1996 Acura TL | Retro Review

[@razvandobos9759]

One of my dream Japanese cars. These older Acuras had character. Really 90's Lexus and Infiniti and Acuras.

[@allentoyokawa9068]

They still have character

[@gen9rolla]

This was my first car (96 Acura TL inline 5) one of the best car's I've ever had, been in the family it's whole life.

[@keaujibaha2594]

Inspire and saber in Japan

[@gabevillarreal4779]

​@@allentoyokawa9068 Agreed! I think he was referencing the new models character vs the 90s models to which I wholeheartedly agree!

[@jacklo325]

It's a very reliable car. My parent's neighbor had one. He bought it in 97', and still had it before his family moved away in 2019.

[@fernandorocha8459]

Beuaitufl this Acura TL

[@lledo712]

I still have mine. 130,000 miles. Great condition. Runs amazing. Just love it

[@gen9rolla]

I wish I kept mine, I'm on the lookout for one because I cannot get over how great these unit's were.

[@princeprincesses8010]

@@gen9rollai have acura 3.2 all original parts clean and 165kms on sale for $5000

[@johnmiller4973]

My Aunt Nancy had a 1997 3.2 TL until her untimely passing in 2000... The car stayed in their family until 2006 when my cousin traded it in for a new TL with just 85,000 kms on the clock

[@alexyoungberg5232]

*The inline 5 was legendary!* 👍

[@lynncowan9864]

I couldn't agree more. I had a Vigor with a 5-Speed manual - the sound of that engine was intoxicating. I truly miss that car.

[@TWOxTONE_773]

I completely learned something new. I have no idea why I thought it was a small v6.

[@lynncowan9864]

@@TWOxTONE_773 nope. Inline five and it was as smooth as butter. It has a beefy growl at low speed and a wail at high RPM that just made you want to mat the throttle all the time. 😂

[@mediocreman2]

If you want one, get the Vigor. The TL is the first Acura junk.

[@fernandorocha901]

Acura TL is great and beautiful car. 2,2 5 inline 176 hp, 170 LB-FT torque is excellent and durables engines

[@BobMosley-uv1uz]

The greenhouse on this era Hondas flow perfectly, thin pillars and long hood, elegant and simple. Such a contrast that to the slash and creased bourgeoise mess on most cars today.

[@mikep.5517]

Love how small and understated the Acura logo in the grille is compared to the huge, shouty things nowadays.

[@joesepulveda1824]

I miss my 97 Tl wish I still had it

[@aapoetik]

I owned the Japanese version of this, a '98 Honda Inspire. Test drove both and walked away with the 5 cylinder. It was SO smooth, like driving a cloud!! ☁

[@dohc1067]

Imo one of the best looking cars created by Acura/Honda. The engine looks just as stately as the interior.

[@cbsvth22]

These cars clean look great!! Even to this day

[@kevinftw16]

Sadly right before Christmas the day mine turned over to 112k miles a newer female driver decided to run a stop sign and total mine :/ was still like new inside and out

[@thejake8099]

Look at where the engine sits, next to the suspension rather than in front of it. This was when Honda let Acura do its own thing.

[@TheBreakfastLover]

Actually this TL was a rebadged JDM Honda Inspire.

[@McBeamer94]

But still FWD. It just seems wasteful. Just make a RWD drivetrain out of it and it will be much better.

[@MSZsama]

Actually no, the Honda Ascot and Rafaga also used a shortened version of this front midship inline 5 platform. I would argue that was the more proper car to fight in the 3 series/C Class segment.

[@Jeymez]

Honda is Acura, so how can you do your own thing, when it's you're own company.

[@larkt6693]

These were nice cars for it’s time.. .. Lexus ES300 Acura TL & Mazdas top of the line Millenia .. we’re some of my favorite styled cars.. the ES took the crown for reliability, the Millenia took tye crown for its styling.. & this Acura TL was just the best of both worlds..

[@jay.fromthebay]

The Millenia was such a gem, and so was the 929 before it. We had both and to date I still have a 929 and a Legend.

[@sirmoney2762]

Can't forget maxima it was in the race as well actually first Japanese

[@JolliAllGenGamer]

This is the only TL that was Made in Japan before production moved to Ohio for the rest of the TL lifetime and now TLX.

[@theKevronHarris]

If I had a first generation Acura TL, I would probably apply a Vigor emblem on the trunklid.

[@interstate366]

It wasn’t called the Vigor in Japan anymore with this model. It was either the Saber or Inspire.

[@theKevronHarris]

@@interstate366 I agree with you on that. AFAIK, the TL is a replacement for the Vigor. I've recently seen a vinyl wrapping video of a 2nd generation Acura TL and it had the Inspire badge on the trunk along with Honda emblems.

[@interstate366]

@@theKevronHarris yeah, the TL replaced the Vigor in the lineup. In Japan the Saber name replaced the Vigor name but the Inspire name continued from the last gen. I’ve seen a 2nd gen TL with Saber badges, and briefly had a coworker whose dad imported cars from Japan. I took him home from work one night and in their driveway was an Inspire of this generation along with a Toyota JZX100 Mark II and a Nissan Rasheen. I’d like to find a Vigor or 1st gen TL as a third car, but I don’t know what I’d do with it. I don’t drive my Prelude enough as it is.

[@DavidLopez-jp1jz]

This was the car I grew up in ! We had a ‘98 3.2 TL in silver. Loved the car, and loved sitting in the middle back seat because it only had a lap belt 😂 The sound system was better than the 2016 Hyundai that we replaced it with too!

[@CCC-DID]

I was one year out of high school when this came out. I could be wrong, but this felt like the time when Honda was most competitive, especially against the Germans.

[@briansukhu4392]

This was the point where it started to decline

[@jmin8400]

Class of '94?

[@allentoyokawa9068]

You are wrong, they are far better now, especially against the unreliable overpriced German cars

[@allentoyokawa9068]

@@briansukhu4392 Umm you are beyond wrong, there is no "decline"

[@briansukhu4392]

@Allen Toyokawa no decline. Since the Japanese luxury car brands peaked during the early 90's. They have declined steadily. German and now Korean luxury brands out perform them, they still make desirable cars with good virtues however they lost their edge a long long time ago

[@falcon64z8]

This was the first car I bought with my own money and it was in 2005 I got a used 1996 TL 3.2, good times were had with that car...

[@xnopyt13]

Wow the 2.5 has really good power and torque for a late 90s naturally aspirated engine. The VW 2.5 in the 2010s also had similar power.

[@atribecalledcookies4]

I bought one of these from my elderly neighbor back in 2010, phenomenal car, very quiet, comfortable, reliable, would have still had it to this day if a meth head didn't steal it.

[@davidaubin3902]

3:10 John: LARGE, CLEAR ANALOG UNITS, BUT FEWER IN NUMBER THAN WE’D LIKE! LOL

[@LeoM-zt3pl]

Classic John

[@1234Tubie]

I had the 1995 Acura Legend LS coupe in dark green and cream leather seats fully loaded. It was one of the best looking luxury coupe at the time and probably still is today. Then I had a 1991 Acura Legend L coupe and it ran very strong and stayed with me about 10 years without any unexpected repairs. I gave it away when moving out of state. Now I still have my 2006 Acura TL since 2011 and it runs even stronger and solid than the previous ones. The steering wheel and the car stays straight over 80mph on level freeways! Very tight cornering and very fast acceleration with about 27mpg combined only needs 2.5k rpm to keep up with most of much newer car models.

[@mediocreman2]

A made in USA TL wasn't even close in quality to the made in Japan Legend.

[@maples328]

Dude was hitting that TCS button with vigor ! 😂 Chill @2:52

[@PeckiePeck]

My cousin's dad had an old Acura Legend. So freaking nice. I wish Acura still made classy, understated luxury sedans like this instead of going for increasingly flashy designs.

[@SnappyWasHere]

Dad’s Root Beer! Been awhile since I’ve had some of that.

[@BurtSampson]

That inline 5 is surprisingly powerful tbqh.

[@BerryA86]

What's more impressive is it's a SOHC.

[@dimaslopez-dejesus2371]

1996 Acura TL has a 2.5L 5-cyl. with 176 hp like the Vigor and a 3.2L V6 with 200 hp like the Legend.

[@slr7075]

When Acura/Honda made great looking cars.

[@PhillyDee215]

Bro I still want one of these.....🤙

[@tangoalpha94]

I had one about 9 years ago. It was cool until it blew a head gasket.

[@PhillyDee215]

@@tangoalpha94 blew a head gasket.....you've must of been putting down all that power

[@danielkingery2894]

You wouldn't be disappointed if you found a decent one. They are an amazing car.

[@PhillyDee215]

@@danielkingery2894 agreed.....

[@TheFistlist]

I had the pleasure of owning a 1997 3.2 TL for several years. A terrific car across the board. Luxury appointments. powerful engine and Japanese reliability,

[@TimJoseph08031990]

Without the Acura Logos and badges, the TL would be mistaken for a Lexus.

[@TofersCarTales]

Weird they bothered with odd little differences like 4 and 5 bolt wheels and different front end styling for 2 cars that look identical if not parked next to each other.

[@ericbritton9346]

I have a third gen Acura TL, but I rather have this 2.5 TL because of the 5-cylinder engine and the style. But the 2.5 and 3.2 TL is hard to find, even the Vigor as well.

[@kevinftw16]

I have a third gen TL 6 speed manual and I had a 96 5 cylinder 112k miles was still like brand new inside and out til a new driver right before Christmas ran a stop sign doing double the speed limit and totaled it. 5 cylinder ran perfect, started right up on a flick of the starter and got 25-29mpg city-highway transmission was smooth to, interior was real comfortable. I always got compliments on it and had it fully detailed just the day before it was totaled.. sad day to see a brand new 1996 TL totaled by a new driver. Only got to enjoy it for a year and 10k miles, bought it off the original owners and fully restored it mechanically and cosmetically within 6 months of owning it.

[@oreally8605]

That Dad's root beer is good stuff.

[@kevinftw16]

I wish I still had my 96 2.5 TL. Was like brand new inside and out, just turned over to 112k right before it was totaled from someone running a stop sign at 50mph and I just had it detailed the day before so the paint was shining in the sun the day of it's death

[@dustinhanna5257]

My first car was a 1990 acura legend in 2005, my second was a 96 2.5 tl about 5 years later. Loved both those cars. They really did have so much character.

[@bryanlouro140]

Lol my best friend bought I think a 91 or 92 legend in 2004 with almost 300k km. I last saw him maybe less than 10 years ago still had the same car. Still smooth ride still driving perfectly.

[@marekw.9816]

Really like the styling, clean and handsome.

[@CraigC-h6b]

I had a black 1996 Acura TL I totaled it in 2010 It was a beautiful car.

[@BM-nd8gy]

My mom had a.3.2 in the 90s...nice car at the time

[@cbh148]

4:48 S13 240sx just enjoying the 90s in the background.

[@steveespinola7652]

These 90's Acura TLs were nice looking, nice simple lines.

[@NSXTypeRGTRLM]

We had a 2.5 TL up until last year, the automatic gearbox was not so smooth in traffic and would shudder quite strongly in 2-1 shifts. It was quite a heavy drinker and bad on fuel.

[@chriscornelius2518]

I think the 2 door version of the generation before this one was the stunner. The only issues of Acura I have heard were the generation after this one. The ball joints had problems in the front end, I believe. They are great cars.

[@MidnightAspec]

I always wished I could have afforded a Vigor/3.2TL at the time they hit the market.

[@grunkohlaktionar7474]

Have you ever reviewed the 95/96 Mitsubishi Diamante?

[@MWBenDavis]

Aww lawd, here we go again

[@grunkohlaktionar7474]

​@@MWBenDavis no 😂😂 I just wanna know I won't ask again haha

[@googleuser3007]

Yes, John has reviewed the Mitsubishi. I believe all the 1990 era Mitsubishi are uploaded-from the Lance to the 3000GT and everything in between.

[@jay.fromthebay]

Always thought these looked elegant if a little understated. This was never a Legend replacement, the RL was, but this replaced the Vigor and interestingly carried over the Legend type 1 engine as well as some of suspension design from the Legend. That 5 cylinder was amazing, and had such a unique sound and great character. Very cool car.

[@davidb.c.5629]

I'm a proud owner of an immaculate 97 TL 3.2 with almost 300,000 miles on it i won't change it for anything

[@wowbow3202]

214k and I’m just trying to get my 96 to 238k so I can say I put her on the moon :)

[@wowbow3202]

Mine is having overheating and smoking issues unfortunately. But I’m fighting hard to get her there

[@DevonDavies-p7f]

Have you had to replace engine or transmission?

[@theKevronHarris]

The Acura TL is sold as the Honda Inspire/Saber in Japan.

[@vampyrelycan99]

Actually the export TL's design is more of the Saber and less of the Inspire IMHO... Also why the USDM 2 5TL had no TCS option is beyond understanding. The Asian-spec (RHD) 2.5TL in my vicinity did get TCS as standard even at initial market deployment, AFAIK......

[@burningknuckle26]

The seats were so comfortable. Heated too

[@JDMHaze]

i keep forgetting acura made 5cyls lol..

[@MauiWauiPineappleExpress]

Honda!

[@palebeachbum]

Back when Acuras were actually worth buying, though the TL was a very blandly styled car. I think the Vigor was a bit better looking. I do like that they offered the TL with the Vigor's 5cyl engine and the Legend's V6. Nice choices there.

[@titusrome2863]

At 02:54 is it necessary to pressthe traction control button 6-7 times to engage ??? Lol

[@rushmatic]

Acura switching to alphanumeric nomenclature really killed their identity

[@joshriver75]

Yeah..Americans really hate not having easy names to remember. It's like we deliberately let the simplest things confuse us.

[@philcomfortkitchen]

Their main competitor was the Lexus ES 300 at the time, especially the 3.2. The 2.5 however is more strategically priced to go against the VW Passat VR6.

[@rustbeltrobclassic2512]

So? Is the TL the Vigor and the RL the legend?

[@TheBreakfastLover]

the 3.2 TL back then started at $35.5k USD, today that would be $68.7k!

[@4HBirtcher]

I think the real difference between the two is that the tan or creamish color 2.5 TL is a little larger size Legend or Honda Accord and the black 3.2 TL is a larger but little smaller size Lexus ES!

[@tjae929]

This replaced the Vigor not the legend.

[@joshriver75]

They specifically stated it replaced the vigor. even made direct comparisons a couple times

[@tjae929]

@@joshriver75 But the video description says Legend.

[@joshriver75]

@@tjae929 Oh my bad..i missed that.

[@Bear_Arms]

This car cost over $70K in today's money, after adjusting for inflation. Car prices have gone down significantly. I fully loaded TLX Type S tops out at about $57K today. I paid about $39K for my fully loaded '10 TSX V6, which is not much more than what the '96 TL 3.2 sold for. My TSX is about the same size, especially inside, as the '96 TL.

[@cardo1111]

Styling and chassis ahead of its time. Wow still a cassette option in 1996. Today no more CD player option, 27 years on times have changed. Unfortunately now the relentless push towards electric.

[@thetechlibrarian]

The funny part is though if your car only has a cd play that kinda sucks. But if you have a tape deck well you still have options to listen to music by modern means

[@Welcometofacsistube]

The 2006 300c still had a cassette player

[@cloed0ll]

The way we listen to music has nothing to do with the push of electric cars. People simply just don't use CDs anymore. Especially since we live in a time where you can literally listen to all of your music straight from your phone. 💀

[@lordmaster5522]

I still have a full logic auto-reverse cassette player with Dolby B noise reduction and metal tape capability in my 95 Toyota.

[@jmin8400]

*1995

[@ThePurePlayaz]

I miss this Honda / Acura. Toyota only does it for me these dayz.

[@barron204]

Made in the USA and then exported to Japan to be sold as the Honda Inspire and Saber.

[@ejohnson3131]

When Acura dropped the names Vigor, Legend, Integra… is when I lost interest in the brand. They were trying too hard to copy German brand nomenclature, they lost what made them different.

[@GalenlevyPhoto]

I never forget the only time they offered a 5 cylinder engine at the time. It’s always been 4 cylinder then v6 and 4 cylinders since then. Never V8.

[@ChromeMan04]

Ngl, I kind of want these now and an turn it into a vip car

[@burningknuckle26]

Miss mine

[@Ilovechicago100]

Amazing still 😍😍😍

[@maximilianoluera6679]

These get absolutely no love. I just picked up a 3.2 and I’ve only seen one other Gen1 TL in my entire life. It’s an exact clone of my car so I thought it was the same car until I saw it while driving mine. It’s like an ES300 with a personality. Not selling mine until it has a hole in the block, and even then 1990-2000s Hondas are like grown up legos, so she might get a J-Series at some point.

[@mediocreman2]

This was the first of the end of the era for Acura. People still bought these because of how good the Legends and Integras were, but this was the beginning of the end. Low effort, bland styling, and low quality. Look how many components they carried over from earlier cars. Both engines, climate control, etc. They just gave up. What a sad time and they still haven't ever recovered.

[@thekidfromiowa]

Indeed it's looks so underwhelming when you consider the Legend.

[@CapnT87]

Lol was that a beer they test fit in the cup holders 😅

[@interstate366]

Root beer

[@CapnT87]

@@interstate366 mmmm

[@Anderson-ky6ps]

Que maravilha lindo esse carro

[@Anderson-ky6ps]

É um carro lindo 😁😁👍

[@madanto2394]

Like gold

[@aronyak1]

I owned a 96 2.5, put 290,000 miles on it.

[@pmafterdark]

I wish it was 1986 all over again.

[@RyanEmeryLovesCars]

I didn't know Honda made an I-5...

[@hschan5976]

Wait is that the car that you had to smash up in Street Fighter to get high scores

[@kartickanungo8486]

lexus ls400

[@blisterbrain]

Nothing says "Luxury" like a cold can of Dad's Root Beer!

[@jameswhite1319]

Dam I had one it ran for 10 years before I let it go 😅

[@somejackball]

they sure didn't put much thought into wheels and tires back then! 😏

[@texan903]

Yet they somehow look better than much of what's made today.

[@ThePurePlayaz]

Actually.. Honda has some of the most famous wheel designs, exspecially around this time in the golden era. The Honda EM1 SI wheel comes to mind, Integra GSR Blades, Ect. Ect. Plus I like these wheels as well. Compared to the todays

[@ninjawatcher6955]

There’s one forsale with 70k miles, very clean, 10400$…….🤔

[@SportsMusicCars]

get it.

[@ic1815]

HOW MANY GAUGES DID MOTORWEEK NEED TO BE HAPPY???? 😂 I swear almost EVERY car had “too few” gauges for motorweek in this time lmao.

[@ic1815]

Omg lmao. So many development and production costs here. Different wheel lugs between each model. Different hoods. Not to mention the different drivetrain and so on. Lol. Incredible.

[@alphabeta8403]

*Last GREAT sedan made by Acura: 2004-2008 TL*

[@kcirreb94]

Lol they tested a can a beer for the cup holder

[@interstate366]

Root beer

[@bghoody5665]

Domestic luxury cars better than Acura. Ha ha, good one, John. Pull my other leg, it plays a Rumba.

[@SavageBunny1]

WTF Honda made a RWD 5 cylinder?? I've never heard of them!

[@briantorres7339]

Honda mounted the I-5 and the older 90 degree 2.7 and 3.2L C Series V-6’s longitudinally, which was also an Audi and Chrysler LH car thing. The 2nd Gen TL J series 3.2L V-6 is mounted transversely.

[@ChromeMan04]

It was not rwd sadly

[@andersonfirmino8925]

Muito da hora 👍👍

[@andersonfirmino8925]

Muito da hora 👍👍🎤🎤

[@LilDiabloRob]

Sucks car prices doubled, at the time of this comment. Your basic new car starts at $30k. 😅

[@gravitas3776]

You’re wrong. The price of the 3.2 TL in 1996 was around 65k when you consider inflation. A comparable car now would cost around $45k. Cars cost a lot more back then when you consider inflation.

[@LilDiabloRob]

@@gravitas3776 I’m well aware of inflation and pay not matching it. But just saying, my 23 year old civic was $11k new. Comparing it to a 2023 civic of similar trim equals out to $27K.

[@Bruce.-Wayne]

@@LilDiabloRob .....and the New Civic, Type R is going for 85k, yes, Markups are the new normal with these dealerships these days

[@jmin8400]

@@gravitas3776 That's early 1995 money, not 1996. Check the ep date.

[@Andrew-zs5tc]

I have always wanted Acura to succeed. Back when the TL was available, I couldn't afford one. Now, they just aren't at the level they need to be to beat the competition but I have always felt they could be if they just tried a little harder.

[@AngusUTEx]

So this is when they started the silly alphanumeric names, sans NSX.

[@cloed0ll]

Acura>>>>>>>>

[@schnuurtchke]

Zazur car 🚘

[@michaeljackson9125]

back when acura made cool cars

[@mediocreman2]

This was actually right after that time.

[@audiophanatic4331]

Had a 1995 Legend 3.2 that was the worst car I’ve ever owned. Transmission went out at 50,000 miles.

[@jay.fromthebay]

Weird, the transmissions on Legends tend to be bulletproof. I'm in the Legend group and have one too.

[@SportsMusicCars]

60 in 8.5 is slow as heck for that power level. should be under 8 easily.

[@fp5495]

3:43 the can of beer had to be a joke for the viewers, but could you imagine this NOT getting trashed by today's cancel culture generation? Update: oops, I just realize that was root beer, but still....

[@Spidernick88]

It's root beer...

[@zillsburyy1]

the 90s the nips finest automotive decade

[@Thankyou_3]

What a poor quality cars. They didn’t last long and rusted inside out. Over complicated engine setup…poor brakes, bearings didn’t last long. Those frameless doors were notorious for wind noise.

[@MercOne]

1996 was a disastrous year all around for Acura I see.

[@Welcometofacsistube]

Thanks to tin can metal, you never see these on the road anymore because nothing rusts faster than Japanese

[@2Kriss2Kross]

Funny thing here in SoCal where rust isn’t a concern, 90’s Japanese are plentiful whereas domestics of that era are mostly gone.