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2004 Acura TL

Date: 25 June 2004	Miles: 9,500
The Acura TL has been the benchmark in entry level sports-luxury models since the V-6 model arrived for 1999. Now, an all new 2.5 TL leap frogs rivals again by providing more standard power and performance than last year's high performance Type-S. As one of the newest members of our long term fleet, this TL gets a lot of use, and we might add, looks. Its chiseled sheet metal is only a few steps removed from recent auto show concept cars. Yet, inside, from heated leather seats to curtain airbags, it's as well equipped as any traditional luxury car. Since February we've managed to push the odometer to just under 9,500 miles. That's easy given the rapid response of the TL's 270-horsepower 3.2-liter V-6. And, while the TL prefers high test fuel, its 24.3 mile per gallon economy means that it's one hot sedan that isn't tied to a gas pump. Our log book praises the TL's handling, its comfy and supportive seats, and our car's optional XM Satellite radio. The only thing missing? A folding rear seat to make cargo carrying more flexible. Still the TL gets high praise from our staff at this turn in the road.
Date: 17 September 2004	Miles: 11,000
The 2004 Acura TL is an extremely well-equipped sports-luxury sedan. The only major factory option is our car's GPS satellite navigation system. Now, we're not big fans of navigation systems. They seldom seem to get it just right. But combine a NAV system with the TL's standard XM satellite radio, and you have anti-road rage nirvana. On a recent trip from Baltimore to Boston, XM's 24-hour traffic for major metro areas tipped us off hours ahead of trouble, giving us plenty of time to let the NAV system find a clear route. It's a terrific duet. And the TL is a great drive, too. Since February we've managed some 11,000 fault-free miles, all with the kind of handling and performance that was once reserved for a supercar. The TL's 270-horsepower 3.2-liter V-6 provides instant response, and excellent 25.4 miles per gallon fuel economy. The only thing missing? A folding rear seat to make cargo carrying more flexible. Still, we're quite infatuated with the Acura TL. And with both XM radio and a NAV system, it turns to pure love.
Date: 29 October 2004	Miles: 22,300
When testing 150 new cars and trucks each year, it's not hard to get sidetracked by a new gadget and forget the real attractions of certain types of vehicles. One of those is the sport sedan, like our 2004 Acura TL. While sport sedans are now also very luxurious, they still offer the best combination of excitement and practicality. In our long term fleet for 8 months, our TL stays busy. We've clocked 22,300 miles up and down the East Coast, with style and confidence. The 270-horsepower V-6 can purr like a kitten or roar like a lion, yet still return 25.5 miles per gallon fuel economy. With the latest in telematics, voice activated navigation and satellite radio, the TL keeps you totally entertained and informed. While the front-wheel drive TL does not adhere to the customary rear-wheel drive mantra of European benchmarks, it still is a far more capable sedan than most drivers will ever be able to exploit, and it remains one of our favorites.
Date: 24 December 2004	Miles: 26,000
With so many vehicle types from which to choose, for us the sport sedan still offers the best combination of excitement and practicality. Case in point, our 2004 Acura TL. In our long term fleet for 9 months, we've driven our TL over 26,000 miles, and every one has been a pleasure. The 270-horsepower V-6 is always at the ready, yet it never seems to be overworked. And to our delight, fuel economy also continues to rise, standing at 25.8 miles per gallon. With the latest in telematics, voice activated navigation and satellite radio, the TL keeps you totally entertained and informed. While the front-wheel drive TL does not adhere to the customary rear-wheel drive mantra of European benchmarks, it still is a far more capable sedan than most drivers will ever be able to exploit. So, the Acura TL remains one of our favorites.
Date: 18 February 2005	Miles: 29,000
Having been with us a full year, we're in the home stretch with this impressive luxury-sport sedan. Besides being a pleasure to drive on roads twisty or straight and true, the TL easily lives up to the Acura reputation for quality with no major mechanical problems during the test. However, after 29,000 hard driving miles, there is some wear and tear. The driver's power mirror adjusts in only two directions, the leather upholstery is starting to crack, and the Bridgestone all-weather touring tires wore out and had to be replaced. Yet, the car itself still feels tight and new, and nothing has taken the shine off the superb handling or energetic front-drive 270-horsepower V-6 powertrain. Fuel economy also remains great for a luxury-performance sedan at 25.5 miles per gallon. We have some 4-cylinder vehicles in our fleet that do much worse. All that, plus one of the most user friendly Navigation systems on the market, the high value Acura TL remains one of our favorite long distance runners, and we look forward to our last few miles with the same pleasure.
Date: 1 April 2005	Miles: 31,000
Time to say goodbye to our 2004 Acura TL. This fine handling luxury-sport sedan has been with us just over a year, and we've driven it just over 31,000 miles. During our time and mileage with the TL, only a few things dulled Acura's sparkling quality image. A power mirror half stopped working, the windshield washers quit, and a headlight burned out. The only major parts replaced were tires that wore out at about 21,000 miles. The TL still feels as tight as new, and the 270-horsepower V-6 powertrain is more willing than ever, willing to give both performance and economy. Fuel use is strong at 25.3 miles per gallon. The TL proved to us that satellite navigation and satellite radio traffic reports make an awesome combination for long trips through congested areas. The Acura TL is a superior bargain, and a long term favorite we will not easily replace.