Hi Guys,

I was just checking out my dealer's, Acura of Boston, online inventory and noticed that 17 out of the 42 TLs listed had NAVIs. That's a whopping 40%! I am sure that some of them were special orders but I thought that Acura set limits to how many NAVI equipped models each dealer can have. I did a similar seach only 2 weeks ago and most dealers here only had no more than 5 listed.

dsc888

 

Original NAVI production was 17% of units. I believe we learned that Acura was going to be raising the production to around 30%. That seems to fit with your observations.

 

I think people are looking at the cost diff and deciding that $3k is to much of a diff

 

Roadman - You've got it backwards bud... Original production was restrained because Acura didn't think they would sell that many with the NAVI. They are looking at the $3K difference and deciding that it's a pretty good deal. Now, Acura is realizing that the demand is higher than expected so they are raising the volume of NAVI units being produced. It was either that or simply charge more for the NAVI (to bring demand into sync with supply).

 

Truth is that anyone spending $33k on a car really cares what it looks like, and the dashboard without the navi looks attrocious. I'm sure I'm not the only one that bought a navi car because I loved the look (and hated the non-nav look); I've also learned to love the functionality over time, but that wasn't the original motivation.

I think Acura made two decisions that are producing strange numbers:

1. Unattractive non-navi dash leading to more navi production than expected.

2. Ebony and Quartz as the only interior choices for the SSM TL leading to more buyers choosing Anthracite strictly for the Camel interior.

BJ

 

Navi production has probably gone up since more people want it. i dun think anyone here waited too long for a non-nav TL. most people waiting for a Nav version has waited at least a month or longer to get theirs. the non-navs are almost always on the lot. As for the $3K price difference opinions will vary whether it is worth it or not. if you want navigation then it is well worth the extra money. anyone looking to retro-fit an aftermarket setup will spend as much or more and not get the same features.

 

Right, since November, Acura just realized what customers need, they tried to adjust their production lines and increase more Navi models at that time, but they couldn't. Due to the shortage of Navi componets and some of suppliers couldn't provide the increase amount to Acura plants, that's why Acura plant postponed most of Navi order in Nov. and Dec. and produced more non-Navi at that time until supplies were getting normal...

 

Indeed, it seems it has taken Acura this long to actually get the Navi production up to speed. People on this forum who bought in the last couple of weeks seem - finally - to be reporting more frequent price breaks on the Navi, at least in more areas of the country than before.

I wonder if increased Navi demand is a general trend that other manufacturers are seeing also?

 

I beg to differ. IMO the NAVI screen looks attrocious with outdates graphics in low rez.

 

so i'm guessing that large LED display screams futuristic. its only low res cause the software used is low res. if you attach any type of video source to it it is very clear, like any lcd monitor.

 

I beg to differ. I would be more apt to call the NAVI screen atrocious since you paid $2000 - $3000 for it as it has outdated graphics and a low rez display. Take a look at the Navi available in Japan. As far as functionality, every voice command for the AC, radio, etc. takes longer.

 

Their is a reason why Acura does not offer the Camel interior with the SSM.. :yack: You should understand that not everyone has the same tastes in cars/interiors as you do or what I do.I really did not like the looks of the nav. myself,but I liked the features of the nav.,plus the dealership did not have the TL with a nav system on the lot,they did locate one for me but they knocked $1000 of the SSM I was looking at,so the nav.TL was 4K more,The non nav. dash looks fine to me.

 

 

 

It's illegal to use the blank posts to increase your post counts. :o

 

If you were to finance on 5 years, the $2k-3k difference in price would not put a much bigger dent in your monthly payments.

 

if you keep taking on the attitude of "take a look at japan" there will always be a better product elsewhere which is more feature rich and more high tech. the new navi's in japan are great and are astounding in the new inovations that are offered. but they are not available in the states. the acura nav is very functional and offers a great deal of features. you ever heard the saying don't judge a book by its cover? the graphics on the nav is not jaw dropping i admit. we are all spoiled by our computers and ps2's displays and expect to see the same for our cars. but the purpose of the nav is not to entertain the eyes(although i still think it looks pretty cool), its to provide directions and locations of places around you. it does this very well and i must say very accurately. i personally don't like the non-nav display simply because of the fact that it looks like it was designed as a supplement to the nav version and it was an after the fact design. i think they could have made it a look a lot nicer than the two large LED screens.

 

I've never been a fan of navi screens that dominate the dash and include radio controls. In fact, that was one of the things I liked least about the GS300 I traded for my TL.

So when I went looking for a TL, I asked specifically for a non-navi. However, when I test drove the TL, saw how beautifully the navi was integrated into the dash and saw the demonstration of the voice command I was sold. Outdated graphics or not, it's great.

 

Unattractive or atrocious dash for the non-NAVI ?

Try this, tape 30-$100 bills over those very pretty NAVI controls, now tell me what looks better.

Must be joking that paying a $1k bounty for an option that cost $2k makes any kind of logical sense.

 

There are the reasons why Acura decides to manufacture more Navi models. As well as reasons are why Ppl choose Navi or non-Navi.

The original post is just to indicate his observation... but saying how good Navi should be... :o

 

the navi looks better than 30-$100 dollar bills taped to the dash...sheesh if you parked here in nyc you are sure asking for your windows to be broken with stuff like that lying around inside the car. ok what looks better the TL or an accord with 80-$100 bills taped to the hood? hehehehe

 

:lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

caball88,

You cracked me up! Honestly guys, Acura actually got it right with the MDX where they simply added a monochrome LCD display that is NOT sectioned off like the TL's. They actually made it look pretty classy. And like many of you guys suggested here, this will only help with pricing for the buyer as supply finally catches up with demand. It would not surprise me if Acura sells 80,000 TLs given how popular this car is becoming. Too bad only about 65,000 will be made.

dsc888

 

I like spending lots of money for the little things that make me happy.

It's not about the cash. It's about the fact that the gaping head wound in the center of your dash is ugly. Ford Pinto 1975 ugly. Ass ugly. Ugly.

You spent $32k on a car and got cheap on the last $3k? Why? You're probably the same guy that won't pony up for XM, goes for "special" instead of "premium" gas, and orders a Coke without ice.

The navi is the best feature on an unbelievable car. The seemless integration in the dash.....the voice commands.....the ease of use. It's like buying a Big Mac without the special sauce. It's like getting a Rolex without the date cyclops. It's like getting the prom queen naked and not closing the deal.

Give me your PayPal address so I can send you $2.30. That's what my navi is costing me per day. Less than my iced coffee at breakfast and far more tasty.

BJ

 

BJ, classic... :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

 

You sound like the typical American consumer who focuses on the notes and not the total cost. It doesn't matter if your note is one penny or $1000 more per month. In the end you're going to be $3000 less richer. (Plus finance charges.)

 

You spent $34k on a car and got cheap on the last $4000 by not getting the A-Spec? Just using your ignorant logic.

I'll give you my PayPal address and I'll take the $2.30 per day or if you want send me the $3000 lump sum. How about that?

 

Getting the Navi version was definitely the best. No doubt about it. I also have to agree with dsc88. Why spend the 30+ K for the car and get cheap with the Navi?

 

The A-Spec is not a luxury option, nor is it something the car was designed around.

It's a bolt-on bunch of parts that indeed increase performance, but also go against the grain of what the car is all about- the balance of sport and luxury.

I would not criticize anyone for skipping the protection package, the ashtray, the moldings, or the edge guards. Like the A-Spec, they're add-ons.

Did you sell your glove compartment door on eBay yet? You can get $35 for it. Quick! Get going!

BJ

 

LOL, the entire car down to the chasis was designed around the Navi. It's odd that Acura decided to design the car around the Navi which accounts for, at most, 3 out of 10 TL's produced? Why should you be critizing anyone? If you weren't so narrow minded you would realize Acura gave people a choice between non-Navi and Nave because everyone has different needs. Not everyone needs or wants the Navi. I repeat, not everyone needs or wants the Navi. Nor does everyone have your mindset about gadgets. Nor does everyone need directions. Can you comprehend that? :smackhead

I don't need to sell anything on E bay because you're sending me $3000. Remember?

 

I personally would have preferred the Navi option but I was not patient enough to wait for it and I also got a killer deal on the non-navi. As for looks, the Navi looks awesome but I dont think most people bought it because the non-navi version looked so awful. I think most people wanted the navi just because of what it can do and the "wow" factor. To say that the non navi interior looks terrible is crazy talk. BTW, if anyone ever finds out a way to convert a non-navi into a navi, im all ears...

 

lets ask the simple question ...

If every TL came with NAVI as a standard feature (like XM),
would you have bought the car, anyway ?

or

Do you think the TL would sell less if they all came with NAVI ?

 

your best bet is to find a TL totalled, and buy the dashboard and NAVI parts, and have a friend mechanic/or stereo expert put it all together for you... it will be a lot cheaper than buying it from the dealer. if you are patient you will find one.

 

That is definitely true, the 3K is gone in the end, but, as you have said, the car is built around the navi, so why not get it. The integration is brilliant. C'mon, admit it, you know you want the navi too. :o

 

In case you didn't notice I was being sarcastic when I was mentioning the car being built around the Navi.

This is my second TL without Navi. I gave Navi serious consideration on my current '04 and decided it was not enough to justify the cost. It wasn't a matter of whether or not I could afford it. It was a matter of whether or not it was worth it for me. Plain and simple.

 

Yes to both of your questions.

 

:lol1: :lol1: :lol1: