Doesn't the RL have some features that the TL-S presumably won't? ... Other than SH-AWD, there's XM Traffic NAVI, Adaptive Cruise Control ...

Some people might buy a TL-S instead of an RL, true but I don't think it makes the RL redundant.

There's more to a car than horsepower and there's certainly a lot of car manufacturers that have a higher horsepower version in the "low end" than their higher end cars. (M3 versus 5 series? M5 is faster, but there's no Type S version of the RL).

 

Yes, but the RL is still too similar to the TL for it's own good. They are built off the same basic platform and have the same basic engine (in TL-S form). They are also very similar in terms of size. Their audio/nav systems are also quite similar (the most obvious exception being the Real Time traffic avoidance feature in the RL). In my opinion, Acura needs to add cooled seats, more power (20-25hp at least), larger wheels/tires and higher quality leather to the RL ASAP, otherwise they need to resign themselves to continue selling the RL for around $40k-45k. It's sad to say, but the new RL can't come soon enough. Let's hope it's a bit bigger (especially in the back seat) and has at least a turbocharged or hybrid V6 with 340-360hp as it's top powerplant.

 

is that grille differnet or is it just me? and are the headlights the same exact shape overall?
I can't imagine the torque steer on this thing.

 

It's a mesh grille, I'm pretty sure that's the only difference. The headlights look like they got a little bigger, the front doesn't seem to have that squinty-eye look anymore. It resembles the TSX now.

 

ok, I compared alot of pics, looks liek the shapes of the headlights and grille are the same, but the materials are different. the grille has that mesh liek the concept car did, a chrome bar, and the headlights have a blacked out housing, with chrome sides and a much smaller amber piece.

whew, i thought we were gonna have to make another kit for this refresh. Tell you what, the next bodystyle will be NUTS, gonna do some really sick shit with it.

 

They are still winning by keeping the sales. Would Acura rather have someone go to Infiniti or Lexus instead? No, keep it in the family (profit).

 

Ron, there is a difference in the grill.. check it out in this comparison:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...&page=79&pp=25

 

The TL sells because it offers a lot of value...something that is important in the $35-40k price range. If someone is going to choose a type-s, they want something sportier than a regular TL obviously.

but the type-s will supposedly start around $39k.

The next G35 sedan will start probably less than $39k, come with 306hp and RWD, not to mention being a new model with more toys and gadgets, rather than a mid-life facelift like the TL. the previous generation type-s models (TL-S/CL-S) kept the same "value" formula...offering a lot for a lot less. This type-s doesn't seem to have the value anymore, especially compared to the new g35.

good move for Acura, because over the long-term this will help them move upmarket and change people's perception of Acura as a "value" premium brand, which is holding them back. Just hoping that they have the balls to stay the course rather than caving and giving discounts due to lower sales.

 

 

True, but the 39K is only tentative at this point. IMO, I don't think it will cost 39K, Acura probably realized no one was paying for the stupid A-spec kit and is silently phasing it out with the new type-S. I think it'll probably be around 37K, which for some reason, looks a lot better than 39K, despite the mere 2K difference.

 

i got all my a-spec parts off ebay (well worth it). the kit itself isn’t stupid- performance wise- but the way it was ‘marketed’ absolutely was… how many people that are not enthusiasts, or even are for that matter- know what an a-spec kit is…or how to get it.

and if they are enthusiasts, and know about it… how many are going to pay msrp for it?

 

I thought the wheels looked familiar:



^^^ Love the exhaust tips and I would love to hear that exhaust note.

 

i think the type-s wheels are

As an equal opportunity employer, Acura probably hired some blind people to pick rims lately.

even the similar "style", but different execution of the rims on the altima look better.

 

The wheels are Acura sux in the wheel department.
As for the Type S, it's nice, but it seems to be a stop gap measure until the next TL with AWD or better yet RWD

 

Couple thousand more and you can get a 335i sedan.

 

Sorry, the 3rd gen Type-S rims remind me a lot of rims found on a Neon ... The 2nd gen TL/CL Type-S rims however ... much nicer.

 

i agree, the tl/cl-s rims were simple but looked good on the car.

These rims look complicated, which is not a bad thing in itself...but in this case it doesn't add anything to the shape of the car. It might be the color also. The non-typeS rims look alright...they look like they were from the 2nd gen cl-s 6-speed.

 

Yeah, with vinyl seating, no sunroof and no Nav. It would no doubt be a better drivers car, but for the way *most* people use their vehicles the TL is a lot better sedan. Roomier, more reliable, more feature content, cheaper. Throw the new G in the mix though and the Acura may have a tough time selling the TL-S. Let's hope the actual price is closer to $37-38k.

 

Assuming
TLS $39k
TLS w/navi $41k

07 335i sedan
Cold Weather
Premium package
Sport package
$43,750

Most things come standard on the 335i now.



http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25892

 

Given what you posted...the bimmer is a no brainer.

 

Yeah, unless you want metallic paint and then you're looking at over $44k. Add Nav on top of that and you're looking at well over $46k. We're also basing this on hypothetical pricing. If the TL does come in at $39k I will be suprised, but even at that price it's still roughly 13% or $5k cheaper than the Bimmer. FWD or not, you could add a fair amount of performance mods for $5k.

For the record, the BMW is the better car for the enthusiast, no doubt in my mind. The Acura is likely to appeal to a more conservative buyer. One who values things like reliability, foul weather traction and impressive highway passing power more than racing their car at the track.

 

By your logic then why get a TL typeS when you can get a base 2006 TL 6-Speed Manual for $33,525

Saving you over $5k

 

You're still basing your argument on hypothetical numbers for the TL-S. With that said, why indeed? The Type S doesn't look $5k better to me, maybe $3k-4k, but $40k for a FWD TL is really pushing it. Especially in light of the fact that the RL is selling for $42-44k at quite a few dealerships. What do I know anyway? I'm just giving my opinion.

 

I don't care what comparisons anyone makes, the TL is a bigger car than the 3 and I wouldn't consider cross shopping them for this fact alone. But, just add size to the list of things the TL holds over the 3 and the TL value is even higher.

All those 3.5/6spd conversions are going to have a lot of competition now .

 

40k for a TL typeS ??????????????????????????????????????????????


what happened to best bang for the buck. i wouldnt pay anything over 37k

 

Now besides the changes to the doors, and the red gauges, are there any other changes to the interior? Why does it seem like the interior looks improved?

 

Aside from what you mentioned, the steering wheel, darker aluminum trim and aluminum pedals are all new. The seating looks slightly changed as well, in paticular the stitching around the side bolsters looks different to me and the headrests now have Type-S embroidery. The color of the interior is also new.

 

I wonder when Honda will have a 6-spd Automatic standard...

 

They need one. Mercedes already has 7-speed autos and Lexus is coming out with a 8-speed auto.

 

Yep, lets just hope it doesn't become another transmission fiasco.

The Toyota/Lexus Aisin Warner units seem to be reliable but have some programming issues...just check out the complaints on weird shifts with the 07 Camry.

 

A-spec kit looks way sweeter than this new type S. Sadly, that 07 black regular TL even looks way nicer.

And what's up with the quad exhaust? Having only 286hp, fwd, and 4 doors is not a recipe to pull off quad exhaust, kthx...

 

Then the 255hp 6G Maxima must really set you off.

 

I personally like the exhaust....especially how the tips are tapered.

As for the whole quad exhaust debate, the Passat W8 had a similar exhaust and it had less power than the TL. Heck, even the new GMC Arcadia SUV has a similar exhaust setup.

 

I hope Honda goes the route of a dual clutch transmission route like Audi/VW has now; soon to be BMW and others. RIP torque converter. I know Honda has that 6-speed i-shift transmission in other parts of the world, but I keep reading not so great reviews when it's in automatic mode.

 

Those aren't deliriously ricer sized either. You could put a large first through each of the tips on the type S, GTR proto style.

 

And you know this how? You haven't even see it in person yet.

 

First of all, the 97 MY was the first 3.2L in the NSX so 12 yrs is a few years off still.
Second, the Legend DIDN'T use an NSX engine no matter what you have heard. It is the same displacement but that is all. The NSX's engine was handbuilt just like the car was. Did the Legend ever have titanium connecting rods???hmmm That right there would tell you they aren't the same engine.

 

I do not know how large the tips are on the TL-S but I like them MUCH better than the current type.



I think it lends a LOT to the character of the TL-S.

 

Sweet tailpipes... not crazy about the new front. Looks too much like a TSX to me (even more then it already did)...

 

They wanted to make the 07 TL front look more like 04-05 TSX. All of you already know that the TSX came out before the 3rd gen TL.

The people who designed the 3rd gen TL bodystyle and now the 07 refresh took some styling cues from the Euro/JDM Accord/TSX and incorporated it into the TL.

Pretty funny that history will repeat itself now with the RDX and new 2nd generation MDX. They also look alike.