My TL Love Story... new to the forum
09-03-2012, 10:41 AM
#1
My TL Love Story... new to the forum
Good Morning Acurazine,
My name's Andrew, I'm a longtime Honda fanboy and new member to this forum. Just picked up an '05 TL and I'm stoked about it.
https://acurazine.com/forums/picture...=12510&thumb=1
For those interested in the long version:
My first car ever was a '96 Integra that I absolutely loved. But I'm ashamed to say, I destroyed it driving recklessly after just two months of ownership (yes, I got what I deserved).
Since then I've learned a lot about responsibility and have had a range of other vehicles; an FC RX-7, then I did the off road thing with a Land Rover, then a Suzuki GSX-R750 that I still keep for the weekend. I had been driving around in a Ford Focus that I borrowed from a friend, but when I got a new job as a professional car buyer (I source vehicles for dealers) it seemed time to get my own vehicle.
I shopped around for about two months and test drove approximately forty cars (mostly BMW, Mercedes, IS300s). I've always loved BMWs and all my co-workers drive German, so I picked up an E46 330ci. But when I brought it home and spent a little more time with it, I realized it just wasn't a good fit. It's hard to really explain why... something about the layout, or maybe the dash, I just couldn't get dialed in with the car.
So I sold it after having it less than a week and was in the market again. Though as I mentioned I love Honda/Acura, I had been resistant to getting one because I wasn't too excited about FWD. But when I saw this TL on the presale run-list of the Manheim New England Auto Auction, it was love at first sight.
Silver on black leather, brakes like dinner plates, six-speed manual, Bluetooth and a huge navigation screen... when I fall asleep at night and fantasize about the ultimate vehicle, this is the exact setup I'm tearing up asphalt in in my dreams.
I arrived at the auction in one of the most torrential rain storms I can remember, even had to pull over at one point because the rain was so hard. But I pressed on, because I had to lay eyes on the car I had seen online.
Finally arriving on-site, I b-lined it to the TL and experienced a rush of emotions tantamount to getting laid for the first time. Good tires, perfect interior, and a softly-humming motor that was chomping at the bit. On top of that, that engine was clean enough to host a dinner party- there was hardly dust to be found under the hood, let alone grease or leaks. The only damage was a dime-size dent, a little curb rash on the wheels, and a front bumper weary from road rocks... pretty impressive considering the odometer reported just shy of 160,000 miles.
I knew then and there I had to have the car and mentally prepared myself to pay whatever it would take to bring it home.
When it finally did run across the auction block, I'm happy to say the hammer fell at a price still a few hundred dollars below my actual limit (I couldn't let emotions trump shrewdness TOO much).
I've just returned from a fastblast to Vermont and back, where I got to feel the car out on the highway as well as some excellent country roads, and I have to say I really do think the car is perfect- that's coming from a guy who test-drives and evaluates cars for a living.
Extremely comfortable, swift, efficient, and my mechanics are happy that they'll be taking car of a Honda instead of a BMW.
Hoping to have many years of happiness with my new UA6. Will probably keep it close to stock, but I'll be sure to keep the forum updated on upgrades and get some glamor photos up soon.
My name's Andrew, I'm a longtime Honda fanboy and new member to this forum. Just picked up an '05 TL and I'm stoked about it.
https://acurazine.com/forums/picture...=12510&thumb=1
For those interested in the long version:
My first car ever was a '96 Integra that I absolutely loved. But I'm ashamed to say, I destroyed it driving recklessly after just two months of ownership (yes, I got what I deserved).
Since then I've learned a lot about responsibility and have had a range of other vehicles; an FC RX-7, then I did the off road thing with a Land Rover, then a Suzuki GSX-R750 that I still keep for the weekend. I had been driving around in a Ford Focus that I borrowed from a friend, but when I got a new job as a professional car buyer (I source vehicles for dealers) it seemed time to get my own vehicle.
I shopped around for about two months and test drove approximately forty cars (mostly BMW, Mercedes, IS300s). I've always loved BMWs and all my co-workers drive German, so I picked up an E46 330ci. But when I brought it home and spent a little more time with it, I realized it just wasn't a good fit. It's hard to really explain why... something about the layout, or maybe the dash, I just couldn't get dialed in with the car.
So I sold it after having it less than a week and was in the market again. Though as I mentioned I love Honda/Acura, I had been resistant to getting one because I wasn't too excited about FWD. But when I saw this TL on the presale run-list of the Manheim New England Auto Auction, it was love at first sight.
Silver on black leather, brakes like dinner plates, six-speed manual, Bluetooth and a huge navigation screen... when I fall asleep at night and fantasize about the ultimate vehicle, this is the exact setup I'm tearing up asphalt in in my dreams.
I arrived at the auction in one of the most torrential rain storms I can remember, even had to pull over at one point because the rain was so hard. But I pressed on, because I had to lay eyes on the car I had seen online.
Finally arriving on-site, I b-lined it to the TL and experienced a rush of emotions tantamount to getting laid for the first time. Good tires, perfect interior, and a softly-humming motor that was chomping at the bit. On top of that, that engine was clean enough to host a dinner party- there was hardly dust to be found under the hood, let alone grease or leaks. The only damage was a dime-size dent, a little curb rash on the wheels, and a front bumper weary from road rocks... pretty impressive considering the odometer reported just shy of 160,000 miles.
I knew then and there I had to have the car and mentally prepared myself to pay whatever it would take to bring it home.
When it finally did run across the auction block, I'm happy to say the hammer fell at a price still a few hundred dollars below my actual limit (I couldn't let emotions trump shrewdness TOO much).
I've just returned from a fastblast to Vermont and back, where I got to feel the car out on the highway as well as some excellent country roads, and I have to say I really do think the car is perfect- that's coming from a guy who test-drives and evaluates cars for a living.
Extremely comfortable, swift, efficient, and my mechanics are happy that they'll be taking car of a Honda instead of a BMW.
Hoping to have many years of happiness with my new UA6. Will probably keep it close to stock, but I'll be sure to keep the forum updated on upgrades and get some glamor photos up soon.
09-03-2012, 11:40 AM
#3
Good stuff. Congrats on finding the perfect car for you. I feel exactly the same way. I thought about a Bimmer or Benz before I got my TL and I just couldn't understand why the interiors on those cars were so dull for so much more money. Plus I HAD to have a manual and usually you NEVER find a fully loaded manual.
I love my TL!
I love my TL!
09-03-2012, 01:16 PM
#5
It's an '05. Mileage doesn't really bother me as long as a car's been cared for. I've got another vehicle with 180 that runs fine and my bike has 32, very high for a motorcycle.
Not really one to talk about money in public, even though I guess this is an anonymous forum. I paid a little over average wholesale price, because it is an above-average car. I'll link to some photos when I get the chance to take some good ones.
Not really one to talk about money in public, even though I guess this is an anonymous forum. I paid a little over average wholesale price, because it is an above-average car. I'll link to some photos when I get the chance to take some good ones.
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09-03-2012, 03:06 PM
#8
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Welcome and congrats Andrew! Excellent first post
09-03-2012, 03:30 PM
#10
Suzuka Master
welcome to the site, you can register your color here https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/tl-owners-please-chime-855960/ thnx.
09-03-2012, 05:25 PM
#11
Team Owner
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kansas City, MO (Overland Park, KS)
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Nice read, Andrew! Welcome to Acurazine. Best of luck keeping it stock (that is, if you hang out around us long enough).
Be sure to join our Silver TL Social Group from the link under my signature.
Be sure to join our Silver TL Social Group from the link under my signature.
09-03-2012, 09:16 PM
#14
Suzuka Master
we need pics lol.
09-04-2012, 01:03 PM
#17
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (1)
09-04-2012, 09:38 PM
#22
Senior Moderator
Congrats and welcome to AZ. Register it at www.myacura.com and store your Navi and Radio codes there for safe keeping. If you’re in Canada then go here:
https://www.myacura.acura.ca/myAcura...ToLoginPage.do
Register it at www.myacura.com and store your Navi and Radio codes there for safe keeping. If you’re in Canada then go here:https://www.myacura.acura.ca/myAcura...ToLoginPage.do
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