I am trying to decide between the 2005 Acura TL and the 2005 Lexus ES330. I know that they are different styles etc and some would say you either like one or the other. But I think there are pros and cons and I could go for either. The prices I am hearing, in Canadian dollars, for the models including the Navigation systems, are as follows:
Acura: $51,000 Lexus $60,000
Both prices are on the road prices icluding all taxes (15%). Both are automatic.
I would be interested in getting others' opinions regarding these two models. Which would you go for? Rationale? Pros & cons etc. Thanks
I had an Acura CL, which is the same as the TL except for two doors vs. 4 doors. I also had an ES 300, 1997 but they have not changed that much. They are different cars with the Acura being a better handling car, with a somewhat harsher ride but still nice. The Lexus was bigger, rode softer and did not handle as well, but still decent. The Lexus had a more luxo interior, but the Acura still had a nice interior. A few years ago, Honda and Acura had some problems with transmissions, but I suspect that has been fixed. The Acura was or is a faster car, more horsepower in a lighter car.
If parking was a problem, then I would go with the Acura, since it is smaller and easier to find a space. I would go with the Acura if I drove in the mountains a lot, due to its better handling. On the other hand, if you do a lot of highway driving, then I would go with the Lexus. If you carry passengers a lot in the rear, the Lexus has more rear seat room. If none of this matters, then the Acura is less money.
My experiences with Acura dealers have all been horrible. I won't bore you with the details, but I'd rather walk than buy something from Acura. While the Lexus dealerships are still "car dealers", they've never lied to me, never been rude, and never have bashed other makes/models to try and sell their own. I'd visit both dealerships, drive the cars, and then make your own decision.
I have the ES 330 and I would honestly say look at the Acura. The ES 330 is slow on acceleration and has the tranny lag issues. It is very nice and solid, but I would suggest looking at the Acura, test driving both very carefully.
Excellent comments, I have the same observations. To the poster Carl's comments, I would say that's not typical of Acura dealerships, and I wouldn't let that influence your decision. The Acura will handle and perform better, the Lexus has a throttle lag and a softer ride. I have a
2002 ES300, and the throttle lag has been very frustrating. I drove a new ES330 loaner, and it didn't seem to perform as poorly as my ES300, but the lag was still there. The new TL (in 2004) added more headroom inside, which was needed for tall folks. I would say I would lean toward the TL if I had to choose today.
I'm not sure that it is helpful to over generalize about either of the models. Facts are facts and one bad experience should not be considered fact. If your experience with the TL was that the tranny failed then that doesn't make the TL a bad car. It just means your specific TL has a problem.
When we are talking about "no tranny lag with the TL versus the ES330", that is a design fact not an isolated incident. The TL is known to be the car of choice for people who prefer a better driving exerience and who don't want to pay an arm and a leg for a 3 series or a G35 with all the same toys that come with the TL for $35K. This is mainly because of its power and its handling. The Lexus ES330 is for people who prefer a luxurious soft ride (you won't even feel like you left your nice comfortable couch at home feeling in a Lexus).
I wouldn't say that one is better than the other. It all depends on the type of driver you are and what you want to get for your money. I have to admit that I am an owner of the 2005 TL Auto/Nav. It's a blast. Prior to that I owned an Mini Cooper S. I loved taking the corners with that Mini at 75 to 85 MPH. I loved knowing what the car was going to do and how it was going to do it when I "told" it to. I don't get that same feeling in the TL but it's a totally different car altogether. However, I like that the TL is responsive, fast, handles the turns very well, the feel of the road even if it's definitely a softer ride than what I'm used to. But at least I can feel the road and feel fairly confident that the car will respond to my driving the way I intended it to respond. I don't think that I could drive the ES the way I drive my TL.
If you want a nice sophisticated and wonderfully detailed car go with the Lexus. It'll get you noticed for sure. Also, as most people know Lexus has a higher resale value than any of the cars in its class. But if you're a real "driver" who enjoys understated class and style; and you love performance without paying 20% more for it then go with the TL. Newer technology has gone into the redesigned TL like voice command and bluetooth capability for handsfree operation of your bluetooth capable cell phone. Some of these technology you can't find in the other cars of it's class including the ES330, BMW 3series or the G 35 no matter how much you pay for it.
Finally, why it less costly to by the TL. Not that it is less of a status symbol to own a TL versus the others but keep in mind how many radio and television commercials and advertisments have you seen for the Lexus, Infinity and even the Beemer? Advertising!!! Acura does less of it and that's a big savings to Acura and to their customers. I mean... They could have a commercial with a TL in a livingroom under a Christmas tree with a big red bow on it OR they could sell you one at a lesser price than their competitor and you can drive it home and enjoy it for the holidays. It seems like a no brainer to me... But that's just my opinion on how this pricing game is played.
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