I just got back to my dorm room from this Acura dealership in Tucson... I kinda suckered my mom into taking a look at the 04 TL to replace her 98 Toyota. We took turns test driving it, and "wow".

The design changes, from the interior gauges to the exterior, look gorgeous in person. The badges in the back look more traditional and consise as opposed to the old stretched "A C U R A" letters across the back of the more recent sedans. I noticed that since the first time I saw the new 04... that really hits me for some reason .

I've never been in a car w/ a navigation system, although I keep on up on the technology's pro's and con's through Car and Driver. The system, w/ voice recognition, worked almost flawlessly, a rarity, I hear, with most of these new systems on the market. When the AC was blowing pretty hard, it missed only one of the salesperson's voice commands, but it easily made the next 6 or 7 commands without error.

The dealership hadn't received any 6-speed manuals yet, so we had a choice between two 5-speed automatics w/ navigation. Off the line, the TL pulled a car full with 3 good-sized adults and 1 very-good sized adult like a beast. It pulled harder than my Integra RS (with only one lead-foot 6-points-on-license college student) ever really does. I could suppose I could burn the TL if I had a downhill grade 20% or higher. This was only the automatic, too... Gear ratios are much lower than the 6-speed for comfort and good mileage, I'd suppose. It was tough to even get on it outside of 1st gear, as the speed limit was about 40 mph (right around the 1st->2nd gear shift). Sick though.

The interior looked beautiful and had a huge amount of features the average person may never use. Bluetooth wireless, memory seats, ELS sound system ("first true surround sound system" in a production car), elaborate navigation, and a bagillion other features gives the TL sick "bragging" value. "Look at what my car can do.. I can control the space shuttle, get exact street directions from Tucson's I-10 to China, or make toast." Cool and possibly useful amenities, nonetheless.

Drive-by-wire worked well, although it was hard to really tell a throttle response difference in the automatic. The downshifts were quick and accurate, but it still isn't a manual, and could never respond as such. I really want to see how the 6-speed manual works with the drive-by-wire throttle. Actually, I want to see how fast the 6-speed can go...

That's about all, I'll leave the rest for your local salesman to cover. I just felt like rambling. It's a great car, but it's not for everybody. The value for the features and quality you get is unbeatable, just as about all of you Acura/Honda owners know. My mom did note that is was a little difficult to get into (she's 50), but I didn't notice a problem. I actually prefer that cockpit-type feel. It comes down to preference. Take a look for yourselves and see, it might be up your alley. Hope this helps someone on the edge of deciding.

 

there was a silver and white one at the dealer this morning. it is a very nice looking car. i hope the rsx's styling will become similiar. but, very nice inside. didn't get a chance to drive it. another coupe more serious about wanted too. no biggie... but, yes it is much improved over the hard-to-improve previous TL. acura has a winner on their hands, or maybe another best kept secret.

 

You should go back and take the TL on some twisty roads. That baby hugs corners real well.