Drove an Acura 3.2 Today

1138 Views 8 Replies 9 Participants Last post by CanadianPassat, Feb 10, 2002

TucsonRaymo

Discussion Starter · Feb 6, 2002

Out of curiosity, I test drove the Acura 3.2 TL, and then the Acura 3.2 TL Type S today. They are really quick, especially the Type S. Wow!

But I must say, I came away from the Acura dealer thinking that my Passat was by far a superior car, even though it's not nearly as fast. Why? The Passat has a feeling of quality that the Honda can't match: the bank vault-like sound of the doors closing, the placement of the switches and instruments are far superior, the seats are larger and more comfortable, the ride motions are better, there is much more rear seat room, there are no rear reading lights or power outlets on the Acura, and the Acura, in my opinion, just had a general feel of compromise. It just seems cheap, whereas the Passat has a genuine feeling of that good old German quality. I still love my Passat, even though it does have it's foibles. I'm sure the W8 will cure the power problem, but I hope I can afford one.

[Modified by TucsonRaymo, 10:58 PM 2-5-2002]

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SilverstonePassat

· #2 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: Drove an Acura 3.2 Today (TucsonRaymo)

I drove a friends new 3.2 about 2 months ago and indeed it is quick. What annoyed me about it was I kept hitting my head getting in and out of the car and I'm not a very tall guy (5-10).

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hotani

· #3 · Feb 7, 2002

according to the new Consumer Reports article that compared the ES300, TL type S, Audi A4, and Jaguar X type, the TL was the fastest, cheapest, and most fuel efficient of the bunch... pretty good numbers!

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VenomBoy

· #4 · Feb 8, 2002

Re: Drove an Acura 3.2 Today (hotani)

I almost bought a TL in 2000. But my Passat was cheaper and the fit and finish is nicer than the TL. Don't get me wrong, the TL is VERY nice....but the Passat feels tighter overall.

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2nd Passat

· #5 · Feb 9, 2002

Re: Drove an Acura 3.2 Today (TucsonRaymo)

After major frustrations with my first passat (an early 98 and trouble plauged) I sold out and bought a 97 3.5RL. Different beast entirely - comfortable as a living room chair and deathly quiet - but SO SOUL. A perfect appliance, but devoid of any driving interaction. I tried a new 3.2TL but it more of the same only less so (?). And no head room at all.
End result? 2nd Passat - another turbo 5-speed. Its been mine for 11 months and 11,700 iles and trouble free this time. But I feel that I made a mistake by not buying an extended warranty - just in case.
Ain't love grand?

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A4Jetta

· #6 · Feb 9, 2002

Re: Drove an Acura 3.2 Today (TucsonRaymo)

TL lacks Passat's Teutonic solidity although its very good value considered what you got from the car.

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psychwarlord

· #7 · Feb 9, 2002

Re: Drove an Acura 3.2 Today (hotani)

And according to CR, the Passat and new Camry both were recommended over all the contestants - they tested better and were thousands cheaper!

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gugarci

· #8 · Feb 10, 2002

Re: Drove an Acura 3.2 Today (TucsonRaymo)

Boy it's great the way some of you love your cars. But come on the Passat has better build quality, feel tighter. Do you guys have the only Passat who's interiors don't make all those wonderful VW quality sound. You know the tick and pops from the sunroof the rattle from the Pillars and doors and let's not not forget all the wonderful sounds that come from the steering column. The Passat is the better driver's car, and it's interior looks more expensive. But there's no way the build quaility better, than the Acura.

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CanadianPassat

· #9 · Feb 10, 2002

Re: Drove an Acura 3.2 Today (TucsonRaymo)

I second you feeling, No car is built like a VolksWagen

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