MCV20

Pick the G35....nismo all the way....

Buster

Let me help you decide. The 2004 TL has the same old VTEC as the last generation. Acura reworked it and upped the compression ratio to get the extra 10 horses. The 5AT is the same epileptic unit used in the last generation. This tranny, also used in the CL and Honda Odyssey, has the highest failure rate of any modern automatic tranny sold in America. It's not a programming glitch like in the ES300, it's a mechanical defect. Some of these units have suddenly downshifted from 5th to 2nd on the highway! That's like slamming the brakes! Speaking of brakes, the brakes used on the 5AT are the same wobbly units used in the last generation. I've read many complaints about warped TL rotors and warped replacement rotors.

Read the comments on this Acura petition below and draw your own conclusions. I'm convinced Honda cut Acura's budget to the point of not allowing them to develop a brand new 3.5 liter i-VTEC engine connected to a new, more reliable 5AT to transfer the much-needed bottom end torque increase to the pavement. I was expecting a new i-VTEC engine design and was very disappointed when Acura finally released the 2004 TL specs. Same engine, same ****box slushbox, same wobbbly brakes...

As was proven in the last generation, this 3600 pound car needs better brakes! Curiously, the 75 pound lighter TL 6MT got better brakes, but only Brembo front calipers with larger front rotors made by a company other than Brembo (if I've read between the lines correctly) -- probably a sweatshop in Bangladesh... Since only 15% of TL buyers are expected to opt for the 6MT, the brake upgrade will be no major expense for Acura. Doesn't the heavier 5AT deserve better brakes as well? That's apparently too big an expense for Honda to stomach. The brake upgrade will be part of an option package on later 5AT models, however. That means it'll be an added expense for the customer. I'm sure Honda will be OK with that arrangement.

Why would Honda cut Acura's budget? I believe the cost of rebuilding all those 5AT's and replacing all those warped rotors dictated it. As far as I'm concerned, the Camry SE V6 and Accord EX V6 are much better deals than the 2004 TL 5AT. I see many more TL auto tranny failures and more complaints about warped rotors on the horizon. The TL 6MT may prove to be a reliable car, but I wouldn't touch the 5AT model with a ten-foot pole!

Acura petition