I made a big mistake and purchased a 2004 Acura TL. I was content for about 30 minutes until I discovered how uncomfortable the seats are and what a stiff ride it offers. Don’t get me wrong it has a lot of bells and whistles that are nice however it is not the car I thought it would be. I now feel it is a glorified accord and have already traded it in for a 2004 GS. I wish I could have waited for the 2005 GS, but everyday that passed I was stuck with a car my wife refused to drive.

 

Really sorry to hear that. The new TL seems like a great car, but it's almost impossible to know about the issues until you've driven a car day in and day out.

You're not alone out there... I purchased a '00 BMW 330Ci and kept it for only 3 months before trading for a GS300. Seats were fine, but there were other issues. I'm sure you took a financial hit, but at least you were able to trade for something you wanted. Not everyone has that option.

 

SkyHigh, you must have taken a bath financially, but glad you got a GS. I'm really surprised you found the seats uncomfortable and the ride very stiff. I haven't driven a new TL but I would have expected it would be comfortable.

 

Hello,
Did you get the GS 300, or the GS 430? Either way, you can't get wrong. Welcome to the owners' club. I passed the new TL in traffiic a few times this week, and it looks like an AWESOME car.

However, I too like the GS better. This is the last full year of current production, and though I am excited about the new model year, I can't help but be worried about the resale value of the current model relase.

Cars in general are taking a BIG hit right now, and rebates help sales, but really hurt resale. When the new GS premiers, it wil set the world on its' ear, but it also has to affect the resale value of all the current cars.

Enjoy your new car. Please send pictures when you can!

GSEREP1

 

Didn't loose too much about 2K. The seats suck, not only do you feel every crack in the payment/concrete in your feet you also feel them in your seat. Wife hated the passenger seat, which sits very low to the floor with no way to raise it. I had her drive to see what she was talking about and it felt like I was sitting on the floor without a seat. Our other car is an RX300 so I guess we should have known better.

 

I, too, had a TL (2000 model), and I thought the same thing about it. The interior seats are very low, but it does give the impression of a large interior cabin, nonetheless. Compared to the TL, the GS interior seems more intimate, and the ride much more substantial, while the TL feels a bit more. . . like an Accord. While the TL is a quality car and is a very good value for the content and features, but it still feels a notch below the GS.

 

I had a '00 TL for almost three years before traded it in for my current car, so I can confirm that was also an issue in that car. As you may, or may not, realize, the TL has always been the best bang for the buck in its class; no other competitors (Lexus ES, Infinity I30/35, G35) comes close in terms of pricing. SO to achieve that, I believe they make some cost-cutting decissions, including by not putting height adjustable front passenger seat (I know this is standard feature on '03 GS300).

Most of the statements are true, except in terms of quality. My TL rattled like crazy when driven over bumps and railroads crossing, I felt like the whole dashboard was going to collapse... I thought I just had a lemon, but turn out that on the Acura forum, this is a well-known issue... oh well, there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Anyways, for SkyHigh, welcome to the family, and I assure you that you WILL have a wonderful time with your Lexus GS.

 

Wow I have height adj on my power seats on my 95 Legend Coupe! you would think on a 04 model would have the same...

The TL is It does have glorified Accord stamped on it. The only thing I did like was the texture of the leather is felt like quailty. IMO ,I'de never by another acura except another 94-95 Legend or the 04 RL/NSX. The RL was very nice (I like the old school semi square shape sedan) the options were very nice as well. The preformance on the other hand ...

The GS is far surpass any Acura on the market. Great choice on the trade.

 

hehe .... and I always thought this was a good thing

 

Quite a few notches, my friend
The reviews I've read no longer brag about best bang for the buck as they've increased the base price about 2k. I assume though that this may have been compared to the TL, not the TL-S, but since the new TL has more HP than the TL-S, they won't even be offering one now. I just wish for about $36k(loaded) they would offer real wood.

 

that stuff that you are feeling in the tl is mostlikely not leather. inside my friend's 2003 tl-s it's mostly vinyl

 

Didn't you test drive before you forked out $35k+? I would have taken a nice long drive before signing the dot line.

 

Not sure if this is the case, but some ppl buy newly designed cars before test driving it.

 

I guess this is when you have a lot of faith in the new model. I mean, I totally understand the thrill to be the first one on the block with it, but it's a gamble I won't take.

 

Welcome to Lexus Skyhigh. I agree it's very difficult to truly know a car until you've driven it for an extended time as well as hand waxed it.

Murph