage out here in Los Angeles. I see young 20 year olds driving A4's and G35's! PLEASE Acura, release something soon, get the buzz out there and try something new with that tired ad campaign. You need something new out there. No more lost couples, driving with just a map and a curiousity to see the country, or guys driving to the cape for lobster soup. Make it exciting. Stir things up a bit and make this a debut that will get people excited all over again. That's my 2 cents!

gcomstock

Bwahahahah!

gcomstock

This thread has gone from excited, hopeful, confused...to almost surreal. Reminds me of a joke I heard:

Guy's sitting a bar, and a pretty lady takes the seat next to him. He starts thinking to himself:
Wow, she's gorgeous! Wonder if I should buy her a drink? Maybe we could hit if off...she looks like my kind of gal. We could start dating, become "an item." Seriously, she looks the kind of woman I could marry, raise a family, the whole thing. But, it would probably go south, she'd get sick of me, start nagging and then divorce me, bleed me with alimony and make my life a living hell...
So he stands up, turns to the lady, and says, "buy your own drink, you bitch!"

Colin

Are you new to Honda product? This is EXACTLY the reason Honda would likely use the smaller engine. It's a corporate philosophy to "get more with less"

As for the "replacement for displacement" arguement (I realize you're not the one saying it), us S2000 owners call it RPM

jwaters943

Oh, I'm aware of Hondas philosophies. No other car manufacturer can make a normally aspirated small(ish) engine produce the HP numbers Honda can without sacrificing emissions/fuel economy or refinement. Their concern for natural resources is truly commendable. I'm just saying that those things don't always bring people into dealer showrooms. Especially in the highly competetive Sport Sedan segment. I think we can all agree Acura doesn't have the brand cache that MB or BMW have. They could learn a thing or two from Infiniti and learn to not play it so safe (that is better left to Lexus). I'm not saying Acura should be like everyone else, but they could "loosen up" a little so to speak. In my opinion it could be a good thing for fellow enthusiasts in the long run (more cars sold=more money=Honda/Acura releasing more exciting features/products).



FWIW, I'm not trying to bash Honda/Acura. I've owned a Civic, CRV and TL in the past. I'm just speaking my mind...sorry for the long rant.

BACK TO THE TL RUMORS........

Colin

Indeed it borders on religous fervor!

- No V-8
- No Turbos
- No RWD

IMO the only real problem is no RWD! If they only had one RWD platform like the FM that Nissan has...... wouldn't that be great!

need4spd_RENAMED

Aloha Colin,

Thanks for keeping us straight.

Any answer when to my questions about when you are going to do the drive and ride thing with the TL like you did with the TSX at the track in Calif????

I am using a large photo of the concept TL as my wallpaper to remind me of how cool the new TL will be, I definately think a lighter color works for this car as it shows all the details!

Thanks again

EmuMessenger

Well put, but I am still holding out for a little bigger displacement to boost that torque number.

As for the economy, I have averaged nearly 26 MPG for the year plus I have had my 03 TLS-Navi. That is a miracle of engineering!

need4spd_RENAMED

I agree, 26MPG is pretty good, but what type of driving do you do, if it is all highway, it isn't.

I get 29MPG on average, 95% highway with the 5spd maxima (3.0), the best I have ever gotten, plus at 70+MPH to boot!!

Colin

I've been thinking a lot about this. Trying to figure out how to make this happen. The last Ride and Drive trip they had a sales contest and the top 2-3 in new car sales got to go on the trip, all expenses paid. I was among the winners for the TSX. For the RSX they assigned it to the assistant managers but I paid my own way there. This gets kinda expensive....

FWIW, Ride and Drive dates have not been set yet, but they will probably be only 2-4 weeks before the car goes on sale on Oct. 6th.

EmuMessenger

When I do straight highway, I have gotten as high as 32, but usually just over 30.

I get 26 MPG with mixed city/highway driving and AC on 100% of the time.

need4spd_RENAMED

Colin,

I have a lot of unused frequent flier miles, I could get you there for free, you would just need to pay for the hotel and meals.

I guess you can tell we are desperate for info?

BTW - Congrats on the TSX sales!!! Especially with such a small base, I guess the movies helped!

RJC RSX

mwhahaha in my rsx i can get over 40mpg straight highway

EmuMessenger

Oh boy, here goes the thread...

My 84 VW Rabbit would easily exceed 40 MPG on the highway!

larchmont

No -- then there would be almost no reason at all to even consider the car.

(Exaggerating, but you get the idea.)

Varmint

Wouldn't it be nice if Nissan had one RWD platform like the S2000?

Honda tends to use RWD only when necessary. There's still potential in FWD cars. They will never compete with RWD cars of the same caliber, but most folks don't get their luxury sedans sideways on local roads. If you want that kind of sport, you are in another market segment.

p.s. Justin, I'd still like to know about that GV platform when you have a chance.

provench

I vote for "High Performance Tuned"

Colin

I have the little paper in my hand, High Performance Tire package is what is says. When have I ever led you guys wrong....

It also says this:

But I figure it's already been leaked so what the heck. Not telling you anything we don't aready know here....

P.S. If I suddenly go missing someone please report it to the authorities..................

larchmont

Colin -- How shocked would you be if this turned out to be "misinformation," whether deliberate or not?

acura_driver

I really hope not... I can't image explaining to friends and coworkers that HPT stands for "High Performance Tire".

I suppose I could always lie and say it stands for "High Performance Tuned".

-r

Next thing you know we will have HPCH. "High Performance Cup Holders."

larchmont

acura_driver

BTW, I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea, I have nothing against a high performance tire. In fact I usually have FOUR max performance tires on my car at any given time.

-r

OK, it must be late...

larchmont

Hey, a-d, nothing to apologize for -- You might have just won "Post of the Month"!

Jason

Hey Larch, can we create a "Post of the Hour" contest?

EmuMessenger

So, if Colin's sheet is accurate, the definition of HPT could be our last concrete fact of the week.

We were all hoping for something bigger than that, but I guess we will continue to be patient.

Keep the new coming!

acuragal

our dealership got info. on 2004 modelyear catalogue. It looks like there will be 3 trim levels of the new TL for Canada. TL,
TL Navi pkge. and TL Dynamic Pkge.
Also very good colour combinations.With black you can choose either ebony or camel leather.
Also it looks like we will have the official lanch of the car on Oct.15
for all of Canada. We saw some partial pictures if it. Looks Great!!

Jason

Thanks for the post. Do you have a...scanner? We want pics!

EmuMessenger

Good update! Let's seem some photos!

nh-603p

OUR DEALERSHIP RECIEVED THE OFFICIAL INVITES FOR THE 2004 TL DEBUTE, FOR OCT 15. ON THE INVITE IT HAS SOME SMALL PICTURES OF THE FRONT LIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE 2004 TL. IT APPEARS THAT THE INDICATOR LIGHT IS TWO AMBER GLOW STICKS OR POSSIBLY FIBER OPTICS APPROX 4-6 INCHES LONG WITH ONLY ONE ZENON OR HID BULB AND ANOTHER LENS THAT IS SQUARE. THERE IS ALSO A PICTURE OF THE 18" RIMS WITH GOOD YEAR TIRES AND HUGE CROSS DRILLED, VENTILATED ROTORS.

Awais

Can anyone of you who have received the catalogue for the '04 TL, please post the pics? Interior pics would be especially appreciated since just about no one knows what it'll be like.

TIA

EmuMessenger

Now that people are getting flyers and test drive invites, we need to get some scans of pictures and text.