So I'm on vacation in Cleveland (Hey, its where I'm from!) and I go to the new (opened Aug 2nd) Acura of Cleveland on Brook Park Road. They have a WDP, 6MT, NAV out front. I go in and introduce myself to a salesman and tell him I'd like a 2004, Desert Mist with Parchment, 6MT with NAV and tell him my best offer so far has been $32,800 (which is all true). He comes back and says there's no Desert Mist in the greater Cleveland area but would I consider the WDP Pearl for $32,120. I tell him I keep cars for 10 years or more and I'll probably wait to order exactly what I want. As I'm walking out he offers $31,700.

I'm compelled to test drive with him. He mentioned that he could get an SSM/Quartz (my second choice) but since its not his dealer's stock it would be $32,500. I had already told him SSM/Quartz was my second choice.

My wife thinks that I'm nuts because I'm so particular that $1500 doesn't mean anything as long as I get exactly what I think I want (a Desert Mist/Parchment 6MT, NAV). She's probably right, but this is such a great deal!

WDP/Parchment is my third choice but there it is right on the lot, ready for me to take home (which, at this point is 950 miles away after this two weeks I'll spend in Cleveland).

I put 35 miles on the test drive just mulling over it with the salesman.

Input? I could probably call and get it to $31,500 just to make the sale. They're desparate to sell it prior to the '05's coming out and it becoming a used car or up for auction.

Just don't know if I'll regret it. My wife thinks I definitely will (and she's warned me already that she doesn't want to hear a word about it if I make this decision).

Ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Buy a TL and divorce your wife.

 

If the WDP TL had a BJ function and looked good in black leather or a lace nighty, I'd consider it, but as it stands, the wife stays.

 

I wish I had known about that car. I ended up getting my second choice, NBP. I wanted WDP & grey interior in the worst way but could not find a single available car in that combo, except for Southern Cal and I was not about to drive it home. I have 200 miles on my car. Wonder if they would consider a trade?

 

WDP looks really nice - I saw one yesterday. I think it'd look really nice with a 50% or 35% tint, too.

 

Yup! I'm going to shamelessly plug my WDP here while I'm at it. Click in my signature below and look at my pix. The kitted pix aren't too shabby either . Maybe this will help you make your mind up. Good luck.

dsc888

 

sorry, not trying to hijack the thread, but dsc888, i'm curious as to which digital camera do you own? your pictures come out great and I'm wondering how you got the xm antenna shot to have the background blurry like that? if you can, plz pm me... thanks!

 

WDP would probably look great with the black calipers!

 

No problem, man! Well, I have a Canon 10D SLR on which I have mounted a 24-70mm f2.8 lens. The whole idea of getting a "creamy" background is to use a WIDE aperture and to use alot of zoom to help isolate out the subject. Typical consumer grade compact digicams have smaller apertures or iris openings which help to increase what is known as the Depth of Field so the everything from a few inches to infinity is in focus. More artsy fartsy photography requires you to get either an SLR system with interchangeable lenses or at least get something like the Canon Pro1 that has alot of zoom and wide aperature to isolate and blur. I am sure I have confused the heck out of you and I apologize to the moderators for the hijack reply. You can get excellent info at:

www.dpreview.com
www.photographyreview.com

Good Luck,
dsc888

 

No doubt about it! It 's very sporty without too much flash. I saw one at Acura of Boston today while I got my A1 service. Some combos just look "right". OK, I'm bias !

dsc888

 

The other thing is, I told him I'd take it if he could put on 18" wheels, BSM, the body kit, trunk tray. He seemed to balk at the 18" wheels. Maybe they're not available and he doesn't want to say so?

What should I pay for the above accessories installed?

BSM $175 + ? for installation
Body Kit $800-1200 + ? for installation
18" Wheels/Yoko tires retail for $1516 + tires? This always seems rediculously high.

Anyway, he was sort of trying to sell it as is. Then as I'm leaving he tells me "call me tomorrow and let me know what we can do to sell you this car". I didn't re-iterate it, but I told him what it would take and he seemed unwilling to deal on the accessories or put in the effort to complete them.

 

How can his be a legit deal? $31,700 is WAY below dealer invoice on a Navi vehicle!!??

 

My exact thoughts. I got my 5MT Nav TL from the same dealership last month for a little above $33K and I thought it was a good bargain.

 

they are trying to sell it AT cost because if the 05's drop and its still on the lot it will be worth so much less ... they are cutting their losses at this point ... plus cleveland is the poorest city in the US (no its an actual fact)... so they have to push those cars quick.

I say get it. I love WDP ... its very classy and has the best looking paint job in IMO. I love that golden? pearl it has to it. It looks great with the kit and a decklid spoiler. Also try Park acura in Akron. They have the SSM you want (6MT/NAVI) .... andd AM and NBP for that matter

Their number is 330.644.1300 (I think!)

 

ludachrisvt is right (and thanks for the other info)

The invoice according to Edmunds is $31,595 (doesn't include destination or other fees). They tried to make a little money at $32,120 but when I walked away they offered it at almost cost just to move it because, as Ludachrisvt points out, once the '05's drop on the lot, they'll have to send it to be auctioned or as a used car. They could get the SSM for me but only offered it at $32,500.

I'm still really torn because I like the DM so much (I know, least popular color).

I'll have to make the decision soon to take it or move on.

 

Spend the extra grand or so and go with the color you really want.

 

If you can afford this vehicle..you probably can make a grand in a matter of days. You will have this car for a decade and will be looking at it everyday. Spend more for your #1 color

 

I'm partial to Desert Mist since that is what I own but that is a great deal. I've seen a few WDPs around town. I normally don't like white cars but it looks very nice on a TL. At that price I'd have a hard time resisting it assuming you like the color and it has the other options you want. Good luck!

 

Visit Akron its 35 miles from the new dealer in Cleveland! They have a bigger selection I am sure!

My car is actually at that dealership right now getting serviced for vibration while driving ... I hate the EL42's ...

Took it in on saturday for the same problem. Had nails in 2 of my tires. They fixed it and now the problem is worse.

DONT GET THE ALL WEATHER TIRES THEY ARE TERRIBLE ... get the potenzas

 

that is a killer price

 

After some discussion, I got a quote even lower than that ($30,816; d/h included) for a new (not used or a demo) TL (NAV, 6MT, WDP/Quartz). (Don't ask me how they got that figure.) I guess there may be some killer incentives from Honda kicking in at this point.

However, after contemplating overnight, I told them I would wait to test drive the '05 model. Why? Partly because an '04 TL would figuratively depreciate approximately $4-6K when the '05s arrive. In addition, I really want the Ebony interior.

My advice is to spend the extra for the color choice you want. Like you said, you keep your car a long time. And don't divorce your wife.....that'll cost you even more$$.

To ludachrisvt: Thanks for the advice about the tires. I hope for the '05s Honda solves the vibration problem everyone's been talking about.

 

That price sounds to low to be for real. I wonder if they are having trouble selling it because it is a stick shift, or maybe the color combo? I thought the 6MTs were hard to find. Ship it here to CA and I'll take it!!

 

The dealer clostest to current residence in Alabama contacted me after getting a call from the Cleveland, Ohio dealers I've dealt with while visiting my folks and in-laws. He says he'll get a great price on a Desert Mist even if its a 2005. He's been great to work with. We'll see. I have to go visit Park Acura in Akron, Ohio and Motorcars Acura in Bedford Ohio this week while I'm on vacation.

Online, Motorcars has been downright rude. Told them they need to clean up their act or I'll take my business elsewhere. The GM (Chuck Markusic) sent an e-mail stating that my correspondence had become 'sarcastic' with 'Ursala' the internet saleswoamn because I relayed what the other Cleveland dealership offered. They also requested a NON-REFUNDABLE $1500 deposit and asked for my credit card number with three digit security code. I told them that was a nice one, but not for a car they didn't actually have on the lot!

I also told Ursala I might stop by, but I wouldn't ask for her or the GM (Chuck Markusic).

I will stop by to clarify their inventory (online they mis-label vehicles as 'Desert Silver' I think to just confuse the customer since their is no such color).

The guy I've usually dealt with near where I currently live (Proctor Acura in Tallahasee) has been great.

I may have to just wait, but I'm trying to get a great deal before the '05's drop.

 

werd

 

great price, I paid 31,600 wdp no nav/auto in March destination charge included.