Hey Everyone!

I have always loved the 3rd generation TL. I just started to keep an eye out for a black one with a 6MT, as I'll be in the market for a newer car soon.

I was pretty sure the Type-S model would be "The One" to go for...but then I stumbled upon a 2004 A-Spec for sale and it got me thinking...

If you had the choice between the Type-S and the A-Spec, (putting aside the differences in age, miles, & overall condition), which one would you go for and why?

[Sorry if this is a crazy question...but I've wanted a 3G TL for so long that I would probably take a base on at this point! ]

 

I've said this before but I will say it again, if the Type-S was available in 2005, I would have bought it with a 6MT. However, I'm not going to go trade it in for one.

Hope this thread doesn't turn ugly like all the other threads like this......

 

lol...I'm sure that it will.

The A-Spec is still a base TL at heart, albeit with a retuned suspension, bodykit and different wheels. The TL-S definitely has more content and performance. But I don't believe the cars are drastically different. I'm biased towards the TL-S as I have one.

 

If I had that option, I would go for the Type-S.

You can always add the A-Spec package on the Type-S but you can't add the interior upgrades or engine from the Type-S to the base. Well without some work and more money you can't

 

this thread is pointless - it depends what the individual is looking for.. added performance or cosmetics (a-spec). as stated above you can add the a-spec package to non-a-spec TLs. by the way, TL w/Navi isn't really considered a "base" anything.. its a non-type s and still loaded.

 

Get a type s and add the A-Spec stuff to it and have both. There were quite a few changes to 07-08 TL's besides making the type s also. The only one I dont like is the change to a 3 spoke steering wheel.

 

Type S

 

Type S hands down. The A-Spec is a base model.

 

I happen to be in love with my 04 6MT A-SPEC. It definitely differentiates itself from the other base Tl's out there. When my car is next to a base TL, there is a drastic difference in looks!

 

I'd take a Type-S with the 6MT bigger engine and you can always add the A-spec lip kit.

 

Get the Type S. You can add the aspec suspension to it if you want. Type S has more power, and a revised transmission that might be less likely to die.

 

If you had to choose between a 06 full A SPEC vs 07 Type-S, I would choose the A SPEC entirely. Yes you do get the 18+ HP for the Type-S, but you're talking about a 3-4k KIT itself. Wheels, tires, steering wheel, body kit, and suspension. Suspension is just perfect, kit on Type-S is still bulky, and the A SPEC is probably cheaper.

Go for the A SPEC.

 

really and truthfully comes down to preferance. you got to see both vehicles in person. besides a 3.5 engine for type s and 3.2 for mt 2004-2006. the gauges on the type-s are completely different. you get those red ambient lighting by your feet and underneath the cabin light button. fog lights. quad tip exhaust. carbon fibre trim. but again i'm bias to the type s. you got to get a feel for both vehicles

 

Type S has 28 more HP, not 18. The 07-08's also have the revised tranny from the RL.

 

Get the type S with Aspec. Have your cake and eat it too lol

 

However if I had to choose between a 08 Type S and a 04 Aspec and price is not a concern I would obviously choose the 08 Type S, thats a no brainer.

 

+1

 

Very few cars out there have the Full A-Spec Kit. Most just have the body kit and wheels. 95% of them lack the brakes, steering-wheel, wing and suspension. As well not many of them are offically documented with honda, when it's installed at the dealer it's documented with honda pertaining to the special order parts.

As far as the cars go, taking the 07-08 TL-S is the best choice. It has upgraded interior, sound system, navigation system, front and rear facias, etc. You can always add on A-Spec to a type-S whenever you please, however adding those nice interior touches into an 04 will be a much larger PITA.

however I'd look at some 07's to look to save some money to make it into an A-Spec TL-S

 

+2....well said.

 

mine does lol Get a type s and add the kit to it. I got the a-spec because its cheaper and a DD. My plan wasnt to turn it into a race car just a nice daily driver and the a-spec kit made it stand out a bit. It's the first one around where I live that I've seen so far but Im sure theres is some.

 

Well you're looking on spending more for the Type S alone, let alone spending more on the A SPEC package for the Type S. If you have money, go for the Type S and get the A SPEC, if not, get the Base + A SPEC. IMO, if I didn't have a lot of money, I would get the A SPEC because you'll be saving $1000-4000 on just exterior mods. You now can go straight for performance modifications!

 

my big issue here isnt type-s vs. aspec, its the fact that the aspec is an 04. if this was like an 06 aspec vs type-s then we may have a better battle. 04 being the first production year is going to, at least more that likely, give you the most issues. in this comparison i will give it to the type-s. so i am not really looking at the "difference in age" but more of the "upgrades and lessons learned" given to the newer builds. either way, good luck

 

I have an 04 Aspec that I love. I only paid 13.5K for it and it had 34K miles on it.

I've thought about the Type S but can't justify the cost to upgrade.
If the cost of either is close, I'd say go for the Type S. A lot of reasons it has the edge for someone that doesn't have a TL at all. Just not enough for me personally to justify bumping up how much I owe by over 12K.

If it's too much money, I don't think you'll be too disappointed with an 04 Aspec either! Mine is a 6 speed non navi 2004 TL Aspec from the dealer (from Dec. 2003).


AND I LOVE IT!

 

I'd get the Type-S.

 

GET a Type S and add a spec to everything lol

 

thats a great deal - was it with navi? did it have a clean title?

 

the tl aspec is nice too, be like someone said, if the price is way different then get the cheaper one unless money is not ur concern! ofcourse everyone will tell you to get a Type S because of the 3.5 engine with more hp and a lot more technology that comes standard with the car but if you don't care about that the tl aspec is not a bad choice either. good luck with ur decision!

 

Type-S. No doubt.

 

I got a killer deal on it because it was my stepdad's lease that I bought out. I knew that was the plan from day one though...since I helped him pick it in 2003! lol.

 

I dunno, I still probably would not get the Type-S simply because they get beat on a lot more than normal drivers and they are to flashy bling.

 

I have an 05 TL A-Spec and i love it, I was talking to a person with a 2007 Type S, and he rather the a-spec. When it comes to modding the engine, you can do more wit the 3.2 then the 3.5.

3.5 has too much combustion, so if you were to put a turbo, you would have to do alot more work to get it to work properly.

 

Engine compression rate is 11:1 on both 3.2 and 3.5 IIRC.

 

owned.

 

Type-S with A-spec...........End of Story!

 

If money is no issue- Type-S
If you can't justify the minor upgrades for the major price difference- A-Spec

I got my A-Spec back in the day and still love it to this day. But don't get me wrong, the Type-S has things every owner wants.... ie tail lights and side markers.

 

Currently owning a 2004 TL 6mt/navi with the A Spec 18.5-18 wheels and a 2008 TL-S 6mt. Like them both. If you can find a clean older TL it will be hard to beat the value.

 

If you're shopping for a 3G... You must consider this one:

https://acurazine.com/forums/member-cars-sale-49/06-tl-sc-6mt-%7C-wdp-custom-2-tone-%7C-modded-%7C-location-virginia-795423/

 

type s for sure....the extra money for it is def worth it imo

 

Type S without question

 

I think my type-s was born with aspec.