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2008 Acura TL Sedan

4dr Sdn Man Type-S HPT

Starting at $21,175 | Starting at 18 MPG City - 27 MPG Highway

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$21,175 average Retail
$38,425 original MSRP

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Overview
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Safety
Warranties
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Printable Version

2008 Acura TL Sedan

Summary

Provided by NADAguides.com

Relatively unchanged this model year, the 2008 Acura TL is a four door, five passenger luxury Sedan available in base and Type S models, with your choice of a manual or automatic transmission, navigation and a summer tire package. Engines range from a 258 horsepower 3.2-liter V6 to a 286 horsepower 3.5-liter V6. Luxury features include dual zone auto climate control, cruise control, keyless entry, full power accessories, heated lumbar seats, a leather-wrapped adjustable steering wheel, AM/FM/CD/MP3/Satellite audio, a rear window defogger and ABS brakes.

Benefits of Driving a 2008 Acura TL Sedan

The 2008 Acura TL skillfully combines power, luxury, safety, and reliability in a practical package, all while remaining at the lower end of pricing in its segment. Its appeal is broadened further with the Type-S satisfying the performance enthusiast.

What's new for 2008?

2008 is a carry-over year for the Acura TL, following the 2007 mid-cycle revision. As such, very little changed.

Model Strengths

Luxury, performance, and reliability, all in one
loaded with features
tremendous value.

Model Review

The front-wheel-drive 2008 Acura TL continues to offer one of the best combinations of luxury and performance in its segment. The entry-level engine is a 3.2L SOHC V6 that produces 258 horsepower and is paired with a five-speed sequential SportShift automatic transmission. A 286-horsepower 3.5L V6 is standard in the resurrected Type-S. It is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, but can also be ordered with the same five-speed found in the base TL.

Printable Version

2008 Acura TL Sedan

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2008 Acura TL

Source: The Car Connection

TheCarConnection.com's editors studied reviews from around the Web to bring you this conclusive report on the 2008 Acura TL. Experts from TheCarConnection.com have driven the Acura TL and TL Type-S on several different occasions. These experiences enable our team to offer you a definitive opinion on this sports sedan. This review also compares the 2008 Acura TL with other vehicles in its class to give you the best advice even when other reviews present conflicting opinions.

Totally reengineered way back in 2004, Acura's mid-size TL entry-level luxury/sport sedan received a number of updates and improvements for 2007. These improvements included revised exterior and interior styling, as well as an upgraded navigation system with AcuraLink satellite communication system and real-time traffic monitoring. With so much changing last year, alterations for 2008 were limited. For Acura, 2008 is the year that the company added tire pressure monitors as standard along with a new color, Bold Beige. Wow, eh? (This isn't a real surprise, as Acura will introduce an all-new Acura TL for the 2009 model year.)

The most sporting 2008 Acura TL is the Type-S high-performance edition. It's stuffed with a 286-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine (from the more expensive Acura RL sedan), and its chassis gets a sport suspension. The TL Type-S can be visually distinguished by its rear spoiler, 10-spoke alloy wheels, quad exhaust tips, and other upgrades.

The TL's standard 3.2-liter V-6 engine delivers 253 hp. While the Type-S can be ordered with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, the standard TL only comes with a five-speed Sequential SportShift automatic. This hurts the Acura, as many manufacturers (Ford and General Motors) are making six-speed automatics standard on lower-priced cars.

Like other Acura models, the TL comes with lots of standard equipment, including a DVD-Audio system and a relative handful of available options--such as a voice-activated navigation system and high-performance summer tires.

While the experts from TheCarConnection.com like the 2008 Acura TL just fine, it's hard for them to forget that this car is related to the Honda Accord. On the plus side, these roots form the basis for a smooth and refined automobile that is also practical and not too pricey. All these are good points. However, a certain passion is lacking from the Acura TL, and this sedan doesn't have the same level of personality that some other cars in the class have. Part of the problem is the front-wheel-drive powertrain that limits what Honda engineers can do with the car. They understand as well as anybody that you can't make a front-wheel-drive car handle like a rear-wheel-drive car.

The second main group are those with sportier personalities. These are the rear-drive sedans from BMW, Infiniti, and Lexus IS. All three brands offer 300-horsepower-plus six-cylinder engines and chassis that love to take on challenging canyon roads.

The last car to consider is a dark horse of sorts, the all-new Chevrolet Malibu. When decked out in its best duds and its top engine, the Malibu is a very nice car. Yes, it is a Chevy, but it offers nearly everything the Acura TL does at a lower price.

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 Acura TL is a "nice" car that's well equipped in every category except personality.

Printable Version

2008 Acura TL Sedan

Safety Ratings What do the Safety Ratings mean? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) performs independent crash testing of new vehicles and then assigns them a score based on their performance. The overall crash test rating is based on how a vehicle performs in the following tests: Driver Crash Grade: Measures the chance of a serious injury to a crash test dummy that is placed in a driver's seat and driven into a fixed barrier at 35 MPH. A five-star rating means there is 10 percent or less chance of injury. Passenger Crash Grade: Similar to the driver crash grade, only now the focus is on the passenger. Rollover Resistance: Simulates an emergency lane change to measure the likelihood of a vehicle rolling over. A five-star rating means there is 10 percent or less risk of rollover. Side Impact Crash Test - Front: Focuses on the front side of a vehicle. It simulates crashes that can occur in intersections by striking a 3,015-pound weight against the side of a vehicle at 38.5 MPH. A five-star rating means there is 5 percent or less chance of injury. Side Impact Crash Test - Rear: Similar to the front side impact test only now the focus is on the rear passenger.
Driver Crash Grade	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Passenger Crash Grade	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Rollover Resistance	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Side Impact Crash Test - Front	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Side Impact Crash Test - Rear	No consumer rating Rate & Review

Safety Features & Equipment

Braking & Traction
4-Wheel ABS	Std
Traction/Stability Control	Std
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	Std

Passenger Restraint
Driver Air Bag	Std
Passenger Air Bag	Std
Side Air Bag	Std
Side Head Air Bag	Std
Rear Head side Air Bag	Std
Child Safety Locks	Std

Road Visibility
HID Headlights	Std
Fog Lamps	Std
Electrochromic Rearview Mirror	Std
Intermittent Wipers	Std
Variable Inter. Wipers	Std

Accident Prevention
Back-Up Camera	Std
Handsfree Wireless	Std

Security
Anti-theft System	Std
Telematics	Std

Printable Version

2008 Acura TL Sedan

Original Warranty Original Warranty An original warranty is the warranty associated with a vehicle when it is brand new. In addition to the original warranty, select items, like tires, are typically covered by respective manufacturers. Also, an act of Federal law sometimes provides protection for certain components, like emissions equipment. The original warranty is often broken down into multiple sections, including: Basic Warranty: Typically covers everything except for parts that wear out through normal use of the vehicle. Examples of non-covered items are brake pads, wiper blades and filters. Drivetrain Warranty: This warranty covers items the basic warranty does not protect. Wear and tear items such as hoses will not be covered, but key items like the engine, transmission, drive axles and driveshaft often will be. Roadside Assistance: The level of service differs greatly with this warranty, but many manufacturers offer a toll-free number that helps provide assistance in case you run out of gas, get a flat tire or lock your keys in the car. Corrosion Warranty: This warranty focuses on protecting you from holes caused by rust or corrosion in your vehicle's sheet metal. Please check the owner's manual, visit a local dealership or look at the manufacturer's website to learn more about the specifics of the warranties that apply to a vehicle.	Miles	Months
Basic	50,000	48
Drivetrain	70,000	72
Corrosion	0	60
Roadside Assistance	50,000	48

Acura Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Certified Pre-Owned Warranty To be eligible for Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) status, vehicles generally must be recent models with relatively low mileage. CPO vehicles must also pass a detailed inspection, outlined by the manufacturer, which is measured by the number of inspected points. Warranty coverage can vary from one manufacturer to the next. While most certified pre-owned programs transfer and extend the existing new car warranty terms, others offer a warranty that simply represents an additional year and mileage value. Always check with the manufacturer for the specific warranties they offer. Common features and benefits of Certified Pre-Owned warranties include: Age/Mileage Eligibility To even be considered for certification, a car must be a recent model year and have limited mileage. The exact requirements are established by individual manufacturers. Lease Term Certified Some manufacturers offer certified pre-owned cars for lease. The length of the lease is often shorter than a new car lease, but it will cost you less. Point Inspection These inspections entail a comprehensive vehicle test to ensure that all parts are in excellent working order. The point inspection list is simply a numbered list of exactly what parts of the car are examined. While many inspections range from a 70- to 150-point checklist, most are very similar and are performed using strict guidelines. Ask your local dealer about specific details. Return/Exchange Program Some manufacturers offer a very limited return or exchange period. Find out if you will get the sales tax and licensing/registration fees back should you return or exchange the car. Roadside Assistance Most certified pre-owned programs offer free roadside service in case your car breaks down while still under warranty. Special Financing Reduced-rate loans are available through many certified pre-owned programs. Manufacturer-backed inspections and warranties help eliminate the risks involved with buying pre-owned, so buyers who qualify can take advantage of the great offers. Transferable Warranty When a new car warranty transfers with the certification of the car and remains eligible for the next owner, it is known as a transferable warranty. Once the original transferable warranty expires, an extended warranty takes effect. Warranty Deductible This is the amount for which you are responsible when repair work is performed under the warranty. Some manufacturers require a deductible while others don't, so always ask.
12 months/12,000 miles limited warranty from purchased date or expiration of new car warranty date. Additional 7 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty from in-service date.
Age/Mileage Eligibility	6 years / 80,000 miles
Lease Term Certified	Yes
Point Inspection	150
Return/Exchange Program	3 day exchange
Roadside Assistance	Yes
Special Financing	Yes
Transferrable Warranty	Yes
Warranty Deductible	No