'04 Acura TL vs '05 Legacy GT Limited - your opinions....

[godwhomismike]

Ok both are not too far away in terms of price. The TL is FWD, which I have really big doubts about - maybe that's what is scaring me off. The interior on the new TL is absolutely amazing - I really like it, the body is good I guess - I'm not a big fan of sedans. It does have 270 hp - which is a plus, and the times it has are very quick - for the automatic version too.

The Legacy GT Limited - it also has a nice interior, and with the difference in money, I could have a custom navi installed and have it look like it came from the factory that way, maybe see if there is a way to have the cars stats display on it like rpms, boost etc, also since it's aftermarket - it could double as a dvd player - could watch an anime flick on it when I get asked to drive someone somewhere quick and wait because they'll be 5 minutes - you all know how that always ends. :roll: The Legacy GT Limited is AWD - something that would be more fun and put the power out better. The Leg is also turbo charged - which will be fun - except for the first 1000 miles when I'd have to keep the rpms under 4K :roll: LOL.

What do you guys think? The leg would probably be the most fun to drive, where the TL would have awesome features up the kazoo. I guess both are gonna have to be test driven :D

- Mike :roll:

[gtguy]

Personally, I consider FWD to in fact be WWD (Wrong Wheels Driven). :lol: The Acura is a very nice car, without question, and I like the way the sedan looks, even if it is a bit tarty. There are plenty of features, and you get plenty of goodies for the buckage.

That's a tough question frankly, if you don't mind the FWD. I would probably still come down on the side of the Subaru, just because I like the AWD factor. Thankfully, it isn't a decision I have to make, because I love wagons.

Good luck,

Kevin

[racerdave]

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/images/smilies/whacky10.gif

[Two-Five Sti-L]

These are the same 2 sedans that I have my eyes set on too, after eliminating the STi.

First off, the diff. in price is anywhere from $5-10k between the 2.

Will you be driving the stick or auto?
How long do u plan to keep the car?
Do u encounter winter conditions?
Do u drive in the twisties/backroads or mainly urban highways?

I think you would have a much better idea of what suits u best after figuring out the above Q's :wink:

[godwhomismike]

These are the same 2 sedans that I have my eyes set on too, after eliminating the STi.

First off, the diff. in price is anywhere from $5-10k between the 2.

Will you be driving the stick or auto?
How long do u plan to keep the car?
Do u encounter winter conditions?
Do u drive in the twisties/backroads or mainly urban highways?

I think you would have a much better idea of what suits u best after figuring out the above Q's :wink:

Will you be driving the stick or auto? auto
How long do u plan to keep the car? at least 5 years
Do u encounter winter conditions? yes
Do u drive in the twisties/backroads or mainly urban highways? a little of both


- Mike

[SteVTEC]

The TL, with all of its 270 screaming VTEC horses and the automatic STILL does not have enough torque and gear to propel its heavy 3600lb butt off the line quicker than my 10 year old design Maxima (5spd) with only 190hp. That's sad IMHO (and I have the dyno/gearing/thrust analysis to prove it). So I'd pass on a TL. For $4k less you can get a Maxima which is a bit quicker (tons more torque) with the same equipment. For $7k less you can get an Accord V6 which is just as quick as a TL with a $200 intake. There's no way I'd pay over $30k for a FWD car, and $7k savings on an Accord buys lots of mods. On top of that, Honda V6/automatics have been absolute garbage lately and not holding up at all. They've been failing at 50-70k on the Accords (the 98-02's with only 200hp), and even sooner on the old TL-S and CL-S. Honda had to extend the tranny warrantys to 7yrs/100k just to maintain consumer confidence I guess. If you get a TL, for the love of god get the 6spd. Their autos are junk. If they're fixed now then fair enough, but you'll be a guinea pig.

So anyways, between the two I'd go with the Legacy, but that's just me. I don't care for the luxury brands either. I'd rather drive a Toyota than a Lexus, a Nissan than an Infiniti, or a Honda than an Acura. I really wish Honda would bring their JDM Inspire (fixed up Accord V6) over here. That I would consider buying...heh.


Steve

[RSPDiver]

Test drive the TL; it steers like a buick. Don't get me wrong, it's really beautiful inside. But, if you like to turn corners and value sporty handling, the TL (with it's 60/40 weight distro) will get under your fingernails like a bamboo spear. It would be fine for swallowing interstate miles, but would suck for sporty romps in the mountains or around town. The clutch (if you get the manual) is a toggle switch: on/off.


...but, it has a really nice interior. ;)

[godwhomismike]

Test drive the TL; it steers like a buick. Don't get me wrong, it's really beautiful inside. But, if you like to turn corners and value sporty handling, the TL (with it's 60/40 weight distro) will get under your fingernails like a bamboo spear. It would be fine for swallowing interstate miles, but would suck for sporty romps in the mountains or around town. The clutch (if you get the manual) is a toggle switch: on/off.

...but, it has a really nice interior. ;)

I agree with the comment on the interior - that is one nice interior, other than that nothing else moves me with the car, 60 percent weight on the fronts for the fwd car can't be fun on any twisty roads. The GT Limited stirs my blood a lot more, with its awd, 45/55 torque split, 250 hp turbocharged engine.... plus I could alway add stuff to it later, with the money I would be saving.

- Mike

[Ninjapimp]

Test drive the TL; it steers like a buick. Don't get me wrong, it's really beautiful inside. But, if you like to turn corners and value sporty handling, the TL (with it's 60/40 weight distro) will get under your fingernails like a bamboo spear. It would be fine for swallowing interstate miles, but would suck for sporty romps in the mountains or around town. The clutch (if you get the manual) is a toggle switch: on/off.


...but, it has a really nice interior. ;)

I was going to say this!!!! It was one of my first options prior to choosing the Legacy. Once I'd driven it, I immediately ruled it out. The weight distribution disgusted me. I commented on it immediately to the salesman in non-spirited driving.

With regard to the interior, I hated the leatherette. Acura apparently only uses leather directly on the seating surfaces and I already found wrinkles on the vinyl which surrounded the seats.

That car has the best gadgets on the market, but after seeing and driving it in person, I ruled it out asap.


Just my .02

[RSPDiver]

Does anyone else think it looks like a 4 door Mustang?

[antelope]

I also test drove the TL - I'm not an expert, but I wasn't impressed. RSP's comments were very true. Has anyone tried the TSX as an alternative?

[Drift Monkey]

FWD = WWD as Kev stated. I'll never go back.

[Two-Five Sti-L]

Will you be driving the stick or auto? auto
How long do u plan to keep the car? at least 5 years
Do u encounter winter conditions? yes
Do u drive in the twisties/backroads or mainly urban highways? a little of both

- Mike

Hey look, another fellow Staten Islander!!! :woowoo: I'm in Westerleigh.


With the Q's answered, I have to agree w/a few others that the choice should be the Legacy.

Honda's are notorious for cranky auto trannys, I've driven everything from Civics, Accords, to Legends to TL's, and they all have the "kick" when shifting after a number of years. I've not driven an auto Sube yet but haven't heard of too many auto tranny failures either. :|

As u plan to keep the car for >3 yrs, you can throw the equation of depreciation out the window, relatively speaking. You'll probably lose more on a percentage basis w/the sube, but its a good trade-off since you're paying much less for the legacy to begin with. Much better than if you were to keep the L for only 2-3 yrs.

Its a bish to drive here in winter sometimes, as I got stuck in my Prelude(FWD) last yr on my own driveway due to ice. Another + for the Sube esp. if the winter of the last couple of years becomes a trend/norm.

I used to drive a 2000 TL, and it was definitely more comfortable on highways than backroads. I haven't driven either of ur choices yet, but based on what RSP, Ninja, and antelope said, the choice is even more clear. Hope all this jibberish helps :oops:

[godwhomismike]

Hey look, another fellow Staten Islander!!! :woowoo: I'm in Westerleigh.


With the Q's answered, I have to agree w/a few others that the choice should be the Legacy.

Honda's are notorious for cranky auto trannys, I've driven everything from Civics, Accords, to Legends to TL's, and they all have the "kick" when shifting after a number of years. I've not driven an auto Sube yet but haven't heard of too many auto tranny failures either. :|

As u plan to keep the car for >3 yrs, you can throw the equation of depreciation out the window, relatively speaking. You'll probably lose more on a percentage basis w/the sube, but its a good trade-off since you're paying much less for the legacy to begin with. Much better than if you were to keep the L for only 2-3 yrs.

Its a bish to drive here in winter sometimes, as I got stuck in my Prelude(FWD) last yr on my own driveway due to ice. Another + for the Sube esp. if the winter of the last couple of years becomes a trend/norm.

I used to drive a 2000 TL, and it was definitely more comfortable on highways than backroads. I haven't driven either of ur choices yet, but based on what RSP, Ninja, and antelope said, the choice is even more clear. Hope all this jibberish helps :oops:

It's good to see another Staten Islander on here. I think driving anytime, except really late at night here on SI is a bish. It generally takes like 15-20 minutes to go like 4 or 5 miles in the daytime. I drove my frind Laura's 91 Legacy AWD Turbo (auto) sedan for a few hours on southern NJ highways and Pa. twisty backroads - and I fell in love with the turbo and awd. I have to admit, if I find a dealership who will get me a great lease deal on a Audi TT 3.2 Coupe - I'm going to go for that, if it remains where it is now, just north of my price range - I'll be driving around in the '05 Legacy GT Limited sedan.

- Mike

Edit: I live in Great Kills

[bigbadboss101]

Ok, I am digging up an old thread. I have been driving Maximas (2x 3years) for the past 6 years. DOn't like the new ones and tested the Mazda6, TSX, TL, G35C, and LGT. It's down to the TSX, TL, and LGT. In Canada the TL and LGT are equal in prices, with the TSX about $7,000Cdn lower.
I like luxury of the Acuras, but love the performance of the LGT. Like the handling and the AWD. The TSX has spirit, and is nimble. The TL has lot of goodies, nice looking, torque steer, etc.
I might rule out the TL cuz of the numb steering. Comments?

[brady_bunch]

I think the TSX is underpowered for the weight. I liked the GT enough to get one over the TL and G35 myself.