2003 Honda Accord EX-L V6 OR 2003 Acura TL Type S
#81
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LOL
The whole bottom half of the dash is hard as anything in the industry. The buttons, trimmings, accents, etc., it's all worse. Doesn't even come close to comparing.
Interiors are subjective but this is like saying a 2G TL's interior is better than the 3-4G. I mean you can SAY it, but....
The whole bottom half of the dash is hard as anything in the industry. The buttons, trimmings, accents, etc., it's all worse. Doesn't even come close to comparing.
Interiors are subjective but this is like saying a 2G TL's interior is better than the 3-4G. I mean you can SAY it, but....
Considering the fact that I've owned a '97, '03 and '05 TL, I would venture to say i'm the closest thing to an 'expert' when it comes to comparing the 3 models.
And before you bother retorting, keep in mind that the 2nd gen TL dropped in price by over $5,000 between 1998 and 1999 models. It wasn't just the fact that it switched from being built in Japan to Ohio, there are noticeable cost cutting measures.
#82
How is the 1st gen TL worse in the interior than the 2 gen TL? Because in terms of materials, it is actually better. Styling is subjective so whatever floats your boat.
Considering the fact that I've owned a '97, '03 and '05 TL, I would venture to say i'm the closest thing to an 'expert' when it comes to comparing the 3 models.
And before you bother retorting, keep in mind that the 2nd gen TL dropped in price by over $5,000 between 1998 and 1999 models. It wasn't just the fact that it switched from being built in Japan to Ohio, there are noticeable cost cutting measures.
Considering the fact that I've owned a '97, '03 and '05 TL, I would venture to say i'm the closest thing to an 'expert' when it comes to comparing the 3 models.
And before you bother retorting, keep in mind that the 2nd gen TL dropped in price by over $5,000 between 1998 and 1999 models. It wasn't just the fact that it switched from being built in Japan to Ohio, there are noticeable cost cutting measures.
The entire dash buttons and plastics and switchgear, for example, are cheaper. That same getup shows elsewhere. Impressive by its own standards but certainly not in the league of any succeeding TL or the 7G+ Accord.
#83
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Which switchgear? Which buttons? Be specific.
Because they are for the most part carried over to the 2nd gen TL.
Because they are for the most part carried over to the 2nd gen TL.
#84
If we're not going to agree, we might as well put this to rest before it overwhelms what is a thread not about the 1G at all, much less the 1G vs 2G.
#85
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The audio headunit plastic is lower quality, I will give you that. The number (8 vs. 5) and quality of speakers are however better in the 1st gen TL. All the 1st gen TL needed was an amp.
#86
OP, are you considering the Infiniti I? The I30 and I35 are nice. I had an I30 for less than a year before it was totaled. I liked it, but can't really vouch for its reliability based on how short a period I owned it.
Heated rear seats!
Heated rear seats!
#87
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From what I hear, the turning circle is bigger than the Accord's, which is already pretty damn big. Lord knows I already have a hard time parking that thing.
#88
'10 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
With the exception of the shift knob/assembly and the steering wheel the prior generation Accord had a nicer looking interior.
#89
'10 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Someone hinted to the 02-03 RL on the first page, and I would have to agree that should be the car of choice. 3.5L V6 motor which felt like it had a good amount of torque. The car accelerates to 80 rather quickly and then acceleration is dimished thereafter.
It has the four speed automatic transmission with no sport shift, it was a reliable transmission. My family has gone through 3 of those each with 100K+ miles of that generation without any issues. I think that would be a very worthwhile purchase.
It has the four speed automatic transmission with no sport shift, it was a reliable transmission. My family has gone through 3 of those each with 100K+ miles of that generation without any issues. I think that would be a very worthwhile purchase.
#90
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Just my opinion but I think those RLs are kind of dated. They're hard to tell apart from a 1G TL at a glance, and those things went out in 98.
#91
I'm Craig
iTrader: (2)
I've only read the first page but I personally think you'd be much better off not searching high and low for a car with navi. The interface will be stale and slow compared to what you can get today. Just get a TomTom or Garmin and it'll work MUCH better. As for choice, I'd go with the Type-S.
#92
Burning Brakes
I vote for Mazda 6/ Ford Fusion.(they are likely to be more reliable than the TL and maybe even the Accord)
If your picking between Accord V6, TL, Altima V6 and Maxima....then I vote 5.5 Gen MAxima!
If your picking between Accord V6, TL, Altima V6 and Maxima....then I vote 5.5 Gen MAxima!
#93
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Good suggestions but the wife (and maybe me to a much lesser degree) feel as though the former would be a step down from the latter.
#94
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Thread Starter
I've only read the first page but I personally think you'd be much better off not searching high and low for a car with navi. The interface will be stale and slow compared to what you can get today. Just get a TomTom or Garmin and it'll work MUCH better. As for choice, I'd go with the Type-S.
#95
Burning Brakes
iTrader: (3)
th eonly thing bad with the 03 TL is the transmission being a ticking time bomb and there is no fix for it. even a rebuild is a ticking time bomb. thats why we got rid of our 02 TL-S. id say go for the accord with a manual trans if you are worried about that. but IMO.....id rather be driving the 02-03 TL-S then any accord. we owned our 02 TL-S from 70k miles to 130k miles.....not a single issue. nada. so it was a great car for us.
#98
Oh Hullow
i would vote for the v6 accord in 6 speed manual. The 03-05 accords had the same transmission issues the the tl had. ( i apologize if that was discussed on a previous page, i didnt read through the whole thread )
#99
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I've only read the first page but I personally think you'd be much better off not searching high and low for a car with navi. The interface will be stale and slow compared to what you can get today. Just get a TomTom or Garmin and it'll work MUCH better. As for choice, I'd go with the Type-S.
LINK
We have a Tom Tom one, which my son routinely runs off with many times without asking. (When I had the 07 AV6, the indash Navi feature made it a non-issue....though he asked to borrow that car several times.)
We have a Tom Tom one, which my son routinely runs off with many times without asking. (When I had the 07 AV6, the indash Navi feature made it a non-issue....though he asked to borrow that car several times.)
#100
EDIT: I Googled it briefly and turned up many links of both owners discussing it as well as professional writeups or whatever terminology you prefer. A sample:
http://www.topspeed.com/cars/infinit...35-ar1670.html
http://forums.maxima.org/infiniti-i3...ted-seats.html
Still didn't find what year that feature was added to the Cold Weather Package.
Why not? It was meant to be somewhat light hearted, but why ask why? Did you WANT the power in your TL? The sportier suspension? WHY? See....
Last edited by MyCarIsntInMyWifesName; 07-22-2010 at 09:29 AM.
#101
The I35 is on my radar, as is the 5.5G Maxima. I'm leaning away from the I30 mainly because my wife's cousin (who lives nearby) just picked up a 2000 I30....besides, I'd have to go back to the VQ35 fold if I do Nissan/Infiniti.
Good suggestions but the wife (and maybe me to a much lesser degree) feel as though the former would be a step down from the latter.
Good suggestions but the wife (and maybe me to a much lesser degree) feel as though the former would be a step down from the latter.
#102
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You could probably get a 6G Max, or even a 1G G35 in your price range. I find Nissan/Infiniti products depreciate a fair bit quicker than Toyota and Honda.
#103
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Thread Starter
#104
8th Gear
I35. They are bullet proof. Solid motors and trans, and probably one of the best bang for the buck cars you can buy.
Luxury, Power, and Comfort on a car that can be had for sub 10k with less than 100k miles.
Luxury, Power, and Comfort on a car that can be had for sub 10k with less than 100k miles.
#105
Burning Brakes
One thing I want to mention about the 5.5G Max or I35 is that they have horrible gas mileage and they have a Huge turning radius and also torsion beam rear suspension.
#107
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Having owned a 5.5G for four years, I wont say it has horrible gas mileage; it just wont go anywhere near the 30mpg that the AV6 is capable of. It does have the turning radius of a cargo ship though but, that's not a deal breaking attribute.
#108
Having driven a loaded one of those at the time (GLX or GLI or something, don't remember), I was stunned at how good a car at that price range could be. It felt basically as nice as the then-fresh A4 for a lot less coin.
VW electrical systems are spotty at best though.
#109
If you wanted something like the 1G 6, it's small enough that I'd personally just get into a VW Jetta VR6 of that time.
Having driven a loaded one of those at the time (GLX or GLI or something, don't remember), I was stunned at how good a car at that price range could be. It felt basically as nice as the then-fresh A4 for a lot less coin.
VW electrical systems are spotty at best though.
Having driven a loaded one of those at the time (GLX or GLI or something, don't remember), I was stunned at how good a car at that price range could be. It felt basically as nice as the then-fresh A4 for a lot less coin.
VW electrical systems are spotty at best though.
#110
That's why it's down to opinion, as I eluded to. For some (like me), the VW's significant NVH and interior advantage is worth the maintenance premium. For others, it is not.
#111
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
While shopping a car for my daughter, we came across a low mileage Jetta 1.8T (MkIV). Although I've always held major concerns about the electrical problems that seem endemic in German cars, I figured I'd go for a test drive. FATE: It broke down during the test drive due to electrical problems. That said, I'd consider a 6 WELL BEFORE I would ever consider any VW OR Audi.
#113
The Box
I had a tough time choosing a car back in January and ended up buying a 02 RL with 127K miles on it - all maintenance records up to date. Haven't looked back - no better car for the $ IMHO.
#114
The Box
I30/I35/Maxima's are nice but the turning radius on those things
I had an 02 I35 for a month and I hated driving that car. It was bumpy, seats were uncomfortable and you can barely turn anywhere.
I had an 02 I35 for a month and I hated driving that car. It was bumpy, seats were uncomfortable and you can barely turn anywhere.
#115
Three Wheelin'
given the 2nd gen. TL-S transmission problems, i would still own one over a comparable generation V6 accord or maxima/i30/i35. to me, the best looking accord generation was from 1994-1995; everything else after that is just plain ugly. maximas/i30/i35 are nice cars but nissan cars in general are just cheap. the quality of the leather, dash, door panels, metal, etc...always seem a step behind honda and toyota.
#117
2003 accord and 03 TLS use the same basic POS transmission. Both are prone to failure
Last edited by YeuEmMaiMai; 07-27-2010 at 03:07 AM.
#118
the 2nd gen TL got the 5at for 2000 and up as it was only the 1999 that had the 4at. Those things were crap until they were updated by honda with new differental bearings, relocation of the cooler to be external, and 2nd/3rd gear increased clutchpack lubrication, and the 2nd gear fix, The 5at used afterwards is just a design disaster and even though it has been updated, it's still not good.
#119
Intermediate
#120
VQ35 burns too much oil. Try 04 RL