K99ac30cl

car and driver october 2003 has the new TL at a base price of 33,500 campared to the old of 28xxx????? what u guys think of this???

Smitty

we talking base model or all the bells and whistles (Navi, 6-speed)

K99ac30cl

base model at 33,500 starting price

Nashua_Night_Hawk

5 grand is big jump!

gdubb

Thats a huge jump and not a smart move on Acura for this

Rod

It's a big jump, but it will probably still sell like crazy to the typical Acura buyer...people who are not buying BMW badging or whatever the car mags say are the best performing sedans. It has lots of little gadgets and should have excellent ergonomics and will be competitively priced for its segment. It'll have the usual hating because of the FWD, but the typical TL buyer probably doesn't care about this or prefers this over RWD for the snow and such. Bottom line: it'll all depend on what you're looking for. Performance-wise, it'll probably be close to, but not quite as great, as a G35 (according to the mags at least). But interior- and comfort-wise it should kick the G35's ass. And it should still be significantly cheaper than a similarly equipped 5-series, which according to Acura is what the TL is aimed to compete with.

But I know that many people that previously would've bought the TL because they couldn't justify the extra money for a 330 may soon be changing their minds.

Six Shifter

it also has to maintain some distance from a fully loaded TSX

DISRUPTV

http://www.edmunds.com/future/2004/...eader..1.acura*


read this review

edmunds still thinks the TL will be a great value despite the price hike

AcuraFan

http://www.edmunds.com/future/2004/a...ader..1.acura*

DISRUPTV

ooops


thanks acurafan


acurafan, ur thoughts on the tl?

AcuraFan

I'm cautiously optimistic. If the TSX is any indication of the direction Acura is going, I'm looking forward to all the redesigns (TL, RL, NSX). It looks like the TL has the fun to drive factor and the fit and finish to rival the class leaders.

I was a little apprehensive about the TL still being built in the US. But, was surprised Edmunds gave such high raves for interior quality to an American built car...and a preproduction model at that. This looks promising.

You're the one who posted the review...What're your thoughts?

Davediego

guys, take a look at all the new features this car will have, plus factor in the old typeS price not the old base (the new car basically has the typeS engine) and its only a $3k hike

NOVAwhiteTypeS

w/ bluetooth, dvd audio, 270hp its still a bargin, remember cost of living goes up....

AcuraFan

Yep, in regards to price...the old TL was a bargain luxury car for a bargain price. I think the new TL is a luxury car for a bargain price. It looks as though Acura stepped up the quality to compete with the class leaders but didn't raise the price enough to compete with their outragous stickers.

Nashua_Night_Hawk

Good to know that the VSA is now standard on the 6-speed. Tlelescoping steering wheel plus a powere lumber support!!

Now let us see:
$34,000 base + $2000 for the NAV, $3500 for the A-spec. anf this is $40,000... You can you are at the level of S4/S60R... tough choice.

AcuraFan

I don't think it's that tough of a choice considering the S4 starts at $45k and the S60R, though powerful, most likely isn't as fun to drive as the TL. IMHO.

DISRUPTV

Acurafan,

I was a bit apprehensive abt the redesign, but now I do not have any fears or apprehension. IMO, Acura did a nice job.

I agree w/you, the way the edmunds staff raved abt the quality of the car had me suprised. I remember the edmunds staff making fun of the Cl-S and Tl-S interior in their past reviews/comparisons. Subsequently, the way they praise this car almost seems as if its a marked improvement in many aspects over the Gen2 TL/tl-S.

Also, remember how when the new accord came out last year, edmunds first drive review on itwasnt all that great? They criticized it and didnt like it 2 much IMO, well this new TL review is a total 180degree change, compared to it.

And by making a car a bit more pricey, acura will lose a few customers, however, they will also increase the desirability of the new TL by a bit...remember, the legend, IMO would nt have been so desirable if it was priced as cheap as the vigor

1SICKLEX

$33,500 cannot be the base price. Is this for real?

heyitsme

its up to the buyers whether they want to pay that much more, didn't really understand why they used real aluminum but then fake wood.

think better reviews to gauge a car are ones that measure a group of cars instead of just one. don't see how a tl would be more fun to drive than a s60r when edmunds has it behind the a4 in handling.

AcuraFan

I've always thought of Volvos as a little stuffy and timid. They aren't exciting and fun to drive. That's why the S60 T5 hasn't rated that high in most reviews because it doesn't inspire excitment even though at had as much or more power than its competition. Giving it more power and stiffer springs (S60R) will make it more fun but still not to the level of Acura (hopefully) or BMW. I guess it's one of those "intangibles" for me.

neoprufrok

I'm still disappointed. Why they don't make it awd or rwd is beyond me. The Volvo S60R is a NICE drive. I test drove one and was pleasantly surprised.

Furthermore, being an audiophile, the inclusion of DVDA is a little awkward. SACD would have been a better choice or even a universal player. SACD is far better with more titles.

Sarlacc

Because SACD is Sony and we all know how sony is with propietary gear (betamax, minidisc, memory stick, sacd) so with that said how many car do you know that come with a stock sony sound system? ive never heard of one.

neoprufrok

For your information, there are a lot of SACD players made by more than sony. Marantz, Music Hall, Denon, Musical Fidelity, Lexicon, Pioneer just to name a few. It is a source component, which has no bearing on the amps and speakers used with it. It is not propietary.

Furthemore, in the audiophile community, SACD holds a better position due to its greater resolution.

Finally, there are way more SACD titles out there than DVD A titles.

Sarlacc

Correct me if im wrong but wasnt the whole battle regarding sony wanting their SACD to be a standard where pioneer and other companies adopted DVD-Audio. While they are both 5.1 music CDs, they are 2 totally different formats.

And... if I am incorrect, it doesnt matter because SACD would still require extra and more expensive components where a DVD with 5.1 music on needs nothing more then a dolby digital 5.1. and those at this day in age are not that expensive. Thus further raising the cost of an Acura, which is what they are not about.

GreenMonster

The BMW 330 optioned the way I want it has an MSRP of $42K. I only bought an Acura because it was a good bang for the buck. Take the bargain out of the equation and I'd be driving a beemer now

TL for $40 ?? No thank you.

ferizzo

Don't forget that soon enough the TL will be had for less than sticker. And don't compare it to the 03 TLs but to the Type S because thats what it really is. The TLS is stickered at 31K so the jump is really 2k not 5. 2K is not bad considering that the interior looks IMO better than G35 (which stickers anywhere from 33-37k), beemers, and as good as audi and Lexus (although lexus is more lux and less gadget oriented). How solidly built the new TL is is a different question. Its also more advanced and slightly more powerful than the current TL. I still think its a bargain at 36k, which would be the manual with Navi and the brembo brake kit!

jimcol711

thats still not a bad price, consider how much fucking better this TL is over the previous gen. just LOOK at that interior...LOOK at that list of features, etc. its a sweet ass car.


now also think of the direct competition! BMW 5 series. you sure as hell cant get an equally equipped 5 series for 33,500.

AcuraFan

heyitsme

i've always thought of japanese cars as alternatives to german cars, not direct competitors, at least not yet.

TypeS_boi

This is a great car but I don't want to spend more than 35k for it (loaded). I was thinking of getting the TL for a family car but I could just get an accord. Heck, the next accord will probably look like a TL anyway???

AcuraTLSFan

It's not really 5K increase. The new 2004 base TL is like the 2003 TL-S...so it's 31k, so increasd about 2.5k increase. Not bad..look at all the upgrades

kHmER Co

its okay the TL name is popular as shit

mrdeeno

huh?

the next accord is already out and this new TL is based on this new accord.

they have less resemblance than the last tl/accord.

TypeS_boi

not the current accord, I know it's based on that platform but knowing how conservative honda is on styling, i'm sure it will look the same and still be boring to look at.

AcuraFan

I don't know about everyone else but I'm really liking the new styling direction Acura is going. It's not over the top like some companies. I think if you get too rediculous with the styling (BMW, Toyota/Lexus, etc) you'll end up with dated styling pretty quickly. Beside, look at BMW, they're current aggressive styling seems to be turning people off. Acura isn't as flashy but it looks good and will continue to look good for the long haul.

mrdeeno

and i think honda/acura has taken a turn for the better since their president or someone up there resigned a couple months ago.

acur8ly

iTrader: (1)

I want one of these Tl's so bad I already started searching for a bluetooth cell phone to match