Not trying to be rude, but maybe you just have unrealistic expectations. :dunno: Toyota and Honda make some great cars for the money, but they aren't going to be perfect. No car is - Japanese or German. Esp not for less than $40K. I remember reading the car with the lowest flaws per 100 cars is still pretty high...76 flaws per 100 cars from the Lexus LS430. Sorry I can't remember the site.

 

Part of what I am saying is that I bought it because I wasn't able to find any problem immidiately after I seat in the car. With the RL, it was all good, I sat in the car for 5 minutes and I wasn't really able to find problem either. The reason why I turned it down is because the design is out of date. Problem with TL is that the material used is not at high grade and the fit and finish has room to improve. I was in both TL for around 5 minutes each, and I was able to pick several flawS in the car within that time frame.

Cars are expensive, they should be made with care. From what I saw, TSX has much greater assembling and material selection quality than TL. I was not able to pick out problems immidiately with my recent TSX test drive. If they had made the TL with that same care, I would prob not have a negative image of the brand.

 

Yeah, RL is showing it's age, and the TL is on a 5 year old platform as well, whereas the TSX is new. I'm sure the new TL coming out soon will to at least the level of fit and finsh and material as the TSX, you would expect to even be slightly better. A more fair comparison will be new TL quality vs less than one year old TSX quality.

 

that is too much for an inspection. the dealership charged me $78 to LOOK at my AC....even tho i knew it already had a hole in it..

 

Because I was being a smart ass.

 

I agree, the RL is out dated, especially compared to the Lexus LS430, which is without a doubt a much better car...especially with the 4.3 290 hp V8. The RL needs the NSXs C3.2 liter to better compete. I always liked the TL better than the Lexus ES300, despite the ES300s slightly higher quality advantage, the TL was the only one of the two to offer a coupe, manual trans, and a type-s with 260 hp (270 for 04) I prefer a blend of luxury and performance. The 2004 Acura TL should be better than the current TSX in terms of build quality, and luxury amenities, and much improved from the previous model TL.

>>>>Part of my struggle had been that people telling me that their car drives like a brand new car after 100k>>>

They must be speaking in relative terms, either that, or they forgot what a brand new car feels like.

I had 2 new cars in the past 3 years, I would think I know how a new car drives... Yet my Accord is not at 100k and drives relatively poor>>>

The Accord was the first used car I bought, most of my vehicles have been brand new purchases, and there is quite a difference. But like I said, in comparison to my previous cars, the Accord doesnt feel nearly as tired and worn out as the others did at 8 years and 100k miles. I can feel plenty of life left in the Accord, and I dont hold back when I need to take it on a long road trip. I didnt trust the others any further than I could spit.

however 1/2 of this forum swears that their car drives new after so many years and so many miles>>>

Well, Ive made the comment myself... but I speak in relative terms, and I make that known. My car is well maintained, it still shines, the interior is in great condition, the engine performs great, and overall shows very little wear. My car is pretty 'new' for its age, again.. speaking in relative terms.

I even went to carmax to test drive 3 other Accords of similar specs and came down with a conclusion that those people have lowered expectation>>

I wouldnt say my expectations are lower, infact, I exptect a lot based on the car's reputation..and at times I have been dissapointed, I agree that the some of the hype is an exaggeration...but at other times, I have been truly amazed.

Unlike most people, I have no brand loyalty; I swing from manufacture to manufacture>>

Well, Im pretty much the same way... I'll go with any manufacturer that builds the car that I want, and I feel confident in buying. I feel confident in Hondas products, but I am a fan of many makes and models outside of Hondas.

So far I still haven't found one that I am confortable with. Even with the Lexus, I start to find manufacturing defects>>>

And according to the major quality surveys, Toyota and Lexus have among the fewest flaws of any auto maker. The German auto makers are having reliability issues, especially BMW...which Ive known for a while...much the reason Ive never owned a German engineered automobile even though I'd love to. But Ive learned that with very few things, can you have your cake and eat it to.

 

Actually i will be in the market again pretty soon, I am looking at the TSX AWD; if it becomes available. I am also waiting and see if Lexus will make a stick GS in the next generation. As of now, like you said, the Accord I have feels like it might be able to go for another 5 years with ease; however by far it does not drive as a new car. I too have taken a 1100 mile road trip during the summer with the Accord instead of the Lexus.

I will just wait for my violation points to go away then pick and choose. As for now, I am just enjoying the beater I have... It is actually nice to drive a car without caring much about it. With the investment I already put down, I foresee the price of gas, a new set of tires and 3 oil changes for the next 3 years. Other than that it is pretty much a free car to drive. Oh, the insurance too...arrrrgggg...

 

For a big car like that, it would benefit more by a V8. Need more low end grunt to get stuff rolling.

 

As of now, like you said, the Accord I have feels like it might be able to go for another 5 years with ease>>>

I average 50,000 miles per year on mine, so 5 years may be a stretch for me, but I'll drive it until it starts breaking down and I can no longer trust it. With that said, if the 6th gen is anything like previous Accords, I have a good amount of driving time left.

I too have taken a 1100 mile road trip during the summer with the Accord instead of the Lexus>>

Ive taken so many in mine, I lost count. I put over 60,000 miles on it since last April, most of which were accumilated on I-10 and I-75. And Im not nearly done, as we speak Im planning a 1400 mile round trip beginning of next month to attend a family reunion in Louisiana.

As for now, I am just enjoying the beater I have... It is actually nice to drive a car without caring much about it>>>

Ditto. And believe me, when your 1,000+ miles away from home, middle of the night, on I-75 the last thing you want to worry about is a breakdown.

 

With that said, if the 6th gen is anything like previous Accords>>>

Meant to say 5th gen.

For a big car like that, it would benefit more by a V8. Need more low end grunt to get stuff rolling>>>

Definitely, Honda needs the V8 as bad as the Accord needed a V6 in 1995.