Hi Everyone,

Any last minute advice before I purchase TL-S? I'm kind of unsure about color choice (def. want black interior, though), though I feel pretty good about everything else.

Any advice?

Thanks!

 

ride the car that you want to buy to make sure that it drives and works the way you expect. THis way there are no surprises. Also, double check all the paperwork and calculate things out for yourself to make sure there are no hidden fees (like vehicle theft registration charges). And....Good luck.

 

If you do not travel much, then skip the Navigation. It clutters the ergonimics of the dash and makes the climate control more of a pain. You'll also save nearly $2000. Make sure that the dealer throws in - for free - all of the little extras like: wheel locks, trunk tray, car cover (if you need it), all season floor mats, splash guards etc... If he refuses (especially if you have spent a couple of hours in there, then walk - he'll come runnin' back. He threw in all of that for me. For exterior colors I would personally stick with black, blue, or silver.

When I bought my TL-S I used Autobytel. They gave me a $1200 better deal than I could get on my own. Autobytel is AWESOME! There is ABSOLUTLEY no BS and you truly get a good deal. I used Autobytel to broker a better deal at the dealership where I wanted to purchase my TL-S (the Autobytel Dealer was 30 more miles).

In Denver, CO Acura TL-S's are flying out of the dealerships. You cannot get a better price than roughly $31,300. They just don't deal here. Too many people walk in there and pay MSRP or really close and that puts everyone in the same boat! Good Luck!

 

I own $4K worth of Navi's (a MDX and TL-S) and would not get another car without it. Even though I know the area, there are certain times the Navi is really great. This is how I use it (admittedly a little anal retentive).

All of the places I drive to most are stored in the "personal destinations" section of the Navi. Every time I go somewhere, I add the stored destinations to "todays destinations". If there's a wreck or back up, since my destination is already programmed I can find an alternate route by just using the "detour" function.

You'd be surprised how much the Navi can teach you about the roads in your area, especially if you drive a lot in a big city. It’s taught me a lot of short cuts.

Another handy feature is being able to find a cross street you're not familiar with. For example, where I live is all one-way streets which means you sometimes have to go past your destination on one street and double back on another. The Navi makes finding the street to cutover really easy.

Also, for all but the newest destinations (within a year), putting in a business's phone number calls up the address really fast.

Lastly, the "points of interest" database is pretty cool when you're trying to find a specific destination like a Taco Bell or Petco. This feature is far from perfect though since some businesses are listed multiple times (EG: SuperCuts, SuperCuts, Inc., Super Cuts)

If you live in a non-metro area that’s not in the database the Navi is pretty much a waste. Other than that, it's pretty cool. Keep in mind, if you don't get it now it can't be retrofitted later so decide carefully. There are lots of people who wish they had gotten it when they purchased their cars that are SOL now.

 

One time use in right situation, it PAYS for itself!

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When I bought my TL-S I used Autobytel. They gave me a $1200 better deal than I could get on my own. Autobytel is AWESOME!

Uh, that's funny. I had nothing but problems down in Springs w/ AUTOBYTEL? [/Quote]

Quote:

In Denver, CO Acura TL-S's are flying out of the dealerships. You cannot get a better price than roughly $31,300. They just don't deal here. Too many people walk in there and pay MSRP or really close and that puts everyone in the same boat! Good Luck!

Welcome 2 the CO side of things

 

My suggestion, you DO NOT buy the car and instead buy a used GS400 or wait for the TL-S redesign in a couple of years.

While you may be super excited about it now, I sure was,

I assure you that you'll be dissappointed that you spent $30K+ on this car!

- glate

 

Wow glate, I've got nothing but good things to say about my car. Sorry your experience wasn't similar.

Cybernonno, my Navi's saved my butt more times than I can tell you. If it fits into your budget AND you live in a moderately sized city (or frequently travel to one) I'd recommend you spring for it. I've yet to hear someone who bought it say, "I wish I'd never bought the Navi!" On the other hand, there's a boat-load of owners who didn't buy it and are kicking themselves now. BarryH uses his Navi very much like I do -- it just add a little more spice to driving.

Good luck with your negotiation!

V.

 

Uh Glate, for the price you payed for your new TLs, you'd be lucky if you could find a 1998 GS400 at that same price, and even if the car was babied it would still have over 50k miles. Add to the fact that the GS is being redesigned next year so that would put them back in the same boat. And you're implying that either the redesigned TLs would eradicate the "issues" you have with your car or will definitely improve upon the current design, which makes me wonder what you didn't see when you spent the $30k on it ??

 

TedC's right, its tough finding a used GS4 between 29-33k and under 50,000 miles, especially if you want a certified used GS. I've been looking and my choices are a used 99-00 GS4 or a New TLS. I haven't been able to find a good used GS with low miles for under 36,000 certified. The best deal I've been able to find so far is $33,000 2000 GS4 w/navi but with 49,000 miles (which I think is a little high). I'm taking a look at the car next week (the guy is trading it in for a new GS430).

Two different cars but I personally don't think you can go wrong with either one!

 

I wasn't going to get the navi at first. But my friend had it and i starting playing with it and i am now hooked on it. You'll be surprised how much you use it. I thought i could just go to yahoo or mapquest for directions, but they don't recalcuate your route like navi does when you get off course.