ferrari527

IMO my 02' TLS has a much more timeless design. 5 years from now the new TL will look dated. As we all know the interior is nice and the guages are great. Handling is a tad more responsive, but others than that its pretty similar to mine.

Bottom Line: The New TL packs alot of technology and features for the price. However, it is still FWD and is not as fun to drive as my G35.

Is it worth the upgrade: No, for 10k more I estimated, I will save the money untill the new m3 comes out in 2005.

Fencesitter

I have to agree. Finally got to drive the TL today and I was underwhelmed. I thought the interior was nice - better than the G35, but not stunning. Same with the exterior - good, not great. The acceleration was weaker than I would have expected from the hp/torque numbers. It must be a FWD thing - I'm no car junkie but I thought the Lexus ES330 and Chrysler 300M special seemed slow, and they also have good numbers. Also, the TL's turning radius seemed high - do we have numbers on this? In all, I think it's a good car for $33K, and a nice middle ground between luxury and performance, but more of a compromise than I was expecting. Maybe I spent too much time reading this board, getting my hopes up!

Jaydef

i agree, its def not worth a 10k upgrade if you are coming from a TL-S that looks just as good, and handles the same. and if u have a CL-S 6 spd, i do not see the need to uprage to a 04TL at all!
acura is really overpricing these cars, the TSX is a joke. and the RSX with a bunch of options is more than a CL-P! i dont get it.... the 03TL-S is a goddamn steal, thats y there are at least 2 of them on every street in my town. Acura realized they could get away with not as good deals, esp on a new design.
if i had a TL-s, i would not upgrade to a newer, much more expensive one, but i would save up a go with Beamer and Benz.

i think most ppl on this board who already have a near luxury entry car, ala, a TLS, would probably be jumping into the BMW/Benz range with a >40k car

TorontoTL

In Canada, the new 2004 TL is actually slightly less expensive than a non Navi 2003 TL type S. In my opinion, I think it could be worth the upgrade for me from my 2000 TL since there are many more features upgrading the luxury, performance and safety of the car.

fast-tl

I hope you guys realize that it's not a $10K difference in sticker price...it's a difference in what your dealer will sell for! Teh sticker difference is just a couple grand. That's apples and oranges. For the extra couple grand you get features that your jump into a BMS or Benz won't get you like the sound system, bluetooth, HONDA RELIABILITY, etc. German cars will require much shorter service intervals than this car, no doubt about it. And why complain about price if you're willing to "Save up" to get an even pricer car? OBviously price isn't that big a factor. The pricing jump, if you compare directly - window sticker to window sticker - is not a huge jump, especially considering the improvements and additions in features.

fast-tl

As a matter of fact, the price jump is %5, from a $33,480 for a TL-S with Nav to $35,150 for a 04 TL w/Nav, and bluetooth, and dvd-a, and solar-sensing AC. THAT'S an apples-to-apples comparison. It's unfair to say the new one's overpriced just because the old one's not in demand. I'm sure the new Apple G5 is overpriced compared the deals you can get on the outgoing G4. Let's be fair!

SpoiledMan

My Mac using bruddah!!

F=ma

2005? If you're lucky.

Next on the BMW Agenda is the 6-series. Not sure of the release date but its early to middle next year. I've hardly seen spy shots of the Bangled 3-series so I'm sure it'll at least be late 2004 to early 2005 before they even release it.

And you know the M division takes a while, 3 years after the E39 5-series were introduced (1997) the M5 came out (2000). And 2 years after the E46 3-series came out (summer 1998) the M3 went on sale (remember all the hype and the delay? (summer 2000) ).

So lets say the Bangled 3-series will reach showroom floors late 2004, you've at least got 1.5 years before you can see them in dealerships, so I'd say spring-summer 2006 at earliest.

That's a long ass time to be waiting and saving...

ntls

By saying 10K upgrade, I think he was comparing the new 04 price of about 35K to the current value of his 03 TL-S (about 25K)? Ya think? I sure ain't making that trade. My 02 TL-S is just fine. Give me 300hp, RWD, and drop all the bluetooth, DVD, blah blah blah crap and you might change my mind!

Monte TLS,MAX

I hear ya it definately isnt worth it just because a new style is out, those people with 02's/03's you will lose alot of money dealers like people like that. I really hope some arent getting it because they think it will be faster most likely not in the auto and the manual will be a tad faster(probably same as CLS 6-spd) , is .2-.3 in the 0-60 worth that big of a loss! But then again some people have to be seen in the newest car, those with 03's shouldnt have purchased them knowing the 04 was coming, be happy with what ya got!

99chitownTL

I'm am considering purchasing a type S or a G35. Since you own both could you rate both cars on their acceleration, handling, and traction in all types of weather? I've also heard that the G35 is quicker off the line because of RWD, is that true? Thanks in advance.

Raheel

A Timeless Design?

doesn't that basically mean the design is dated?

oracion

I think Acura priced the TSX in that range so that they can over-charge the '04 TL. The TSX is definitely a joke to be priced in the hi-20K. You would get a better deal on a Accord EX V6 w/ NAV. The new goodies are great, but for close to 35K, that's a lot.

Raheel

Oracion have you drove the new TSX?

Bitium

The TSX is the accord in japan and euro at about the same price.

garylee55

Timeless and Dated are opposites. Timeless means that the design remains fresh over time. Dated means that it looks like something from the past.

99chitownTL

I'm am considering purchasing a type S or a G35. Since you own both could you rate both cars on their acceleration, handling, and traction in all types of weather? I've also heard that the G35 is quicker off the line because of RWD, is that true? Thanks in advance.

iNteGraz92

the rsx basically has NO options. the only major option is the 4k performance/a-spec package.

Maxim

I have. Twice. Doesn't pack any more punch than my Prelude, and doesn't handle any better. I told my wife I was not impressed.

rgunther

It's funny, because I was thinking the same thing. I think I'd built this car up to be something it couldn't possibly live up to. I was significantly disappointed by the driver's console. I thought the three plastic tubes for the guages looked very cheesy, and I wasn't expecting the guages to be so...big. I also think I need to see the navi model, though, because the center console without the navi is very disappointing. It looks, quite clearly, like something's missing. Ride-wise, it was nothing to write home about. In fact, I immediately went back to the Saab dealer to re-test the 9-3, and I still believe that has a more comfortable seat and ride with better acceleration (and it's a 4Cyl!).

shingles

Well you ARE trying to compare a 4 door sedan to a sports coupe. Come on... there are very few 4 doors that will compare well to the Prelude for handling... seriously.