A-spec vs advanced
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5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
A-spec vs advanced
Hi everyone, long time lurker and current Acura TLX owner, my 2016 Is coming off of lease in 10 days and I been doing a lot of research and did a few test drives and have narrowed my decision down to the A-Spec or advanced model, I kind of wanted to get some feedback from actual owners of these 2 models and if you were considering the same 2 models at the time of your purchase and why you chose one over the other, I am pretty torn ,when I think I am settled on one then I want the other, like is hud and the active damper and other things the advanced offer worth the extra uptick in lease payment? Any information you can provide I appreciate it..drive safe all!
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 25
Likes: 12
The looks of the A Spec sealed the deal for me. I went with the Pearl White/red interior for my model. The larger wheels are also really nice. Having said that the active dampers and apparently better seats in the advanced model are suppose to be really nice. I never drove the advance model though.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 323
Likes: 66
From: MD
Like Madd dog states..its a personal choice...I love the HUD on my car......wife hates it and turns it off.......I hate that suede stuff on the seats, thus I would never buy a car that has it..but others love it.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 42
Likes: 19
I would suggest you take an Advanced for a test drive or two. The adaptive dampers you can get a feel for by switching between Sport and Comfort mode. You can also see how you like the HUD. Finally, try and Spec and see how you like it compared to the Advanced (take note of the seat comfort). See which one you think looks better. I don't think anyone can really make the decision for you.
Beyond that, the Advanced gives you acoustic front side glass, heated steering wheel and rear heated seats (which only come into play if you live in a cold climate).
Beyond that, the Advanced gives you acoustic front side glass, heated steering wheel and rear heated seats (which only come into play if you live in a cold climate).
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 102
Likes: 23
From: West Bloomfield, MI
I think you are in the same position most of us RDX owners where.
For me, the seating and comfort of the cars are the most important feature. The seats of the A-Spec and Advance are different. The materials of the seat, added to the venting and heated elements, make both models seats 'feel' different. In my case, the Advance materials felt better when I sat on them than the A-Spec. After 4 months of driving, they have 'broken' in perfectly. I am very happy with my seating.
The other major reason I selected the Advance was overall sound and feel. The Advance acoustic damping, IMO, works well. On your next test drive, compare A-Spec and Advance in Comfort mode. The noise and road 'feel' are much more supple, yet you lose none of the 'sport' feel.
HUD and tailgate lift are options, I didn't think I would really enjoy, but to be honest I can't live without them now. I wish these options where as affordable in my GLC300. The extra cost for MB would have been $5k more.
As for look, the 20" wheel look great. I would advice if you do not like the Advance wheel to go for the 19' Gloss black wheel option. $2k more vs. adding the A-spec wheel and tires ($3.5k).
For me, the seating and comfort of the cars are the most important feature. The seats of the A-Spec and Advance are different. The materials of the seat, added to the venting and heated elements, make both models seats 'feel' different. In my case, the Advance materials felt better when I sat on them than the A-Spec. After 4 months of driving, they have 'broken' in perfectly. I am very happy with my seating.
The other major reason I selected the Advance was overall sound and feel. The Advance acoustic damping, IMO, works well. On your next test drive, compare A-Spec and Advance in Comfort mode. The noise and road 'feel' are much more supple, yet you lose none of the 'sport' feel.
HUD and tailgate lift are options, I didn't think I would really enjoy, but to be honest I can't live without them now. I wish these options where as affordable in my GLC300. The extra cost for MB would have been $5k more.
As for look, the 20" wheel look great. I would advice if you do not like the Advance wheel to go for the 19' Gloss black wheel option. $2k more vs. adding the A-spec wheel and tires ($3.5k).
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Oh no I wasn’t looking for someone to specifically say “hey buy this one” apologies if that’s How my post came across..I am pretty much trying to decipher if the extra features are worth the coin. But you are right man both are awesome choices hence why I am torn lol.. just wish they would have thrown some of those advanced features in the a spec....
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Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I think you are in the same position most of us RDX owners where.
For me, the seating and comfort of the cars are the most important feature. The seats of the A-Spec and Advance are different. The materials of the seat, added to the venting and heated elements, make both models seats 'feel' different. In my case, the Advance materials felt better when I sat on them than the A-Spec. After 4 months of driving, they have 'broken' in perfectly. I am very happy with my seating.
The other major reason I selected the Advance was overall sound and feel. The Advance acoustic damping, IMO, works well. On your next test drive, compare A-Spec and Advance in Comfort mode. The noise and road 'feel' are much more supple, yet you lose none of the 'sport' feel.
HUD and tailgate lift are options, I didn't think I would really enjoy, but to be honest I can't live without them now. I wish these options where as affordable in my GLC300. The extra cost for MB would have been $5k more.
As for look, the 20" wheel look great. I would advice if you do not like the Advance wheel to go for the 19' Gloss black wheel option. $2k more vs. adding the A-spec wheel and tires ($3.5k).
For me, the seating and comfort of the cars are the most important feature. The seats of the A-Spec and Advance are different. The materials of the seat, added to the venting and heated elements, make both models seats 'feel' different. In my case, the Advance materials felt better when I sat on them than the A-Spec. After 4 months of driving, they have 'broken' in perfectly. I am very happy with my seating.
The other major reason I selected the Advance was overall sound and feel. The Advance acoustic damping, IMO, works well. On your next test drive, compare A-Spec and Advance in Comfort mode. The noise and road 'feel' are much more supple, yet you lose none of the 'sport' feel.
HUD and tailgate lift are options, I didn't think I would really enjoy, but to be honest I can't live without them now. I wish these options where as affordable in my GLC300. The extra cost for MB would have been $5k more.
As for look, the 20" wheel look great. I would advice if you do not like the Advance wheel to go for the 19' Gloss black wheel option. $2k more vs. adding the A-spec wheel and tires ($3.5k).
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 102
Likes: 23
From: West Bloomfield, MI
It really does make the overall infotainment system function better. All the phone call alerts/car warning/error that the system gives out, show on the HUD, not the central dash area.
Therefore, clearer and easier to see and read. Does't take away from information that you want to see on your dash.
HUD also lets you really use the (APP) function on the steering wheel to the fullest.
Added the lack of 'red out' gauges, IMO, is more of relaxed 'eye' feel in the cabin. The Advance chrome/black bezels work very well for me at day and night drive.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 333
From: Minnesota
Wish they would just make the aspec package an add on to the advanced so we didn’t have to pick, I wanted all the features and the look of the aspec, can only get the blue in the aspec tho so I got that
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 102
Likes: 23
From: West Bloomfield, MI
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 30
From: Baltimore MD
I went with A-Spec purely on looks over the Advance. I felt the A-Spec had enough features where I didn't feel I was missing out. Plus I came from an 05 TL so it was a significant upgrade for me.
WayTooManyAcuras
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,301
Likes: 512
From: Connecticut
I went A-Spec after looking to buy the Advance. I just could not tolerate the Advance wheels, and the fact that the A-Spec was $2K less made it easier for my wife to accept the fact that I was trading in a 2017 car (RDX) on a 2019. The black trim was another reason.
If I could have got the A-Spec with the Advance features, I am positive I would have gone for it, as I've usually always bought the top of the line package of whatever model I purchase, and worry about the payments later!
If I could have got the A-Spec with the Advance features, I am positive I would have gone for it, as I've usually always bought the top of the line package of whatever model I purchase, and worry about the payments later!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 333
From: Minnesota
I went A-Spec after looking to buy the Advance. I just could not tolerate the Advance wheels, and the fact that the A-Spec was $2K less made it easier for my wife to accept the fact that I was trading in a 2017 car (RDX) on a 2019. The black trim was another reason.
If I could have got the A-Spec with the Advance features, I am positive I would have gone for it, as I've usually always bought the top of the line package of whatever model I purchase, and worry about the payments later!
If I could have got the A-Spec with the Advance features, I am positive I would have gone for it, as I've usually always bought the top of the line package of whatever model I purchase, and worry about the payments later!
WayTooManyAcuras
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,301
Likes: 512
From: Connecticut
I got $27,500 for it. It had 38000 miles and needed tires. It wasn't great, I am sure they sold it for well over $30K, but considering the timing of my trade I thought it was fair.
https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g.../#post16243243
https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g.../#post16243243
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