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Tags: acura, acura tl, acura tl gallery, acura tl review, acura ti type s review

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Acura Tl Type-S Review
I’ve always liked the style of the Acura TL and my recent road test with the 2008 model further cemented my opinion. I was also reminded of its pleasant driving experience. This car flies under the radar, attacking the road with stealth and restrained power. Those who love refined performance will be delighted.

Lack of visual punch
Acura is known for being a bit too conservative in terms of styling and the TL is no exception. Only the rear end of the car really caught my attention, with a subtle spoiler on the trunklid enhancing its sportiness. I found this addition pretty well executed.

Much like the exterior, the build quality inside is flawless. The layout is rather plain yet it includes all the features of a top sports sedan. Overall, the environment has been cleverly thought out, but a few details need to be revised, like the size and shape of the sun shades which do not offer enough protection. Handy storage compartments are found throughout the interior, while the trunk proves quite convenient. As for the audio system, I can only make positive comments.

Driver-oriented cockpit
The 2008 Acura TL Type-S puts the driver in a nicely sculpted, highly supportive seat, with power adjustments to suit any body size. The dashboard boasts a comprehensive instrument panel featuring easy-to-read gauges and intuitive controls. I particularly liked the paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

The outside mirrors require extra attention from the driver; I often had to double-check to make sure that the adjacent lane was free before I could make a transition. On the plus side, the headlights and windshield wipers met all my expectations.

I don’t know if it’s because I drove a press vehicle or a Japanese car, but the windshield defogger took more time clearing the driver’s side than the passenger’s. That proved to be kind of annoying on cold early mornings.

Safe on the road
Despite keeping a fairly low profile, the Type-S offers fun, sporty driving dynamics. It literally sticks to the road even though it’s a FWD car. There’s quite a solid feel to it, too. An ultra-rigid chassis allows this TL to attack corners with remarkable confidence. The steering is precise, although a bit heavy for parking maneuvers.

Stability control steps in at the right time, never putting a damper on the driving experience. The 286 horsepower allow brisk takeoffs (0-100 kph in 7.7 seconds) and convincing reaccelerations. It’s preferable to use the manual mode with the paddle shifters on the steering wheel to perform passing maneuvers; this way, you’ll be able to shift from 2nd to 3rd gear and sprint from 80 to 120 kph in 4.3 seconds (instead of 5.7 seconds in auto mode). The optional 5-speed transmission is a true wonder. A 6th gear might have been appreciated, but I never felt it was needed. While the TL Type-S comes standard with a 6-speed manual, I have to admit that the paddle shifters of the autobox won me over. Read Article
Acura Tl Type-S Review



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auto001auto001 - 5/27/2008 2:12:11 PM
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If this was rwd, I would've bought one yesterday. Still, very nice vehicle inside and out.

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Agent63Agent63 - 5/28/2008 1:58:48 AMView My AgentSpace
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It is very nice and well equipped for the money. Very under-rated and under-stated entry level luxury. Much more value than the IS250.


kpaxxkpaxx - 5/27/2008 2:15:17 PM
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Blue suppository...boooooring!

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markanthony0419markanthony0419 - 5/27/2008 2:42:55 PM
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i had a blue 2003 tl type s car was great. I dont like the design after 03. 09 will be ugly. acura going backward since the legend coupe i believe 95 was the best acura legend but dont quote me on the year

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adamsaf723adamsaf723 - 5/27/2008 2:50:53 PM
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Acura needs to at least put it on an AWD platform if they are going to not have it in RWD.

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hao420hao420 - 5/27/2008 6:56:46 PM
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For get D AWD,u couldnt slide a Acura's at corner like RWD does......


DexDiamondsDexDiamonds - 5/27/2008 3:24:49 PM
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Wait... That has to be a typo. I believe the regular auto TL goes to 100 kph (62 mph) in about 6.5 so it can't be right that he quote a time of 7.7.... maybe 5.7

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jselljsell - 5/27/2008 3:33:48 PM
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adam,
300 hp SH-AWD will be coming with the new body style.
It's really too bad enough people didn't give this vehicle a chance because of the FWD setup. I have had the opportunity to drive some VERY nice vehicles ( 5 series, E class Mercedes, 6 series BMWs, 911s, CLS 63 AMG) that we take in on trade and sell here at our lot and I would put the TL TYPE-S against some of the very best on the road as far as driving experience and amenities. They TL-S handles HIGH rates of speed with ease that some cars costing 15K more can't do as well. Also, Acura's navigation is second to none (or WAS until Microsoft got involved). Someday when Acura decides to really TARGET the driving enthusiast out there ( i.e. RWD,V-8 options), they might produce cars people here on this site can rave about. It's a shame though, that some people won't give this car a look because it PULLS it's momentum instead of PUSHING it.

Never mind, the AWD will be here soon enough and hopefully it will be a winner.

V-10 NSX

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0to600to60 - 5/27/2008 4:01:15 PM
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This review is kinda late isnt it? When is the new one coming out?

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LexSucksLexSucks - 5/27/2008 8:12:19 PM
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Dated, long-in-the-tooth, and overdue for a redesign.
And dump the economy-car FWD setup.

FWD is for losers.


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Agent63Agent63 - 5/28/2008 9:12:38 AMView My AgentSpace
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Economy car? What about Audi's with FWD? No where near economy pricing :)

overdue for a redesign. not overdue but will be due for redesign. Every 5 years roughly? 2004-2009.


golfer38golfer38 - 5/28/2008 9:51:46 AMView My AgentSpace
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Wow, based on your comment, there are 70,000+ losers in the US alone.


LexSucksLexSucks - 5/28/2008 1:03:31 PM
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There's plenty more than that in the U.S

I'm sorry but the TL is a dweeb car. People who buy the TL are usually smart people. They're just not car-smart people. Sad part is that they think they are car smart. If they were car-smart they wouldn't have purchased a TL in the first place. Unless they actually wanted to purchase a Honda-Accord in a suit (Complete with FWD and V6).


ReasonReason - 5/28/2008 3:34:50 PM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Ah yes, what the world really needs is for every manufacturer to build a RWD car that has 3,000+HP, and 0-60 in less than 2 seconds, with looks that make a woman undress on the spot, a 15,000 Watt sound system, and most importantly it tells other people that, YES, I AM COOL! Which unfortunately makes you un-cool.


LexSucksLexSucks - 5/28/2008 4:29:02 PM
-3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Reason,

What are you talking about? All I want is for the vehicle to have RWD. Just because a person wants a RWD car, that doesn’t mean that they want 3000hp, 0-60 in less than 2-seconds and a 15,000 watt sound system. I fail to understand your logic. Explain Please?


LexSucksLexSucks - 5/28/2008 5:48:32 PM
-2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Agent63,

At least with Audi you have the choice to get quattro. The TL is FWD only. Either way I'm not a big fan of any FWD car.


BlakuraBlakura - 5/29/2008 3:50:58 PM
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Overall, I think its a better buy than an IS350 which is too small and rides on a corolla platform. The TL-S is a great combination. I just ordered an '08 TL-S two days ago and yes I did drive the IS350, 335i and 328i; and the G35 (which will be the G37 Sedan in about 3 months according to the salesman, who also said he couldn't come anywhere near the deal I got for the TL-S). I just thought the TL-S was the best value when all things (fuel economy, price, performance, features, and looks) were considered.


BlakuraBlakura - 5/29/2008 3:57:14 PM
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I know you think that fwd is for losers, but did you know that the TL Type S pulls anywhere from 0.91 to 0.93g. on the skidpad, find another car in its class that can meet or beat it.


BlakuraBlakura - 5/29/2008 3:51:36 PM
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I got a black one with the 6sp manual.

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