I had a TL and really liked it. The TL-S is a much improved car over the 2000 TL.

The engine as you know is a work of mechanical art, particularly the VTEC howl.

The brakes are much better than they used to be, and the handling is a much more of a "it goes where you point it, when you point it". There still iare almost no particular torque steering
problems.

There are some other nice touches like the seats are much more comfortable, and they have a memory feature along with the mirrors that is keyed to your remote.

This is my wifes car. My other car is a 99 M3. What is interesting is that if I had the 6 speed in the TL, its accelleration would not be that far from my M3. Handling and braking are in the ballpark with the M3. Given that a 2002 M3 ( this would leave the TL-S in the dust) winds up costing about $50k ( don't forget luxury tax and gas guzzler tax), the TL-S is a great bargain.

Back to my original thesis about the tires. Towne Faire tires gives out a free road hazzard warrantee, except on what they consider low profile tires which is generally less that 60 ratio on 17 inch wheels. Other tire stores also have a similar policy on tires even if they try and charge you for the road hazard warrantee.

I will hold off on buying a set of wheels and tires, until I see how these tires do in the snow.