I have an update to my question of a couple of weeks ago about ordering custom color combos in this thread:

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94941

I went to my closest dealer today to see the 2005 TLs and talked to the salesman there I've been dealing with for over a year now. After looking at the new cars (they weren't ready to test drive, yet) I asked about the possibility of ordering a custom color. I'd like the anthracite exterior and parchment interior. Unfortunately Acura doesn't ship this combo. I've had two people at ACS tell me it is possible to order a custom combo if the dealer will do it. Of course the first word out the salesman's mouth was NO. He went on to say that he wasn't lying to me and the ACS people must have been confused.

I urged him to try to check on this just in case he was wrong. If his manager said no, then I would accept that. As we walked back into the dealership lo and behold the GM was standing in one of the nearby offices talking to another salesman. I explained my desire to the GM and his reply was "let me call my regional sales rep and ask him". We went to the salesman's office, the GM pulled out his blackberry phone and called the regional rep. The GM asked if we could order a Anthracite/Parchment and I could plainly hear a YES. So, it looks like this is possible. The only condition was that I put down a non-refundable deposit which I can understand as the dealer is taking a chance that I won't back out on the deal. Of course I'll insist on a deposit of $500 on a credit card so I can have some assurance they won't try anything funny at the last minute. If we can come to an agreement on money in the next couple of days the order will go in for their October order and is should be in late November or early December.

So, if you would like to try this yourself and get a no from a dealer just tell them the MOVE system (that's Acura's order entry system) will allow it. If you still get a no push it up the chain of command until it happens.

I'll update with more details once the order is finally placed.

-phil

 

right on....wish I would've known about this 3 months ago

but I still love my NBP/Ebony 6MT!!!

 

That is awesome....

Think of all the neat color combo's that might not be available stock!!! My second choice, if they had offered it, would've been abyss blue pearl and ebony, but I do love my anthracite...

carcar

 

Good luck and I hope it works. I can see a bunch of WDP/Ebony custom orders if it does work. I am intrigued about WDP/Camel myself.

 

Ok this makes me thing that I was not going crazy when I saw an Abyss Blue with Ebony.

 

PhilB, good for u. Technically, swtiching chairs is easy. But, that will be the best if Acura factory could directly put them on in the beginning.

 

I'm the third person who would have gotten Blue w/ Black interior!

 

In Canada that combo is available. They don't have ABP/Quartz combo.

 

Jeff, so I'm not the first person to think WDP/Camel would be money... If you guys hear more news on this let me know... I'll order today...

 

This is a good find! At some level this makes sense. I really only like the ebony interior. I would hope that since it seems like a fairly straight forward change you can also get a decent price. Any info on how on that?

 

I too would like ABP with Ebony. I asked at the local dealership today and they said that it couldn't be done, but that they would check with the regional sales manager. Keep us posted.

--Mark

 

I would have considered Satin Silver with Camel interior... I think that camel interior is mint!

 

This is a good thing to know about.

It also makes sense that it should be possible to do. All of the interior colors are neutral enough that they could be used with any of the available exteriors. From a logistic perspective they simply need to order the interior components in the specific color for that particular vehicle. Absolutely nothing special about that.

 

Why is that? The NBP has every interior color available for it (it is the only color that does)!!

NBP Quartz
NBP Parchment
NBP Camel
NBP Ebony

You made the best choice!

 

PhilB,

Any update?

--Mark

 

I went to the dealer and test drove an '05. It drove nice, couldn't feel any vibrations at 1500 RPM, 5th gear either on a highway or feeder road. After the drive we went into the salesman's office and sat down. He said they'd put the order in for the Anthracite/Parchment early this week with their normal allocation order and how would I like to pay the non-refundable deposit? I said "wait, let's talk price before we get a deposit down". His reply was the manager said since it's a custom order the manager said no price break - you pay $35470. Of course I said no deal and walked. I went to another dealer about 20 minutes away to see if they would deal. When I drove up they had a DGP/Parchment parked in front of the dealership. I'd never seen DGP in person before and I actually prefer it to Anthracite. So now I've decided to go with DGP/Parchment which is a standard color combination. This way I don't have to deal with the "custom color mark-up" BS.

Sorry, but I guess I won't be able to give a final answer as to whether this really works or not. Hopefully someone else will be able to pull the trigger on one.

-phil

 

What was the name of the special order dealer?

--Mark

 

Any Acura authorized dealer can do it. They just need to be willing to do it.

-phil

 

Very cool. I would have considered Blue/Black along with my other choices if it could have been done.

 

That combo is just like mine, I love it, and as you said there aren't many DGPs on the road. Never thought I'd like parchment in anything but it sure goes well with DGP. Enjoy the ride.

 

I definately think WDP with the camel interior would look hot! Wish I read this thread before I ordered my WDP/Parchment but I know I will be happy none the less. Besides, the "color markup" is not warranted for something that really doesn't cost them much or anything.

 

I originally wanted the WDP with Ebony interior, but since it was available (to my knowledge) I went with the NBP/Ebony and have been extremely happy with it....very classy....but then again, the TL in any color is very classy

 

I left a message for the salesman I am working with to see what he says about this.

Blue with Black would rock!

Michael

 

Like a black eye...

 

hmm, gonna top this for some updates

 

i wanted the WDP/Ebony combo that they used to offer in the 2G TL. i have always had that combo until now. ended up with WDP/Quartz....no regrets since the quartz/black/aluminum combo works well for me...

 

i really liked how the quartz "accents" the aluminum and carbon fiber (faux, im sure) doors. i would have picked that combo if it wasnt for the rugs.... had grey rugs before and over time, they just get to be dirty (spots you cant get out), and if you spill anything, forget it... ebony is much more forgiving... although the seats show more wear, and the rugs show more loose dirt

 

I spoke to the Acura dealer and was told by the dealer that he can probably get it dont but it's not Acura that does the color change, it's an aftermarket company that basically just swaps the seats and maybe the panels. so basically when the car comes back to you, there will still be some parts of the interior that are not changed. He said that acura does not stop the assembly line just to change the colors for one car. It costs acura 2500 to do this...

 

Any chance of ordering white diamond pearl / ebony with plood instead of the fake carbon fiber? Fake wood better than the varnished wool sweater they pass of as carbon fiber.

 

Not according to Acura customer care. They said it is done at the factory... according to past posts.

 

 

could somebody please reply if they have done this b4? surely there is a more desirable color that is not being offered...

 

I cannot stop laughing. If this isn't the biggest bunch of B.S. I've ever heard, I don't know what is. (no offense to the poster - I know you're just repeating what you were told by the dealer - who was just trying to discourage you with this little fairy tale).

The interior bits are ordered up per car from the suppliers long before assembly begins. The parts coming into the dock are already assigned to the vehicle they're going on, reaching the assembly line build station shortly before the car arrives.

The plant can pair up any interior color with any exterior color they want to and it doesn't cost them a penny more to do it. The suppliers don't care. To them it's a order for a part in one of four colors offered. So why should it cost any more?

All the TL interior colors are neutral enough to pair with any exterior color they offer so I can understand why Honda will accomodate these non standard combinations. The brochure lists the recommended or preferred combinations.

 

Changing nearly all the interior parts would have to be the toughest job there is on a car. Blood, looseclips, broken plastic parts, electrical conections. Of course the dealer was lying. Well, at least you know how far you can trust that salesman. Why does Acura have different colors mixes in Canda versus the US.

 

they said they will not do it...

 

Call again, many have talked to Acura Customer Care who said it can be done(there are other posts saying the same) Go to a dealer and ask them to contact the Regional Manager... he will confirm it can be done.

 

no luck...called again, different rep, same answer

You can try if you like...

800 382 2238 option 3

good luck

 

You can't rely on Acura Customer Care to give you correct information especially with something like this.

I called them a few months back to see if in fact there was a TSB regarding the brake squeal on 6MT's with the Brembo brakes. Customer Care said no, there isn't. But, in fact, there is as several people here have had their brakes worked on based on this TSB.

As posted above, go to a dealer, have them contact their district rep on this and see what the district rep says.

 

The district manager, Jim Lee happened to be at Marin Acura at the time that I called. The sales person asked him in person and he said it is not possible to do.

I guess that ends this topic....