I'm going to be purchasing a 07 TL but I don't know which one I would like. I love everything about the base model TL but there are a couple of things I dislike about the Type S. I dislike the red gauges and 2 tone interior. But I know a lot of people are going to say you spent all that money why not get a Type S. You guys get what I mean? If you guys could help me out I'll appreciated. Thank you.

 

well for starters, big engine and the option of 6MT. Also different taillight housing as well as a lip spoiler. I'm sure there's more I'm missing.

 

I will tell you...ever since 2003, the time I joined this site, I have never seen anybody regret ever getting the Type-S over the Base model. This goes from the 2002 all the way to 2006 models. But, I have seen many regret not paying just a lil more for the type-s every so often...so it's really up for you to decide. If you realllly reallly want that base..because you really dislike the two-tone, red gauges, and whatnot..that the type-s offers, then yea..i'd say go for the base. But the chances that the next time you drive that base model, and you see a type-s drive by..you may regret not getting one. Plus, you get more power, available stick shift (like the previous member said), possibly better suspension?, ...and honestly, I think the wheels look real nice.

Good luck w/ ur choice.

 

Man thats why I've been having trouble with I wanna buy the car right the first time and not regret it. I think its time to test drive both cars and talk to people on the forum. Thanks for the replies.

 

I hated the red lighting as well but i have to say that it has grown on me. so much so in fact that i ordered the red door sills and am doing red plate bulbs as well.

the red is also better on the eyes at night. imo.

the two tone i have always liked so i am not much help there.

 

along with what others have said, the S comes with Navi standard, paddle shifters, S headrests and steering wheel, racing pedals, quad exhausts...not sure what else i left out.

 

turtle,

What are you driving now? If you like to DRIVE your car, take corners fast, get in and out of traffic, step on the gas a little. Then get the Type-S. I like the base TL, but had to put a RSB and Aspec suspension on mine to get it to what I thought the car should be.

If a had the choice base or Type S a year ago it would be the Type S.

 

Here you go:

Here are some of the Spec's for the 2007 TL Type-S trim level:
Engine/Mechanical


3.5-liter, 286-hp VTEC® engine with 257 lbs-ft of torque

Type-S engine cover

Fuel economy: 19/28 Automatic, 20/28 Manual (targeted)

New cold-air intake with two-stage intake manifold for added power

Brembo® front brakes (all models)

Sport-tuned suspension


Interior

Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters (for automatic transmissions)

Type-S logo on steering wheel, headrest and rear badge

LED backlit gauges with red illumination

Red instrument panel illumination and red ambient lighting

Carbon fiber-like inlay interior trim and shifter knob inset (automatic transmission)

Stainless steel accelerator, brake pedals and clutch pedal (manual transmission)

Textured leather-grain handbrake

Active Noise Cancellation™ (ANC) for enhanced interior noise reduction

Auxiliary audio input jack

New Multi-information display warning indicators

Rearview camera

Cell phone address book can sync to HandsFreeLink™ system up to 10,000 numbers


Exterior

Dark chrome grille surround

Honeycomb mesh lower front fascia design

Exclusive taillight design

Unique alloy wheel design

Wider stance for more aggressive handling and appearance

Aerodynamic lower-body cladding and exclusive flared side strake

Rear decklid lip spoiler

Dark-chrome license-plate garnish

High-flow exhaust system with quad finishers

Daytime running lights (DRL)

Fog lights relocated from headlights to lower front fascia

Exterior mirror-integrated turn signals

Redesigned key - keyless remote entry with folding key

 

I have the 07 base TL and I love it. No regrets not getting the type-S. Then again, I baby my car and I don't drive fast. For me, it's not when I get there, it's how I get there...and the TL gets me there in style. Besides, the type-s would probably cost you more in insurance; that's if costs like that matter to you. But both choices are great nevertheless. Good luck.

 

not all type s have two tone seats. I have a white one with light seats. Sorry I cant remember the official color names.

 

doesn't rearview cam come standard in type-S whereas the 07 base doesnt?

 

I had the same tough decision to make. I didn't like the red interior lights or the Type S wheels.
In the end I bought the Type S with A-Spec 18's. I LOVE the handling and the sound that comes out of this car when you decide to put the right foot down.

Both are great trims but the Type S makes me enjoy the drive, not just the ride.

 

I was in the same situation and ended up with a Base Navi. The price difference between the Base Navi and Type-S seems relatively small given all the performance enhancements in the Type-S. However I have the same reservations on the interior, particularly the red lighting and the carbon fiber-look trim. The red LCD backlighting is no different than in a $21k Honda Civic Si, and the center control lighting reminded me too much of my 05 Accord coupe. The Base TL's wood-tone trim and the blue/white lighting is more pleasant to me, and I spend more time inside the car than staring at it from outside (I also prefer the Base tail lights and wheels over the Type-S) so the interior ambiance was my deciding factor.

The suspension retuning of the '07 Base TL feels better than the previous years and the steering assist feels less to me which I prefer, and I knew a set of good tires is all I need so I don't have to step up to a Type-S and suffer when I sit inside. If I wanted better straight line performance I'd rather spend a little more and get an IS350 or 335i for both better acceleration and handing. People will also argue that if you're going to spend a little more $ for the Type-S, then why not get [insert BMW, Infiniti, Lexus etc here]. This is all personal preference and the Base TL Navi fit me perfectly.

I have absolutely no regrets when I see a Type-S on the road or parked next to mine.

jimmyl729: The Base Navi also has a backup camera. The difference is the Type-S has ANC (active noice cancelation)

 

if you have the navi base TL, then you get the rearview cam standard; if you go the 07 base non-navi, then you don't get rearview cam. type s comes standard with navi i think, so that's why rearview cam is automatically on there.

 

Take it from someone who made the wrong choice the first time - you are the only one that knows what's gonna make you happy. I had an 06 TL (5AT); it was the "smart" choice. Within weeks of purchase I was regretting not getting the 6MT. Then when the type S came out I knew what had to be done. I was lucky that everything worked out for me. Your first decision is what type of transmission you want...

I'm having a clairvoyant moment... I see a test drive in your future.

 

I bought the TLS....and I agree that the blue ambient lighting is nicer than the red. Some other minor cosmetic differences.....The TLS has a slightly (not overly so) kicked out lower door sill, which looks much sportier than the TL's straight drop off under the doors. The TLS has different lights- not just tail lights, but front and side markers too (they have more white in them). The TLS has smokey details - like the trim on the front facia and the paint on the wheels. I think the smoked details look great with the right paint...like Carbon Bronze.
I love the wheels (I think the ones on the base 07's are ugly) and I love the two tone. Don't know about the 07 base TL, but the TLS leather is much nicer (soft leather, but still firm seats) than last year's TL's. Those were big for me. Also the noise cancellation. I don't really like the monster exhaust pipes on the back- they make it look a bit a pimped out. Suspension was supposedly tuned up for the 07 TLS and tuned down for the 07 TL. Don't know if this is true...but it's possible the 07 TL has a softer ride than the 06 TL.

 

Thanks for everybody for giving me an opinion on which to choose. But I think the best way I could find out is to see both cars for myself and drive both of them. I should be making this decision at the end of the month.

Why would the insurance be higher on the TL-S than the base model?

 

Well, it is worth a little bit more money. When I went from my 2003 Alitma to my TL. My rate actually went down $30.

 

FWIW I originally drove a base non Navi and fell in love with it. I didn't want Navi and wound up with an S. I totally love the car. The red was an issue for me as it was not easy to read, but I get along fine, and if I need to, put on reading glasses, but I have most of the buttons memorized anyway so a non issue. I am not a huge fan of the wheels, they always look dirty to me, but get lots of compliments. The clincher for me was the matching upper and lower grill that were Non matching on the non S. OCD won. I got the S.

 

Type s! Has better mileage , more power, option of 6mt. Also trim option is cooler than base, you also get a rear camera in the type s and from what i understand the type s motors are easier to find upgrades versus the base model.

 

^ Uh... a little late there buddy.

 

How about an update? What'd you get?

My shopping recently found Type S on the used market in my area to be on average just about $1500 more than a comparable base TL model.

In 2008 the Type S cost $4500 more new. So I view the used the Type S as a much stronger price performer with many cool additional features.

 

^^^ he has a 07-08 base TL, 6 year bump.....

 

 

Whichever comes in 6MT and fits your budget.

 

I wish my type s got better mileage than a base tl.

I can't compare to a base TL but my insurance doesn't seem to be all that high. My wifes 03 minivan is just as expensive to insure as my Type S.

Type S also holds a little better resale value if you ever sell it down the road.

I would drive both and try to look inside them both at night as well so you can really tell about the red vs. blue.

I like the red and I like everything about my Type S.

 

My first TL was a base 07 with nav. I regretted that decision not even after a week after purchasing it lol. I now drive a 08 Type S Carbon Bronze with Ebony/Silver interior.

Anytime someone says they dont like the two tone interior im always left unsure of which interior they mean. The Taupe/Ebony interior is more of a two tone IMO since it has very different black and light gray combination. Where as the Ebony/Silver is ALL black including the headliner, with the exception of the very dark silver inserts in the middle of the seats. The Ebony/Silver Type S interior is IMO the best looking interior you can get on a 3G TL.




Even though the performance differences between the base and Type S arent earth shattering, there really is a lot more differences than people give credit for. When you really get into the details besides the sheet metal, almost everything is different between the cars. Front bumper, headlights, brakes, wheels, side skirts, the entire interior, rear bumper, tail lights, exhaust, engine, suspension, trunk lip, etc etc. I also like the uniqueness of having a car that you do not see 7 of every single drive. I personally like the red interior lighting, although the base TL lighting looks good as well. Fuel economy differences are minimal between the S and base automatics and the 6mt Type S easily does 3mpg better than the auto. I have owned both.


My vote goes to getting a Type S hands down. Like someone said above, I have never seen someone on this forum buy a Type S and wish they had bought the base model. I have however seen the opposite and im one of those people.

 

Looks like some good input, but the post started in 2007, so hopefully they have decided by now

 

lol we fell for it again. I guess we can thank rayray for digging this one up from the grave.

 

gottha love the brembos

 

Never settle for less... Get a type S??

 

I realize that now, im new to the TL scene. Sorry

 

Love your sporty looking interior.. but I like this color scheme too for the contrast and it looks clean and "fine"..

 

Taupe/Ebony interior. I wanted a TL-S with Ebony/Silver interior but none were available during my search for a car last year. But I'm not complaining. I think both interiors look great for a Type-S.

 

dark carpet makes it hard to see the floor, mostly at night. lighter color carpet illuminates like this.. Its nice in the City... And its Finer even in the evening.

 

Where is this located on the type s? I didn't know that this feature was included?

 

^^^it isn't exclusive to the Type S it available for all 07-08 TL and the location would be in the center console under neath your power out let.

 

The way I see it if u can afford type s which is obviously have better options on than a base model go with the top of the line in the model of car u Shopping for. IMO if Im buying any car I would go with the best trim of that model if affordable of course but thts how my mind set is..

 

I don't know your driving habits but I always look at where I'm going, not at the floor, when I drive!

 

^ me too