hey guys, I'm looking to buy a 04-06 tl and i'm still debating rather to look for one with navigation or without, the price difference will be around 1k-3k but i'm just not sure if its worth it. I've heard nothing but praise for the honda/acura navigation system but im not really sure if its worth it. '

thanks for you help!

 

this is a new question...

in short, yes

 

Its definitely worth it. The non-navi models just look so boring. Having the screen is a huge plus. If you end up not getting a navi model, you'll regret it for sure!

 

Yes!!

 

For someone such as myself who gets lost all the time? Yes.. it's for sure worth it.

 

Yes. When I bought my '04 manual TL, I didn't think I wanted Nav. But all three of the anthracite manual TLs on the lot had Nav. The sales manager said that he had never had someone who bought the TL with Nav come back and say they wish they hadn't. Yes, I know they'll say anything to sell a car, but in this case, I believe he wasn't lying.

The Nav is far more than just a fancy mapping/GPS system. It is hooked to your sound system, your Bluetooth feature, and your HVAC system. Traveling with a good road map and your Nav completes the picture and I can tell you I have used both to their max a few times (like just this past spring on a vacation trip).

I mentioned that the Nav is hooked to your HVAC. Here is an example. Say you are traveling north on I-95 from a trip to Georgia or Floriday on your way back home. It's summer time, 4:00 in the afternoon, and 90 degrees outside. You are running the A/C in the AUTO mode (as you should be for this). Your Nav knows what time of day and time of year it is. Knows where you are on the earth's surface. Knows the outside and cabin temperatures. And knows what direction you are heading. It will automatically adjust the interior temperature by sending a little more cooling to the driver's side of the car, because that is where the sun is. It does this so subtly you may not notice it other than the fact that you remain comfortable. It is a very "smart" system.

One thing more. Notice how much more it increases the price of the cars you're looking at? It will do the same thing when the time comes for you to sell it.

 

Not to mention the peace of mind. Besides the fact that you can essentially control your entire interior accessories by voice, you can never really get "lost" again. You can program your home address into it and save it. Plus, once you get the navi you can buy a converter like Dom's TVandNAV2go and a DVD player and be able to watch videos through it. I test drove a non-navi and one w/ it and fell in love. The navi was the biggest selling feature for me when I bought my TL.

 

I bought a non-nav TL and I've never felt a moment's regret. When I want to summon a function or change a setting I push a hard button and it happens, without my having to sign a release. How long will Honda support the present nav system, and how long will the electronics last? I tend to keep my cars for a long time. As for driving north on I-95, if you're in Georgia you're probably stopped dead in a traffic jam anyway and have nothing better to do than adjust your AC for yourself.

 

Look at all the used 2004/5/6 TL's for sale out there.

There's a good reason why the vast majority of them are non-Nav's.

Probably the best reason for getting the Nav is that you'll never be one of the 10's of 1000's who didn't that wound up looking back afterwards wishing they had.
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yeah it's worth it

 

hell ya nav is most def worth it i wouldnt own a tl without it

 

I recently purchased a base 2008 WDP in Febuary. Bought it home, realize the interior dash was boring. I discovered that the left front fender's tip was lifted up more than acceptable. I then took it back to Acura and exchanged it, but this time with Nav. With the Nav system one also gets the DVD system and backup camera. The TL with Nav is much better than the one without. Almost no regrets; I should have purchased the Type-S. LOL. Get the TL with Nav!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I have a navi model and went for service yesterday. The loaner car they gave me was an 08 non-nav. While I don't use the navigation unit all that much as I don't travel to areas I don't know my way around often, the interior of the non-nav model just looked so frickin' jeezy. The top area where the time shows is very reminiscent of a cheap car, as is the area with the nav typically would go.

While you may not use the nav functions that much, I do however use the other functions of the screen, such as the calculator, conversions, finding restaurants in the area you're in, that you wouldn't normally go to, as you simply didn't know they existed.

If money is an issue, you shouldn't be buying a TL in the first place

 

Nav is one of those things that if you ever had it then you wont go a day without it . I personally think its great to have just in case and also it makes the interior look complete.

 

If you're buying a new car, then I would say yes.

If you're buying used, adn it comes down to a choice between a car with navi and oen without (for only slghtly more money for the one with navi), the get the navi, but definitely don't get a navi with higher mileage and worse condition than a non-navi with lower mileage and better condition.

I personally don't need navi as I almost never drive to unfamiliar places where I can get lost, and I think voice command is stupid. But if you often go to unfamiliar territory then yes it's worth it.

 

Yes.

That being said.... OEM navigation system leaves a lot to be desired. There are some inconsistencies that are somewhat annoying.

The best thing about the OEM setup is how everything is integrated.

 

i dunno about you, but i HATE asking for directions...lol

 

is it just me or have you noticed that every girl who gets in you car looks at that navi and says holy shit!? haha i always set it to "brightest" before they get in, they get a real kick of picking what place to eat

 

yes, if you can't buy one now, you can always get a portable GPS unit...

but in my case, i always wanted one so i got One...

good luck

 

i have non navi cus i basically dont need it. i bought my '04 used and i found the exterior/interior combination i wanted with low miles. navi would come in a color i didnt want and higher price tag. plus i know my way around.. never get lost. so imo i didnt need it and so didnt get it. and as far as people saying it makes the interior look 'complete', it looks awesomely complete even without the nav. its a TL!

 

Recently I drove to Niagara Falls from Harrisburg PA on my TL, Acura Navi has shown more than 400 miles with all possible routing options (Direct, Easy and Maximize Highways), but my old TomTom has brought me there for just 307 miles. I thought the software is old and tried in my friend's new Acura RDX but I did not find any difference.

Have you guys ever come across a situation that Acura Navi shows long distances?

 

In a word - YES!

When I bought my TL back in 04, I wasn't going to spend the extra money for the nav, but the Mrs., told me I should. I'm glad I did. As mentioned above -

Dash is cleaner / looks better
Honda/Acura has the best system out there
You will regret it if you don't

 

Yes, frequently. But I'd still rather have it than not have it.

 

I know its been answered but let me say it anyway.

YES!

I wanted one with navi but I couldn't find a NBP 6Speed with navi if i could have found it, it would have been mine.

 

I ended up with a Navi TL and think it's worth it.

I was going to get a non-Navi, but the dealership didn't have the color combos I wanted on the lot. I then decided to try a lease, and the Navi was $10/month more, so I took a car with Navi from the lot and have not regretted it one bit. I'll probably buy the car off lease.

Resale on the TL with Navi is probably a bit higher than without, FWIW- Navi was a $2K option new, so it may add $1K to a used TL.

 

i respect every1s comment, i have a non navi TL, and IMO i wouldnt need navi.... i have all the directions in my head

 

This is one of the largest debated topics on the forums, TL NAV or TL NON-Navi. As you can see, a majority of the members say go for the nav system. These are the reasons as to why members say yes:
1. Better resale as more people want more tech. cars
2. Better looking center stack
3. Impressions, your boss, GF, or friends get into a car that talks to the driver, the will be impressed and know that you know whats good.
4. IN CASE function, in case you get lost, you have something that can guide you back around
5. Integration: The audio, Hands Free Link and numerous other systems are tied into the navigation system, so you can see clear info at the push of a button for your audio instead of waiting for it to scroll.
6. Expandibility, you can add a module which can display DVD Videos on the navi screen, so if you are going on a trip, the navigation system will be guiding you via voice prompts though the audio system and the dvd will be playing (any audio source will be temporarilly muted in the front to hear the navigation voice)

Reasons why People say NO to the NAV:
1. They know their directions and have no use for it
2. It's an expensive add-on (1-3K price difference as you stated)

I personally got the nav TL, though I know the directions to places here, the other benefits are much welcomed.

 

Definitely get the Navi...it's well worth it...

 

A never ending debate. I have a non-Nav 05 6MT and got a TomTom and prefer have a portable nav unit which I can take from vehicle to vehicle (especially when I'm on vacation). The other advantage is that I position the TomTom on the windshield so that it's fairly close to my field of view (a advantage when in city traffic). I do agree that the Nav screen looks much better that the non-Nav.

Another reason for non-Nav is the fact that it's evolving technology so there are always better portable Nav units coming out so in a few years time you can easily upgrade to something better.

 

When I bought mine new, I didn't want to spend 3K on navi.

I ended up doing the conversion for at lot less than that.

Do I need it, no....do I like it, yes.

 

Like a lot of people have already said, if given the option, getting the nav system is definitely worth it. I didn't really have a choice since I only wanted a MT and didn't want to go used, which is one reason I ended up with the Type-S. They kept trying to use the nav system as a selling point and at the time I kept telling them that it wasn't that important to me.

Like those that say they don't need it because they know where they are going, I agree, most of the time I don't use it. But, when you need it, like when you take a trip to somewhere you aren't familiar with, it makes things so much easier. If you can afford it, get it.

Jim

 

YES!!! Go For It!! It Helps when You Needed.

 

I prefer Portable like Garmin or Tomtom.

 

I would think yes. When I purchase my TL, I would like the Navigation Feature.

 

Definitelty worth it.

 

that's quite an annoying little part of the navigation. why go local when it's faster to freeway! ugh...maximize highway feature or not, you'd think the "direct" route be that by which takes you to your destination QUICKEST! ugh...pisses me off when it takes me 100% all the way around!!! roar...

 

There are two other reasons which I have found to have resulted in my most common use of the Nav.

Anticipation/Info. It is very helpful when anticipating an upcoming turn or access. I use this most of the time when I am using my nav.

Alternate routing. There have been a number of times when I have had to alternate my route/trip due to road repairs, accident, detours, or similar occurences. The Nav is a great help with this.

Like many have pointed out, I also am quite familiar with my area, though even with this, roads and such change. The anticipation feature is a great asset. The there is the compass and the orientation change you can use. It has been a help over the last four years and I can honestly say I am glad I have it.

 

I picked up a non-navi model and then upgraded the entire system to an aftermarket audio system. For what I would have spent on the Nav model, I have an even better sound system, IMO, and garmin nav.

my

 

I have found that my 1 year old garmin nuvi has MORE POI than the 08 TL that I am driving......the TL couldn't even find microcenter here in the Twin cities (36th and hwy 100) lol

 

Yes