TL type S

Test drove this car and am very impressed. Anyone else have any experience with it?

no stick shift, bah! :rolleyes:

I hear it's getting a 6-speed this fall!!! =D From AutoWeek or something, forget the exact magazine.:smoker:

I test drove it. Very smooth and comfortable ride. But for some reason I felt cramped in it. I like how responsive it was.

:flipa: My buddy bought one 7 weeks ago and I loved it soooo much I bought one 5 weeks ago. i find the car extremely comfortable. I was @ the Sacramento drags a couple of fridays ago and there was a 2002 TL-S turning 14.7 to 15.2's I think that's pretty Impressive.... Don't you ???

So far I have been very happy with it. I have a few complaints though. Number one, I wish it was RWD, and didn't have so much wheel well gap. The stereo could be better, and the paint appears to be pretty thin. I've noticed that it chips easy. Other than that ie's great. Here's a pic of mine.

I thought this car had a lot of great things going for it, but agree with rtryrktrx7 about the stereo. I have a Bose system in my 95 Max and I thought it sounded better even without the subwoofer because of the high front mounted tweeters. I also wasn't crazy about the styling, especially the resemblence to the Accord.

Since I made that original post I put a deposit on a BMW 3 sedan, but decided to wait for the 2002 model, which won't be available until the end of the year. I just may check out the 2002 Maxima though which should be arriving in dealerships very soon. Like the TL-S it is a lot of car for the money.

Sean

:badass: OK ! So the tunes are better sounding on the GXE than the TL-S... But no matter which one you decide on it still won't keep up with the TL-S, with a 6.2 sec 0-60, and a Quarter mile time of 15.1sec @ 97mph. Yes I drove the GXE, and was impressed with it's Torque, I found the interior a little more cramped than the TL-S, What sold me on the TL-S was in order of Importances. #1.-the Mileage figures, (which @ 1500 mls, I'm already getting 27.6 mpg ) driving 75-80 mph on California freeways. #2- the ergonomics, #3- The ride and handling, (on the same road the TL-S had a little smoother ride and handled on our ratty ol (California) slow lanes. #4-Acceleration and general seat of the pants prowlest (these babys really get up and scoot) and last but not least (are you ready for this) The cleanness and tidyness of the engine compartment. When I opened the hood on the GXE all I saw was wires here and there, unloomed wire terminals clipped to the intake area. I don't know I've waited 20 years to buy a new car and this one really fits me. I guess that's why theres so many car manufactures, Theres a car for everyone. Mine still happens to be the fastes in it's class... CROZ

Maxima GXE 0-60 in 6.2s?? you're joking right?

Hey Gang$tarr Read it again or log on to http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/articles/46528/article.html
The Maxima didn't even make it in the running. They tested the TL-S, BMW 330i, Cad Catera, Inf l30t, Lexus is 300, Lincoln LS V-8, Mazda Millenia S, Merc C320, and the Volvo S60.All against each other and which one do you think came out on top...Check it out for yourself..... CROZ :confused: :toothless

The Maxima wasn't there because it is classified as a family sedan instead of entry level luxury, which the I30t is.

I would rank them from bottom to first in this order:

9 Millenia
8 Catera
7 Lincoln
6 I30T
5 C320
4 S60
3 IS300
2 TL-S
1 BMW

Mercedes is pricey for the performance. I30t probably soft/non-sporty.

A similarly equipped Max is about $3g less than the TLS, which is about $2g less than the IS300, which is probably $3g less than the 330i. All these cars are a good package, although I don't think much of the Caddy and Mazda here. When you talk about 0-60, an older modified Mustang, or a late 80 modded Civic can beat any of these straight line. But as a total package usually you get what you paid for.

The TL-S has better straight line performance than the BM, and has more room. Great bang for the $. The BM is the ultimate driving machine.

I read that Edmunds review, they basically picked the TL-S over the BMW 3 by a hair, basically due to it's lower price. If you read between the lines you can tell they still liked the 3 better overall. I don't deny the TL-S is a great car and great value.

I did like the TL-S engine compartment, I do my own oil changes and they made that very easy to do with the layout.

The 02 Max that I would get would be the SE, not GXE. It will have an updated VQ series engine to 3.5 liters, 255 hp and 246 ft lbs. of torque. The TL may beat it by 5 hp, but it has less torque, and this engine has been called the best V6 ever made by Ward's for the last 7 years.

You probably can't go wrong with any of these cars, it comes down to intangibles sometimes. I really like the German driving feel of the 3, and love the styling. I think the Harmon Kardon stereo in the 3 is inferior to Bose though.

Sean

:flipa:
Bigbad, In case you haven't noticed the BM is an Icon.... Plain and simple..! I would love to sport a BMW.. but to get the same package, Features, and still less performance, I would have to spend $38,K - $45,K... I don't think sooooo... Talk to anyone who's owned or owns a Acura, of any style, and they'll tell you they haven't spent a dime in 150,000 miles.(I'm banking on this) as I still own an 85 jetta GLI, 78 Cutlass, 81 Bronco. So I guess I'm either very confused or very unprejudiced... CROZ. SEE YA IN THE FAST LANE>>>>

Less performance? Go drive one and I doubt you could honestly say that. And you don't have to spend 45k.

BTW, BMW sales are up by like 25%, far higher than all the Japanese brands, some of which have actually been down, that tells you something too.

Sean

:rocket: All I want is the most bang for the buck..!!!!
Add it all up. MSRP = $33990.00 + $645.00 Dest charge. 5sp auto w/OD and steptronic $ 1275.00Premium package = $2900.00 and that still doesn't get you Xenon head lights ($500.00) Silver, Titanium Metallic paint $475.00, Dual heated frt seats = $500.00 side impact air bags $385.00 and you still only have HP 225; Torque 214. Come on guys. If I had that kind of money to piss away I'd Probably just have a car built. I'm not really pro anything, you guys are the ones who started this debate.. I think a Beamer or Mercedes is a rich guys Camery. With the Mercedes C320 coming in at HP 215; Torque 221; EPA City 19; EPA Hwy 25 and only rated # 5. At least the BMW 330i came in just under the TL-S @ # 2 (YES YOU GUESSED IT THE TL-S WAS #1) BECAUSE OF THE $$$PPPRRRIIICCCEEE$$$.. At least give me credit for doing my home work.. I feel as my friend who also owns a TL-S that we did get the most Bang for the Buck and Edmonds agrees...

Croz, you made a GOOD decision when you bought the TL-S. I like the car, came very close to buying it, just could not get past the close resemblence to the Accord, and I was nit picky about the stereo, but hey, music is important to me and I probably listen to it more in my car than at home.

Your post about Acura owners not having to spend money on repairs jogged my memory though. When I test drove the car the drivers window opened on its own when I started the car and refused to go up. I seem to recall reading somewhere that Acura has had a problem with power windows, but no one's perfect.

And about Edmunds reviews, since you brought it up, have you read what they have to say about the 3 series?

Sean

Well if your refering to the first 3 Paragraphs.

The BMW 330i didn't win our entry-level luxury sport sedan test, a segment that it created. Has the world gone mad?!

Many tears were shed by BMW loyalists, who, to this day, wander in a daze. Denial ain't just a river in Egypt, you know. How did this happen?

It's the money, baby. At $39,735, it's the second most expensive car in the test. And it still came equipped with manual seats. It lost a full 4 percentage points in this respect, and although it excelled in all other evaluation areas over the Acura, it could not overcome the price handicap. Ultimately, it lost to the Acura by a mere half a percentage point; had we not been retentive and rounded to the nearest ones rather than tenths, the Bimmer and Acura would be tied.

All that really needs to be said is that for the best bang for the buck the Acura TLS is the "BEST" It comes loaded with everything for around 31 grand . Hell u can't even do that with a bmw or really anything else . The Power and the lux of TLS no one can compare hate to break it to u guys but for 30 grand its the best entry level luxury car . I have a CLS and it's got EVERYTHING and its only 30 grand when u would have to pay 40-60 grand for a lexus,or a bmw with the same options . Hands down Acura really out did everyone :D

Actually I was referring to Edmunds regular review of the 3 series. After you read that there is little doubt as to which car these guys would have if given a choice. And the 330i comes with power seats standard now, a 2001 mid year revision, so that point is moot.

As to price, sometimes you just have to pay more to get the best.

Sean

if you're cheap you buy a TL-S if you're not you get a 330i

the TL-S costs less but it isn't nearly as refined as the bimmer.... I've driven both (except that the bimmer was my 328ci, not 330i) and i think the BMW is much better than the Acura. The Acura seems like it cut corners for the cheaper price

Dollar per dollar value TL-S wins over 330ci. But if you got the money a fully loaded 330ci would walk over TL-S. Now would you guys stop aruging.

Performance Testing 0-to-60 mph acceleration, sec. Quarter-mile acceleration, sec. Quarter-mile speed, mph 60-to-0 mph braking, feet 600-ft slalom, mph
Acura TL Type-S 6.6 15.1 93.6 129 61.6
BMW 330i 6.7 15.1 93.6 126 62.8
This ain't worth $13,000 more to me.....

It's not performance figure that walks over TL-S. By the way TL-S and 330Ci manual have very comparable perfomance figures. TL-S has higher torque and hp but BMW is much lighter in weight. The main thing is the fact that BMW is RWD and TL-S is FWD. That fact will never changed and will always haunt TL-S.

i agree.... straight line speed isn't everything, plus those numbers are soo close that it really depends on the driver, and if i'm correct the TL-type S doesn't even come with a manual transmission? am i right? cause i hate automatics, i'll never drive an auto

TL-S has manu-matic. Had Acura put NSX's F1 pedal style shifter in. That would have been great.

yeah i don't like that.... it's for lazy people, i'll stick to a manual stick shift my whole life
maybe I'll have 1 auto just for cruisin like a benz S600 :D but i'll never be without the stick shift, i just can't stand autos

Try driving one for 4 hours of stop and go grid lock traffic, You'll be begging for an auto..............(NEVER SAY NEVER) I've got a late model Jetta GLI with a stick.. You'll rarely if ever catch my driving that to work...!

i've been in stop and go traffic many times.... there's always stop and go traffic going to toronto.... since it's the biggest city in Canada... it's got a population of over like 4 million i think, so do experience the stop and go, but still i really don't see what the problem is i just keep my foot on the clutch, and stay in first gear.... there's no problem with that? it's pretty much the same thing just that you're putting your left foot in a different place.

CL-S is getting a 6 speed manual for 2002, might be seen on the TL-S for 2003.

They probaly won't put the 6 speed on TL-S for just one year. They are having hard time keeping up with TL orders. They won't screw around the production line that will make up 10% of it's total order. It is either middle of the year during 2002 or never at all. Until the fully re-design comes out for MY2004.

Originally posted by croz
:rocket: All I want is the most bang for the buck..!!!!
Add it all up. MSRP = $33990.00 + $645.00 Dest charge. 5sp auto w/OD and steptronic $ 1275.00Premium package = $2900.00 and that still doesn't get you Xenon head lights ($500.00) Silver, Titanium Metallic paint $475.00, Dual heated frt seats = $500.00 side impact air bags $385.00 and you still only have HP 225; Torque 214. Come on guys. If I had that kind of money to piss away I'd Probably just have a car built. I'm not really pro anything, you guys are the ones who started this debate.. I think a Beamer or Mercedes is a rich guys Camery. With the Mercedes C320 coming in at HP 215; Torque 221; EPA City 19; EPA Hwy 25 and only rated # 5. At least the BMW 330i came in just under the TL-S @ # 2 (YES YOU GUESSED IT THE TL-S WAS #1) BECAUSE OF THE $$$PPPRRRIIICCCEEE$$$.. At least give me credit for doing my home work.. I feel as my friend who also owns a TL-S that we did get the most Bang for the Buck and Edmonds agrees...


Sorry croz but if you really want the most bang for your buck you'd get a Max which has all of the features you listed, more torque and a sticker of about $4000.00 less. Also The 330i should be #1 despite the price. the car is FABULOUS!

Originally posted by 2001 AE


Sorry croz but if you really want the most bang for your buck you'd get a Max which has all of the features you listed, more torque and a sticker of about $4000.00 less. Also The 330i should be #1 despite the price. the car is FABULOUS!

You should get Altima. It's a bigger car than Maxima. Until the Maxima gets it's re-design 1 year later Altima is the best buy.

As someone who just bought an 02 Maxima I disagree about the Altima being the better buy. The Max has more power and many more luxury type features. The interior of the Altima is comparitively spartan, but if more room is the most important concern for you then yes it is bigger. I know from surfing Freshalloy.com that other people who were waiting for the Altima were disappointed and went for the Maxima as the better buy. And the price difference is not that great, you can find great deals on the Maxima, I got my loaded GLE for $27,000.

Originally posted by Sean
As someone who just bought an 02 Maxima I disagree about the Altima being the better buy. The Max has more power and many more luxury type features. The interior of the Altima is comparitively spartan, but if more room is the most important concern for you then yes it is bigger. I know from surfing Freshalloy.com that other people who were waiting for the Altima were disappointed and went for the Maxima as the better buy. And the price difference is not that great, you can find great deals on the Maxima, I got my loaded GLE for $27,000.

The reason why you can get a great deal on Maxima is because it's on it's last run. Seriously I don't think that extra 15 hp Maxima carries makes much more difference. It's more than enough power for regular folks already. If you want luxury you should go for I35 not Maxima.

Not sure what you mean by last run. Yes in 2003 or 04 the Max will be redesigned on a stretched Altima platform, but that car will be competing with the Avalon, according to Nissan. It will have the same engine as the 02 though, and that's what was important to me. And I like the current size.

Getting a redesign within a year means current model is going out. Which mean it's on it's last run of production. Therefore equals better deal because most people will wait for the new model. Unless current model is heavily subsidize.

Originally posted by gang$tarr
Maxima GXE 0-60 in 6.2s?? you're joking right?

a 2k2 max auto did 14.44 in the 1/4 and people have consistently been getting 14.5-14.6, so i'd say low 6 seconds sounds about right, here's what the 6 sp. is doing

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=94166