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Advice needed! Tell me what year/model you would buy!
First of all, Wife & I have been Honda/Acura exclusive (6 total models) for nearly 20 years. We currently have an '08 Odyssey (160k) and an '01 TL with 180K. We've bought new & used but always take them to 275K+ before selling. This time, I'm looking to replace our TL early due to a partially disabling work accident. After back, knee and shoulder surgeries, along with my size (6'4" 255lbs) I need a car that is easier to get in and out of as well as having more seat adjustability/support.
My priorities are:
#1 Reliability
#2 Cost to own/maintain
#3 Comfort (somewhat luxurious while still being a bit sporty)
My short list includes (in no order) Accord, TL, RL, in addition to ES350, IS350, Avalon. I'm mainly partial to the TL but the ES350 seems to be at the very top of every list regarding reliability and comfort. SO I have 2 basic questions.
#1 After loving my '01 TL, I'm leaning towards the '04-'08 years with low mileage or the '09+ with higher mileage. I REALLY like the idea of an S-Type. What years would you suggest as the best?
#2 I don't exactly love the ES350 but it really does seem to be the the best bang for the buck considering reliability, luxury, resale value etc. What do you think?
If you had read the sticky thread in the User Help Forum you probably wouldn't have posted this thread there so I have moved it to Car Talk since it involves a multitude of vehicles.
So if you're looking to replace your TL just because it doesn't fit your needs due to your injuries the list you provided won't really help you with that because they are pretty much similar to what you have. I could see if you were looking to get into a CUV / SUV.
If it has to be a sedan I would lean towards a Avalon just because it will be reliable, softer ride and is bigger in size compared to the other makes / models you mentioned.
If you want easy to get in and out of, I'd go with a crossover like the CRV or Outback. All of those cars will be more difficult because they are low to the ground and all the real SUV's will be more difficult because they are too high off the ground.
Some good advice and suggestion here. Pre 2015 & 2016 Honda CR-Vs definitely are worth a consideration. There were vibration problems with those 2 years. The Toyota RAV-4 is a highly rated vehicle. The RDX definitely is a great vehicle. The one thing that all these vehicles have in common is that the seating is higher than a sedan therefore easier to enter and exit. Of course the size of your budget will determine what you will purchase. Statistics are showing that there has been a significant downward shift in the sales of sedans and an equally increase in crossovers and SUVs. The main reason buyers give for this is that they are easier to enter and exit. And just who is giving up their sedans and switching to SUVs? They are seniors!
Thank you all for your responses. All of your suggestions (Sans the Ferrari F12 ) were helpful. Although no one specifically mentioned the '09+ being a better choice than the earlier years, you all showed concern regarding my considering the smaller cars. I LOVED my '01 TL and really did not want to migrate towards an old man car (big long sedan,) and was just hoping a 3G which seemed a little bigger, would be more comfortable.
I'm happy so say that even though I used to consider the 4G TL to be a much bigger family sedan rather than a small sports sedan, once I parked my 2G next to a 4G, I realized that while it does occupy quite a bit more space, the 4G is not nearly as wide and long as I once perceived from a passer by perspective. Though I would not call the accessibility great for anyone seriously limited, for my 'slightly limited' condition, the 4G offers just enough of the right amount of space in just the right areas to make a significant difference. The slightly larger seats, together with more pronounced side bolsters and better lumbar, along with better arm rest and more leg room, all somehow magically combine to just the right amount of everything I need to feel more comfortable as a 6'4" 255 partially disabled person.
Now that I had found the model for my needs, it was on to the next challenge. I had no idea just how difficult it would be to find a good used G4 with 100K or fewer miles. Over the course of several days, my son & I shopped every single dealer from Dover Delaware, Easton Md, Baltimore Md, and Annapolis Md.
before finding one. Just, one! I thought it was difficult to find a Lexus ES, IS or GS but there were at least 20 of each of those models out of the 50+ dealers we visited. Only 5 TL's and only 1 under 100K in great condition with the Tech package.
I am the proud new owner of an '09 TL Tech with 100K. Thanks to all of you for your help and I hope this thread helps others in my situation wanting to find something a bit more accessible and comfortable but still sporty and youngish.
Though the 4G seems to be MUCH larger than the 2G, this picture shows that they are really not all that different outside despite being MUCH roomier and more comfortable on the inside.
Sarlacc, I think there is some truth to your statement, in the proper context. I think the main reason for the TL's low sales compared to the IS, ES & GS is that Lexus' style, while it may not excite many, it offends no one. The mid sized sport luxury sedan market is largely made up of middle aged executives and/or older generations. Neither of which are usually keen to aggressive styling such as Acura's 'Keen Edge' styling as they call it. Secondly, you have to admit, the 4th gen TL, especially the earlier grill design, is a bit ahead of it's time. Several of my neighbors have seen my '09 and all have asked if it was new and were surprised to hear that it was anything other than brand new. Lastly, I can only assume there are more like me who love Acura's and even have an older gen TL but still think that the 4th gen is much larger and more cumbersome than it really is.
Congrats on the new purchase! I completely understand your difficulties trying to find the perfect used car, I searched for well over a month until I found a 3rd generation TL with around 100k miles and a 6MT with the options I wanted, totally worth the wait. Hope your 4G treats you well!
04-16-2017, 08:44 PM
) were helpful. Although no one specifically mentioned the '09+ being a better choice than the earlier years, you all showed concern regarding my considering the smaller cars. I LOVED my '01 TL and really did not want to migrate towards an old man car (big long sedan,) and was just hoping a 3G which seemed a little bigger, would be more comfortable.
