Kush

Hi, I am new.

Just purchased a 2002 TL Type S. I am having the dealer install the rear, side and front under spoilers. I want to also get splash guards installed. The service department tells me that the OME molded guards cannot be installed as a result of the side under spoilers. Any suggestions on where I can get attractive splash guards that can fit. I am hoping to get ones that can be painted to match the car or else a brushed stainless look.

Also, since I purchased pre-owned the dealer did not have the radio code. They tell me they have to yank out the radio to get a number off of it and then call Acura. Another dealer told me all that was needed would be to remove the trim on the right side and I should be able to obtain the # off of it to call Acura.

Thanks in advance.

ArN 2000 TL

This is an Acura dealer is assume? If it is then I would insist they provide me with the radio code. The car should come to you in 100% working condition especially from an Acura dealer don't ya think?

Kush

Yes, it is an Acura dealer. There is quite a story regarding our purchase and the vehicle's history. They will be providing us the radio code, I just wanted to see if they actually had to remove the radio.

This is a certified car and we learned after purchased (I can't believe we were so stupid at our age) that the vehicle originally was purchased by a corporate leasing company. They put it into service on 8/28/01 and turned over to action in early March. The dealer got it from the action. When we purchased it it had 18,000 miles on it. Even though I inquired where the car had been, none of this was disclosed at purchase. Since they gave us the pro pack and upped the warranty to 7 years/100,000 we bought it. Their asking price was $29,995. I traded in a 2000 Jeep Sihara with 12,000 miles in perfect condition, which they gave me $17,500. In essence what they really did was knock down the price on the TL to $28,495 and gave me $16,000 for the Jeep. But we bought it any how mainly because of the warranty and the vehicle did appear in very good condition and the rear spoiler was already installed. We did consider the 2003 since we it was only a $2000 difference but because of the above took the 2002.

Sorry, I am getting lenghty. Two weeks after we had it we had a friend who is a body/paint specialist look at it. (we had suspicions) and he advised us that both rear quarter panels had been painted, the bumper had been painted, there was repair of a dent in the right quarter panel and some involvement of some kind with the rear right door. I cried!

I cried all the way back to the dealer's customer service rep. I didn't want anything from them only to let them know what I had learned and that they needed to be as up front with their customers as possible.

They offered us 2 options, ie., work out a deal on a 2003, or put the ground effects on the 2002. They are also bringing in a body/paint person who is going to go over the entire vehicle, correct what needs to be corrected, etc, etc. and give us a new TL to drive while our car is tied up.

As my husband told them, learning all this took the joy out of getting our new vehicle. I am happy they resolved this, but boy did I learn a lesson.

randomwalk101

Interesting that you can't get the code from your dealer. Last time I lost the code (on my Integra) and all I have to do is call the dealer and give them my VIN and they gave me the code. They did make an exception to give me the code over the phone but usually you have to come into the dealership to get the code.

AgentDSS

I don't own a TL (yet!), but curious to what the radio code does.

vandy786

I think it's some kind of theft deterrent system. If someone steals your unit, it will not work without the unique code for that unit. I think this prevents a black market demand for our unit.

baggsTLS

Yes you are correct.

KUSH: I'd take the car to a private mechanic of your choice to thoroughly check out the chassis and sub-frame of the vehicle. If there are any, and I mean any signs of previous damage, I would make the dealer eat that car and give you the same deal on a 2003 for screwing you around. An extended warranty won't protect you or your husband in an accident if the sub-frame was compromised in the past.

Sorry, I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but I wouldn't accept anything less than perfection from the dealership. Especially if I was giving them $29k. I'd also be overly cautious about a corporate leased vehicle. Not everyone takes care of property they don't own.

anyway...just my .02.

TLover8888

i would have returned the car for a FULL refund and went to another dealership...if theyre that sneaky, than you dont want them. you could have gotten a full refund because you purchases the car under false pretenses. they should have told you that it has been in an accident....did you ask if it was?

anyway, dont put splash guards on the car...you have ground effects and the guards will only fvck up the look of the car.

vperkins2

Hi Kush,
Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear about your dealer problems. I've got an '02 with the underbody kit too -- and as far as I know the underbody kit and splash guards are mutually exclusive. You can have one or the other, but not both.

Anyway, sounds like the dealer is trying to make up for their lack of candor during the sales process. Since you're deciding to keep the car, just get as many "freebies" as you can while they're still feeling guilty!

Do you and your hubby have any other mods planned? And tell us what color and options you have on it, too. (Although I'm guessing it's a Satin Silver...)

Later,

Vincent

P.S. It's OEM -- as in Original Equipment Manufacturer. But OME works too!