StealthTL-S

Is there any sports car that is similar to the Acura tl type S?
I am tired of wanting more HP and Torque and tired of modifying. I love the luxury interior and comfort of my 08 TL-S. I looked forward to the new 2018 TLX to possibly purchase, but was disappointed with the lack of improvements in the engine and transmission.

I test drove a mustang 5.0 premium GT a few years ago. Beautiful engine, not such a nice interior, and I could hardly see over the hood in front of me. I am used to the low profile and visibility of the Honda/Acura cars and do not like to stretch to look out over the hood to see. I want to test drive a 2015 Dodge Charger 392, but it is listed as a large sedan sports car!

Is there any hope? I would like a sports car, but like some refinement like in the TL. Or must I wait years more for a baby Jr. NSX (if that every comes)?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

the baby NSX turned out to be for a Video game and wasnt a real-world production concept.

why not go European?
the Audi and BMW come to mind with fancy interiors; while being a sports orientated...WAY more so than Acura will ever be.

there's the M3 and the S4. these two have the power and the fancy interior you so desire.

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

The Q50 RS400 might be an option for you

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

Go test drive a B8.5 (2013+) S4 ... you will not be disappointed.

I would say the 3.0T is arguably one of the best engines Audi has made as far as longevity / reliability is concerned.

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

Or that!

TacoBello

I second what Tyler said. 2013+ S4 is super nice and affordable.

ttribe

Sounds like where I was back in 2011. You'll probably need to go German to get what you want.

AZuser

Kind of surprised you didn't suggest the Kia Stinger

SamDoe1

I was, frankly, very disappointed in the Red Sport. I (personally that is) just didn't find it to be all that great of a car. It's definitely a GOOD car but not a GREAT car.

What about the rest of the car in terms of reliability? What about cost to maintain? Srs question as I'm in the market for a new ride.

The Genesis G70 would be the best...unfortunately it's not on sale yet.

OP should probably try the Lexus IS though.

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

Q50 Sport (although Red Sport is probably overkill)
S4
C43


All 3 have power and luxury. Dunno what the budget is though.

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

Agreed. Yes, it had plenty of power, but felt too 'big' and frankly not at all fun to drive. Plus my wife has a G37 so it sort of felt like I was just driving a newer version of her car. Although the technology in the car is second to none.

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

The B8 had water pump & thermostat issues, but mostly seemed corrected in the B8.5 generation.

Good resource here:

VWVortex.com - B8/B8.5 S4 Buyers Guide

If you really are serious, be sure to check to see if the clutch has / had been replaced recently. It's a $1500-$1750 job alone .. partially the Owdi tax but mostly because it's AWD (more labor intensive)

StealthTL-S

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am hoping they bring that video game baby NSX to real life and I would have my car, the Jr. NSX!
I love the engine in the new Honda Civic Type R, but can't live with the teenage looking body frame and giant wing in the back. The new accord 2.4 liter has a nice engine, but the car itself and interior is easily noticeable once you have owned an Acura.
If only they made the new Acura TSX 2018 with a twin turbo V6 , I would buy it, I really like the new look.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^no. the whole baby nsx concept was for SONY Playstation's Grand Turismo.
it's not a real life concept and will never be.

https://jalopnik.com/hondas-baby-nsx...car-1820294412

Honda Sports Vision Gran Turismo is the Baby NSX We Can?t Have - Motor Trend

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Never a real concept, never going to happen... so don't hold out for it


This is what I did and haven't looked back. Loved my 02 TL-S, but nothing Acura did after that really struck a cord with me. Started with Audi, now in Mercedes and BMW and we haven't looked back. You will pay more for maintenance with the Germans, but such a different (and IMO much better) ownership experience...

StealthTL-S

You are ruining my day man. I want to believe Acura can actually come out with a sports car we can all afford!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Acura has stomped on your dreams, along with everyone that grew up with Acura.
Acura is ruining what made Acura, Acura.

AZuser

Vagon?

nist7

Lexus IS / GS may be worth looking at as well...

AZuser

RLX Sport Hybrid? Faster than an M5

wackjum

The bulbous front end is a result of the new pedestrian and other crash standards. It has been an annoyance for me and why I am sticking with older machines for now.

I'm interested in the Kia Stinger GT, but I'll have to test drive one to see.

StealthTL-S

After all is said and done, I really want to stay with Acura/Honda, but it seems I am waiting, waiting, waiting....I am curious about the Accord 2.0 Liter Turbocharged engine, which seems to be absent at the dealers. The new accord sport looks sweet, and that engine might be very nice 252 hp, 273 torque, turbocharged, 10 speed automatic trans or 6 speed manual...

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

go Domestic.... CTS-V

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

You can pickup a solid 2G CTS-V sedan for under $40k .. ffs.

I take back my 2013+ S4 suggestion

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

It was very hard for me to let go of my '04 TL. I wanted to drive it til the wheels fell off, but more and more repairs were being needed and the cost just got to a point to where it didn't make any sense keeping it.

I also wanted to stay with Acura since all I've ever had before was Acura... I thought maybe a TLX. But then I test drove ze Deutsche automobiles and was like 'later Acura' and didn't even hesitate to look back. So happy with my purchase.

Instead of making fun, GOOD LOOKING driving machines, Acura got away from that and focused solely on Tech and Safety rather than making a driver's car or even a good looking car. That beak

SamDoe1

To be honest, the closest thing you're going to find to a TL-S is the new Accord 2.0T 6MT. FWD, lots of power, good interior, and easy to drive.

Acura gets more and more irrelevant as the days go by. Most of the Hondas today perform the same with the same feature set for a lot less money. I'm sure all the Acura execs collectively shat themselves when Lexus dropped the RX-L.

RIP MDX, we hardly knew ye...

'01White3.2CL

You sound biased...and I completely agree!

AZuser

Why do you want to stay with Acura/Honda if they have nothing you want? Move on. You can always come back if they ever come around to offering something you like. In the meantime, enjoy driving something else. Or are you afraid of finding out what you've been missing out on all this time?

MTEAZY

I drove a bunch of stuff under 60k when car shopping last year and the 435i was the closest to the driving feel of my CL-S but with RWD.

F23A4

Having spent some drive time in the TL-S 5AT, the TLX V6 PAWS comes closest in function if not form.

in terms of other brands, the Q50 Sport offers more performance with a couple of compromises such as mediocre fuel economy and a 7AT which (I understand) performs worse than the ZF9.

All that said, you may want to ride things out until the 2G TLX debuts. $.02

StealthTL-S

I think I am going with your third suggesting, waiting with my 3G TL-S until the 2G TLX debuts....

CCColtsicehockey

What about a Lexus GS350 Sport? It isn't that much more powerful than the TL-S but it is still faster if you get the RWD model and it is definitely more luxory inside for sure.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

I loved my CTS-V. Absolutely loved it. Probably the only car I regret getting rid of.

That said, the ownership experience top to bottom between Cadillac and a German make (BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, etc) are not even comparable. This includes going to a Chevy/Caddy/GM dealership versus a German dealership. I'd stick with the 2013+ S4 suggestion if that is part of what the OP is looking for.

If we're just talking about the cars themselves, then the CTS-V can sneak back on the list...

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

I don't think can go wrong with either, TBH.

Dealership experience aside, any factory boosted LS in a wonderful chassis / overall package is winner winner chicken dinner to me.

TacoBello

No manual option

TacoBello

Have you sat in the new accord? I checked one out on the weekend... was hoping to drive a 2.0T but they don't have them in yet- at least here. They did have a Touring (aka loaded) 1.5T in the showroom... I was actually pretty impressed with the interior. Like... shockingly impressed. And the interior is cavernous in size. It very much may fall short of what you're looking for, but at the same time, you might be surprised. The only downside to that car are the tail lights. They're hideous, lol. The sales guy was blabbing on about how Honda realized there really isn't a market anymore for what the accord used to be- an economy sedan- so Honda moved the accord a bit up market. Gave it a bunch of gizmos and nice fit and finish. Does it match the TLX? By all accounts here- no- but it likely exceeds your 2008 TL-S.

That being said, I also checked out the Type R again... gah.. that car kills me (the terrible looks, plus the lack of AWD). I've decided I will wait up to two years to see if Honda does actually release an AWD version of the CTR, as it was hinted at back in June. Not sure how true it is, but a friend of mine was telling me there is actually room underneath the current civic for an AWD system to fit nicely in (Drive shaft, rear diff, etc). If that is the case, I think it's just a matter of time. Honda wouldn't spent the money and resources designing such a system to fit if they had no intentions with proceeding with it at some point. Especially making it on to the production model- they cut anything unnecessary.

And IF that is the case, and it does come with AWD, I'm willing to bet it might show up on our shores with an Acura badge. Not sure if it would have SH-AWD, but it would be crazy if it did. The problem might be price point by then. When would it launch, though? Jeez, who knows. It can't be more than 2 years away... right?

Sarlacc

Alfa Romeo Guilia. Turbo 4, tunable, praised handling in all the reviews. top notch interior. and unique in a sea of blah.

And they can be had for a steal right now.

Costco

Temper your expectations. If you're holding out hope for what you're looking for through Acura and only Acura, you're only going to be disappointed.

It doesn't sound like you're interested in other brands, really. But now you're at the mercy of the 5-year model cycles.

SamDoe1

Buy the base model though because you'll be in loaner cars all the time anyway.

Sarlacc

The quad is a TT v6...I wasn't talking about that one as I'm pretty sure its not in his price range.