Overview & Reviews
The TL Type-S makes its debut this year, sporting a 260-horsepower engine, sport-tuned suspension, Vehicle Stability Assist and 17-inch tires. 2002 also sees some styling revisions to the TL's front end and taillights. An in-dash six-CD changer, one-touch-up driver's window and two-position memory system for driver seat and mirrors are newly standard on both the 3.2 TL and the Type-S, and Acura has added insulation materials to the doors and reshaped the side mirrors to cut down on wind and road noise inside the cabin. Anthracite Metallic, Aegean Blue Pearl and Eternal Blue Pearl are the new exterior colors.
- Excellent value, comfortable front seats, impressive power from Type-S engine, SportShift transmission is fun to use.
- Average interior materials, cramped rear seat room, lacks the panache of some competing luxury sedans.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 159.00-
Acura Stinks - 2002 Acura TL
By Steve - November 21 - 2:00 amBe careful of the self dimming mirrors. Bought mine used from a family member with 60000 miles. The mirrors actually have an acid in them. They will leak acid all over your shift lever and the trim (real nice) and melt it. Tranny had the recall done and I am starting to notice problems with it now (currently 68000 original miles). Customer service has got to be the worst in the country. i have had better customer service at a local Sonic drive in. Will never buy another Honda product ever again. The Brakes stink also. The rotors warped and replaced with after market parts and is fone now. Did the work myself and was pretty easy.
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Acura is just average - 2002 Acura TL
By Gerhard - December 13 - 12:53 pmI bought my Acura based on consumer reports reliability and performance recommendations. However, my Acura did not live up to my expectations. I spent the extra money on Acura over domestic products and other foreign brands because I thought I was getting top quality. Instead I got many headaches. For the record, I still like the design and I like the performance. However, I did not like the fact that I have had to have my transmission changed 2 times. I am on my third trans and now I have to purchase a new timing belt that is supposed to cost over $1000. And that is only at 7100. Needless to say I would not recommend this model, nor would I endorse this brand any more.
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Worst Car since my 1977 Chevrolet - 2002 Acura TL
By R Jarrell - December 4 - 2:09 pmIm on the second Transmission now. Its going bad and the dealer wont acknowledge. Among other failures blower motor, emissions sensor, brake rotors, leaked for over a year - defective rear view mirror, trim is coming loose on dash. Thin metal will dent at the slightest bump. Awful quality. Great mileage though but they lightened it up too much. I will never buy another Acura. Not as good as a regular Honda.
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Glorified Honda Accord - 2002 Acura TL
By disappointed_guy - September 30 - 2:00 amI found that it was a glorified 6 cylinder Accord with a little bit better tuned engine. I was relatively pleased with the engine and the performance but thoroughly disappointed by the rampant reuse of Honda Accord parts and peices all over the car. I was disappointed by some vibration related noises that I started hearing after a few months. The seats and the seat belts are also very noisy in the front. The navigation system is very good. The stereo is very very ordinary, no base and very poor amplification. The price was good. The exterior looks good only with a spoiler, else it is a bit rounded from the back.
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Get the Honda Accord instead - 2002 Acura TL
By sucker - August 31 - 10:00 amThis car is a overpriced honda accord. The suspension is not tuned which cause the car to become a bucket of rattles. Ive visited my dealer 4 times and they have yet to fix everything. If you want a good buy...dont get this car...its a k-mart special...a fake psudo lux car.
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Unreliable dressed up Honda - 2002 Acura TL
By Hate TL-S - July 23 - 3:01 amI bought this car for its power and handling - was I in for a let down. I have a vibration from the front end - I use only Michelin Sport A/S - had this issue with OEs too. Well major issue is the transmission. I am on my 3rd. Seems to go out every 30k on me. I have 70k miles on it. Since the last transmission - car does not have the kick / pick-up. Revs like a rocket before I get any good speed. Not sure what they have done since the last transmission repair. Ive lost lot of power and handling in this car. Acura TL-S has a known tranmission problem - would stay away from it. All they do is replace it with a remanufactured transmission and hope it last.
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Horror Transmissions! - 2002 Acura TL
By SlipGears - May 21 - 1:45 pmI cant even imagine how Acura can get away with selling cars with repeated problem transmissions. I bought an 01 CL-S and had 4 transmissions. Just bought a certified 02 TL-S 3 weeks ago and it is already at the dealer for a new trans. Reverse jumps and sometimes wont respond, 1st to second jumps, 2nd to 3rd jumps, and it downshifts on me without notice while driving. These cars are unsafe and unreliable. I do not recommend buying Acura. You get a lot of features for your money, but it wont help you if you cant drive the car! Replaced transmissions are rebuilds. Acura should solve the problem, not delay it until you need another trans 20k miles later.
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My Last Acura - 2002 Acura TL
By Jeff C. - July 20 - 2:00 amI have now owned two TLs - 1999 and 2002. 1999 had share of problems. This 2002 has been a constant problem. If I didnt know better, I would think I have a 1980 jaguar. The rotors constantly warp - replace 3 times and turned twice. Transmission replaced once. CDRs with labels will get stuck in CD-player. Navigation screen replaced once. And the best part of this horrible car - The dealerships take at least 3 to 5 times to get anything fixed. I will be in a German car for 2004.
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Buy a BMW! - 2002 Acura TL
By NoAcurafan - April 15 - 2:00 amA disappointing car. Transaxle failed at 25K miles, took 5 dealer visits to get repaired. ABS sensor failed. Dealer used the wrong viscosity oil on two services. The correct oil (5W20) is down the street at Pep Boys, dealer doesnt care. 40-foot turning radius is huge. Handles heavy, not nimble, plows in turns. Not a "fun" car. Stock tires howl, ride is always jiggly. Rear seat doesnt fold down. No key hole for trunk. No tether for the gas cap! Minimal headroom. Navigation system is a $2000 mistake--way too complex. Buy a gas station map and save $2K. Not a quality car or dealer, and my first and last Acura.
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To many Noises. - 2002 Acura TL
By branson - April 6 - 3:00 amMany squeaks and rattles that the dealership cannot fix.
