1998 Acura TL Consumer Discussions

Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

• Re: Acura vs. The Germans [nyccarguy]

  Written by: tlong on Sep 28, 2011 1:46:00 PM

  I had a 1998 A4 (6 cyl) and have an '05 TL. Differences between the two: - TL has more electronic goodies (but 7 year newer car) - TL poorer handler, wallows in turns - TL's climate control much quieter - Audi interior clearly nicer - Audi control feel and driving feel clearly better - Audi inspired much more passion - Audi extremely expensive to maintain, the few things that broke ... Read More

2012 Acura TL

• Re: 2012 TL Refresh ? ? Come on! [billyperks2]

  Written by: gbosil on Feb 16, 2011 11:19:42 AM

  Well for one I am trading my 2010 TSX and keeping my TLS. Love my TLS and get constant compliments. The TSX w/V6 is a joke in my driving opinion. Handles like crap. Gas mileage sux too. I've owned it for over a year now and really unhappy with the fit and finish of the car. Paint is paper thin and is chipping all over the front from HWY driving. Acura ... Read More

Acura TL 2009 +

• Does anybody else think Honda is losing it?

  Written by: tlong on Sep 27, 2008 10:08:13 PM

  I've been a Honda fan for a long time. Bought a new 1992 Accord (great car). I always valued Hondas for reliability, sportiness, steering feel, and driving agility. I bought a 1998 Audi A4, a car that inspired real passion. It was a wonderful car, but not as reliable as a Honda. When the family got bigger I got rid of it and got a 2005 Acura TL. My '05 TL ... Read More

Acura TL Maintenance and Repair

• Re: Acura TL 3.2 1998 - security alarm [soriano33]

  Written by: astro1989 on Apr 28, 2008 4:05:49 PM

  I have this same problem on my 1998 Acura EL6. Did you find the solution? I would just like to disable my security. Do you or anyone know how to do this? The dealer hasn't been much help.

Acura TL 2009 +

• COMParing the 3.2 TL and the Current TL !!!!! HIGH HOPES for the 2009 TL

  Written by: acura06tl on Mar 18, 2008 8:44:51 PM

  I am driving a 06 TL. It's got great style and class. I can take the girlfriend out on a Friday night with my 06 TL and yet drive my mother to Sunday Church. You know what I mean......the car is COOL for the ladies and comfortable for the family. I had a 2001 3.2 TL before and had driven it for years. The handling was great, smooth SMOOTH acceleration (feels ... Read More

Real world gas mileage for sedans

• Two Road Trips in August

  Written by: robertsmx on Sep 13, 2007 1:52:54 PM

  Car: 2006 Acura TL (Auto), 28K miles Terrain: Reasonably Flat Weather: Mostly hot and humid (as can be expected in Texas) Distance: 695 miles (Dallas to Houston to East Texas to Dallas) City/Highway Mix: 20/80 Overall Average Speed: 54 mph (Indicated, includes City driving) Highway Average Speed: 72 mph (Indicated) Overall Mileage: 29.1 mpg (Calculated) Car: 1998 Honda Accord EX-L (Auto), 180K miles Terrain: Reasonably Flat Weather: Mostly hot and humid ... Read More

Acura TL Maintenance and Repair

• Re: Acura TL 3.2 1998 - security alarm [bodble2]

  Written by: soriano33 on Sep 14, 2006 6:55:52 AM

  Thank you for your reply. The issue of hood closure, latch, etc. is certainly my suspicion as to the source of the intermittent sounding of the alarm.

• Re: Acura TL 3.2 1998 - security alarm [soriano33]

  Written by: bodble2 on Sep 13, 2006 10:52:18 PM

  If any of the doors, the trunk, or the hood is not closed completely, then you can only lock the doors, but not arm the alarm. When that happens, the red LED would not flash, nor would you get the parking light flash confirmation. Is your hood perfectly aligned, and latches firmly? Perhaps it is just "off" enough so that the alarm sounds randomly, and affects the arming?

• Acura TL 3.2 1998 - security alarm

  Written by: soriano33 on Sep 13, 2006 10:03:42 AM

  My alarm system on my Acura TL 3.2, 1998 went sounded for no reason. The dealer replaced the actuator. A few weeks later the alarm sounded again. The dealer said they can't do anything unless it goes on when the car is in the dealer shop. On the day I picked up the car when the actuator was replaced I could not set the alarm as the red blinking light would ... Read More

Acura TL Prices Paid and Buying Experience

• Devan Acura of Norwalk CT-Fair Price?

  Written by: ct_driver1 on Jul 23, 2006 11:19:57 AM

  Hi, New to the board. Shopping for a new auto after my piece of...grrr....1998 A6 blew its head gaskets following 84,000+ miles of pedestrian northeastern US city/highway driving. Test drove both a TL and G35x yesterday. Impression was that the G35x rode much like my Audi, which I ascribed to the AWD. TL was a lot tighter, and I felt every bit of the bumps and berms we encountered on the ... Read More

Older Acura TLs

• Re: Habitat 1 [habitat1]

  Written by: billyperks1 on Oct 18, 2005 8:28:06 AM

  I am starting to accept your theory on the Japanese horses and German horses. I think the Germans understate their horse power measurements. I have mentioned before that my friend has a 1998 BMW 528I and everytime we race I beat him, but not by far he is right on my tail. The Bimmer only has 197 bhp and the TLS has 260 bhp; go figure that out. My next car ... Read More

Acura TL Prices Paid and Buying Experience

• Re: Habitat1 ....... [rroyce10]

  Written by: habitat1 on Aug 16, 2004 2:26:37 PM

  Interesting comments. When shopping for the TL in April/May, the best I could do in terms of a navigation equiped car in the DC area was $500 off MSRP. A non-Nav could be easlily had for $1,500 off MSRP. That made the effective difference between a nav and non-nav vehicle about $3,000. I wouldn't have paid that much myself - I ended up negotiating a deal out of state for $1,000 ... Read More

Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

• no title

  Written by: merc1 on Jun 21, 2004 4:39:59 AM

  Very interesting discussion about styling. I initially thought the CTS was the ugliest thing to hit the road. While the car still isn't a classically good looking car in my book, they did nail the proportions. The only thing left to do with the next generation is to smooth out some of the harsh lines and sharp points. I don't like cars that look as though they will cut your hands ... Read More

Acura TL Prices Paid and Buying Experience

• rich48

  Written by: habitat1 on Mar 14, 2004 1:23:52 PM

  The "cost" side of the equation is relatively easy. According to figures in Edmunds, you can expect about $13.5k in trade in for your 2000 and, including taxes and tags, you'd be looking at something over $20k to trade up. Only you can decide what the "benefit" side of that equation is. For what it's worth, I looked into trading my 1995 Maxima at about the same time in its life ... Read More

Infiniti G35 vs. Acura TL

• G35 v. TL

  Written by: bjvjs on Feb 2, 2004 10:03:57 PM

  My last six cars have been Hondas or Acuras. I currently have a 2000 TL, a 2000 Prelude (selling it) and a 1998 CL (3.0) and a 98 Accord. I purchased the G35x (black/black) Sedan, Premium, XM. First, I clearly preferred the exterior looks of the G35. Acura ruined the back of the TL and it resembles a Gran Prix. I also liked the clean and minimal lines of the G35 ... Read More

Older Acura TLs

• BMw, Benz and Acura:

  Written by: carguy58 on Oct 14, 2003 8:01:32 AM

  I;m not doubting that BMW and Menz make nice cars but Benz has so many reliability problems I would be scared to buy a Benz. BMW's is alright but I probably wouldn't buy one. As far as engines Honda makes some of the best engines out there. Never doubt Honda in the engine department. As far as purchase price is concerned I would wait a year to buy the TL(if you ... Read More

• Acura 3.2 TL and 3.2 CL Type S vehicles

  Written by: jeromeairsys1 on Aug 4, 2003 12:24:35 PM

  In looking for some data on the forthcoming 2004 TL sedan I found it quite amusing to review the discussions of various Acura fans regarding the normal design TL car with the 225 hp engine being "enough" or "more than adequate" which of course it is indeed, however it is clear that none of these well meaning folks have had one to one on hand experience with both vehicles, instead most ... Read More

• TL interior:

  Written by: carguy58 on Jul 13, 2003 7:10:07 AM

  Was the 95-98 TL interior that much better than the 99-03 TL interior? I remember in 1998 the 98 TL was priced at 33K and the 99 TL was priced at 29K when it came out. Could have been some cost cutting in there to lower the buying price of the 99 TL. My thinking was Acura was slipping while Lexus was streaking back in 1998. They had to do something ... Read More

• dark color

  Written by: dulnev on Jun 17, 2003 8:35:09 AM

  I feel exactly the same way. The current 2003 TL-S is my fifth Honda/Acura. The second one, the 1998 Accord in Emerald Green (very dark green) had a bad-looking paint job after just two years. There were micro-scratches and swirls visible on the paint, plust every little dent and chip would stand out like sore thumbs. After I traded in that car, I woved never to buy a dark Honda again. ... Read More

• Suggestion

  Written by: wayde on Dec 12, 2002 4:07:53 PM

  As a previous Acura Integra (1998) and Honda Civic (1996) and VW GTI (2000) and now a Protege5 (2002) I can give you my .02$. I had ALOT of reliability issues with my GTI - dumped it after 15 months - so, wouldn't recommend the VW. I know many people have had good "luck" with theirs but I don't like to take a CHANCE that I'll get a "good" car or ... Read More

• Ride quality - 2002 Acura TL vs. 1998 Honda Accord EX

  Written by: brentc1 on Jan 16, 2002 9:01:54 AM

  Hello everyone, Just wondering if there is any difference in the ride quality of the 2002 Acura TL and the 1998 Honda Accord EX. I currently own an Accord and am considering purchasing the new TL. Any thoughts on this subject would be appreciated.

Acura TL vs Honda Accord

• TL vs. 1998 Lexus ES 300

  Written by: dave1363 on Dec 4, 2001 9:32:40 AM

  I was considering purchasing a new 2002 Acura TL w/o nav. The best price I've gotten was $27,500. While car shopping I came accross a 1998 Lexus ES300 with 30K miles. It was bascially a stripped down ES no heated seats or load leveling. I found it at a Toyota dealer who was willing to sell for $20,900. Not bad. I thought it was quieter and had a nicer ride than ... Read More

• '01 3.2 TL vs Accord EX V6

  Written by: slz on Mar 18, 2001 6:40:36 PM

  For everyone's information - I am comparing a 2001 3.2 TL (which I just leased - base price I paid was $26,200 - basically invoice) vs a 1998 Accord EX V6: I drove my Accord EX V6 for 3 years and put on 36,500 miles - I thought it was a great car for the price. My 2 big complaints were - (1) some funky transmission shifting when I jammed on ... Read More

Older Acura TLs

• Peter

  Written by: dougsilver on Mar 13, 2001 9:13:29 AM

  I know there are a whole class of folks (I am partly in this class) who, the minute after they buy a car that they have been researching and waiting for, start studying what improvements will be offered on the next model. What amazes me is the number posts I have seen on the Edmunds site in the past where someone is ready to trade his/her one- or two-year old car ... Read More

• Pricing observation

  Written by: dougsilver on Mar 12, 2001 8:58:06 AM

  I was one of those shopping around for a 2000 back in fall of 2000 when the 1999s were still on the lot. Other posters at the time, including myself, were bemoaning the fact that you were lucky if you could get perhaps $300 off the sticker price. The "line" from ALL the Acura dealers at the time was how the TL was "value priced" no-haggling (since the sticker was reduced ... Read More

Acura TL vs Honda Accord

• Acura 3.2 TL vs Honda Accord EX V6 (part 2)

  Written by: blexv6 on Feb 1, 2001 6:23:30 PM

  The comments about the union are right on and to a certain degree are ruining companies like Ford etc. If an emloyee screws up quality control, so what the union will protect him/her. Regardig quality of Japan Honda vs USA Honda, I have a 1992 Accord EXR made in Japan, which has been a great car. My 1998 EXV6 made in USA has been excellent to date. No complaints here, but ... Read More

• Acura 3.2 TL vs Honda Accord EX V6 (part 2)

  Written by: blexv6 on Jan 27, 2001 7:54:25 PM

  I have a 1998 Accord EXV6 and have had no problems with it. The quality, fit and finish is excellent, so I guess the Ohio plant is doing well. Wiyh regards to the Maxima, that rear end is soooooo ugly I would never buy one. Also, the cost of a top of the line Maxima (SE) model is almost the same as the TL. After checking both vehicles out, how could ... Read More

Older Acura TLs

• Acura 3.2TL- Five

  Written by: blexv6 on Jan 20, 2001 3:15:39 PM

  Let me just say I am new to this site and have scrolled through this discussion page. I presently have a 1998 Accord EXV6 which is a great car. I would like to mention this vehicle does have Heated seats and mirrors, despite what some posters advised. Another item I wish to comment on is power antennas as opposed to the printed ones you now get in the TL and Accord. ... Read More

Acura TL vs Honda Accord

• Acura 3.2 TL vs Honda Accord EXV6(part 2)

  Written by: blexv6 on Jan 18, 2001 7:15:07 PM

  Regarding the popping noise on the TL. I have a 1998 EXV6 and I believe this noise is the A/C coming on VIA the automatic climate control.These cars are somewhat similar, built at the same plant and use many common parts and platform.

Older Acura TLs

• bigpoppadon

  Written by: jkdbomb on Sep 11, 2000 1:21:24 AM

  hey...bigpoppadon what are the "minor" interior improvements?? can you explain that a little bit more?? floor mat is one of them....right?? so much for Acura not updating the website... one more thing...if honda's getting a new accord in 2003.....is new TL commoing out 2003? or 2004? (the current accord came out in 1998, and current TL came out in 1999...)