therm8

It is rather heavy, but it'll hand the TL it's *** on pretty much any level. And I don't think it qualifies for yacht status (perhaps you were thinking of the STS-V?), it's not much bigger than the TL. It does have a significantly wider track, which leads to superior handling, even in a heavier car. Though the TL is no lightweight at around 3600lbs (the Caddy is listed at 3850 on edmunds). Looks are subjective. The TL is nice to look at, inside and out, but that's all it's got going for it, imo. I like the look of the CTS, particularly in black.

cas2themoe

Both the TL and the CTS-V are great cars. My wife has and TL W/Nav and its been wonderful. No problems and just all around a good sports sedan. But If I had to pick, I'd take the CTS-V. Those cars are bad *** and look aggressive to back it up.

pdxhak

iTrader: (2)

Last week I dropped the wife's MDX off for an oil change and to have a few things checked. They provided a 2006 TL w/Nav and Sirus as loaner. It had the auto-manual transmission and I was very impressed. Overall the car handled really well and had solid acceleration. The MDX goes in for service next week so hopefully I get another TL.

Ike

There is no way in hell the TL outhandles the CTS-V. Just buy a Crossfire and be done with it.

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

I guess that attempt at facetious-ness was kinda botched. Sorry.

I should have said "it weighs two tons"

FWIW, the RX-8 is slightly more than 1.5 tons.

DOMINION

So can I ask why you parked by a storm wash?

Chrisbert

I would browse here before buying the TL: http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=23

I had an 01 Cl-S, and the Wife has an 02 TL-S. I got rid of mine for the 8 after its 2nd tranny and she has had 3. No Acura for me.

Paul_in_DC

According to Edmunds, the CTS-V is several hundred pounds heavier than the TL.

dankgummy

Well, I have a condo unit and this is my assigned parking spot, not much I can do about that. 2nd, I live in Arlington VA, right outside of DC, it doesn't flood in my area. In areas such as Alexandra and Georgetown in floods w/heavy rain, but my area hasn't flooded in God knows how long. Finally, I was on vacation in the Bahamas, if i had known, I would've asked my buddy who lives in my building to move my car.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts about my car. I've test driven pretty much everything in the $30-$35K sports sedan range. Here are my thoughts on the cars I test drove.

Acura TL (6SPD w/Nav): This engine really moves! The V6 in this car is more than strong enough to carry the weight of the car. There is a LOT of torque steer in 1st gear, so much (granted I’m not used to driving the car) that I almost went into another lane when I stomped on the gas. The navi system was the best of all the cars I saw, the fit and finish was nice, and I love how the car comes loaded w/Nav being the only option.

Infiniti G35 (4spd 4door w/Nav): IMO, I did not thing think the engine in this car was as strong as the TL’s although it has about 30 more HP. I did not like the tightness of the steering nor did I like the rubbery clutch. I however did enjoy the RWD but did not think the interior was as plush and elegant than the TL. Very nice car overall, just not the car for me.

Lexus IS 250 (6pd w/o Nav): I love the look of this car, very muscular looking and the fact that is brand spanking new makes me just love it. The car is pretty trick from the get go, if the key are in your pants, the door automatically unlocks once you touch the door handle. I also love the push button start!!! The navigation is not available w/6spd cars, retarded… The car also comes w/ventilated seats, very trick. Overall, the car was underpowered. Definitely more a cruiser car than sporty, I would probably get in automatic over 6spd just because driver didn’t seem connected w/the shifting of gears.

Mercedes C240: If I could sum this car up, I wouldn’t mind riding in this car, but definitely not drive it. I felt so removed from the driver’s experience. The car is way overpriced for what you get. The car is underpowered and EVERYTHING is an option, all the way down to the ‘power’ seats. Ridiculous. To get all the options that come standard in an Acura TL, this car would be roughly $40k, simply not worth it.

Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Great car. Handling was great, barely any turbo lag. The car is a true sleeper. Felt the fastest out of all the cars tested not including the CTS-V. I really liked this car, it’s the cheapest of the bunch, dealer was selling for $26K out the door but what made me hold off was the fact that the car was not available with navigation w/ 6spd and the car had no option for xenon lights. Yes, I can get both aftermarket, but I want my car to be done in 1 nice package from the dealership. Finally, since the car is a ‘sleeper’, I hate to say this, but the car was just simply too mundane for my taste. I was something that grabs attention, which is something that the rx-8 obviously does.

Cadillac CTS-V: the engine is amazing. I was on the highway in 4th gear going 90mph and the tach was barely at 3500. I mean this car is just ridiculously fast. The amount of torque is simply night and day when compared to our little rotary engine. I also thought the interior was one of the nicer interiors I’ve seen in any American car. The car handled well for something this large too, I think Cadillac did great with this car. I’m leaning towards this car more than the Acura simply for the engine….

cas2themoe

Exactly

Raptor75

CTS-V is a nice car, good power, nice looks the only down side is the poor build quality and reliability.

TL is nice for a family car but no where near the performance marks of the RX or CTS.

Resale on the TL will be very good while the CTS-V will be poor but if your buying it used the hit my already have been taken.

Design1stCode2nd

The CTS-V has a whole lot of punch for sure. I wouldn't go with the G35 since the 07 G35 is a complete redesign and is due out later this year. They are attempting to be a 3 series killer with the 07 so we shuold see shortly if that is right or not. If you liked the Legacy GT they have a Spec B that comes with Nav and a manual (nice interior too)that is due out very soon (might even be able to order it now)and and some STI bits on it as well. Check out Subies site for info.

Me personally the only front-wheel drive car I'd consider is a Mini Cooper S Vert. If I could do a second car that's what I'd get.

daisuke

if the CTS is ugly then the crossfire is the dog after it comes out of the teleporter in The Fly, it's the ugliest sports coupe on the martket. And there are plenty of cars that handle better than it out there that probably cost less to buy.

cas2themoe

Don't mind him. He's just trying to get under MY skin since he saw me post something in this thread. Maybe he'll grow up one of these days or maybe not.

spork

I find the CTS ugly (I don't like the boxy look with jagged lines personally). But I would say if you want a nice, comfortable ride with some sport get the TL. If you want more performance, get the Caddy.

I haven't test drove the Caddy so I have no idea. I have test driven the TL and it's a nice nice nice car. Not the car you want if you're a fan of cornering, but as a sporty sedan, it's pretty darn nice. Very quiet ride. Plenty of power. Comfortable ride. Fully loaded. People were telling me NOT to get the automatic because a lot of people have problems with the transmissions busting. I hear the manual does not have that problem. The manual has that insanely soft clutch though. I can't tell if I like it or not.

cas2themoe

I hope that doesnt happen to us. Does it say a year for the TL's that had that problem? My wife has an 05 Automatic. Nothing has happen so far.

alfy28

i would pick the caddy over TL. i see way to many TL in my area, and also its fwd which i do not care for. And Matrix 2 did a awesome job promoting that caddy. but if you put a e46 as a choice, then that would be my choice :P

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

CTS-V for the win.

400 horsepower in a nice, torquey engine.

As far as the interior is concerned, I've driven it, and it's just as nice as the TL in my opinion.

Mass manufacturing of automotive interiors by suppliers such as Lear and Johnston Controls makes arguing about interiors of comparably priced cars akin to a debate about how many angels can sit on the head of a pin.

The chassis of the CTS-V is nicely tuned, too.

Don't forget, the TL makes the most of what it has, but what it has is the platform of the Honda Accord.

Rx-8 Captain

you cant go wrong with a caddy chicks love caddys and i think the cts v was in bad boys two.

therm8

Have you been in a CTS-V? Or any late model Caddy? Build quality is not an issue. Reliability, I'm not sure about, but the TL is not top tier in this dept. Afaik, the past few model years of Cadillacs have been some of the most reliable of the US makes.

Maybe it's just me, but resale value is always low on my list of perogatives when buying a car. I buy what I want to drive, not what other people want to drive. An '04 TL loses about 30% of its value. The '04 CTS-V about 39%. But from there on, who knows. Sports cars (sedans) are easy to sell. Ho hum family cars, not so much. For comparison purposes, the '04 RL (similarly priced to the CTS-V) loses more than 45% of its value. (all values are based on dealer trade-in).

sweetcar

Do you still have the stock rims for sale? I wouldn't mind having a couple spares. For the first year and a half that I had the car I was so careful and had never nicked a wheel. Within the last couple months I've bumped a curb twice. How much do you want for them? I live in Old Town Alexandria so it'd be easy to pick them up. PM me if you want.

mdw1000

I believe the TL tranny issues were supposed to be fixed as of sometime during the 05 model year. Ours is a late 05 so the fix was already on the manufacturing line. Don't remember what the exact issue was.

Razz1

The Caddy is nice but there still boxy looking and the style will fade quickly.

Nice drive. I like the TL too.

I think it depends upon how long you want to keep the car and wehter you can afford gas.

If it's 4/5 yrs go Caddy.

Personnally I think you can find a better car than tose two.

map

I would take the Caddy over the TL without question. The LS2 is a freakin peach. I think the car looks great in V trim, normal trim the wheels are so small it looks like a joke.

Rosko350z

CTS-V No contest.

A FWD Honda? Pffft.