5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

Acura TL-S test drive

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-07-2002, 03:57 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
stock6speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 23
Acura TL-S test drive

Given that I am planning on getting a 2k2 SE 6speed max, I thought that I would give the TL-S type a shot. It has nearly identical specs and nearly identical cost to a fully loaded Max. Here is my opinions:

TL Pros:
* Nice build quality
* I like the front end looks better
* Probably better reliability and resale value
* Nicer seats
* Stability control
* More status (better reputation)

Max Pros:
* Wow! That engine is awesome. Even though the TL has 5 hp more, the max feels much more responsive. Press the gas pedal and away you go. The TL feels like there is a turbo lag.
* Max has more head, shoulder, hip and leg room in all seats even though the car is shorter and narrower.
* Some elements of the styling is better (in my opinion).
* More unique styling. You know that it is a max at a glance. You have to find the name plate to figure out that it is an Acura.
* You can get the Max stripped at ~$7k less than the TL, but with the same engine, handling and performance.

Overall, for myself, the Max wins.
stock6speed is offline  
Old 02-07-2002, 04:06 PM
  #2  
Donating Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
 
NuJerseyDrive's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,166
Smart move testing the waters between the 2 camps before committing. Now it's time to sign that dotted line.
NuJerseyDrive is offline  
Old 02-07-2002, 06:09 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
SFMax20SE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 425
They r both nice cars....
I don't know if the TL-S is more reliable then the 2k2 Max... go to the TL-S forum. There are many complaints about the transmission being jacked. And I have a friend that works at an Acura dealership who confirmed this.
The block in the 2k2 Max is pretty reliable. It is the same block that was in the 99' or 2k Pathfinder if I am not mistaken... well tested and reliable.
SFMax20SE is offline  
Old 02-07-2002, 08:58 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
ajahearn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 838
Acura TL-S

I considered this car briefly but without a MT its out of the question. Too bad as Acura makes a very good MT for the RSX-S.
ajahearn is offline  
Old 02-07-2002, 10:35 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
95emeraldgxe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,659
check out the bimmer 3 series if u want sumthing similar to the TL and the max
95emeraldgxe is offline  
Old 02-07-2002, 10:38 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
NJ_MAX2000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 371
Originally posted by 95emeraldgxe
check out the bimmer 3 series if u want sumthing similar to the TL and the max

G35 More affordable than a 3-Series and more powerful that a 3-Series.
NJ_MAX2000 is offline  
Old 02-08-2002, 04:25 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Jsolo™'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 145
Re: Acura TL-S test drive

Originally posted by stock6speed
Given that I am planning on getting a 2k2 SE 6speed max, I thought that I would give the TL-S type a shot. It has nearly identical specs and nearly identical cost to a fully loaded Max. Here is my opinions:

TL Pros:
* Nice build quality
* I like the front end looks better
* Probably better reliability and resale value
* Nicer seats
* Stability control
* More status (better reputation)

Max Pros:
* Wow! That engine is awesome. Even though the TL has 5 hp more, the max feels much more responsive. Press the gas pedal and away you go. The TL feels like there is a turbo lag.
* Max has more head, shoulder, hip and leg room in all seats even though the car is shorter and narrower.
* Some elements of the styling is better (in my opinion).
* More unique styling. You know that it is a max at a glance. You have to find the name plate to figure out that it is an Acura.
* You can get the Max stripped at ~$7k less than the TL, but with the same engine, handling and performance.

Overall, for myself, the Max wins.


Jsolo™ is offline  
Old 02-08-2002, 05:24 AM
  #8  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
 
JJW95SC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,138
Even fully loaded the 2k2 Maxima is a couple grand less than the TL-S.

Be sure to check out CarsDirect.Com for real $ numbers.

Jim
JJW95SC is offline  
Old 02-08-2002, 06:14 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Creature's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 445
A co-worker and I test-drove each others' cars last Friday (her 2K2 TL and my 2K2 Max). The Max has a great interior, but I think I like the TL's a little better. The Max has great head-snapping acceleration off the line, but the TL has better mid-range acceleration (comparing it to turbo lag is a good analogy ... it take a second for that power to kick in but when it does ... WHOOSH!). The Max SE has a better suspension, but the TL has a better ride.

They're pretty close cars. I was impressed with hers and she was impressed with mine. But for several thousand less, I got the better deal!
Creature is offline  
Old 02-08-2002, 09:10 AM
  #10  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
stock6speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 23
Originally posted by 95emeraldgxe
check out the bimmer 3 series if u want sumthing similar to the TL and the max
If I could afford it, I would get the 330xi. That is $40k. Even the cheapest new bimmer is the 325i with fake leather and no options is $29k. At $24k, a SE 6 speed seems the better deal to me.
stock6speed is offline  
Old 02-08-2002, 09:15 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
ajahearn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 838
2k2 SE vs 330

I started out looking at a 330i but comparably loaded to a 2k2 SE it was a full $12+k more. Better handling but smaller interior/trunk. RWD vs. FWD, etc. Still doesn't add up to $12k.

The Acura TL-S is very close in price to a comparably equipped 2k2. Just no 6 speed.
ajahearn is offline  
Old 02-08-2002, 09:23 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
NJ_MAX2000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 371
Originally posted by stock6speed


If I could afford it, I would get the 330xi. That is $40k. Even the cheapest new bimmer is the 325i with fake leather and no options is $29k. At $24k, a SE 6 speed seems the better deal to me.
Dude, G35, 260 HP, 260 Lb-Ft, Starts at $29K with leather! 10% more interior space than a 3-Series, much more HP than similarly priced 325, better handling than the Max, you can't go wrong with this car.
NJ_MAX2000 is offline  
Old 02-08-2002, 09:26 AM
  #13  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
stock6speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 23
Originally posted by NJ_MAX2000


Dude, G35, 260 HP, 260 Lb-Ft, Starts at $29K with leather!
Does it have MT?
stock6speed is offline  
Old 02-08-2002, 09:29 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
NJ_MAX2000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 371
Originally posted by stock6speed


Does it have MT?
The G35 will only be available in AT when it's released this March. In the fall, Infiniti will release a coupe version with rumored 280HP, AWD, and 6-Speed MT (the 6-Speed is definite, the 280 is still up for grabs since Nissan doesn't want this car to steal the lime-light from the 350z). At roughly the same time, Infiniti will also release a MT version of the sedan. This car will rock.
NJ_MAX2000 is offline  
Old 02-08-2002, 11:22 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
maximawanabee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 499
Re: Acura TL-S test drive

Originally posted by stock6speed
Wow! That engine is awesome. Even though the TL has 5 hp more, the max feels much more responsive. Press the gas pedal and away you go. The TL feels like there is a turbo lag.
Thank god for the manual tranny option, huh?
maximawanabee is offline  
Old 02-08-2002, 08:14 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
2M0A0X2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,012
Re: Re: Acura TL-S test drive

Originally posted by Jsolo™




oh man, this dude has a TL and a Max, he's both the enemy and the friend at the same time....
2M0A0X2 is offline  
Old 02-08-2002, 08:15 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
2M0A0X2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,012
But it's good u stuck with nissan.......you won't regret it...the max is MAX, the TL is well, i dunno...
2M0A0X2 is offline  
Old 02-08-2002, 08:24 PM
  #18  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
 
dblrr900's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,489
I almost went for the Type-S. No stick is a big issue for me. Also, the low end torque is very "not there" like with the Max. The motor is good as it is a Honda motor and they van build them well, but I really wanted this 6 spd with the HP. Plus the ability to increase HP with parts is much better then with the Acura.

Everyone keeps talking about BMWs. Yeah they are OK, but the 3 series is just like any car. My boss has a 2001 328. Nice car, he has already paid it off and wants to sell it and get a VW or something else. He said the car is not worth the extra cost and definitely not worth the Lux, Tax. I think that says a lot.

Good luck on the car buying dood.
dblrr900 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
captchaos
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
17
03-15-2016 12:18 PM
Maxie40
General Maxima Discussion
1
09-14-2015 11:28 AM
slowlifer
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
0
09-08-2015 05:53 AM
Maxima30
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
2
09-07-2015 06:13 PM



Quick Reply: Acura TL-S test drive



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:56 PM.