Short Version:

Well, I am pleased to say that I have finally picked up my new TL from Acura of Cleveland and have joined the ranks of TL owners! It’s outstanding. MANY THANKS to all of the people of this forum for their advice and guidance.

Year: ’05 Navi
Color: ABP
Interior: Camel
Trans: 5AT (I know, I know…)
Vin: *000467
Price: $33,335 including delivery.

It is AWESOME to say the least and thankfully I have not notice any problems to date.

Long Version:

A bit of detail about Acura of Cleveland. For present or future prospects, I had a very positive experience with Acura of Cleveland. They were very responsive about giving me pricing and the negotiation was quite easy to say the least. Overall rating of Acura of Cleveland: Very good.

I worked primarily with their internet salesperson named Chris. Another woman by the name of Rhonda used to be an internet sales person, but she is longer covering that division and it is run entirely by Chris. He is very good at providing good content and information, though because he’s a bit overworked, he can sometimes be a bit slower at responding. My experience has been that he will always get back to you though. He was very patient with me as I checked over every inch of the car and was even helpful in assisting with my inspection (checking lights, etc.). He couldn’t have done much more to help. Overall rating of Chris: Very good.

The facilities were very clean and the personnel quite helpful. They feature free pop, phones, work areas, TV, etc. I also met the general manager on pick-up. He was excellent and seemed to be genuinely concerned about making sure that I was happy with my purchase. I did not have any reason to test the service department, but they did do a nice job on installing the splash-guards and did not scratch the car in any way while detailing it. The car was spotless when I picked it up. Overall rating of facilities: Very good.

A few things to be aware of when dealing with them:

1) If you are not careful, they will put adhesive decals on your car saying “Acura of Cleveland”. Ask them ahead of time to leave this crap off.

2) The finance department can be a bit of pain in the butt to deal with. I brought my own financing to the table, but still had to deal with a gentleman by the name of Mike to close out the paperwork. Mike was somewhat polite, but gave me a really hard sell on several items. He tried to hard sell me on finding a better finance rate for the car and did not take a hint very easily. He then tried to hard sell the overpriced OEM extended warranty (in my opinion - $1750+), the tire and rim warranty ($385?), and the Simonize System 5 ($599). I declined all three. That’s the point at which he switched tactics and tried to sell on fear, uncertainty, and doubt. To top it off, I asked him some questions about the paperwork and he (stupidly) admitted that he hadn’t read all of the paperwork that he was presenting to me. Suggestions: Shut Mike down early. Overall rating of Mike: Polite, but BAD!

For the Cincinnati contingent reading this, I did shop Columbia Acura and Superior Acura. They wouldn’t even touch the pricing that A of Cleveland provided and Columbia actually recommended that based on the numbers that I go with Cleveland. Columbia was also quite nice, but a bit arrogant.

 

Welcome to the Acura family and congratulations on your new 2005 TL.

It sounds like you had a positive buying experience.

You got an excellent price as well. It seems that inventories are filling up to meet demand. Many people are reporting generous discounts which were hard to find just a few months ago (and in California).

Enjoy your new car!

XP

 

congrats on the new 05. that is a great price btw.

 

congrats awesome deal I hope I can swing that when the time comes!

 

I plan to use A of C when I purchase within the next 2 months. Did you order yours or pick it out of their lot?

 

is there any difference between 04 and 05?

 

no

 

Thanks to all for the many 'congratulations' and kind responses. It's been a great ride so far. I just want to drive all of the time, but am being good until I'm through my "break-in" period.

I was very pleased with the price. Interestingly enough, there was no haggling necessary. I called and that's where they started from. After a few e-mails and phone calls, the deal was done. I have to thank QWALLS for pointing them out to me in the first place.

I ordered it and they got it in trade from New York. They didn't have any '05s at the time that I phoned. I think they are still trying to get any kind of '05 for inventory. They seem to sell as fast as they are coming in. Thankfully, even though they got the car from New York, I still picked it up with 7 miles on the odometer. Exactly as I expected.

No - a few sensors in the passenger seat for the airbags and a new light above the hazards button that tells you when the passenger airbag turns off.

 

Cleveland rocks! I'm glad to hear the new dealership in town came through for you. While I'm happy with my dealership (Motorcars), I'd have been happier with more price competition when I was shopping for my first Acura TL three years ago..... (Of course, I bought as soon as the car was released, so I couldn't have gottena deal anyway.....)

I might go by to have a look.

 

I just ordered a SSM/Ebony/AT/Navi from Columbia Acura in Cincinnati. I paid about $700.00 more than the best price I could get from Acura of Cleveland, that included all season floor mats, wheel locks, trunk tray and splash guards which Acura of Cleveland wanted to charge extra for. Should have the car this month.

 

Wallace - Congratulatinos on your new car. You're the first guy I've seen on this forum who has the exact same configuration as me. My dealer just called me a few hours ago to say that my long awaited 05 TL 5AT NAVI ABP/Camel has arrived at the dealer. My vin is 0024xx. Stay in touch. We may be able to share unique experiences keeping our rides clean!

Cheers,
Luke

 

Congrats Wallaceoh. I picked mine up today also, and my experience mirrors yours for the most part.

Year: ’05 Navi
Color: NBP
Interior: Ebony
Trans: 5AT
Vin: *002599
Price: $33,335 including delivery, wheel locks, and splash guards.

I dealt with Rhonda. I didn't know she was no longer doing internet sales. Same experience, always responded, but sometimes it took a while. I know they are getting some business from this forum, and Rhonda asked me to talk them up on the forum. She asked if I wanted the protection pachage when she called this morning. I told her no, but I guess it was already on the car and they didn't feel like removing the wheel locks or splash guards.

I was also annoyed by the Acura Of Cleveland decal. It was already on the car when I got there. Oh well.

I agree about Mike also. He started telling me about how expensive repairs could be, and I told him this was my 4th Honda product, and if I felt I needed an extended warranty, I wouldn't be buying Honda products. They he started on the paint protection and stuff, and how hard it was to take care of a black car. I told him I was well aware since it was my 4th black vehicle, and I enjoyed doing it myself.

I went with their financing through Chase Manhattan @ 3.89%.

Looks like they traded with the Akron dealer to get mine. It had 51 miles on it, but I didn't mind since there were no paint chips of flaws.

The ride home was great. 31 MPG @ 65-70 MHP. No rattles or problems. The ride was a lot better than I expected. The 2004 I drove was a lot harsher. Don't know if it was the tires, or if the tires were just over inflated.

One minor improvement since I test drove a 2004 TL, the floormats are better quality.

I washed it when i got home and put a couple coate of Zaino Z5 on it and did the interior with Zaino leather conditioner. I'll probably do a 2-3 coats of Z2 when I get home from church tomorrow. Maybe get the windows tinted next week. I wish there was a place locally that did the higher quality ceramic tints.

It's an awesome car. I haven't been this excited about a car since I bought my '88 Accord. I think this will definitely be the most enjoyable car I've owned, and probably the 2nd best car I've owned. (#1 being the '99 Lexus LS400 I bought used in 2002)

My 73 year old Dad and my 8 year old son both thought I was crazy for selling the Lexus until they saw the TL.

Wallaceoh and other TL owners - enjoy! I'll definitely be enjoying mine.

 

OK you're getting me excited! I hope my A of C experience is as pleasurable as yours. Less than 2 months to go. Great to hear how happy you guys are.

If only Acura offered Sirius I'd have no worries >:|

 

Well I am real pleased to see a dealer that appreciates the forum. I belive I was the original individual who worked with Rhonda and got the price down to $33,335 for a 5AT w Navi. I am glad to hear that they are honoring that price. They have been real pleasent to deal with. Highly recoemmended.

I asked Rhonda to put no decals on car and to rescue my build sheet for me.

Will be picking car up in about 4 weeks NBP/Camel - first thing I will do is install my DVD with the VSLOKOV new plug and play (I get mine in two weeks - first batch) and get get the Huber Optic cereamic tint.

 

What exactly is that?

 

He said he was going to manufacture a plug and play video converter. I will have mine by the end of the month.

 

Yes, you were the original. Thanks! I wish I'd thought to ask for no decals...
Where are you getting your tint done. There don't seem to be any high-end tint installers in Columbus.

 

Thanks to all for the positive feedback. The car is wonderful, I am very pleased with my purchase!


ProStreet, a special thanks to you for finding the deal and passing it on for our collective benefit. Things worked out great!

 

This is wher i am getting mine done - I am in the Pittsburgh area.

Solar Control Window Tinting of Pittsburgh
Toby Yurko 412-519-5053
Huper Optik Klasse $450.00
Ceramic

 

No advertising. Original message deleted.

 

Does the 05 have the same tires as the 04? Maybe that would account for ride differences?

 

Thanks. There isn't anyone in Columbus as far as I can tell that carries the Huper Optik films. Have you used them in the past? If so, how is their work? Thanks again for passing along the tip on Acura of Cleveland.

Oh, I saw the post from Chris at Acura of Cleveland. Rhonda called me today and wanted everyone to know that she still does internet sales as well. She and Cris are both hanging out here now. At the rate things are going, they may end up being the internet dealer of choice for Acurazine. I was the third buyer including Pro Street, and after that, things really took off.

Finally I LOVE MY TL!!!!! This car is so awesome. It looks great. The voice commands are way cool. The technology in general is great. The ride is great. I don't miss my '99 LS400 at all except for the low end torque. My 8 year old son complained that the back seat wasn't as big, but he'll adjust.

 

The tires are different. I was just saying I didn't know if it was because the tires were different, or because the tires on the '94 were over inflated, but either way, I'm happy.

 

I'm glad to see that Acura of Cleveland is getting some good reviews. We bought our DGP TL about a week after the dealership opened. Terrance was our salesperson and was nothing but professional, all in all it was an easy deal with splash guards and all weather mats thrown in the deal. When we bought the car there were probably a dozen or so TLs in the lot, went by there last week and there were no cars at all in the back lot. It looks like A of C is doing good business. We needed an Acura dealer on the west side of Cleveland.

 

Nah, we simply needed more competition in Cleveland. Maybe soon we can get pricing like on the East Coast, which has consistently been better than the Midwest and West Coast.

 

I spoke with Rhonda today and she was pleased to here that Cleveland Acura has a good reputation with the Forum. Rhonda is still doing internet sales as well as Chris. She can be reached at rbruchac@acuracleveland.dealerspace.com <rbruchac@acuracleveland.dealerspace.com>

Very nice people to deal with - truly treat you as a customer.

Every dealer is going to try and get you a good rate on financing. This dealership has access to numerous lenders - probably in your best interest to see what they have to offer.

I see people on the forum who have purchased extended warranties - they might get a good deal?

Their prices on the TL accesories are also very competetive - I know I did alot of shopping around.

Acura of Clevelend

 

ProStreet, I agree. I have been very impressed with the diligence and follow-up that Chris S. (you dealt with Rhonda of course) from A of C has displayed. He phoned today to see how the car was and to thank me for my business. People may not think much of it, but the little things like that make the difference to me. I would definitely buy from them again and I don't know about the others, but I would recommend them. I think the thing that made it easiest was the "no haggle" pricing. They got competitive and stayed that way. Don't know if you were the first to get that pricing or if they offered it out of the gate, but either way I'm impressed.

As I mentioned in my first posting, I was also impressed with the general manager and his meet and greet. He spent quite a bit of time with me making sure that things were ok before I drove off the lot. Very nice touch.

As for the extended warranties on the forum, I think most have been going to one of these two:

http://www.acuraofmissionviejo.com/a...e.asp?model=TL

or

http://www.curryacuracare.com/pricing.cfm

I have not yet looked into any type of extended warranty... still just loving the car.

 

Apologies on getting that wrong. Thanks for correcting me!

 

I wanted to correct a statement in my last post that Acura of Cleveland wanted to charge
me for the floor mats, wheel locks, trunk tray and splash guards. After checking back
in emails I had received from dealers, I had not even asked Acura of Cleveland about these items. My apologies and congratulations to everyone on their great deal from Acura
of Cleveland.

 

When I was shopping around for my first new car out of college, I wanted a sedan (for room for my future kids) with some "character" to it. I first thought of Acura and the new TL, because honestly, that car rocks. Every time I see one of those cars on the road I get a little jealous. I just could not e-mail, phone, or talk any dealers to giving me the price that I wanted. So I thought of the Accord. Its 240 HP V6 is no slouch (coming from an '89 Corolla!). It had a lot of the same features of the TL except for less power, no memory seating, inferior sound system, no one-touch moonroof, 16" wheels vs. 17" wheels, and other things. I just could not justify spending upwards of $6,000 - $8,000 more for the TL. Plus, I was saving for my own wedding. That aside, when I e-mailed several dealers telling them the car that I wanted, the color choices that I wanted, no options, and at the price I wanted, only two dealers e-mailed me back and said they could do the price that I wanted (this was back in January 2004). One of those went $250 under invoice. I called the dealer back and told him that I would take the car. In the e-mail I sent, I also said I didn't want any car dealer badges on the car (the "H" speaks for itself), no pin striping (it looks cheap in my opinion), and I did not want the salesmen or the finance guy to try to sell me anything else or I would walk. I told them that up front. Before I went into the finance guy to finalize the deal, my salesman went in to talk with the finance guy (probably to tell him to not try anything funny). I walk in there and the guy is as cold as a witch's titty. He didn't say ANYTHING (probably because he was so incredibly pissed off at not being able to try and sell me anything). He had the personality of a box of hair. I loved it!

Congrats on your new TL. Know that whenever I see one on the road, I will always turn my head!

 

They Did Change The Tires For 2005 Navi Tl's From Bridgstone To Michilen