anyone own a 2004 Acura TL?

[FINFAN]

Can you comment on the gas mileage, do you need premium gas? Also how are the blind spots...specifically diagonale from Drivers side looking right before lane changing. Ride comfort/noise level? Any info you care to share.

Thanks !

 

[FINFAN]

bumping for the evening crowd,
anyone?

 

[Patricia721]

I have a 2005 Acura TL. This is my third TL.

It does takes premium gas. I got about 22 miles to the gallon when I was driving back & forth to work (about 30 miles round trip) and about 14 mpg driving around town. We've done as well as 32 - 36 mpg on longer trips.

Blind spots can be a problem; that's probably my only complaint. I have to be extra careful when merging/changing lanes.

I think it's a very comfortable riding car with low road noise. It's also very dependable; brakes, tires & oil changes/tune-ups are about it. I've always been very pleased with my Acuras - good luck with your decision!

 

[FINFAN]

Thanks for posting, DH was hit back in early July and our car was totalled, still drivable but cost to repair higher than blue book a usual. Thats what we get for having a low mile well kept car. Anyway, been searching for months for something we can afford that is not a step back. DH wants to stay 2004 or newer which I understand but the wider pillars for airbags, slanted window designs, higher door frames,,, all safety features I can appreciate, have caused blind spots pretty much across the board on most vehicles. I keep tooling around in my '96 Nissan Quest because I can actually SEE out of it. The Acura would be DH car primarily, but all of us in the family would have to drive it from time to time. I have heard that the TL also have transmission issues we had this one checked out and all seems to be in order, but concerned all the same...any thoughts on that?

 

[Patricia721]

I've never had transmission problems with any of my Acuras. I have 49,000 miles on my current car & 60,000 miles on my second when I traded it in for this one. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

 

[Patricia721]

I googled Acura transmission problems & found this on Wikipedia (you've probably already seen this):

2000
In the second year of production, the Acura TL was given slightly more features, including a 5-speed automatic transmission, with SportShift. The added gear allowed for slightly better fuel economy and acceleration when compared to the previous 4-speed automatic transmission with SportShift. With the this model if the driver forgets the 1-2 shift the computer would take over when in sport mode and do the 1-2 up and down shifts unlike the 4-speed 1999 model. In many vehicles, the 5-speed automatic transmission failed: as the third clutch pack wore, particles blocked off oil passages and prevented the transmission from shifting or holding gears normally. The transmission would slip, fail to shift, or suddenly downshift and make the car come to a screeching halt from expressway speeds. This problem was highlighted in the Los Angeles Times in September 2002. Consumer Reports took note and gave the TL and CL the black spot, the worst rating for transmission reliability. In response to the recurring problem, the manufacturer extended the warranty covering the transmission to 7 yrs or 100,000 miles (160,000 km) on U.S.A. models. A class-action lawsuit was settled to extend the transmission warranty for U.S.A. owners or entities but not Canadian owners to 7.75 years for all 99 to 02 and some 03 by VIN. For details see: [1] Transmissions replaced prior to March 2005 usually fail again. Transmissions replaced March 2005 and later include a redesigned third gear clutch pack reported to fix the problem.

Looks like the problem was limited to 1999 to 2002 (some 2003) models. I had a 1999 TL that didn't have this issue. I do remember that I was given the warranty extension.

 

[FINFAN]

yeah, I did read that but thank you for posting it...well, we put the deposit down yesterday so as long as all the detailing on the car goes well looks like iwe are getting it. So hard when working within a set amount from insurance...we did add a smidge of our own, but overall pretty happy with the choice so far. We had a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix, that car drove like a dream, hugs the road,minimal repairs, decent gas mileage and CERTAINLY did it's job protecting DH in the accident ( he was in a chain reaction, kid on his permit was going 45+ mph and slammed into the guy behind DH as they were all waiting to turn left, then DH slammed into the guy ahead of him...all cars but 1 were totalled)and it is killing us to get rid of it. It was DH's first and only new car ever and we were so happy hoping to hand it to DS eventually. I almost would buy it back for the 1250 salvage just to keep it if we had extra $$ around to do it, insurance and room for another car to sit. We have looked high and low for another Grand Prix that is equivalent, just no luck, all are $2000 more than what insurance is giving us and we have argued that, believe me, but State Farm is not budging. I think like the way the housing crisis has caused apartments to be mre expensive-supply/demand...used cars are the same vs new these days..anything we looked at over these last 4 months was 7000 or up and not anywhere near the condition our car was in and we had 80,000 miles...low for a 2000. Sigh, I drove the Grand Prix last night, I have to say I like it better than the TL ( tho the TL HP of 270 is impressive) but need to get a decent car for DH...ugghhhhhh...just so bummed about it all. I hope the Acura works out well we have named it Red Bull in honor of DS fav drink ( that we allow 1 a week of) and it has a great look to it, just wish we could fix the Pontiac but 3 different shops said not really gonna happen w/out sinking way too much $ into it, aftermarket parts since Pontiac is no more....

 

[Patricia721]

Good luck with your new car, I hope the Acura works out well for you!