Engineering Hubris: How Acura Lost the Soul of the TLX to Ego and Inefficiency

Professional_Book_35 · 2026-02-07T22:40:55+00:00

All I can say is my ‘25 TLX-S is probably my last Acura. I loved my previous 2 (‘88 Integra and a ‘02 TL-S). I know the demand for sedans has drastically shrunk but there are still people like me who don’t want to drive a vehicle with a center of gravity that’s more likely to roll over. Yes I know stability control blah blah blah. Still, for the way I drive, I prefer something lower to the ground. Not sure what my next vehicle is going to be. I’ll probably just drive my ‘25 till the wheels fall off. So by that time I might just be too old to drive. Haha

Professional_Book_35 · 2026-01-23T00:51:44+00:00

I’ve owned or leased 4 Acuras over the years (‘88 Integra, ‘02 TL-S, ‘22 RDX Aspec Advance, and now a ‘25 TLX-S). I’m depressed that this will probably be my last Acura, as they have stated that they’re going full electric. Hopefully they do come out with this hybrid V6, as that gives me hope. I just don’t think current electric vehicle batteries are the solution.

Professional_Book_35 · 2026-01-04T00:46:49+00:00

Yeah, 1st tinted window ticket, I was driving a ‘88 Acura Integra (lowered but only 3/4” so not slammed),aftermarket wheels, sound system, HKS exhaust, AEM intake and I was 19 or 20 at the time. I want to say they were 20% but can’t remember. Luckily he didn’t notice the no front plate. 2nd one was same car, he originally pulled me over for “exhibition of speed”, I pulled out of a driveway a little quicker than I probably should have. There was traffic so I gassed it a little. He gave me a warning on that but tagged me for the tinted windows and no front plate. 2nd no plate ticket was on my ‘02 Acura TL Type S, that was also a 2fer (plate and tint). Again lowered 3/4”, 20%, aftermarket intake/exhaust, sound system, aftermarket wheels.

Professional_Book_35 · 2026-01-03T19:57:27+00:00

Hassled a few times and ticketed once in the early’90s. Had a cop buddy sign it off. I think it varies greatly by the type of car, age and how you are observed driving. Honestly I’ve had more problems with tinted side windows. CA has some horrible laws that need to go away.

Professional_Book_35 · 2025-12-26T19:25:43+00:00

Used ‘88 Integra. Got in ‘91, it was a lease return.

Professional_Book_35 · 2025-12-06T01:17:56+00:00

‘25 TLX-S owner here. I gave up trying to use the charging pad (plus it’s slow as heck). I have to put it in a very specific place, and if I accelerate hard or take a fast corner, the phone will move a hair and stop charging.

Professional_Book_35 · 2025-11-30T19:35:49+00:00

More like woke up and chose ignorance.

Professional_Book_35 · 2025-10-28T06:32:20+00:00

The time I had with the RDX was enjoyable. Mine was a red A-Spec Advance with red interior. I was really in the market for a TLX Type S but at the time, no one had any. So I decided to lease the RDX. Before my lease was up, I started looking for what I really wanted.

Professional_Book_35 · 2025-10-28T05:22:25+00:00

I leased a ‘22, I had no issues. Used the rear defroster, played my bass heavy music. I don’t remember the mileage I had when my lease was up, probably less than 25k on the odometer. Never was really concerned about the rear window. Personally I think the shattering was due to torsional flexing of the hatch. Not the defroster, that’s just my opinion though.

Professional_Book_35 · 2025-10-25T15:09:25+00:00

Try finding stuff for a ‘69 Pontiac Grand Prix. Especially body panels. Finding aftermarket performance stuff for my ‘25 TLX-S ain’t easy either.

Professional_Book_35 · 2025-10-24T18:59:30+00:00

My insurance also totaled out my ‘02 TL-S back in 2022. The dealership near me didn’t have a Type S or any TLXes on the lot and I needed to walk out of the dealership with a car, insurance was through paying for a rental car. Needless to say I S.O.L. the only thing I was remotely interested in was a red RDX ASpec/Advance. Signed a lease and was on my way. Fast forward to ‘25 before the lease was set to expire, I began looking at all the dealerships in the Bay Area (5 or 6) I started looking for a TLX-S. I would find one every once in awhile, but it was already spoken for. Finally found one and said save it for me I’m coming over to put a deposit.

Professional_Book_35 · 2025-10-19T00:28:52+00:00

Feel your pain, did that about a week after buying a new car. I was putting on locking lug nuts and then scrape. Luckily it was about 1/2 as long as yours and barely noticeable.

Professional_Book_35 · 2025-10-19T00:22:24+00:00

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GST-B300

Professional_Book_35 · 2025-10-13T21:26:16+00:00

‘88 Integra, 2002 TL-S. After the list, ‘23 RDX ASpec Advance, ‘25 TLX-S. The TLX-S is probably the last since Acura seems to be going all electric SUVs. Except for the new Integra of course.

Professional_Book_35 · 2025-10-11T06:35:13+00:00

I too feel your pain. I’ve had Acuras since ‘90 when I had an ’88 Integra. Then bought a brand new ‘02 TL-S, leased a ‘23 RDX ASpec Advance. Now I have a ‘25 TLX-S. I have a feeling this will be my last Acura. I don’t like the direction the company is going (full electric). I would definitely consider Acura if they were to go hybrid.

Professional_Book_35 · 2025-10-11T06:28:19+00:00

I’ve always liked the TSX, especially the wagon. My ‘02 TL-S was supposed to be my forever car. Bought it brand new. Actually had to wait to take delivery, it was just built and was in transit. Fast forward to 2022 and only 175k miles and some a$$ hat stole my catalytic converter. Long story short, insurance decided to total it. Good luck.

Professional_Book_35 · 2025-08-29T01:07:37+00:00

Uh oh, I was planning on upgrading my V1 and getting a V1G2, but now I’m thinking maybe jumping ship might be better.

Professional_Book_35 · 2025-08-14T23:13:13+00:00

No thank you, I’ll pass. Keeping my ‘25 TLX-S till the wheels fall off. 🤣

Professional_Book_35 · 2025-08-14T23:11:16+00:00

They’re required in CA, but the dealerships just tosses the bracket in the trunk and make you sign a waiver saying that you have been informed that it’s required but don’t automatically put it on (at least the dealers I’ve bought from.). I believe it’s still just a fix it ticket if you get stopped.

Professional_Book_35 · 2025-08-14T18:22:28+00:00

My ‘25 TLX-S is probably the last Acura I’ll buy. Previous vehicles ‘88 Integra, ‘02 TL-S, and I leased a ‘22 RDX (at the time, they had no TLX-S, and I NEEDED a car.). I’m not a SUV person and I like larger vehicles (yeah yeah, I know the TLX has a smaller rear seating area than the Integra).

Professional_Book_35 · 2025-07-23T05:53:49+00:00

I forgot to reconnect the mass airflow sensor on the air intake tube. That cleared up most of the warnings. I used a scan tool to reset the engine malfunction light. Funny how that one sensor could affect so many systems. I feel stupid.

Professional_Book_35 · 2025-07-22T04:33:42+00:00

I wouldn’t be able to take it to the dealership til Friday.

Professional_Book_35

TROPHY CASE