Used 2008 Acura TL Sedan Consumer Reviews
Used TL for sale
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first used acura for me, 08/19/2015
2008 Acura TL 4dr Sedan w/Navigation (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
30 of 30 people found this review helpful
Nice sized city car with ample power, high quality interior and attractive looks. Relatively quiet and comfortable. Bought used from Acura w/ 64k miles. Subsequent repairs/replacement that are endemic to this car as you'll learn on the internet. Purge value in the evap system, easy fix. O-rings on the hydraulic steering system (loud sound on cold mornings that goes away as engine warms, an easy fix). Hydraulic shocks/struts for the hood, easy fix. O2 sensors, a bit trickier fix. Check Youtube for demos on replacing these items and save big, big bucks over expensive Acura dealers. The nav system is not intuitive and if it has the original DVD, you'll pay like $170 for an upgrade that is, unfortunately, probably worth it. The upgrade has all U.S. major roads and city streets. The original only had 72 cities and was filled with irrelevant stuff like reviews of restaurants. Big diff. Do not tint the rear window or the nav won't be accurate............as it isn't in mine. Grrrr. Car holds value well, it appears, and I think that is because it is one of the best looking of the TL series plus Honda's reliability record which is best with their 4 cylinder jobs, not six cylinders. Mostly satisfied but would be happier if some of the components were more durable and the Acura dealers only charged an arm instead of an arm and a leg.
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A great used choice
edechazal, 12/20/2012
2008 Acura TL 4dr Sedan w/Navigation (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
43 of 44 people found this review helpful
I purchased a clean 2008 TL auto with navigation 6 weeks ago. It's a wonderful car. I'm a "car guy" but no longer a boy-racer since I'm in my 40's. I appreciate refinement and pieces that work well together. This car delivers in most areas. The first test drive sold me on the car's feel and driving dynamics. I'm 5' 11" and the car fits me like a glove. I like the view from the driver's seat, the powertrain's responsiveness and the look of the tan leather interior. I also test drove the redesigned 2009 model and definitely prefer the 2008 since it fits better. Piece of advice: be ready to spring for a new set of Michelins when you buy. Fresh tires clean up lots of problems.
3rd timies a charm.
jimrobertson, 09/27/2011
2008 Acura TL 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
19 of 19 people found this review helpful
Third TL in 12 years. 1st a 2000, loved it, got crushed by a semi. 2nd a 04, got crushed by a F-350, and a teenage driver. Both times the passengers exited without a scratch. Both times, we purchased something else, Lexus RX330, junk-ola, crap mpg, BMW 330Ci, great fun, even while draining the wallet, VW new Beetle, huge inside but no power. Back in a 2008 TL and it is by far the best of the best. Could use a little more power, but super smooth and great mpg for a roomy sedan that I drive way too fast. I hope I can keep this one forever.
ACURA TL Delivers...but check steering!!
Mike , 10/11/2010
2008 Acura TL 4dr Sedan w/Navigation (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
This is a GREAT car, loved it...was fun to drive. great looking exterior, sporty and modest. quick and agile. Overall very happy and will consider buying another TL. However, see issues below, cons....I had to return to shop 3 x for steering adjustments under service warantee..disappointing they did not catch it first two times.
Love / Hate Relatonship
Ed McW, 02/16/2018
updated 08/24/2020
2008 Acura TL 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
My TL Base model is the sportiest car I have ever owned. Bought used with 60K. Love the acceleration and handling. Sexy little growl from the engine, just audible enough to hear, but not interfere. Stereo is best I've ever had in a car. (Had to scratch my head over the cassette player in a 2008 though). And I love the exterior styling, especially the rear tail lights. Totally unique to the 04-08 TL. Awesome cruise control. I regularly get 32 MPG highway. Very comfortable. I drive 600+ miles one way on a bi-weekly basis, with no ill effects. Now for the other side of the story: Bluetooth has never worked. Had to unplug it to keep the car battery from draining. "AC control" is a misnomer. It is either off, or freezing you out. Dealer tech tells me it works great. Leather....oh the leather. Looked great at first, (and I do regular cleaning and conditioning), but the perforated seat surfaces ripped just like the pages out of a spiral bound notebook. And the dash has cracked. It now looks like a map of the Canadian Provinces. Started having mechanical issues around 100K. Coil pack on #3 cylinder melted in the tube, a royal PITA. Next trip the ECM fried, leaving me stranded between work and home. It seems the AC duct work condensed water and dripped onto the ECM. It was full of water and corrosion. It is probable that the ECM caused the coil pack issue. At the 105K mile service, found two broken motor mounts, a common problem I am told. And may as well get the lifetime alignment deal from your local tire store. You will use it three to four times a year. I have never had a car that went out of alignment so easily. So, while I love my TL, I will not buy another, as I can't afford a new one, and will not trust a used one again.
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Heating and a/c system
b927, 01/06/2011
2008 Acura TL 4dr Sedan w/Navigation (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
16 of 17 people found this review helpful
My heating and a/c system continues to fail. After running for 30 minutes the actual cabin temperature goes to about 65 in the winter and 84 in the summer. It doesn't matter where I set the temperature or what mode I shift into, the temperature stays the same. I've taken it to the dealer 5 times and left it there for days, with no fix. Finally I went to Acura Corp client relations for help. A totalwaste of time. I'm still under warranty> The biggest surprise to me has been the lack of concern or sense of urgency from Acura. I bought this car based on Acura's reputation. My experience makes me think they are resting on their laurels
Purchased as CPO with 66,000 miles
bonaircarguy, 07/08/2012
2008 Acura TL 4dr Sedan w/Navigation (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
I have put over 11,000 miles on my TL so far, and have had zero issues with it; unlike Volvo's which I had owned before it. It is white diamond with camel interior. My only problem with this type of leather is if you do not condition and clean it often it will discolor and crack (I do clean and condition it weekly). Other than that, the interior is in excellent condition. I do a lot of highway driving and will normally get around 30-31 MPG if the speed control is used and stays around 65-70. Average per tank is 23 - 25, and I have a lead foot. I highly recommend this car if you are in the market for a sporty fast sedan! I picked it over Mercedes, Infiniti and Audi.
I wish they’d bring it back
Jason Mongeon, 11/07/2018
2008 Acura TL 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bought a used 2008 version. I loved it and really wish they’d bring it all back. For a “sport” sedan. Not only was it really fun to drive. Unlike some stripped down versions where all you get is the fun to drive aspect for the price. This includes all the bells and whistles. Which, is a lot frankly. The controls like most Acura’s are easy to get to and figure out. They really make it easy to simply know how to use everything.. which is great! So why did I sell it if I loved it so much? Trust me, I have bought three cars since and still miss this one.
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Very Displeased with Acura
dissapacuraownr, 08/11/2009
2008 Acura TL 4dr Sedan w/Navigation (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I Purchased my new 2008 Acura Tl in July of 08. Loved the design and features. First issue with car - tire vibration at 50-60 mph. Performance Acura could not fix. Said it is normal for the car to shimmy. 3000k developed a timing belt chirp/chatter at idle. Acura service bulletin for timing belt issue -kept car for 2 weeks -did not fix noise. Now a 18000k still have timing belt noise now with loud whine during acceleration above 3k rpm. After 1 year of ownership dashboard has faded light grey/whitish from black. Hesitates in hot weather. Full of rattles. Have met Acura regional rep - no resolve. They do their best to ignore me. Warranty is useless.
Happy Acura TL owner
riphraph, 01/17/2011
2008 Acura TL 4dr Sedan w/Navigation (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
No manufacturer has yet to build the perfect car (or everyone would drive that one car) but the Acura TL line comes close in the important categories. Best in safety, styling and reliability. Am impressed with the luxury. Seems like most of the displeasure on the sites deal with issues with uncooperative dealerships. Hint. You can go to the Honda dealers for service if needed. Have been getting 23 - 24 mph. Solidly built. Smart engineering, sensible appointments, solid door gaps. It's a Honda after all. Low cost to own when compared to similar cars (Lexus IS350 and Infiniti G37 - try getting same upgrades for same $$) or BMW 323i (expensive to own)Front wheel drive takes some getting used to
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