Performance, luxury, Acura reputation for relability.

None yet.

Wow. You get the most bang for the buck with the Acura. The new Type S, with the 260 hp engine is fun to drive. For just under $32K, you get just about everything...leather, moonroof, memory seats, wood trim, manumatic shifting, 6CD changer, ABS, VSA(traction control), and the list goes on...
Test drove the BMW, AUDI, and Maxima (and others) and the Acura was the best buy. Comparably equipped, the others were $3-10K more expensive and there was less horsepower. I did like the Audi's Quattro and its torque, but it came in about $10K over the Acura. Plus it was smaller(listed as a compact) so I couldn't justify the $40K + they were asking. BMW felt wimpy, but it was a very nice car. Lexus, Nissan, and Infiniti weren't even in the running after all the test drives. If you get a chance(they are pretty scarce for now) drive it. You'll be happily surprised for what you get. Performance + Luxury for less than $32K. Acura needs to ramp up the RL's performance to keep up with its little siblings.

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BMW 525
Nissan Maxima
Audi S4
Lexus GS 300
Infiniti I30

A great list of standard features(moonroof, Bose six-cd in-dash changer, five-speed sport shift transmission, vehicle stability assist system,etc.) which will cost you $3,000 to $ 6,000 more for other luxury vehicles in its class.
The 260 hp engine is quick and powerful.

No real weaknesses are apparent.

The new styling for the 2002 TL, particularly the 17-inch aluminum wheels and low profile tires on the Type-S, are a tremndous improvement over recent editions of the TL. You will not find a better value in a luxury car. The sport package in the Type S make it comparable to the performance of the three series BMWs without the "beemer" image which will cost you an additional $6,000. I have previously owned an Acura legend and will very little maintenance issues.

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Amazing value for the money. Name the feature ... this car has it. Well ... almost :-).

Interior appointments could be of better quality.

One ofthe best values in the market. Great engine transmission suspension ride looks. Cant ask for much more. I just wish Acura had invested a little more time and money in refining the interiors.

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Lexus ES 300. Fit and finish on the ES 300 is better but the TLS cannot be matched as an overall package.

Transmission, engine, build quality, bang for buck, reliability

Leather seats are only leather on seating surfaces, which for most part are fine, but the edges of the seats are vinyl, which can crack if not cared for (minor gripe). The exterior paint durability seems weak (some small dings from road debris), which will happen to all cars, but I recommend a bra for the front if you get a lighter color (mine is silver).

I got a deal through carsdirect.com when they first started, so I got $3000 off sticker (when no one was dealing). I LOVE this car. This is basically my first/second car, and I plan on keeping it until it dies, which seems like it will be a LONG time. If you get a year model 2000 or later, GET the DVD navigation, it's amazing. The 1999 model had a hard drive, which I didn't want. The gas mileage is about normal, although I usually get between 20-22 mpg in CITY, and anywhere from 26-29 HWY. Highly recommended if you want a quality car, LOTS of features, and for it to last WAY into the future. I have about 46000 miles in 2 years, and it runs like the day I got it! p.s. Love the Xenon headlights, radio controls on steering wheel (a must), and everything about the engine & transmission (both are gorgeous).

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BMW 328i

Excellent dealer service at Oakland Acura. Smooth engine and transmission. Excellent high-speed cruise. Good leg room and trunk room for its size. HID headlights are excellent (who needs foglamps when you've got these?).

Driver seat and seating position is terrible. Front headrests are marginal for protecting against whiplash. Rear headrests are inadequate to protect against whiplash. Driver seat rubs against the console cover and causes it to rattle. Ignition key sometimes gets caught between my right knee and the steering column. Too much front end dive with initial brake application at high speed. A fold-down rear seat would be nice.

The Acura overall is disappointing. I was expecting a sports sedan, but instead the car has turned out to be neither a very good sports sedan nor a very good luxury car. The driver's seat comfort is the worst since a 1981 Chrysler rental I once drove. I didn't pick up on it during the test drive, but it sure bugs me now. The brakes and responsiveness of the suspension do not inspire confidence; they can't keep up with the speed the car is capable of. The headrests are unsafe (too far back in the front seats and too low in the rear seat). Perhaps Acura listened to focus groups rather than having done the right thing and installing properly designed headrests. The design team that worked on the interior need further experience; they should check out other cars such as the Audi A6 and, yes, the Acura RL. The service at Oakland Acura is superb; they saved the day when the car had a difficult to diagnose electrical problem (fixed under warranty).

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1985 Saab 900 Turbo-Saab more fun to drive, has more comfortable driver's seat and much better headrests.
1997 Ford Taurus SHO-comparable performance but more comfortable seats and better brakes. Fuel economy not as good as with the Acura, and Taurus is not as good on the highway.

Great Handling Good inside controls, great power seats

Noise gets in because of glass doors

So far its GOOD, I work valet Parking, and i have driven all the nice cars (and all not so nice cars) I would definetly say that i'm happy with it for the price.

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None to compare with

Engine, handling and overall ride. Compared to my other car, a Maxima, this car is a dream.

At this price with soo many options, the basics are left out: Auto lights (on/off), day time lights, memory seats. But that is all.

I owned an Acura Integra previously and liked the quality of the car. In looking for cars in this price range I test drove nothing and dollar for dollar, nothing compared with the Acura. The design is completely changed from the older model, the performance and handling are great, the sprot shift is a fun way to make a boring drive to work exciting. I enjoy driving this car every day, and the navigation system ensures I never get lost.

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Maxima, I30, BMW 325

everything

nothing

i've been doing a lot of research into all the cars since last sep. and this is the best combination of performance, luxury and price.
even though this is not the best performance car in its class, but when combined with luxury features and price, there's just nothing that can beat it.

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Acura Integra Type R -- not luxury enough, dated styling
Toyota Celica GT-S -- not luxury enough
Honda Prelude Type SH -- too expensive, not luxury enough
Acura CL-S -- the bak looks ugly
Lexus IS 300 -- pricy, not luxury enough
BMW 3-series -- world class, but too expensive when fully loaded.

This is the greatest handling, best performing sports sedan I've ever owned. And at the price it's a steal. The build quality is just SUPERB and based on my experience with a previous TL, it will have excellent reliability and durability. Dealership experience was also great and finally I would like to point out the car's greatest feature - The Navigation System which is out of this world. I've seen Navigation systems in many other vehicles and NOTHING comes even close to matching this system!!!

None, other than my experience with Acura Customer Service (Corporate)

I can say that this is the best overall car I've owned and you just can't beat what you get for the price !!!

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Lexus ES 300 - excellent vehicle, but offers very little for the money - an aging design (Bad value)

Smooth, responsive, comfortable. A real pleasure to drive. Traded Buick LeSabre, which is great, but TL rates higher in almost every way for just a little more money. I like the clean, conservative lines, although many reviewers find it kind of bland. Ride/handling are just right. Mileage worst and best was 21.5 & 25.5, averaging 23 in daily driving which is probably 50/50 local/highway, but I seldom stomp on it. Cruise control is extremely accurate and smooth. Steering wheel cruise and audio controls are great ... disengage cruise without touching brake pedal. Sport shift is nice for using in traffic instead of moving back and forth from brake to accelerator, and when in regular auto., it's creamy smooth.

Driver headroom needs 1 inch more, seats should be 1 inch deeper (front to back), driver seat should have memory setting and back leg room needs at least 1 inch more. Would like steering wheel adjustment to be spring-loaded, CD changer in dash instead of trunk, and entire fold-down rear seat back for trunk access instead of only armrest. These are minor considering what you get for the money. Would rather sunroof be optional, being able to delete for credit.

Also own an Accord, after previously driving mostly GM products. Sorry, GM lovers, but Honda products are a step above in refinement and build quality which is markedly noticable in the driving experience and reliability. Compared Buick, Lexus and BMW and Infiniti. None could touch the features, driving experience and space for the same price. I don't know how they do it, but my wife and I agree that this car is more comfortable on both short and long trips than our heavier, longer, wider LeSabre was; but we do miss the rear leg room when friends are along. No doubt you've guessed by now that I'm chronologically (sp?) blessed (59). You folks aged 50 and above, looking for a nice car in this price range, would love the TL. I understand Acura is adding to the 2002 model some of the features missing from '99-'01 models. Lexus, BMW, Infiniti and Mercedes dealers will not be pleased.

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