CAR WARRIORS: ACURA 2015 TLX I-4

Friday, April 21, 2017

ACURA 2015 TLX I-4

With the ILX at the base of Acura's vehicle lineup, and the lead RLX at the top, it was simply an issue of time before the two-lettered TL joined the three letter club as the TLX. In any case, there is a whole other world to this story than only a name change. The TLX is really a two-fer, as it replaces both the TL and the TSX, turning into Acura's new universally handy moderate size extravagance sport car. So is this two-for-one the genuine article? Then again simply sleight of hand? The all-new 2015 Acura TLX follows a line of admirable cars that succeeded in blending athleticism, with top shelf amenities, and high tech tidbits. A formula that pretty much defines today’s middle-weight luxury sport sedan segment.

Indeed, the competition from European stalwarts like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz, other Asian brands, as well as Cadillac, for this core premium four-door buyer has never been fiercer.

The new TLX fits right in. The wheelbase is the same as the outgoing TL, at 109.3-inches, slotting between the Audi A3 and BMW 3-Series. But, it’s longer than both in overall length at 190.3 inches, allowing for quite pleasing proportions.

The exterior design is heritage Acura; that is tasteful if a bit generic; with the brand’s “shield-like” grille, highly sculpted fenders, and now-signature Jewel Eye headlights adding to its contemporary edginess. Engine decisions additionally appear to be well known, a 3.5-liter V6 like the TL, and a 2.4-liter I4 like the TSX. At the same time, both are really all-new i-VTEC Direct Injection units with more power and proficiency. The V6 now rates 290-drive and 267 lb-ft. of torque. Significantly more significant is what its associated with, another 9-speed programmed transmission with push catch gear selectors. Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive is a V6 additional.The front-drive only inline-4 may have 2-less cylinders, but it has the same number of camshafts, putting out 206-horsepower and 182 lb-ft. of torque. And it has some transmission trickery of its own, an 8-speed dual clutch automatic with a torque converter.

Driving through the rural roads of The Commonwealth State, the TLX felt very luxurious as things inside stayed extremely quiet. Our 3.5-liter SH-AWD example proved very capable as well, if not overly dynamic. We found it hard to know when the all-wheel-drive is lending handling assistance as it works so seamlessly, and things stay flatter than you’re expecting when you push the TLX hard.

Cars not equipped with AWD, compensate with Acura’s Precision All Wheel Steer for a handling boost of their own. But, it was a 2.4-liter TLX that we took to our test track for home town driving impressions.

And while we can say the top handlers in this class have nothing to worry about, Acura buyers will find a very familiar and secure feel here. But they’ll also find a fair amount of stay-safe front-drive understeer should they go looking for it. The chassis is much stiffer now and Agile Handling Assist uses selective braking to smooth out transitions. Both Sport and Sport+ driving modes are available with the Integrated Dynamics System as well as ECON and NORM.

The 2.4 launches without much urgency. It lacks the grunt of rivals with turbo-4s. 0 to 60 takes 8.7-seconds, and it needs 16.7 to eclipse the quarter mile at 87 miles-per-hour. This is the engine for former TSX buyers where true TL fans will still want the excellent V6.

Thanks to the torque converter, shifts from the 4’s DCT 8-Speed are very smooth and sedate feeling whether triggered manually or not. Braking performance was good, with average stops from 60 coming in at 128-feet.

The interior layout is similar to the RLX, but younger and sportier; with some materials more fitting to a top drawer Accord. There’s a Honda styled stacked flat panel setup for info, with a bottom touchscreen. True to Acura tradition the TLX comes with lots of premium standards including multi-angle rear view camera,, dual zone climate, and power driver’s seat,paddle shifters.

Likewise extras are included in only one or two packages with available content, such as navigation, remote start, and active safety features like Lane Keeping Assist depending on engine choice. ELS Studio 10-speaker premium audio is also available. Sound quality is awesome however class ordinary.

At the same time the highlight of the inside for us are the inconceivably agreeable and steady front seats. The back seats are more agreeable as well and now, thankfully, overlay to extend the officially decent measured 13.2-cubic foot trunk.Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 24-City, 35-Highway, and 28-Combined with the I4. The V6 SH-AWD numbers aren't that a long ways behind at 21-City, 34-Highway, and 25-Combined.

Estimating begins at $31,890 for a 4-chamber TLX. That is several thousand not as much as a 320i. The TLX V6 starts at $36,115, with SH-AWD: $42,345. All models deliver a lot of content for the price , and it is after every one of the a Honda.

By melding the TL and TSX into a single model, Acura has reduced showroom confusion and put the best of both cars into one solid, comfortable, high tech, luxury sport four-door. While it still lacks some of the crispness of the best European rivals, that will likely not matter to Acura buyers that tend to favor competency over ultimate prowess. For them, the new TLX is a 2-into-1 trick that works.

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KNOWING ABOUT YOUR POWER-TRAIN WARRANITY

A powertrain warranty is a form of assurance offered by the manufacturer of an automobile. When a consumer purchases a vehicle, at the time of sale, he or she will be given a powertrain warranty, which will cover all or part of the powertrain of the underlying automobile. When a mechanical problem occurs to the powertrain the costs associated with repair or replacement are covered in the powertrain warranty—the manufacturer or dealer whole sold the automobile will pay to have the car fixed. That being said, what parts are covered and the extent of the repayment associated with fixing the car will vary greatly based on the powertrain warranty offered.

Depending on the manufacturer, a powertrain warranty will provide different forms of coverage based on interpretative differences; for example, one manufacturer’s definition of an engine can be referred to as a ‘long block’, meaning the engine, as well as everything attached to it cannot be removed. Another definition of an engine can be a “short block” meaning only part of the engine—typically the piece below cylinder head—cannot be removed. As a result, the coverage abilities will vary between these two warranties if the engine proved to be faulty.

In addition to the engine, the type of automobile will necessitate different variables within the powertrain warranty. For example, if you purchased a manual transmission vehicle, the warranty may exclude repairs or replacements for important pieces, such as the clutch—an extended warranty for a manual transmission will typically only provide coverage for the driveshaft and the axles.

A powertrain warranty will last for a certain number of years or for a maximum number of miles. In most instances, the powertrain warranty will last longer than a typical car warranty; the basic powertrain warranty is offered as a 10 year or 100,000 mile warranty, or whichever comes first.

Other Warranites Usually available to car buyers:

Basic: Also known as "bumper-to-bumper" coverage, this is the general coverage that would pay to repair defects in factory-installed parts. Tires are not typically included because they're usually covered under a separate tire manufacturer warranty.

Corrosion: Covers rust that causes holes in sheet metal in parts such as the doors or side panels.

Roadside assistance: Provides help with towing and tire-changing if the car breaks down while traveling.

It's best to check with dealers for specifics, but here is a list of seven top auto companies that offer among the best car warranties, despite the fact that many are rated safe cars by independent research firms.

Car Insurance Tips

Find out what’s covered and what isn’t. Get your quote in writing and confirm the accuracy of each vehicle and driver you are insuring, as well as the coverages you requested. Ask about free, value-added features, such as emergency roadside assistance. Check to see if repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own your car, and find out what kind of payment options are available.

To see if you’re getting credit where credit is due, it's a good idea to find out all the discounts available to you. Some simple ways to save money on your auto insurance include maintaining a clean driving record, being a good student and the inclusion of certain safety features when buying a new car can save you money on your policy.

Your state sets forth the minimum liability coverage you must maintain, as mentioned above. But these are just the legal minimums and might not give you the coverage you need. You'll have to decide what you want to buy beyond these minimums. Keep in mind that you are looking to find the balance between having adequate coverage and overpaying.

According to Consumer Reports, a general guideline for adequate bodily injury liability limits is $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, plus $100,000 for property damage. These amounts are what your insurer will pay to someone you are in an accident with. For uninsured motorist coverage, you should get the same amount as for bodily injury liability, as this covers your medical costs when someone who is not insured hits you.

Auto insurance tip #1
Understand why you need auto insurance
In short, you need car insurance to protect your car, yourself and your passengers. You also protect any assets, like your home and savings, as well as comply with state law.

Auto insurance tip #2
Know your current coverages-but be willing to adjust
Use your current coverages and limits as a starting point; you can refer to your declarations page for this information. Then, adjust your coverages as necessary to match your lifestyle-which might be different than it was when you first bought the policy.

For example, if your teenager starts driving next month, you might consider adding him or her to your policy now. Or, if you just bought a new car, you might choose loan/lease payoff coverage, so that if your car is stolen or declared a total loss, you'll have help paying off your loan or lease.

Auto insurance tip #3
Decide what you want to protect, then choose your coverages

Auto insurance tip #4
Use deductibles to your advantage
Your deductible is what you agree to pay out of pocket when you use your car insurance. In general, the higher you set your deductible, the less you'll pay for your policy. And conversely, if you set your deductible low, you'll pay more for your policy, but less when you have a claim.

Auto insurance tip #5
Know that certain things affect your rate
Insurance companies evaluate a variety of things when they calculate your rate, from your driving record to where you live and how many miles you drive on average. Keep this in mind when you see your rate.

More alternatives:

Raise your comprehensive and collision deductibles to at least $1,000, which lowers your premiums and prevents you from filing small claims that could jeopardize a claims-free discount. Add some more money to your emergency fund so you’ll have the cash to pay the deductible if anyone in your family does have an accident.

Drop collision and comprehensive coverage entirely on older cars that are worth little more than the deductible. You may be paying more in premiums than you could ever get back from the insurer, even if the car is totaled.

Tell your insurer if your child goes away to college. If your child goes to school more than 100 miles away and does not use the car, you can usually get a big break on your premiums but still have coverage when he or she comes home for vacation.

Ask about other discounts for teenage drivers. Some insurers offer discounts for driver-safety programs, cutting costs if the kids take a special class, watch a DVD, or read a driver-safety book and take a test. Ask your insurer what your kid needs to do to qualify.

Make the most of multi-policy discounts. You’ll usually get a break on your auto insurance and your homeowners insurance if you keep both policies with the same company. You may get an additional discount if you include an umbrella policy, which provides extra liability coverage beyond your auto-insurance limits and can be particularly valuable when you have a teenage driver.

Some insurers offer much better deals than others for teenage drivers, so it’s important to compare costs. The insurance company that offered the best rate for you and your spouse may have some of the highest rates when you add a teenage boy to the policy - and it’s almost always better to add the child to your policy rather than have him get his own policy.

You can get price quotes from several online insurance companies like Progressive or AllState or get personalized service from an independent insurance agent who works with many companies. You may not want to switch from a longtime insurer just to save a few dollars, however, because your current company may be less likely to raise your rate or drop you if your child has an accident. If you stay with the insurance company you currently have there more room for forgiveness and benefits of such various programs. Also keep in mind that if you have been getting a multi-policy discount, your homeowners-insurance rate might rise if you take your auto-insurance business elsewhere.

One thing you don’t want to do in an attempt to reduce your premiums is skimp on liability coverage. recommends liability limits of at least $250,000 per person, $500,000 per accident and $100,000 for property damage or a policy with a “combined single limit” of $500,000, when available, which does not limit the coverage to $250,000 per person involved in the accident. Young drivers are more likely to have accidents, and lowering your liability limits could leave you on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in expenses if your child does hit another car or injure someone.

CAR WARRIORS

Friday, April 21, 2017

ACURA 2015 TLX I-4

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