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I am still breaking her in, but very happy thus far.
Sport mode is my preferred all around mode, Sport+ is fun on the highways, but in local driving, the rev matched downshifts from light to light are unnecessary, and too aggressive for me. Normal, or Eco may be my "I'm really tired", or "I have a headache, and just want to relax" modes, but other than for those situations, Sport Mode will be the default.
Throttle tip in is less aggressive than it was on my TSX, or RDX, so for a routine take off from a light, it requires about 1/2-1 inch or so more pedal than I am used to to accelerate as I would like. Its only been 3 days though, so my muscle memory hasn't caught up yet which I am sure it will. Again this is only for routine takeoffs from a light, because when I am in a hurry, and punch it a little, the car just takes off. (Haven't done anything close to full throttle yet as I only have a couple hundred miles on the clock)
At highways speeds, the car accelerates very smoothly, and effortlessly. When accelerating to pass, I have been routinely going much faster than I thought I was, and have to watch the speedo. Another thing I will probably get used to with a few more miles on the clock.
I really love the suspension. Most japanese sedans have struggled to have suspensions that handled really well, but were not too stiff, and harsh. On my way home from work, there is a right turn I need to make before I can get on the highway; the road surface is sloped, and very irregular. The TSX would always get very unsettled driving over it, so I would always complete the turn in almost 2 stages going straight over the imperfections, waiting for the car to settle, and then making my turn. The TLX just soaks up the irregularities without issue, and handles the turn like any other.
Initial turn could be a little sharper, but I plan to switch the crappy Goodyears with some A/S Michelin pilot sports like I just had on my TSX which should help. I also need to bump my tires pressures a little higher as I like them at 35/36 instead of the factory 32psi. Some people mention Continental DWS tires, but I had them on my IS prior to the TSX, and as good as those tires were traction-wise year round, they had the same feel with soft, squishy sidewalls, so I wouldn't get them again.
A few features;
Auto start/stop - Just like figuring out a clutch pedal, my muscle memory is still getting used to the engagement point of being at a stop with the engine running, vs pressing the pedal further and having the engine turn off. When I think about it I'm fine, but a few times when I didnt pay attention, the engine had turned off, and I didn't even realize it. Overall it is not an intrusive as I thought it would be, and I don't plan on turning it off. Even if you are the first car at a light, and it suddenly turns green, there is less than a second hesitation before you can get going again.
Brake hold - This could be a favorite of mine since I do get stuck in some traffic jams on some long drives. I didn't understand the point of it, until I played around with it a little bit. Once you turn it on, "brake hold" illuminates in the dash. When you reach a complete stop, a second solid "brake hold" lights up underneath the first, and the car is held still by the brakes even if you take your foot off the pedal. The rear brake lights stay lit as well, so you aren't confusing the person behind you. When you are ready to go, you just step on the gas like normal, and the brakes automatically disengage, and the second light turns off. When you brake to a complete stop again, the brakes, and that light re-engage. Nice little feature that could make big traffic jams less draining. It almost makes we want to hit one to really try it out.
My MPG is already better than the TSX since I am beating the engine less, and I love the audio system as well. Great sound with no washout from background noise. The LED headlights are also bright with crisp cutoffs, and the highbeams make the road look like you have spot lights mounted on the front of the car.
The remote start works great. I work in a hospital, and the parking garage is across a 6 lane street. I was parked on the 4th floor, at the far-most end of the concrete garage, and tried it as I walked out the front door of the building. I didn't expect it to work, but the remote indicated it was working, and the car was running when I reached it, so thats a big plus for the really cold days.
There is one thing I haven't found the answer to yet. What is the hook for on the inner B pillar of the rear doors? Hangar hooks are already on the above door handles, and the B pillar ones are too close to the glass. Is it for a blazer or light jacket that is not on a hangar?
For the TTIWWP crowd.
My salesman is standing next to my trade in. Debated keeping the wheels since they are wider, but don't think they fit the TLX as well.
Congrats, very nice love the BWP... Is that Rallye Acura??
It is. Very happy with my salesman (Danny Park), however, since it was warm out, and the car was facing the sun, the "Rallye" badge didn't make it to the street. It came off clean just by grabbing the edges with no residue.
My only issue with the dealership is the lack of negotiation on accessories. I would have taken the 19's, but they wouldn't budge, and it wasn't a need, just a want. Only took the mats, and spoiler since I didn't want the headache of the install. Already have all 4 mud/splash guards at home for this weekend.
I am still breaking her in, but very happy thus far.
Nice review. Enjoy. Give LKAS a try and take your hands off the steering wheel. There is a lot of tech in this car. Still enjoying mine after 3500 miles.
If he did get the Expresso interior, Acura has some explaining to do! I was told that the color combo of BWP/Expresso would not be built until right about now.. another 3-4 before weeks before delivery...
Congrats.
One thing nice about florida is we only have to have a plate on the rear. Pity you have to mar up that front end. Let us know how those michelins work out.
If he did get the Expresso interior, Acura has some explaining to do! I was told that the color combo of BWP/Expresso would not be built until right about now.. another 3-4 before weeks before delivery...
/endhijack
Lol. No explaining necessary. I went with the black interior. Dealer said my car was the last AWD Advance they will have until February!
Awesome write up! My daily commute is over an hour, so I'm glad to hear the Auto start/stop and Brake hold are worthwhile features. I would also be interested in hearing if the Adaptive Cruise and Low Speed Follow help with you commute.
I have been waiting for the SW-AWD Advanced to show up in the Dallas area. So far, I have only found a couple of them in black. I'm waiting for the BWP, and like the ebony interior somewhat better than the expresso.
It is. Very happy with my salesman (Danny Park), however, since it was warm out, and the car was facing the sun, the "Rallye" badge didn't make it to the street. It came off clean just by grabbing the edges with no residue.
My only issue with the dealership is the lack of negotiation on accessories. I would have taken the 19's, but they wouldn't budge, and it wasn't a need, just a want. Only took the mats, and spoiler since I didn't want the headache of the install. Already have all 4 mud/splash guards at home for this weekend.
It's not SSM, but I still love the color, congrats!
Rallye is my dealer too, I also bought my TL there. First thing I told them when I bought the car is not to badge it, I hate that Rallye sticker they put on.
I agree they're not very easy to negotiate with, but I didn't expect much wiggle room since the car was so new. I was also desperate as my TL needed new tires and the timing belt changed, so I couldn't wait for a better deal.
Lane keep assist is a cool toy, but I'm not really a cruise control kind of guy. Tried out the low speed follow on my MDX, and it works, but the acceleration, and braking is a bit jerky. It's also kind of like being in the passenger seat while someone else is driving.
For me, the brake hold is going to be used more often.
I totally agree with you that this car is so quiet and smooth that it's deceptively fast. Before you know it, it's already beyond the speed that you were expecting on the freeway :-)
Also, the idle stop function is definitely not as intrusive as I had expected - in fact, I am getting to like it! I would have turned that function off in a 3 series though as it was much more intrusive than this.
Enjoy your new TLX - I am still going through that "break in" period too, but it's been so tempting to really drive it more aggressively to see what happens.... hmm.... no, I will baby her a bit more for now.
It is. Very happy with my salesman (Danny Park), however, since it was warm out, and the car was facing the sun, the "Rallye" badge didn't make it to the street. It came off clean just by grabbing the edges with no residue.
My only issue with the dealership is the lack of negotiation on accessories. I would have taken the 19's, but they wouldn't budge, and it wasn't a need, just a want. Only took the mats, and spoiler since I didn't want the headache of the install. Already have all 4 mud/splash guards at home for this weekend.
Great dealer been using them since 2004. I've known Danny and Joe in finance for the 8+ years they've been there. Joe was originally in sales and I think they started together.. Really nice people, Chad in service is another really great guy..
On my way home from work, there is a right turn I need to make before I can get on the highway; the road surface is sloped, and very irregular. The TSX would always get very unsettled driving over it, so I would always complete the turn in almost 2 stages going straight over the imperfections, waiting for the car to settle, and then making my turn. The TLX just soaks up the irregularities without issue, and handles the turn like any other.
Could this just as easily be a function of the TSX being a FWD, and the TLX you have being the SH-AWD model? (I'd be interested to know how the TLX FWD does on this same stretch)
Could this just as easily be a function of the TSX being a FWD, and the TLX you have being the SH-AWD model? (I'd be interested to know how the TLX FWD does on this same stretch)
The rough section is on the main road, and I am usually slowing for it since it is downhill, a bad section, and I'm about to make the turn. It isn't torque steer, but the TSX suspension getting so knocked around by the bumpy road, that it takes a second for everything to settle before I would want to cut the wheel to make the turn. The whole car would rock left to right as I would go over that section. The TLX suspension does a much better job of absorbing the bumps, waves, and irregularities without getting unsettled, and I can then just make the turn drama free.
The TSX would always get very unsettled driving over it, so I would always complete the turn in almost 2 stages going straight over the imperfections, waiting for the car to settle, and then making my turn. The TLX just soaks up the irregularities without issue, and handles the turn like any other.
Congratulations. Nice color combination. I feel the same regarding the unsettled suspension in the TSX wagon. It is really noticeable in corners with minor bumps in the road.
We actually started negotiating off the new car, but ended up sticking with MSRP, and overpaying me for the trade in which is what I wanted for the additional tax savings.
It also helps that I bought my wife's MDX back in August, and the trade in was treated the same, but I also got a great deal on the new car.
Congrats, car look gorgeous. BTW from the picture it seem like the TSX had 3G TL 8.5" A-spec wheel on it, they would have looked great on the TLX Bolt pattern is the same and so is the offset.
I never kept the original TSX wheels. I was also ready for a change. Seeing a TLX on here with them sealed it for me. They just seem dated compared to the rest of the car.
Was debating the Diamond Cut wheels, but for all season use, I am now leaning towards staying with the 18s. As it was I bent one of the A-specs last winter on a nasty pothole that was fixed. Tire went completely flat!
Great post, thanks for some interesting details. May I add a couple?
1. I've only put 350 miles on my AWD Tech but I already dislike that the car automatically shuts down the engine when at rest and that I have to turn that function off every time I start the car. No biggie, just bothersome.
2. Yes, Sport mode is the only way to go unless you're highway cruising.
3. The day after I took delivery I called the local Michelin dealer and asked if he'd give me something for the stock Goodyear Eagles in trade towards Michelin Defenders. He gave me $200 credit and we traded tires. An immediate improvement and I haven't even driven on wet or snowy roads yet (oh, but that time's coming way too soon!).
[QUOTE=NCRaider;15237510]Great post, thanks for some interesting details. May I add a couple?
1. I've only put 350 miles on my AWD Tech but I already dislike that the car automatically shuts down the engine when at rest and that I have to turn that function off every time I start the car. No biggie, just bothersome.
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I totally agree...I picked up my Sh-AWD Advance last week and that is what I have a problem with. Every other feature can be disabled until enabled, but the Idle Stop feature defaults to 'On' each time the car is turned on. I don't care for it and find it a nuance to have to turn it off every time.
To the OP congrats on your new car! The car is pretty amazing!
11-12-2014, 12:43 PM
It came off clean just by grabbing the edges with no residue.
Bolt pattern is the same and so is the offset.
