I checked with my dealer and he informed me that for the 04 tl, acura is no longer making the a-spec package. But they are making an 05 a spec package.

Now this strikes me as odd and really, there are only a few possible explanations for this.

1) There is going to be some minor body changes in the 05 tl which would require a new a-spec package. I think this is almost impossible since i have heard there is no changes from 04 to 05.

2) They are changing the a spec package. Who knows what it will be changed to but perhaps some engine mod or some other nice things. (This seems to be the most likely).

3) There is no change at all but they are just going to call it an 05 a spec instead of an 04. (I think this is very unlikely. Why would they do this if it is the same package)?

My guess is 2 and so I would recommend anyone who is thinking of getting an a spec to hold off and see what the 05 package offers.

 

I spoke with my dealer and it is going to look more like the concept A-Spec and alos have 300hp. Would you like to buy my 04 TL with 20,000 miles. I want an 05 A-Spec NOW! :killer:

 

It's not going to have 300hp. I can see the FWD TL with 300HP now.

 

Just the concept TL has 300+ hp... I don't think 05 TL will get that much~ it will stay on 270 hp and I cannot image whats gonna happen if 300+ hp with FWD... @_@

PS: I think they really should change the A spec pkg, 04 Aspec looks tooooooo normal...

 

I would LOVE to see a 300hp tl but NOT in fwd. God, could you imagine the torque steer then? It is already too much in my opinion

 

Must be true. The dealers know everything.

 

The TL will not self-destruct at 300hp. The A-Spec suspension and tire upgrades are certainly capable of handling another 30hp. In fact, you are probably less likely to get in trouble (from applying more power than the car can handle) in a 300hp A-Spec TL than a 270hp TL running EL-42's.

There are plenty of supercharged second gen TL/CL's getting along just fine with well over 300 horsepower (300+ whp). They are very fast, reliable, and very driveable. Of course, any car making this sort of power can get you in trouble if you drive like a fool.

 

4) Acura planned a one year run on the wheels and they ran out. They'll come out with a new wheel in the '05 package to keep things fresh and exciting.

 

Agreed. I also believe it will be a nominal change like the wheels, or perhaps the stitching on the A-Spec steering wheel.

 

Exactly, which gives me the inspiration to come up with:

5) The emergence of the fabled 'all-black Canadian A-Spec steering wheel'!

 

Greaaaaaat, thanks guys. My car arrives in a week and now your telling me they might change the 05 A-spec kit.

I wonder if I can have the dealer add in the cost of the kit to the financing, and then wait to see if the 05 is any better. then I can choose which kit I want.

 

OK, I got the following info from my dealer on the 05 A-Spec.

The only differnce in the kit will be the wheels.
The 05 18" Allows, both FullA-spec or individually will have a different finish on the car.
He described it as the Stock Wheel's Finish on the current A-Spec Wheel's Design.
The 05 Full A-Spec should fit on an 04 as the body isnt changing, but he said as far as he knew the 04 Kits are already off the assembly line and the 05 kits are getting ready to be produced. You can only get an 04 Kit if they still have your color in stock at the main warehouse. So I'm hoping we'll see new pictures of the 05 wheels before they run out of 04 kits, so people who want A-Spec can essentially choose the finish they like.
I think the current finish looks superb on the AM, but the new finish might look better on SSM.

I told him to get as much detail and if possible a picture (of the wheels) since I'm driving down there tomorrow night.

He also confirmed the 05 change in the Red color but said he wasnt aware of any other changes.

 

Wow! I would have loved to have gotten the silver A-spec rims as opposed to my gun metal rims...

oh well

 

I would prefer gun metal

 

Obviously my dealer does not know shiznit. I can go on and on about how they've lied, but I will save that for another thread.

 

nice news, i refrained from getting the a-spec rims because of the color i didn't like the gun metal on SSM but if they offer a silver finish then i am definitely getting it for next spring. are they modifying the a-spec body kit at all to fit better? cause i've heard alot of complaints about it not being flush.

 

I hope that Acura would release a kit similar that of the A-Spec TL Concept. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they do.

 

anyone know if theirs a pic available for the 05 a-spec wheels

 

 

I think we will know in early Sept about the 05 A-spec. I can't wait to see the wheels as well!

 

we should be able to know something before they hit dealers. their coming in sept by me.

 

Great info. Thanks.

 

I am on the fence on whether I would have gotten the silver A-spec rims. I used your photo and description when I did my A-spec on my SSM, and now I am glad I did it using the gun metal wheels. I really like it, seems to bring out the silver in the car more.
Thanks PeterUbers !

 

I like the a-spec kit partly because it is subtle...I'm too old for a 2 ft wing or something.

 

do you live in NY, if so what dealer told u this?

 

Sweet! I actually do like my gunmetal rims alot .. especially when they are clean and shined up ... I can see, however, that the silver colored A-spec rims would definitely look better on colors such as Anthracite, Black, and dark blue....

The lighter colors like white, silver, and beige seem to work better w/ the gunmetal.

Glad i could help!

 

The gun metal rims look especially good on Red, Black, Blue & Anthracite. Not so good on Silver. Those are the only colors I've seen with the gun metal finished rims. I wouldn't bother on White, Green the Tan.

 

svtmike found some pics of (what I beleive are) the new A-spec wheels for 05.



This was ripped from the 05 A-Spec thread in the Wheels n Tires Sub Forum.

I wish we had pics of the GunMetal wheels in the same wodden stand for comparison.