How's everyone doing? I'm looking for a website that shows (text and pictures) how the TL has changed over it's marvelous years. Has anyone stumbled upon anything like this online? I did a bit of Googleing, but no luck. Just a page on Wikipedia.

 

try wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acura_TL

 

all i know is that the 1st gen TL was made in Japan and from 1999-present it's been made in Ohio.

 

1st generation TL:

It was an updated Acura Vigor that came in two flavors - 2.5 and 3.2 The 2.5 kept the same G25 motor from the Vigor. It had a sportier suspension than the 3.2, if i had to compare it, i'd say it rode and handled much like an Accord coupe of that era with a touch more refinement in terms of the ride. Leather was optional on the car and so was a sunroof.

The 3.2 TL was significantly different forward of the windshield, the engine bay and engine taken from the '91 - '95 Legend. In terms of handling, it was like a slightly softer Legend. An excellent freeway car.

Both cars had identical stereo systems. AM/FM with cassette and in-dash CD player. 8 speakers total. 2 midrange in the front doors, 2 6x9's in the rear, 2 tweeters on the dash and 2 midrange twiddlers on the roof next to the overhead lights. Sound quality is above average, nothing spectacular but quite good for a stock stereo of its day. Simple aftermarket upgrades fix this. The "surround" placement of the speakers gives it really good imaging making it hard to hear where the music is coming from, it seems like its just inside your head

Both cars have excellent steering feel and turn sharply, very easy to park especially for their size. Both were made in Japan and cost up to $35,000 (3.2 with premium package) In terms of fit/finish and materials they were top notch. Very reliable cars which age well if maintained properly. My '97 has only had a starter go out and one rattle which I fixed

An excellent used car buy

 

2nd generation TL

Based upon the 6th generation Accord and now made in Ohio, the TL also dropped in price significantly by over $7,000 compared to the previous generation. Now using a much lighter transverse V6 and in 2000 gaining a 5 speed automatic, it gave the TL better fuel economy and a slight bump in power. Thanks to the more space efficient and lighter engine the TL gained more sound deadening and a stronger body without gaining much weight over the previous design.

The stereo IMO wasnt as good as the 1st gen TL.

And of course, we all know about the overheating 2nd gear clutchpack issue...

 

By the way, I've owned a TL of each generation. '97, '03 and '05...

So feel free to ask questions or have me compare the cars some more

 

I love my 02 TL-S!

 

....judging by your track record, any chance your screen name will change to Ken2009TL this Fall?

 

 

Actually its the 3rd gear that has the clutch pack issues. It was the 2nd gear shaft that could overheat and snap due to lack of cooling which the oiljet was designed for (and what the recall is for)

 

A good website I go to for any car is consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com

Just type in google: "consumerguideauto 1999 tl" and one of the first results will be for the 1999-2003 TL. There's a section called "Year to year changes" and it details the changes. Not exactly what you're looking for all compiled in one place, but it gives me a starting point when I look at used cars I don't know much about.

 

https://acurazine.com/

 

Another thing missing is that from 1G/2G car, they were both sold in the Japanese market. The Honda Inspire was meant as a more "luxury" model, while the "Saber" was to be the sporty side. Both vehicles rolled off of the same line as the ones in the US, but with some differences:

1. Right side steering (of course)
2. KM and not MPH on the speedo
3. Smaller engine and designations
25V = 2.5L V6, 200 ps
32V = 3.2L V6 225 ps
4. The Type S designation was used in Japan, but only on the 3.2L models
5. Smaller wheels; 25V = 205/60-15 32V = 205/60-16

All of this ended in 2004, when the model became a USDM only. No 3G TL's were sold in Japan.

 

Nope, I've bought only one car brand new and I wont do that again. I'm too cheap

 

One of my co-worker used to ride in a 98 3.2TL and we used to carpool for league games ...

That's why I got a 00TL later on & now a type-s .... very happy so far ....