Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Guys, when fuel was $4.00 a gallon, I babied the car out of a stop to conserve gas. I was getting 18 mpg in good weather then. Now, fuel in Kansas City is $1.65 for regular (.20 cents more for premium), so I'm not watching how I pull out of a stop. I'm driving the car the way it's supposed to be driven. I'm still getting 17-18 mpg's.

Audioholics

Steve;

Are you putting premium fuel in? It makes a difference. Also are you changing your air filter every 15k miles?

greco9885

iTrader: (1)

He drives mostly city, if i remember correctly

Audioholics

The 05 does calculate fuel and its pretty accurate too. I had an 05 and now have an 07 TLS and the difference in acceleration between the two is pretty significant as is the better handling of the later. The TLS is more confident at higher speeds and feels more planted on the road. To me they are almost 2 different cars and I loved me 05 TL.

Babnik

The 04-06 6MT is faster than an automatic Type S from 0-60 and only 0.1 seconds slower than a manual Type S...

greco9885

iTrader: (1)

there is NO way a type-s is .1 second faster than a base...both manual

im pretty modded and i STOMP 3.2l's they make 215 at the wheels, i make 265...manual or not

a modded 3.2 with exhaust and intake, i still beat by a decent amount. havent gotten a chance to race a base with a similar setup to mine

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Gentlemen, you are correct. I always used premium fuel and drive mostly city.

Audioholics

I don't clock cars but every time I step on the gas in my TLS I smile feverishly. I never had that feeling with my 05 TL though it was no slouch. The throttle response and transmission shifting is much different between the two cars, especially when engaged in manual mode.

cdina36315

Yeah, there is always someone who tries to psycho analysis the other guy. In your point of view, I will find fault, with every car. Well, when the asshole dealer is asking 32,900 to start, there better be no faults with the car.

Bearcat94

Really? Got links/documentation? People with the base MT claim it is faster than a TL-S 5AT, but I've never seen proof.

I don't buy it (but I'm biased).

R&T had the TL-S 6MT at 5.7 Sec 0-60 (on a 90* day). Who ran the base MT at 5.8? Edmunds has it at 8/10ths slower not 1/10th - BIG difference.

Edmunds, 2004 6MT:

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpconta...ticleId=101197


My 5AT TL-S ran 14.3x @ 97 MPH virtually stock (Springs, P2R Spacer, slight weight reduction) on MXM4 tires - not enough mods to account for 6/10ths of a second.



.

Babnik

The figures for 0-60 times seem to vary a lot. Here's a source that says the base 04 TL does 0-60 in 6.0 and the 04 A-Spec in 5.7: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...fications.html

Another source says 5.6 for the 04 a-spec: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...cs+page-2.html

I guess it depends on the driver, track conditions, etc.

I believe the TL got slightly heavier every year so the 04 is the fastest non-A-spec.

Audioholics

I seriously doubt that unless adding LEDs on the side mirrors and in the footwells added the weight

Babnik

Almost every year a small number of new features were added which added a few pounds.

Google "2004 tl curb weight" and the numbers you get are in the 3400 range and google "2008 tl curb weight" and the numbers are in the 3600s.

In my post above I meant to say the 04 is the fastest non-Type-S, not the fastest non-A-Spec.

Bearcat94

Yeah, lot of variation. No doubt the base MT is quick. Part of the problem too is that none of the mags ever ran the AT TL-S, always the 6MT; I've never found a documented 0 - 60 time for the AT TL-S.

I figure the base MT vs the AT TL-S is about even - it's all on the driver and conditions. There is just not enough data out there to say one is, for sure, faster than the other.

subbuzz

either way, the tl/tl-s is not a "fast" "race car" but the toy's you get are fun,it's beyond sexy style,and base or s 250+ hp is nothing to complain about.

FYI: I drive mostly all city and also get about 18 mpg.......

pilotman28

I doubt it makes THAT much difference because there's no WAY the brand of gasoline I'm putting in my car would account for that variation but I do use Citgo. I've used the gambit of all the reputable brands and the Citgo was the one which gave me the best mileage out of my Passat with a VR6 engine in it. The VR6 is also a high compression engine so it's similar enough to merit comparison in this case.

Audioholics

I agree and thats always bugged me.

greco9885

iTrader: (1)

stock type-s crank HP = 286 . WHP = 236 . 50HP lost = 18% loss
stock base crank HP = 258 - 46hp(18%) = 212WHP

Honestly, I'm pretty confident my type-s can take a base MT with mods, no s/c. Maybe I will race timeless

MistahSleepy

Are those MT's you're talking about? I'm pretty sure a stock TL-S MT gets around 250 to the wheel no?

greco9885

iTrader: (1)

The stock type-s numbers are right from the dyno of my auto. i used basic math to get the % lost, and the stock base whp

greco9885

iTrader: (1)

and i highly doubt the MT makes ~14whp more. maybe 7-8

Audioholics

Cdina;

there are a few 07s kbp autos on ebay but they may not be local to you. I suggest using the car classified section of KBB. I am sure you will find one. thats how I did it. Good luck.

cdina36315

Thanks,
I am pretty much all over most car sites. It's not easy, because I am real picky, want clean with low mile, but I am also on a limited budget. I am paying cash, so I think it makes it a little harder to pay an extra couple of thousand dollars. If I was taking a loan, a few k would just be like 50 dollars more a month. But in this case you see it come out of you account and it hurts a bit. Then there is the wife, who says "your sister just bought that nice new accord for a little over 20k. Why don't you just get that. Thats it no sex this week" sorry, I am getting off topic here. Lets not forget about the economy either, so you really have to watch your money.
I think I have a lead on another one and it has the interior that I prefer. So hopefully this one works out.

Audioholics

I had the same issue last month. I couldn't get a decent loan so I bought my TLS cash for $26.5k + TTL. It hurt doing it but my alternative was another lease payment or buying a mediocre car I'd have to trade in 2-3 years. I simply couldn't step backwards from my 05 TL so I went this route. I got mine with only 10k miles and all I needed to do was remove the tacky weathertech window shades, and sand down the center hubs of the rotors and get them painted. The car is like new. I will never buy a new car again so long as I can find what I want with low mileage. Good luck to you.

cdina36315

I did the same thing with my last car in 98. It almost emptied, my bank account, but you would be amazed how fast you can start saving money, when you don't have a big car payment. I never did like car payments.
I may have lucked out here. I was bummed that the last deal fell through, so I emailed a guy that had a nice kbp TL-S for sale about 3 months ago. We were exchanging emails then, but he would barely come down in price. He said he got tired of people looking at it and then not having the money, so he stopped listing it. Now he is willing to come down quite a bit.
Only problem is he is in South Carolina. But my Mom lives in North Carolina and I usually go there in March anyway. Hopefully we can work it out. He also has the 18 inch Aspec rims that I like.

Ramrodthrusterpuppy

I think that happens as soon as we say "I do."...but I digress...

Good luck on finding a TL-S....it's a great ride! Just don't expect 25 MPG City.

Audioholics

nice I love those rims. Go for it. ITs worth the 4-5 hr car drive if you can get a good deal on it. I love the kbp and glad I got that color. Good luck.

and agreed on car payment. Now I am saving $435/mo which is no small change in this economy,

chuanger

Previous to my 08 TL-S, I drove a 96 Honda Accord LX for 12 years. The only problems I had with my accord were self-induced due to the mod bug :P The TL-S is by far IMO, the best all around bang for your buck for a sport sedan. No "packages" to buy. It comes with everything!!! I couldn't be happier with my choice!

cdina36315

I found another one is washington. I think they are asking too much though.
Pics look nice. Haven't gotten a reply yet. This also has the paddle shifters.
Does anyone have any experience with the paddle shifters. They sound like fun. Might make me beat on it a little too much.
I was all set to get a base TL Blue. Now the whole idea of more power is in my head, and I am stuck on the TL-S.

Audioholics

The paddle shifters are standard on all TLS's for 07 and 08. They are cool but I rarely use them. Acura made the mistake of attaching them to the steering wheel instead of the steering column so they are only useful when your not turning.

TLS is about more than just power. Its about a car that is limited production so every tom dick and harry wont have. Its a sportier ride than a standard TL and it just looks cooler.

cdina36315

I thought the paddle shifters would be standard in all TL-S's. Just makes sense. So when I test drove a TL-S at the dealer the other day. I asked him if these things on the side of the steering wheel were the paddle shifters and said they were controls for something else. I didn't feel like arguing with him.
I don't think I ever met a dealer that I liked, or I felt that he new the product he was selling. I am sure there are some good ones out there, but I haven't found them.
I imagine that is also what is hurting the industry. Besides the economy. Everyone I know dreads when they have to buy a new car and have to deal with the dealer.
They are so lucky they are selling a product that most people already made a decision on.

bjtexer

KBP Type-S FTW........ go for it b4 it gone.

95oRANGEcRUSH

It's good that you are willing to wait and find the right car w/ the right qualities. I think a lot of people settle when car buying to avoid the stress. Unfortunately, that often leads to spending more.

FWIW, it took me over 3 months to find my car. I even drove to Brooklyn and back in one day to check out a car. That deal obviously fell through. You just have to be patient, there will always be a deal that pops up.

I will echo others when I say this car is the shit. It gets looks, performs and I could give a shit about the car payment. Money well spent!!

piggydog

total newb question, besides the RL engine what's the difference between the 07 type S and the A Spec from years earlier?

95oRANGEcRUSH

^ Literally, there are all kinds of differences. Type-S comes standard with the 3.5l like you mentioned, (I thought I read RL tranny, too?) as well as 4 piston Brembos, wheels, quad exhaust, paddle shifters, headlights, tail lights, and side marker lights, foglights in lower grille, navi is standard, Type-S front headrests, red interior lighting, stiffer suspension. KBP is only offered in Type-S form, too.

I think that nails most of it.

Audioholics

and LED lights under the footwells... Aspec was from 05 I believe and didn't have these features...

Also supposidly our Type S has noise cancellation feature but I don't hear the difference from my 05 TL...

Warrior 6

Own a 07 KBP with the ebony and silver seats. Awesome car! Owned a 05 TSX before, night and day difference. Vehicle is now 15 months old and NO issues to this point. Averaging 23-25 mpg on highway and 18-21 mpg in the city. Clearly the most bang for the buck. Hang in there, you will find the vehicle that you looking for, you will not be dissappointed.

cdina36315

I have only seen the Nav in a TL a couple of times. From what I have seen is just like an over head view of a map.
The other day I was driving my friends car and he had a portable Nav, I forget what model, but it was great. It was like driving a video game. Really had a cool 3D view. I still would get the TL with Nav, but I am afraid, I am gonna want one like my friend has.
Also for the extra 2k. It might be cool to replace the stereo, with a nice Nav/stereo system with a nice screen. It might be a little too low to use for the nave though.
Has anyone had experience with the TL Nav and some of the portable ones?

BG74

Who gives a sh*t about gas mileage right now? By the time we need to worry again, you'll be ready for something else.

MR1

Yes!
The TL nav is at least among the best installed units. It is intergrated with the HFL and other electronics so becomes an information system. Some will argue that the portable units are faster, easier, etc. In some cases they are correct. Overall, the integration and the look help make the system superior. Add the big screen and to me, it's worth it. Also, it's included with the S.