Hey guys, so I'm looking for a TL and found a good deal on an 04... however, I want to change it to a type S (the exterior).
Does anyone know if this is possible
what parts would I exactly need to change.
How much would it run approximately?

Also, are 04's good model? Any common problems I should be aware of before I make the purchase..? It has 100k on it...

 

You would probably be better off just keep looking and buy an "actual" Type-S.

 

I think you should stick with trying to get a type-s

 

nothing worse than making the car look like something else when its not that something else.

 

the type S are around 18...I found some for 14ish but they have 130k miles...I drive a lot of miles so i dont think its worth it... i found an 04 for 10 with only 100k miles so right now the type s is out of my range...if i found with low mileage that would be different but they all have 120+ miles running for like 18-22

 

Then you'll see that once you add up the cost of parts and labor (even parts alone) that it's definitely not worth it.

 

Nothing wrong with the Base TL, get an ASPEC lip kit, coilovers, rims, and exhaust and make it your "own". no need to make it look like a type s. make it "yours", unique.

 

I'll take his advice

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-photograph-gallery-96/accurateins-tl-sightings-thread-872221/
check this thread out it will give you some ideas how to make a base TL look good

 

cost about 1200 dollars just to do the front conversion.
rear conversion would be about 500 (depending on paint)
and then to fill in the exhaust holes, you would need quad tips or a exhaust system.(ranges from 100 dollars(tips) to 1500 for a full exhaust)

so you're looking at roughly about $4000 to convert.
I'm siding on the high end, because little things can add up too.

lets say you bought that 04 for $10k.
there are probably things wrong with it, and you would want it running in tip top shape so you spend some money for maintenance. lets allot about $2k.

tack on that type-s conversion and you're already at $16k for an 04....

Might as well buy the type-s in the first place.
you'll get a newer and nicer car, despite the mileage.

 

^ ditto

 

^This. These "up-conversions" on cars rarely make financial sense. Converting a lower trim model to a more premium model usually costs more than just buying the premium model in the first place.

If you want to buy a Base TL, then go for it. There's nothing wrong with them. Just don't waste your money trying to make it look like a Type-S.

 

You'll be better off just getting a Type S. First off you will get a car at least 3 years newer, with more HP, better components and the interior you like.

Buying an 04 and doing any conversion will cost an arm and a leg.

 

^Not necessarily. He will save some money if he buys an 04; nevertheless, TLs type s are much cheaper now so i would suggest to go for one instead.

Another thing, take into account that even if your car looks exactly like a TL type s, it will never feel like one.

 

If he changes every single part that "makes" it a Type-S, why wouldn't it? Unless of course you're talking about the emotional content of it.

 

"Converting" to a type s on these forums typically means adding type s tail lights and rear side markers lol. If you were to do a full conversion to make an 04 TL into a type a you better have a big bank account, because by the time your done you will have changed EVERY component of your car except the sheet metal and glass. I say it's not worth it, just get a higher mileage type s for 14 or 15k.

 

what are some good exterior mods to make ur base model tl stand out ?

 

Giant flame vinyl graphics and rainbow window tint

 

IMO the A-SPEC lip kit is the single best cosmetic mod.

 

What's included in the kit? Is it just a front lip? How much are those? I'm such a newbie to the tl sorry lol

 

Haha that's okay. The full lip kit comes paint matched and includes a front lip, rear lip and side skirts. The whole thing can be had for $730-$750 through the group buy thread (here) on this site. Here's some pics of the full kit (front, sides, rear) on my car for reference.

 

Nice did it make a big enough diffrence for.u to love it? What if u just put the front would it look ugly?

It's hard to compare by just looking at pics

 

Yeah I think the aspec kit is a big improvement to the looks of the 04-06 TLs. They look a bit dated without it IMO.

As for doing the front lip only, I think it might look a bit weird, since all the aspec pieces kind of flow together. Plus, each piece individually is like $350, so I think it's really best to just save up and get the whole kit at the discount rather than just getting individual pieces.

 

Ok gotcha thanks. Anything else beside that kit?

 

For the price of making a base look like a type-s on the outside, you're better off buying a high mileage type-s.

For the price of making a base look like a type-s on the outside and inside, you can buy a type-s and then add some mods.

For the price of turning your base into an actual type-s.... you're flying East to go West.

 

Wheels, drop, tint, lip spoiler, cleared headlights, side markers

 

hah, I like that.

 

just save your money and trade for a Type S instead.

 

Just buy the type-S. I wanted to get one but their were none in my area with decent miledge/price tag.

 

^i love this guys advice.

"just buy the type-s!"

i'm pretty sure the reason OP isn't getting a type-s isn't because he doesn't want one, it's because it's out of his price range for one with decent mileage...ahem.

 

If he is going to spend thousands of dollars to make the base model look like a Type S how can he not afford a type S? The difference between price tags is only a few thousand if that.

 

^i think after reading this thread he's going to decide against that route.

he hasn't even returned to his thread.

 

I have an 05 TL manual... I'm putting the 08 TLS in. Exterior wise.... everyone spoke their words.. Get a different car.

 

Keep in mind that in a couple thousand miles you'll need to do the timing belt service, which can be pricey, and the '04's have a bad reputation for automatic transmission failures. It may not cost much now, but it could be a very expensive car in the very near future.

 

don't forget the type-s emblem, w/o it, your conversion is a fail. or why stop at the type-s, go old school and make it a type-r. throw in some halos, led strips..anything to be something it's not..

 

I also have the full Aspec body kit on an 08...I think the car looks 100% better with the full kit. Front lip only would not look good imho.

See pics at https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-photograph-gallery-96/2-projects-complete-878868/

 

I agree, he's crazy to try this but he was talking about doing it to an 04. Price between an 04 and an 07 or 08 Type S is more than just a few $K...more like 6 or 7 K.

 

Get the high mileage TL-S for ~14K. From the other thread, you'll be fine with a high mileage TL. Just make sure it was taken care of and all the maintenance items were replaced at the right time (i.e. water pump, timing belt, etc).

If I had to choose between a 04 TL w/ 100K vs an 07 TL-S at 140K.. I would go for the TL-S.

And as one of the posters above have said.. the 04 TL had the most transmission failures.

 

I have just the front along with some other folks here. I think it looks good.


And from the side


In my case I think the mud flaps help disguise that the front is lower than the rest of the car. If I end up getting the rest of the kit, I'm getting the type-s Aspec rear. The regular one is kinda ho-hum for the price.

 

ive been thinking about just getting a front lip for now .. looks much better than i thought.

 

I have a poorman's Type-S.

My '05 NBP base came with a factory A-spec lip kit and trunk lid spoiler. I decided to jump on the Type-S tail/sidemarker bandwagon. I also purchased the Type-S specific badge for the rear.

..Just kidding about the rear badge. Still a poorman's S, nonetheless. haha!

My advice essentially echoes what has been mentioned several times in this thread, just buy a Type-S