1996 Acura TL Consumer Reviews

Still Going Strong

Written by: Kenny on 05/15/2007

Vehicle

1996 Acura TL 4 Dr 2.5 Sedan

Review

Bought my 2.5TL in 2001 with 27k miles. Now at 145k miles and car still is doing fantastic! Service it every 30-45k miles and this car should run for a while. I have no complaints with this car and hope to get a new TL someday. Hopefully not for another 100,000 miles!

Favorite Features

Reliability and overall quality. Has some minor issues that are common in the year/make/model, but nothing that has made me want or need to trade it in.

Suggested Improvements

Not too good on gas at ~ 25 mpg for a 5 cyl.

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A FAN

Written by: John on 06/22/2006

Vehicle

1996 Acura TL 4 Dr 3.2 Premium Sedan

Review

Owned four Acura over the years - all were great. Bought this TL and have put over 150,000 miles on it. Its a classy looking car w/o being over the top. Its amazing that the car is over 10 years old and people think its a newer model. Acura created a design with some legs on it - it stays contemporary looking well beyond the norm. Only repairs in the last 10 years is a new starter(very expensive $600) and new rear calipers. Everything else has been normal wear and tear maintenance.

Favorite Features

Quality, Looks, Handling, exclusivity (you don't see these cars at every stop light)

Suggested Improvements

The newer TL addressed my concerns: Quicker Throttle response, Larger tires, bigger brakes, and more power. Although I am not as excited about the new TL's styling - but that's personal preference.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great Car!

Written by: Chuck on 02/08/2006

Vehicle

1996 Acura TL 4 Dr 2.5 Sedan

Review

Without a doubt, this has been the best car that I have ever owned. I now have 197,000 miles on the car. The only thing that I have replaced on this car outside of normal wear and tear items, is the radiator and fan unit. That's it! This was my first Acura but you can bet it won't be my last.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Performance, at a price!

Written by: Comfortable, zippy on 10/21/2005

Vehicle

1996 Acura TL 4 Dr 3.2 Premium Sedan

Review

Fell in love with this car, a local trade-in, at Toyota dealership. Had 90K miles, but had been maintained by Acura as a leased car. Soon learned that parts were VERY expensive, as was service by Acura dealership. I love its style and features. Tight quality, firm shift, responsive handling. Handles extremely well - has saved my grace a couple of times with its quick response in heavy traffic.

Favorite Features

Performance is great! High quality leather seats, nice sound system, but above all, Acura quality!

Suggested Improvements

Get real with replacement part prices! The transmission has proven to be a weak link by many owners. The security/door-lock system has failed for many, and Acura was not willing to make any concessions for the $500-plus replacement of the control module!

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Must have gotten a dudd

Written by: Dissapointed on 06/24/2005

Vehicle

1996 Acura TL 4 Dr 3.2 Premium Sedan

Review

Wanted it as soon as I saw it. Bought a 8 yr old car with 69,000 miles on it, expecting to make it to 100,000 with grace (Honda engine!). In the first 6 months replaced battery, starter, had random misfire, replaced sparkplugs, heater failed, sound system failed. NOW I am replacing a blown head gasket and am worried about the antifreeze that was BURNING out my tail pipe. Minor cosmetics were fixed like cupholder cover. Not only did I pay too much at the dealership originally but I could have bought a new car for the amount of money I have put into this one. As soon as this car is out of the shop I am selling it to someone who can deal with fixing it every week.

Favorite Features

Sunroof/power everything/heated seats/good power even with AC/ very stylish/ extremely fun to drive

Suggested Improvements

Make easier to repair, extremely high cost for repairs due to trouble accessing main mechanisms. Reduce wind noise with better sealings, better quality cupholder cover. Reliability was less then satifactory for a Honda.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Great car

Written by: John on 05/14/2005

Vehicle

1996 Acura TL 4 Dr 2.5 Sedan

Review

Major maintenance service completed at 95,000 miles . Runs perfectly. I would recommend highly . Have a 2001 Mercedes E-320 wish I had the same realiability.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Great for the $

Written by: V-6 3.2TL P on 09/06/2004

Vehicle

1996 Acura TL 4 Dr 3.2 Premium Sedan

Review

This car is great! Fun to drive, good performance for size and type of car. There are some minor issues but nothing major. Can't beat the performance, comfort, and value.

Favorite Features

V6, comfort, exterior styling, features, premium audio speakers and driveability.

Suggested Improvements

Windsheild/windows get chipped or scratched, window fell out of alignment, a bit more power would've been nice and stock CD/cassett player isn't the best.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Best car I've had so far

Written by: tjael on 08/25/2004

Vehicle

1996 Acura TL 4 Dr 2.5 Sedan

Review

I bought this Acura in 1996 and it was a terrific car It has/had 157,000 miles on it. We had major maintenance work done at 100,000 miles, new belts, timing belt, etc. Other than that no major expenses. Just last week my teenage son totalled it, and at time of wreck the car was still running extremely well. Am now looking for another Acura to replace the TL.

Favorite Features

Reliability. Comfortable ride.

Suggested Improvements

Smaller turning radius; different auto lock/unlock key.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Excellent Car for the Price

Written by: shadowfenrir on 05/21/2004

Vehicle

1996 Acura TL 4 Dr 2.5 Premium Sedan

Review

I bought this for $13000 ($10000US) after selling my '90 4Runner for gas reasons. This car is good on gas for its size (about 10L/100km or 24mpg in city driving and 6.3L/100km or about 30mpg on the highway). It is very comfortable with its nice leather bucket seats (although the leather isnt as high class as in the newer cars, or even as in the older lexus cars, but its good). The engine is very responsive and refined even at high RPM, but the transmission tends to shift at weird times. I haven't had any problems at 160000km(100000mi) other than c/v boots needing replacement. Great car!

Favorite Features

Auto climate control Nice seating. EXCELLENT stock sound system. 8 speakers and sounds very crisp and loud with good bass. EXCELLENT reliability. No powertrain trouble or major repairs needed. Good fit and finish on the paint and interior materials. Heated mirrors.

Suggested Improvements

They could have used better materials on the door handles on the inside. It looks like a chrome foil was wrapped around them. Needs a rear spoiler and bigger rims (stock is 15") and better tint on glass.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Acura 2.5TL Premium Sedan

Written by: Joannie621 on 04/24/2004

Vehicle

1996 Acura TL 4 Dr 2.5 Premium Sedan

Review

If I could buy this car brand new, I would! I have driven and experienced just about any other car out there- and I'm always happier and more comfortable in my Acura. The car is classy, sporty, and reliable. Mine has 125K miles and running amazingly. I have driven about 60 miles a day to college for the past 4 years and my car has never let me down. Now I can afford any other car but seriously don't want to give it up!

Favorite Features

Interior, Exterior. Sunroof is great! Absolutely everything.

Suggested Improvements

If I COULD improve anything, it would be the speakers of the radio. But then again, it's just because I'm young and like loud music.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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