Abby and Win’s Blog

Posts Tagged ‘acura’

Another maintenance schedule for my 2004 TL. This time it’s the coolant replacement, front brakes and rotors and the usual oil change. As usual they set me up with a loaner for a day. This time they lent me a 2009 TL (base model – no navi, no SH-AWD). Like all versions of the 4th generation, it has the 3.5L V6 engine but only 280HP unlike the SH-AWD with 305HP.

My first impressions before getting this loaner weren’t good ones based on the exterior look. The interior didn’t really interest me much since I haven’t heard any big changes. The 3.5L engine is nice. Acceleration is great. It has paddle shifters like the Type-S model of 2008. Here’s a list of things I noticed. Some of the comments are comparisons to my 2004 TL.

• The headrest for the front seats are angled forward. I like this because you can recline your seats back and have your head relaxed without having it tilted too far back.
• The leather on the seats seemed different. There are no small holes that make up the bottom piece of the seats. There are more seams to reduce “butt prints”.
• The headrest on the back seats can fold down or up.
• The cup holders at the back are still the middle hand rest but placed on top with a cover rather than the front part that extends from the inside.
• There is now access from the rear seats to the trunk.
• The gas tank and trunk release buttons are now placed on the door.
• The side mirror defroster is now part of the stereo console and is with the rear window defroster. So if you press this button, both will be activated.
• The door locks are a little confusing – at least for my co-workers.
• After adding fuel to the car, the trip computer is smart enough to reset. I like this feature a lot and wished they had this with my model.
• It still has the in-dash 6 disc CD changer. But now it has an Aux and USB connection. With the USB connection, you can connect an iPod and it will sync with the stereo interface. You can select from your playlists, artists and albums. I really wish they add genres too coz it’s a pain if you have a lot of artists or albums and have to browse through all of the to get to like “S”. The USB also charges the iPod while connected. I tried it with an iPod Photo and iPhone 3G. You can still access all of the iPhone’s apps while connected. The iPod area is the only thing synced with the car.
• Below the stereo console is a cicle with 2 buttons on each side. This one of the main controls for selecting different options for the stereo. It reminds me a little of BMW’s iDrive. I found it easy to use. I’m not sure if the touch screen capability on the navi models still exists. The MDX and RDX loaners I’ve got as loaners no longer have the touch screen capability (if they even had it in the first place).
• I see the handsfree button but couldn’t find the voice command button. Did they remove that on this model or on all the models?

That’s pretty much all I noticed during the day I had the car. I’m not too impressed compared to my current TL. Even if they lent me the 2009 navi and SH-AWD model, I wouldn’t consider trading in my TL for a new one. I’m quite happy and content with what I have. Here’s a list of things that I wish it had.

• Different body style. I find the exterior design not at all appealing.
• Heated seats are nice, but what about cooled seats too?
• Keyless entry similar to Lexus IS and up series.
• What happened to the voice command button?

Here are some pics below. You can check out the whole album here http://www.flickr.com/photos/w1n78/sets/72157618789131165/.

Here’s the video I uploaded on YouTube.

My TL is at the dealer getting its A14 service maintenance. It’s the major service since my car has over 109K miles on it. This time the dealer gave me a 2007 MDX loaner. After having an unpleasant experience with a RDX as a loaner last time, I wanted to check out the MDX – so I’m glad they read my mind and gave me one for the day. Most of my thoughts will be based on comparing it with my 2004 TL.

The MDX has a DVD and rear view camera so according the their website it’s the Tech Package with Rear DVD System. It took some time to get used to the navigation system since unlock unlike my TL it isn’t touch screen. Most of the settings I adjusted was able to adjust using the voice recognition since I couldn’t find the buttons right away and I was feeling lazy to look. The commands are still same so far (compared to the TL).

The steering wheel folds inward when you pull the key out, so that you have plenty of room to get out of the vehicle. Once you insert the key, the steering wheel adjusts towards you to the position of how you set the seat memory. This is fully mechanical. There is a little joystick on the left side to help you position it properly. It moves inwards as soon as the key is removed.

The DVD uses wireless head phones. I also noticed RCA connectors in the back. You can plug in game consoles (Wii, PS3, 360, etc.) here. I used my iPod touch to play some videos off it. You can also listen to XM, AM/FM, and the 6 disc player.

The real-time traffic is pretty cool. I just don’t like how it’s displayed. I guess I got used to using my iPhone and Google maps. I don’t know how accurate or how frequent the updates occur. I’m sure it updates frequently since it’s connected to XM satellite. Uses the following colors: green = no traffic, yellow = some traffic, and red = traffic.

There are plenty of compartments in the center console. There is even one on the passenger side, next to where your left leg would be.

It can sit up to 7 people – 2 in the front, 3 in the 2nd row and the 3rd row can sit 2. The 3rd row can also fold down to give more trunk space. If you need more trunk space, the 2nd row can also fold down. It also has a power tailgate (automatic trunk door) that opens and closes mechanically. There’s even a button on the key fob.

What I also like is it drives just like my TL. It doesn’t feel any bigger and the response is quite similar. Of course, you wouldn’t want to take as fast turns as you would on a sedan. But in normal driving conditions, i felt very comfortable if not more comfortable than in my TL.

I was able to get about 24MPG but most of this is highway travel and with the A/C on.

Here’s a list of likes:

• handles like a sedan
• automatic telescopic steering wheel
• automatic tailgate
• sits 7 people
• rear seats can fold down for more trunk space
• 6 disc changer can play MP3 and WMA audio format
• DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones can also access XM, AM/FM, and 6 disc player
• monitoring of SH-AWD and tire pressure

Dislikes:

• front seats have heat capability but still no cooling capability – would be great during the summer
• beeping sound it makes when the tailgate opens/closes
• slow response with acceleration – not sure if it’s because of the gas used before I got it or something else

I have taken a quick video and some pics before I had to return it. You can view the video below and the pics off my Flickr account. Again, this is just a quick first thoughts and now a full blown review. I only had it for 1 day and most of the time I wasn’t able to drive it since I was at work.

Link to Flickr album.

Last week I left my TL at the dealer to do some recall work. They lent me a 2007 Acura RDX. I’ve been curious about this vehicle ever since they announced the model but never got a chance to go to the dealer and check it out. I had my opportunity for a few hours.

This was the first time I ever drove a turbo-charged vehicle. It feels weird. I accelerate but for the first second or so it seems the vehicle isn’t responding. But as soon as the gauge goes up, then it accelerates. I guess that’s what that turbo lag I hear people talk about. It’s pretty fast considering it’s only a 4-cylinder engine.

The car can sit 5 people comfortably. The trunk is pretty big as well. It has a nice interior with a more updated version of the navigation system than my TL. It has XM radio, a disc player that can read CD, DVD-A, MP3, and WMA. There is an auxiliary out that is accessible. Unlike my TL, the screen on the RDX isn’t touch screen. To navigate, you must use a dial-like knob in the middle of the console. It took a couple of tries to figure it out but was able to use it. As you drive, there is an audio feedback whenever a menu is selected on the screen. This comes handy to keep your eye on the road rather than messing with the menus on the screen.

The paddle shifters are pretty cool. They can be used while on “Drive” but it shifts back to automatic if you don’t use it “properly”. You can override this by shifting to “Standard”.

I didn’t notice an option for memory seats. I’m not sure if this model came with it. The hood doesn’t have hydraulics so you must lift the hood and use the stand to hold it up. I forgot how hoods are heavy. I guess I’ve been spoiled with my TL which has the hydraulics on the hood that hold it up. Another thing I didn’t like is the poor gas mileage. For a 4-cylinder car, we averaged 17 mpg for few hours. I’m not sure if it has been broken in but it has over 19,000 miles. My TL at that age was getting over 24 mpg and it’s a V6.

Final thoughts: It’s a nice vehicle, feels like a car to drive. The interior is great. I’m not too sure on the mpg performance and the price tag at around $36k with navi. I’m not sure I would be getting one any time soon. There are other vehicles in the same class that would be more cost effective. I took some pics and uploaded them here http://www.flickr.com/photos/w1n78/sets/72157605836470694/detail/

My car’s 4th birthday. On top of that, I reached 100,000 miles too. So far I’ve had a handful of B2 services and a bunch of A1 services. I’m on my 4th set of tires. After the crappy EL42s that came with the car, I’ve used Yokohama ES100 (if I remember correctly) and Falken ZE329. The Falkens I’m using are my current favorite. I’m on my second set. The Yokos were okay but got too noisy as it got old. The Falkens got noisy too but not as bad. I’m never going back to the Bridgestone Turanzas from the experience I got (blewout – http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112449).

Anyways, after all those miles driven, she still runs great. It’s mostly freeway miles and I’m getting 28-30 mpg.