Acura TL 2007 $21,995

Gorgerous Type S with paddle shift -Navigation - sunroof - dual exhaust - fully loaded call for more information 563-508-7425, , Now that I've had a week in the performance-oriented 2007 TL Type-S midsize luxury sedan, color me excited. Turns out this is a genuine upgrade., , The most heart-pumping enhancement comes in the power department, via a superlative 3.5-liter V-6 engine with 286 horsepower., , What that power plant gives you is instant response at low and high revs. On surface streets, you can glide out of harm's way. On the highways, a quick blip on the accelerator jets you a safe distance away from that no-look lane changer determined to scrape off your front bumper., , The sporty feel of the tested TL Type-S with a five-speed automatic was dramatically enhanced by the presence of Formula One racing-style paddle shifters on the steering wheel. I could go full automatic or operate in semi-manual mode with my hands doing the shifting chores ... no clutch necessary., , The tester performed so well in so many conditions that I quickly became spoiled., , Rolling down the on-ramp with that 18-wheeler approaching fast in the right lane might have prompted me to pause in other models. With the Type-S, it was easy to zip onto the highway with plenty of space to spare for me and the quick-moving truck., , Uphill runs were a snap. Slalom maneuvers were ridiculously effortless, although the suspension seemed a tad stiff. No big deal there; that's a price to be paid for performance handling., , The four-piston, ventilated Brembo brakes on the front end qualify as fabulous., , Technically, the Type-S designation represents a resurrection, not an upgrade. The Type-S has been out of the TL lineup for three years, and for 2007, it has been lumped into an overall TL package being marketed as better than ever., , Who am I to argue with marketing semantics? All I know is that the Type-S tag has always represented high performance. And on the tested car, performance came in big doses. The Type-S label is entirely appropriate., , Other perks are more subtle. The TL Type-S has been restyled inside and out compared with the 2006 TL package., , The exterior is sporty enough, but it's decidedly understated. Basically, you get an appealing, rounded shape that cuts through the air nicely, but there are no over-the-top pieces of hardware stuck on, trying to shout out a phony sports car profile. Kudos to Acura for holding the line on that., , Inside, leather seating surfaces are comfortable, and the dual-zone climate control does a good job of matching up with the desired temperature -- unlike other systems that always seem to be about 10 degrees higher/lower than what you actually dial up. Interior quietness is exceptional, even when the Acura's V-6 is asked to excel., , The center stack of controls is nicely laid out and easy to understand. State-of-the-art technology perks include a plug-in for your iPod, a satellite-linked navigation system, Acura's so-called HandsFreeLink system (a driver can dial a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone by voice) and the AcuraLink satellite communication system that offers real-time traffic conditions., , The tester's surround-sound audio system -- with eight speakers linked to the usual tune-playing devices, and surprise, even an audio cassette option -- was a quality blast., , Did I mention that all these goodies are part of the starting price of $38,125? The only extra on the tested TL Type-S was a $670 destination charge., , That's impressive for a car that some critics believe falls short of the BMW 3 Series. And for those paying nearly $50,000 for midsize luxury cars with scoot, the Type-S shapes up as a genuine bargain., , What's not a bargain is Acura's recommendation of using only premium gas in the 17.1-gallon fuel tank. Ugh!, , The federal fuel economy ratings of 19 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway -- not bad for a performance sedan -- make the premium factor a little easier to tak

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