2003 Acura TL Consumer Reviews

2003 Acura TL

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2003 Acura TL

Kelley Blue Book Retail $7,200–$7,925  

Average Rating

4.3 out of 5
Review This Car
Comfort:4.6 out of 5
Performance:4.4 out of 5
Exterior Styling:4.1 out of 5
Interior Design:4.3 out of 5
Value for the Money:4.4 out of 5
Reliability:4.1 out of 5

23 out of 28 people would recommended this car to a friend

Consumer Reviews

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Luvin it!

by Briguy
from Albany, NY | May 23, 2011

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I love this car, the exterior is a bit on the sub-par end, yet the engine and interior and handling make up for it by far. This car has blown my mind, and having only owned mine for a month now, I have already made the decision to never own anything but an Acura ever again."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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1 out of 2 found this review helpful

Very decent and comfort car but pricy

by Chandra
from Richfield, MN | May 13, 2011

Rating from

(3)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I liked the car ver much, nice and comfort and ver reliable, only thing is it is pricy for a 2003 car and city milage is not more than 20."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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1 out of 2 found this review helpful

Very nice and safe car

by bbalaji3867
from NJ | March 21, 2011

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 3 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 4 out of 5

"good car to have for long distance drives, can easily run for hours on the end...and cross country. Very safe on the road"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Work


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4 out of 4 found this review helpful

excellent car!

by drew
from Chicago | July 17, 2010

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 4 out of 5

"I bought my 2003 TL Type S used. It was 2 years old and had a bit over 50,000 miles on it....it now has over 150,000 miles and drives as smooth as when I first got the car. I've only had minor wear and tear isuues with car. Reading another review someone had the same CD player issue... the 6 disc changer sometimes gets stuck if you play copied CD's which I found out are slightly thicker than the original CD's and the player "locks" up due to the thickness difference between the normal CD and the copied ones. I had to pay $400 to find this out the hard way. Other than that my wife finds my car to be a smooth ride and more comfortable than her 2007 Scion which we bought brand new. Car handles really well in snow also with the traction control. Highly recommend Acura and will buy again."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Acura TL

by Forever Driving
from Charlton, Massachusetts | March 23, 2010

Rating from

(3)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Handling: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 2 out of 5

"Car isgreat in every way except Reliability. Windshield wiper motor failed...$400. Headlight burnt out...$1000. Module failed...$300. Too many things are breaking for a car only 7 years old. I won't buy another Acura again...they are much too expensive to maintain for the average budget person."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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4 out of 13 found this review helpful

Couldn't be happier

by joefuncar
from Sacramento, CA | May 20, 2009

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I bought my 2003 TL as a used car with 50k on it in late 2006. 2 1/2 years later I still look forward to driving it every time I get in it. I've put about 28k on it in that time with a mix of city & highway and lately some rush hour traffic. Both the traction control and ABS brakes have saved my bacon at least once. The only rating I gave it under 5 stars was for handling but this is because it is a front wheel drive car which places certain limitations on the car. I gave it 5 for performance because for the money spent, it has more than enough power. If you're really into power, get the Type-S, most people won't need it. I got a ticket for going 96 mph (ouch) and at that speed the car still feels very solid. I haven't had any failures from this vehicle. I have spent money for scheduled maintenance only. I love the 7500 mi. intervals between maintenance. The only option on this year and model was the nav. I bought an example without it but added an aftermarket Pioneer AVIC unit which gave me a backup camera and bluetooth phone hookup in additon to the nav and iPod connection I was looking for. I spent a little more than the premium for one with the stock nav, but I got much more out of it as a result. Coming from a Saturn immediately prior to this car, I found the ride a little stiffer but with more comfortable seats and greatly improved connection to the road. I test drove a couple of Lexus ES models and didn't get that same feedback which I really like because I enjoy driving and don't want the car to insulate me too much from it. On the other hand, I don't want to feel every little detail of the road and the TL has the perfect balance for my tastes. I would totally recommend this car to a friend. Of course, finding an example that has low miles and has been cared for is important as with any used vehicle, but if you have it checked by a good mechanic before you buy like I did, you should be able to get a great car for half the price of a new econobox. I fully expect I will keep this car until it has at least 150k on it if not 200k. I talk to people with earlier model TL's and Legends all the time with that many miles on their cars and they don't have any major problems with their cars."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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8 out of 9 found this review helpful

Great car

by Ohheck
from Missouri | March 29, 2009

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"Just bought this 2003 TL with 60,000 miles on it from my local Acura dealership. Over the years, I have purchased other Acuras from this dealership and have always had excellent service when needed. As it turns out, I knew the owner of this car before I bought it and knew that he had regularly serviced and maintained the car. In addition, the CarFax listed every oil change and service that was performed on this car since he bought it from the same dealership. I am very pleased with this car. It looks and drives like a new car....quiet, responsive, comfortable and reasonable gas mileage. With the knowledge of the potential transmission problem, I did buy and extended warranty with it, so I feel quite comfortable with my purchase. I've never had any trouble with any of the Acura's or Hondas that I've owned (7 not including this one)over the years."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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5 out of 5 found this review helpful

All Types of Problems

by Kentucky TL
from Louisville, KY | February 26, 2009

Rating from

(2)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 3 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 3 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 2 out of 5
Reliability: 2 out of 5

"Got the car used from an Acura dealer. It was running okay until about 100,000 miles. The CD changer locks up, SRS light came on ($600.00+), the transmission is on the way out ($5,000.00). The center cup holder compartment lid will not lock, A/C-heater blower burn up. The drain plug is designed to strip out if over tighten. I now have a rubber one that expands when tighten. The transmission and SRS light are known big dollar problems. I would avoid this model and year for sure. Your just gambling the one you purchase doesn't have these known problems."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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5 out of 7 found this review helpful

Caution - some TL's have transmission problems

by Woody
from Wichita | January 15, 2009

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Handling: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 3 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 3 out of 5
Reliability: 3 out of 5

"The transmission just went out on our 03 Acura TL w/ 80K. Previous customers and consumer reports have indicated a known transmission problem with the model. Acura has quality products - just watch out for issues with the tranmission on the TL model."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Work


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1 out of 2 found this review helpful

Nothing like an Acura

by goofus
from Joplin, MO | December 4, 2008

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 3 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"Having owned many, many cars, there is NOTHING like an Acura in terms of reliability and driving pleasure! I've had English and German and Japanese sports cars; Cadillac DeVille, Mercedes, Chevy pickups, and every crummy cheap car you can imagine! (from Vegas to Renaults!) The Acura it smooth, economical (32MPG w/cruise set on 65!) safe, beautiful, comfortable, and rock-solid reliable! You'll thank me!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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3 out of 4 found this review helpful

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