So like when I was getting my TL I went with my dad. However he was very against getting the acura gps with the asian mindset that its a waste of money when you can buy one at costco for 200 bucks as opposed to 2000 bucks. He also felt that a built in gps would attract theifs...which in the sense it does bring more value/attention to the car but I feel that an aftermarket gps would bring more attention to windshield than a acura gps would.

So Ive come to really regret my dad's stubborness, and hope to eventually install a gps and the back sensors onto the Back of my TL when I have the money. My reason being that at night I dont see street signs too well, reverse parking is always a tense moment because i dont know how fat my TL's ass really is, and the fact an aftermarket gps just makes the interior not as nice looking for some reason.

Can someone tell me how much roughly this would cost me? Im guessing more than if i had just bought a TL w/ NAV.

P.S yeayea before you say im spoiled ive paid 1/8 of the car allready...working to pay off the rest myself...

 

There are some inexpensive options - Pep Boys typically has rear-view cameras for $50. Those portable nav units are really nice because they are portable and don't cost a lot - maybe $150. Plus they usually don't have the nanny feature that some built-in ones (Lexus and Toyota spring to mind) have.

At the other end of the spectrum, you could get a custom headunit with nav-capability installed. You can also get a custom rear-view mirror that has a small LCD screen with the backup camera. Actually the sky (and your wallet) is the limit here.

IIRC, the nav unit can be installed into your non-navi TL...but do a bit of searching first.

 

hm...thats an interesting suggestion i have never heard of a rear view mirror with a lcd screen...

Also, whatever I want installed- the goal is to leave the sound system and mostly everything else intact.

However I just thought of an idea I would like to share. Picture this

http://image.motortrend.com/f/950100...G+interior.jpg

however the gps will be around the clock areas of our tl in the middle of the dashboard. How sick would that be? What are the chances I could get that installed....

 

You're looking at several G's and a lot of labor. I don't know if I'd do it, but in the end it is definitely worth it if you know how to do it yourself. If you have to pay someone to get it done...go aftermarket.

 

Backup camera = $70
Dom's kit = $200 (I think...)
you can do the install or ask someone in bay area to help you. If you pay to get the install done it will cost you around $600.

backup sensors = $500
install is same as above.

I don't see why anyone in cali doesn't just message around on here until they find someone who will help them out? There are so many TLs out there! That and the tristate area must have the highest concentration of TLs in the world.

You could try to hardwire a navi into the TL's lower bays. To do this I would remove the bays and cut the center out so you have one big compartment. Of course you still have to figure out what to do with the doors but I'm sure you could figure out either replacing them or modding them somehow. Of course, you could also blow a bunch of cash on a carputer....

You could also rig something that folds into one of the bays, so that when you open the bay door the navi will pop out.

 

i do have rear view mirror with a lcd screen i like it a lot dont ask me how much is it bc i bought my car with it ....

 

I think im going to have nightmares...=[

Everyday I see my car and it makes me smile...and then I go inside and get sad cause i remember all those smart people who chose to get NAV....and not me

Damn life.

 

I honestly dont care too much for the backup camera, i more want the sensors and a built in NAV, and preferably leave the botttom bays alone...cause personally I would prefer not to stare down to look at the gps.

I guess for now I'll just have to figure a good placement for my portable gps...any suggestions?

 

lower left corner of the windshield or lower center of windshield- just leep it low and the cops wont think the gps is blocking your vision

portables are so much smarter and more updated/ updatable than the acura nav.
Some you plug into home computer for updates instead of $200 for acura newest disc.

there are several options on rear distance sensors for parking (see aaa.com and search net) and wireless rear cameras from pepboys or similar-- I want one of those since tinted widows are hard to see out of~

 

Got to say it's great to have the Nav system in the car, but must also state that the Acura system isn't as accurate as the TomTom I have in our other vehicle. For most times it will supply direct directions, but when you find yourself out in the "farm lands" it's not able to give the shortest, or most direct route. The system will take you to the nearest highway, or major road rather than the local back roads.
Just used the Nav on Sunday. Decided we would go to the movies, but as we were 30 miles from home not certain as to local theaters. Purchased the local paper, plugged in the phone number of the theater, and up came the directions.

Here's some reading:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-94/question-about-non-nav-nav-conversion-684962/
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-94/another-double-din-install-lots-pix-643521/
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-94/i-142-yet-another-non-navi-navi-conversion-success-story-640304/
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...d.php?t=637205

 

Look at the links turbonut provided above- you can do a non- nav to navi conversion.

 

so like did you totally regret your dads checkbook too....people piss me off, your dad buys you a 30+k car, and you have the nerve to bitch about him not wanting to pay the extra cash for the upgrades...

 

Ahhh!!!! the joys of childhood.

I wish I still had "these" problems.

 

did you get an 08 WDP? i just got one too, went for the Navi though. It is more money but i guess in the end its worth it.

However, I will say although the navigation and touchscreen interface for the audio and backup camera are cool, I think Google Maps (on my phone) is better at giving directions and I end up using the steering wheel controls for the audio more. Backup camera is neat and nice since its included, but you could live without it. At night also, I find myself turning off the Navi screen and just sit back and cruise, no distracting square of light in the middle.

 

Sounds like a good one

 

My friend has a lexus es350 non nav. He wanted to get the stock nav installed. According to lexus dealer, they said it would cost him thousands since he has to change the dash board and etc.

 

I have Nav on mine and am happy I got it for the few times I have used it (obviously as a DD, I don't use my Nav as much). That being said, if I elected not to get it, I would opt for a portable GPS. I usually drive with the screen off as someone said above. IMO, it's not worth a few thousand dollars to retrofit your car with a factory Nav or to put an aftermarket in dash Nav - this is to some degree asking for it to be stolen. I love what many have done to this car, but I don't trust the common thief in the street who will sell your hard earned Nav unit for a few bucks to get some crack.

 

hey kid. if you learned to read I said he bought it, but im paying him back myself. And yes you are probably older than me but to me your maturity is the level of a kid. kid.

 

oh and to be exact it was a 26k 08 WDP

 

:gheywave:

 

I was in your same boat. I have an 04 non-navi, but really wanted to get a nav unit in my car. I did not want to go through the process of swapping a stock unit into the car as it would take time and $$$. I opted for a Pioneer Avic D3 which was still a pricey addition, but I don't regret it at all. With the D3, you can put in a bluetooth adapter, ipod cable, backup camera and a module that still allows you to use your steering wheel controls. There are tons of options when it comes to in dash aftermarket nav units, so take your time and look around. Anyway, here are a couple pics for you. Good luck with everything.

 

I found a crashed TL with a navi in the city where I was thinking about the conversion. After I read what is all that needs to be done, I knew that with NAVI purchase and all the necesarry stuff, and profesional instalaiton, it wasnt worth it. And I dont need a navi really, its just a cool thing to have I guess.

 

he still bought it, because you couldnt afford too, and no, i dont plan on growing up anytime soon.....

 

so waht if he bought him a car, if he can afford to buy his kid a car, more power to him.

 

I cannot fathom why people think that a portable navi is going to be stolen? They are a dime a dozen. You could probably leave your car unlocked in the ghetto and not have this stolen. Yes, they are portable and able to be stolen, but they just aren't that great an item anymore. I think every thief already has one...

 

oh thats fucking nice man, I would like to get that too. Where can I buy something like this?

 

well think of it this way. Yes the theif may have one but say he/she needs some quick cash? just break a window, jack a gps, and sell for 100 bucks and there's his quick cash.

And the gps holder that you stick on the windshield is practically a giveaway.

And on a sidenote my friend owns an rx300 and he leaves his radar on the windshield all the time, and just the other day someone apparently tried peeling the rubber that is around the windows to get in the car

 

If you do your homework and are at all handy, it can easily be done for under $1K.

There are people who were selling kits around $2K.

I've been through it and would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

That's definitely a new way to enter a car... But hey, according to the commericals, criminals also need Old Spice Body Wash. That stuff is expensive!

 

If this constitutes as a "dilemma of a lifetime" than my friend, you have a very easy life LOL

You know, I am currently car shopping and a TL base w/ navi is on the list along w/ a few other vehicles. But after *really* thinking about it, I'm not so sure it is worth the extra $ and aftermarket may be the way for me also. We had a loaner TSX for a few days and it had Navi, and I must say that the novelty very quickly wore off for me. Plus, I too think I would shut the distracting screen off 90% of the time, so then what's the point of paying the extra $? And one more thing: her TSX does not have navi and if I went w/ a portable GPS, we could swap it from car to car as needed.

Now, IMO a Navi TL dash looks WAY better than a base one, but that is something I could quickly get over I'm sure. The other added interactive features of the TL's Navi are pretty cool, but would I really use them that often? The backup camera? Eh, it would be neat to have but I don't really need it.

I guess I will continue to play it by ear and see what I find as I shop, but I am starting to think I shouldn't look for Navi specifically anymore. If I come across one for a nice price than awesome, but I don't think I should make it a requirement any longer.

????????

 

On the one hand - if this is the biggest dilema of your lifetime, consider yourself VERY fortunate.

On the other hand - people complaining that your father paid for the car even though you are paying him back need to stay out of other people's business. It's taking a loan from family instead of the bank. If family is able and willing to do it, what concern is it to anyone else?

BTW - I bought my 04 TL without navi and wish I got it with navi. I sucked it up and lived without it. Next car will definitely have navi. That will be a while, though. Only two more payments on this one and I plan on driving it nearly into the ground.

 

What I've observed from this forum is that we have a lot of grumpy old men that resent kids driving the same cars as them because they didn't have the luxury of driving such a nice car in their youth because their parents didn't or couldn't help them out.

All it is IMO is jealousy and the failure to accept that life isn't fair and some people/kids are more fortunate than others.

Now back to this topic, I definitely feel your dilemma as I ended up getting the OEM nav in all my cars and never regret that purchase one bit and had to convince my parents as they are Indian and think along the same lines as yours. But I suceeded in persuading them on my 2nd gen TL Type S. This was the first car I purchased on my own so I didnt need to persuade them on my current TL.

If I were you, I would do Pioneer D3 drop in as its more economical and feasible and add a Pioneer backup camera than mess around with retrofitting factory parts because it will cost hell of a lot more and probably still be subpar to the Pioneer. If you do chose to go the OEM route, consider trading up rather than retrofitting and if that isn't possible and you still pursue the OEM route, be prepared for a grueling, long but at the end extremely satisfying project.

 

So I'm confused, what's his dilemma?

 

His dilemma is that he regrets not getting the navi model. Since his father paid for the car in advance, he really was the ultimate decision maker to get the navi or not. Like most asian family, they believe the extra 2k spend on a screen is unnecessary. I totally understand his situation because when I was younger, my dad believed that the navi was a waste of money as well. All I can say is that you should drive what you have now. And when you get older and have a higher income, you can buy whatever car you want.

 

Yes, I was being a bit sarcastic in asking that question. He has no dilemma, it's just a matter that he didn't get what he wanted. I wish I had to face that kind of regret when I was 17 But then again, I'm just another grumpy old man

 

guess vinnie forgot after all... its a fucking honda...

 

To be honest with you, don't sweat not having a navi at all. Be fortunate that your driving a TL which is a very nice car to be driving, especially for us young folk. I to have an 08 TL Base that I bought a couple of weeks ago. And let me tell you, navi or no navi, I drive with a damn bright smile on my face just as I drove it off after taking delivery. And no matter what, any TL is sexy navi or non navi, haha. Just be thankful and enjoy your car.

 

I totally agree with swift before i could afford my NBP 08 TL-S i drove a 1997 toyota landcruiser my parents got me. Be gratefull your rents got you a sick car. honestly i rarely use my navi, seems like you jus want it to say you have it. instead of a navi u should get some TEIN SS coil overs. but if u do decide to get a navi i think an aftermarket one is a better way to go if your going to upgrade the stereo. Good luck

 

seriously be happy with the TL, it could be a lot worse...

I got a dealer loaner for about 20 days (don't ask) that had Nav and while I agree backup camera was good, I didn't really care for GPS. It is a nice feature etc but I'm going to agree with your old man, not worth the $2200

 

You shoulda gotten the navi...the bitches and hos like it

lol at "dilemma of a lifetime".

i'm a "spoiled little brat" and i think that's funny...