Geez, lets wait for the camo to come off before writing it off.

Looks great directly from the back. Love that V shaped trunk.

 

I have to admit, it's growing on me...just like the TSX did (which I happen to like now). I still don't like the RL. In the end, it's still probably going to be too large of a car for me to consider it down the road, but that doesn't mean I can't still appreciate it.

 

I hate that V shaped trunk.

 

word, it looks so much more like the GS, further away from the current, more compact profile of the 3G TL. Why do companies always feel the need to increase size as the model evolves. Why not just evolve the design.

 

clear pm

 

if the GS and the new TL are priced the same, i'd rather get the GS.

 

don't worry, most likely the TL won't be priced the same as the GS.

 

hard to see it being priced near the GS350. no way it'll be anywhere near the 460.

with the TSX at low 30s, i don't think the TL will be pushing 40+.

 

The current TL-S is already pushing close to $40k at $38k MSRP. And the current model is supposedly smaller than the next gen, with only FWD, and less power. If it's assumed that the next TL is going to have AWD and more power, not to mention being bigger (more leather) with different options and better accomodations, not to mention the weakness of the dollar, I think the upper range of the next gen TL is going to be at $40k or more.

 

From experience, at least in Canada, the next generation car would start at the same price as the previous gen Type S. For instance, the 3rd gen TL was at $41-$42k, which was the same as a 2nd gen TL-S. If that continues, then the next base TL should be around $44-$45k. In Canada, the current 3rd gen TL-S is at $47k, the reason I said the next base TL should be around $44-45k is, the 3rd gen TL-S includes navigation system as a standard feature. This wasn't the case for the 2nd gen TL-S. In the 2nd gen, TL-S non-navi started at $41k, with navi, it was at $44k or so. That means the 3rd gen base TL was $2k less then a fully loaded 2nd gen TL-S. So, taking $2k of from the current TL-S as an estimate of the 4th gen base TL should be accurate. With all that said, the GS350 RWD in Canada starts at $53000. So I guess there's still a safe margin, even if we assume the next base TL will be more expensive than the current TL-S.

 

right but there's still going to be a difference with the GS350, which is starting at mid 40s.

 

That thing flows almost exactly like the GS. so much for being at least a little bit agile

 

Yes, because sheet panels = how agile the car is

I'll put my money that the new TL will eat up the GS in the handling department. I've driven my cousins GS300 (04?) and that was probably the scariest highway moment of my life. Felt like it was going to levitate off the road at 70mph Onramps made it feel like it was going to flip over

The new IS250 that I drove was barely any different, although it was the AWD model, still handled like poo.

 

I've driven a GS350 recently and I thought it was quite good in the handling department...

"flip over"? Aren't you being a bit over dramatic?

 

Odd, I've driven an 06 GS350 and an 07 IS350 and I had no problem with either of them.

IMO, it handles better than any Acura. I mean the only problem I see is if you slammed the accelerator throughout the onramp (if the on ramp was curved) causing oversteer?

Perhaps you're not used to driving RWD?

And sheet panel does not = agility. But size = effect on agility. What do you think will be a better handler on the twistys: an Mazda MX5 or 18 wheeler? From the pictures, it looks like the TL got bigger in dimension, but only time will tell.

 

^ I do remember reading reviews that the GS's width, it's slim compared to porkers like the RL, affected the feel. I'm pretty sure it doesn't feel like it would tip over at any point, but they did notice it.

 

wonder how much longer until there are undisguised pics

 

It was the previous style...with the 4 tail lamps...i'm sure the new one is half decent. As far as being over dramatic...maybe a tad, but it did have massive body roll and felt extremely floaty.


I haven't driven the new GS or an IS350, so I can't comment on either. The 250 I drove did not handle anywhere near as well as my TL in stock form. I'm pretty sure the 350 has beefed up suspension, but a TL-S still took it by 2 seconds at Willow Springs.

As for the size debate...cars in general are getting bigger. The new 335 is bigger and heavier than the E46 M3, yet outperforms it in almost every category. The IS and G35/7 are also much bigger than their predecessor. I don't think i've seen a single car shrink in size as it progressed to the next generation, and 9 times out of 10, the newer generation is faster and better handling.

 

No surprise if you found the GS to be so-so in handling, afterall, it's based on the Toyota Crown chassis, which is used as the platform for executive saloons in Japan, or Taxi in Hong Kong.

 

I've seen that clip; but I believe the TL-S was manual while the IS350 only comes in automatic? If that was the case, then no big surprise there.

Sure you can say "Oh well, that's Lexus's bad for not offering a manual," but a real comparison would've been an Auto vs an Auto or manual vs. manual.

It should be no surprise, then, if a TL-S were to go up against the IS-F and get murdered; but then "Oh well, thats Acura's bad for not offering a V8 and RWD."

And I hope your predictions are correct that the newer bigger TL will be quicker and more agile; but I fear the truth is that the TL is moving away from being a sports sedan type vehicle to a more Luxury sedan type car.

 

There a 'small' difference....the IS-F costs around $20k more than a TL-S. Acura doesn't really have a competitor to the IS-F.

 

Except the TL-S and IS350 are in the same class/price range...So it is Lexus' fault for not offering a MT in the 350, or atleast a transmission that doesn't stink. I heard the IS350 is geared for sprints...ie 1/4 mile and 0-60...after 110 its pretty much useless.

 

Even without 6MT, the IS350 is still a faster car on the straight based on several comparison tests. So in order for the TL-S to have a 2-second lead per lap, its cornering ability and braking must be better.

 

C&D has this in their latest issue. It's most likely a chop, but it's a good guess

 

dang how many times have i seen that mag pic?

it's an 09 TSX photoshop

 

 

no, well if you look back on other pages, dom, phile, and is300eater i think said it was a TSX photoshop.

 

C&D still says its FWD, weird.

 

I bet they're saving an AWD platform for a type-s

 

i wish the 09 TSX had those wheels.

 

There is an optional AWD trim that has the tech package standard

 

The spy-covered TL compares in size to the new Accord that's come out recently no? And we all know how huge that mother is.

Assuming that the weight increase that comes with increasing the size of a car is there (which it probably will be) we can also assume that this car may not be as agile as the 3rd gen TL.

Of course, Acura could just beef up the suspension on the TL and my argument could be moot, but judging by how nasty the new design theme has proven to be, my hopes for what the 4th gen TL will amount to be have dwindled down to this:



in fact, it's what I feel like whenever I think about the current anything going on with Acura at this point. =\

And I have an IS250 - it's handling is kinda floaty but it's not terrible (RWD / Auto / 18's.)

 

Its a big car, but if it cant pull its weight around then I don't see the big deal.Take a look at the RL, its closing in at 4,000 lbs and handles like you wouldn't believe. I think its safe to say the 4G TL will have similar driving characteristics of the current RL, which is far from being a bad thing. Only thing lacking was power, which will hopefully be fixed with the 3.7L.

For someone so fixed up on design, I have no idea why you went with the new IS

 

I'll admit I wasnt a huge fan of the new IS when the redesign came around a couple years ago, but easier for the new IS to grow on me than the new Acura design scheme with the Piss Plenum.

Ive not yet seen a single RL on the roads here in Miami (are they even on sale yet?) and I've seen a couple TSX's here n' there.

What the IS lost in its sporty, agressive image from the 1G i believe it gained a classier, mature look in the 2G.

This new TL I believe peaked in the 3G design cycle. the 4G looks like a disaster waiting to happen.

But focusing back on the handling aspect of the 4G TL, I'll just cross my fingers and hope for the best I guess.

 

Keep in mind the new CTS is over 4000lbs, yet it has been receiving praises from many people and mags.

 

Yes, the new CTS is gorgeous. It is gonna be caddy's bread and butter the same way the G was for nissan back in 04 (iirc.) and I'd put money on that.

However, I believe i've read a few times that reviewers thought that the weight of the CTS has been one of it's negative points.

 

And even with a potential 300 hp off the bat, how close will this TL be getting to the dreaded 4k?

Yahoo says a 2008 A/T GS350 weighs 3965.

and a 2008 A/T TL base weighs 3636.

a 2007 A/t Accord with the 4 banger weighs 3605, which is what the 3g is based off of.

If this car is supposed to compete with the GS, its grown in size as we can see in the pictures. We can assume it may possibly be creeping closer to 4k, and that would suck bad since I consider the TL a sport luxury sedan.

Final point: 4000 is alot of weight to be pushing around, period. And in the TL's case, the base model will be pulling it. Let's not even talk about the AWD model and the weight increase of a SH-AWD system installed!

 

I'm guessing ~3,700lbs for the base and 3,900-4,000 for the AWD version. I can't see either being much more than that.

I mean hell, the new G37 is roughly 3,700lbs and the E92 M3 is closing in on 3,800 lbs. Cars in general just keep getting bigger and bigger...can't do shit about that.

 

arr dubya dee eff tee double-u

 

Are you serious about 2007 AT Accord I4 being at 3605lbs? For comparison, 07 Accord V6 6MT EX-L is a 3303lbs.
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...28/020085.html

And like JJaber06 said, cars generally grow bigger and heavier. I don't like that too, but for a bread and butter entry-luxury sedan like the TL, it has to do that.