The Urban DINK: 2007 Acura TL Type-S
When the last generation Acura TL was roaming the streets (circa 2000) I was still at my first job out of college, making a livable salary and driving a very affordable economy car. That TL was a pretty slick ride to my mind and epitomized what a young urban professional in the next millennium should be driving. Flash forward to 2007 and I'm cruising to work in a 2007 Acura TL Type-S and I'm totally nonplussed.
I should have been enjoying my commute immensely, but instead I was a tad disappointed. Of course, in the span of time between when I put the TL on a pedestal until I was actually driving one to work, I've logged thousands of hours in everything imaginable on four wheels, including tough competition like the new Mercedes-Benz C300 and Infiniti G35.
The TL seemed a bit dated during my time with it. This generation, introduced in 2003, has held up well, and even had some updates this year, but there was something I couldn't put my finger on that made it feel stodgy. The engine was plenty nice but it didn't come to life at all until you revved it hard, and even then the huge quad exhausts didn't make enough noise for my taste. Going around corners there was some body roll and the steering never felt sharp. That certainly wasn't a problem in the G35. The G35 also had more — how shall I say it — guts than the TL. Even the C300 demanded more attention from the driver, an experience more akin to the DINK-standard BMW 3 Series.
If Acura wants to provide a nice riding entry-level luxury sedan that doesn't offend drivers, they've done their job. At this stage of the game and with heavy competition coming from all corners, that stance won't win shoppers with so much else to choose from. It's likely the TL will get a new design not too long after the new Honda Accord debuts later this month. Perhaps we'll even see it on the upcoming auto show circuit. For now, I'll warn the DINKs out there that the TL doesn't live up to our high standards anymore.
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This car is sold in Europe as the Honda Accord, u don't c 2 many of them here!!
The TSX not the TL is sold in Europe as the accord.
When I used to Auto-x in the 90's, Honda was as big as Chevy was in the 60's. Everyone knew a dozen different ways to trick out the Si and Type-R motors.
We had the uber dot.com car the S2000. (And rumors of a RWD Prelude coupe)
Then somewhere along the way, they got lost. The Integra became the RSX then died a slow death. The Si was only available as a hatchback and an ugly one at that. Acura distanced itself from the DINK market and started selling soccer mom MDXs. And Honda started making trucks.
I've always seen Honda as the sporty Japanese import. Light weight and efficent. But I feel they've squandered about 20 years of history to chase the SUV crowd and I wonder if they'll ever care about the sports crowd again.
Sure the CR-V is the number one selling (station wagon) CUV out there. But it says something about a company that kills 2 sports cars and releases there 1st ever turbo motor in a station wagon (I said it!)
Hmmm...where do people get the info for these posts? The CR-V has a normally aspirated engine.
Honda (along with Acura) core buyers are the Gen X group. They wanted sporty cars back in the '90's but now they are getting older and starting families. So now they want something more mature like Ridgelines, MDX's, CRV's. Honda is not giving up its core customer to focus on what they once were. They only focus on the mass market (which is why NSX is 10 years old). Although, Honda could start a Gen Y brand like Toyota did with Scion and stick the next generation Fit under it...
I beg to differ. The TL is a great blend of a (entry-level) luxury sedan with some sportiness that's readily available when needed. Not everyone can, or wants to handle, an M3.
Add the great interior, excellent pricing and reliability and this makes for a great car.
And yes, I've been a TL owner for a couple of years now :)
if you count the RDX as a turbo wagon ... ;) totally agree with Infosaur about the regrettable loss of great cars like the Integra. but then, if you bland out your lineup into a big set of mostly fat, perfectly reliable refrigerators, you then become one of the most successful (are they the biggest by car production yet?) car companies, Toyota
Correction, I *WAS* refering to the RDX. Didn't know I needed to spell it out for you.
Boring, boring, boring. Acura's hit middle age and it shows in their whole dreadful lineup.
Owning a M3. This car does nothing for me.