CanaryGT

First off, hello! Im thinking about selling my other two cars and getting a 3rd Gen TL. But I need some advise. First off, is it really worth waiting to get a Type S? I know they are a little more money, but what kind of costs are associated with getting a standard TL to the S type level?

My thoughts are as follows. I could get a nice TL, do some exterior modifications and for the powerplant side, Im looking at getting the comptech supercharger. Any thoughts? Recommendations?

Oh last but not least, I already have a full nitrous kit on my other car. Should I forgo the Supercharger and just slap that on?

Thanks for the help, Im looking forward to the responses!!!

VQPower37

if ur looking into a supercharger, i would suggest going with the base tl ... the supercharger kit can be put on the type s, but with some modification, its a direct bolt on for the base

Bearcat94

S/C notwithstanding, I'd go with a Type-S. Especially if you can get the 6MT.

Here are some of the differences:

http://www.hondanews.com/channels/ac...=TL%2BFeatures

http://www.hondanews.com/channels/ac...=TL%2BFeatures

Some difference in engine internals as well.


2006 6MT w/navi is similar in performance and handling to the 5AT TL-S.

CanaryGT

Thanks for the replies! The Type S definitively looks like it has a LOT more options. But as Im looking everywhere I cannot find a Type S with a Manual trans. I bought my last car on ebay so Im not one to care where its located...

jsonkimz

iTrader: (1)

I would advice you to get the base if you want a s/c, a TypeS if you don't. Then again, if you want a supercharger, I would advise you to get a different car altogether...

CanaryGT

Thank you for pointing out my grammar. I already have a car running 11's in the 1/4. I just am trying to get away from having my V8.

Bearcat94

If you're up for an MT and decide to go for a Type-S, wait until you find one with an MT. They're fairly rare and don't stay on the market long, but everyone who gets one says they're worth the wait.

You might also check out the turbo option. https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-performance-parts-modifications-112/turbo-kit-acura-tl-04-08-a-718808/

Also user RacingHart (iirc) has some threads on NOx. Maybe user Inaccurate too.

Darkfear

i have a base tl and i looked at what bear posted, honestly your not gaing that much base tl's have 270 hp 3.2 liter, type s has 286, the wheels that type s have can be bought, i found a set for 500 with tires that had 50% life, as for the rest you can mod and get the brembo's suspension and the other stuff isnt great enough in my opinion to warrant spending the extra thousands, i looked recently type s tl's are still worth 19,000 at the least i saw, base tl was 16 and below, and with the extra money you save you can do the extra stuff, its just like a supra, why buy the twin turbo when you can spend so much less money getting the non turbo version and turboing it for much less, all comes down to money

Bearcat94

Well, that's not quite right.

The SAE re-issued the standard for reporting HP and the OLD standard had the Base TL @ 270 HP. The new standard puts it at 258 HP. No change in engine or output, just the test procedure; for example, they have to run accesories while testing HP.

So on an apples-to-apples basis, the Base TL is 258 HP and the Type-S (which was published under the new standard) is 286 HP.

For the A/T, a base TL will run (iirc) ~210 - 215 WHP on a dyno and a TL-S ~235 - 240 WHP. Base MT ~220 - 225 and TL-S MT ~250 - 255. IOW, the SAE measured ~30 HP gains hold.


However, I do agree that if you're going turbo or SC the slight HP difference doesn't much matter.

TL-S sold at about a $2000 premium to the Base when new. Time/depreciation and mileage aside, if you find a TL-S that is in that $2000 differential range (plus depreciation and mileage), then it's a fair deal.

jsonkimz

iTrader: (1)

Ahh, then you definitely have no need for a different car with a supercharger... and I understand your desire to get away from the v8. Gas mileage + gas prices = What kind of car is it?

Why do you want to put a supercharger on the TL then, if you don't mind me asking? All TL's, base or TypeS, put out a decent amount of HP and make great commuter cars if you drive them right. Why put a s/c on one and kill your mileage when you already have an 11 second monster??

Good luck!

CanaryGT

The largest issue that I found was that its hard to find a Type S with only the 2k increase over the base model. Let alone finding a 6 speed Type S.

In your opinion, wouldnt putting on all the additional features cost you more than 2k?

And json, I have a modded 95 Mustang GT. She is my baby. Ive poured a lot of money into that car. The main reason why Im even considering a SC is because I dont feel that mid 200 HP is enough. Seeing as I have over double in the mustang, and over 550LBTQ. You do have a valid argument about gas mileage, however a SC TL probably would still yield better MPG than my current car.

Bearcat94

Well, it'd probably be close. Depends what ALL the parts are and what you might resell or what might pull off and replace; for example, the TL-S has higher flow cats than other trims, but if you go with PCD's it doesn't matter.

It really comes down to whether it's worth it for you. I had no problem paying ~$2000 over the base model price; I thought it was a no brainer - for me.

I think the 6-speed Type-S is clearly the "better"/sportier car; and when you do find one, you'll pay a premium for the 6MT alone. But the MT '04 - '06 (or the 5AT TL-S) is no slouch for a daily commuter family sedan. None of the 3G's are really. But the trims above are the sportier of the bunch.

CanaryGT

Do they have 07-08 MT w/o the S Type Trim?

Bearcat94

Nope. MT is only '04 - '06 OR an '07/'08 Type-S.

ckTLtypeS

TL-S is definitely worth the wait and the money. Think of it this way, if your going to spend a good amount of money on something, your better off getting the best one you can get. Go with the supercharger. I've noticed that people tend to get more hp and better mpg than turbo.

CanaryGT

I agree, Ill keep my eye out for a MT Type S. But Its all about what I can find / afford. There is a nice condition Type S AT, but the guy is asking 28k for it.... thats a little out of my price range....

CanaryGT

However I did come across this...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/A-Spe...item2563acb561

corumz

All I can say is good luck for finding a Type S (with low miles for what it's worth) for a decent price... I've seen people still paying mid 20k for a Type S. I paid 15,200 for my base 05 with 50k miles (clean title and every service upkept).

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Depending on mileage, mid 20's is a fair price?

corumz

Looks like that TL needs the finishing touch... clear coat

corumz

I'm just saying, for what... 18HP more and some cosmetics... why pay 10k more?

Consider this listing to back me up:
http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/2366841024.html

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

recent members have bought typ-s' for 23-25k.
If I could do it all over again, I would have held out a year and purchased a 6MT TL-S.

with the current bolts on's and weight loss on my 6MT base TL, I can only imagine how beastly the type-s would be, in 3 pedal trim, of course.

corumz

Maybe I'm just hatin' because I could wait another year to have enough $ flowz0rs to get a MT Type S... If you can afford it, go for it!!

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

This is an ignorant statement. You need to do some more studying up on the UA7. Get your facts straight. It's actually 28HP. Do you know what you'd have to do to these cars to get that much more power out of them? Do you know how much money you'd have to spend for those kind of gains on a j-series engine? Also, did not Bear list the differences in post #3?

This is obviously too high, I agree, and I wouldn't pay that. But, the owner is probably positioning himself to negotiate.

corumz

couldn't*

PS - My newbz0r self doesn't know how to edit post0rz...

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

It's hard for any of us to wait. I understand.

corumz

Sorry, didn't intend to sound ignorant. I do, however, need to study more on the UA7 (as I just learned the coding for the TL...)

corumz

I don't understand overpricing the listed price... Why not set it at a resonable price that's firm? Just my

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

People like to nickel and dime, and try to lowball. It's just the way things are.

answersto?s

It's supposed to look that way since its "muredered out". Personally, it defeats the purpose to have the clear layer the seller put since it adds shine to it.

answersto?s

Can't spell... murdered* out look

corumz

I know, I was being a smartass... Just don't like the look on the TL. Kudos to him for a clean matte paintjob and being different from the TL crowd.

corumz

I understand... I mean, just put "firm" next to the price and stick with it. Someone will come by with the price you want if it's within reason.

jsonkimz

iTrader: (1)

In my opinion, when you can get a base TL for ~13k-14k and a TypeS for ~23K-24K, the base TL is a much better buy. I just don't think the TypeS is worth 10K more. Not by a long shot. I know you get a few extra goodies, a bit more HP, and a slightly newer car, but all in all it's not worth 10k to me. For the $20k+ price range I would get looking into a Lexus or something. I know I'm going to get flamed for that but it's just my opinion. If you can take a car with less room I think the IS350 is a better buy. Faster too.

At all the type S owners getting defensive. Don't get me wrong. I love the TL and definitely recognize that the TypeS is a very nice car and is overall better than a base TL, but I just don't think it's worth the price difference.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^correct me if i'm wrong but you're probably not in a financial position to spend that extra 10k.

i bought my base 6mt for 23k otd.
now i'm seeing type-s 6mt being sold for 23k otd.

the only type-s that is worth it over the base is the 6mt version. the auto is slow and not worth it.

jsonkimz

iTrader: (1)

You're wrong. My financial situation is such that I could by a much nicer car than my base TL, a TypeS, a brand new TL, or several other cars on the market. I just don't like having debt. Also, I drive so much that I didn't see the point in spending 40k+ on a new car when I would just put 200k miles on it in >5 years. I preferred to buy a car that I could pay off quickly while maintaining a good amount of discretionary income and that I would still enjoy and would be dependable. When my commute lessens I may explore other options.

Then “then and now” prices don’t really matter. The TL-S may hold its value a little better because they’re rarer but you can’t really compare the price you paid for your 06 to the price of a Type-S now. They’ll both depreciate. The Type S probably would have gone for ~30k+ when you bought your car, so the difference remains approximately the same (of course, I don’t know when you bought your 06 so that point is subject to variation).

I won’t argue with you on the MT vs AT point. I only bought an AT because of my commute, and I’m sure the MT is a better performer. But in my opinion, if you want performance I don’t think the TL in any form is your best option. It does well for what it is but it’s not a monster in any stock form. I’m sure the OP would agree coming from an 11 second car.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^but you're totally missing the point.

we're not talking about buying a performance car, or a new car.
we're talking about the TL and sportier 3.5 variant.
I bought my 06 in feb of 2010 for 23k.
if I had waited a year, I could have bought the type-s 6mt for the same price point.

tl-s 6mt for 23k.
or tl 6mt for 23k.
with the mileage being the same at around 31k miles.


which one would you rather have?

jsonkimz

iTrader: (1)

I disagree. I think you're missing the point.

I know we're not talking about a performance car. That was my point in closing. But you and everyone else are talking about the performance of a TL vs TL-s. Because it's NOT a performance car, why does the "sportier variant" even matter?

Well, it seems to me that you overpaid for your base. I bought my 05 in March of 2010 for $16k. Similar mileage. At the time I couldn't find any TL-s for less than $24k. And I don't understand why you're comparing the cost of your base TL one year ago to the price of a TypeS today. You can get an 06 TL for ~15 now... it doesn't matter what you overpaid for it a year ago. So the answer to your question of which one would I rather have is neither. I would rather have a base TL for $15k or less.

EDIT* Just for clarification purposes, I'm not getting ugly or being a smartass. Just having a friendly debate. I'm trying to understand where you're coming from. It honestly doesn't make sense to me.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^sigh.

performance does matter. Jayson, this is my first performance oriented car. stock 230whp is the most I ever had. it's a sporty entry-luxury sedan.
its the perfect combination of power and luxury.
if you dont care about power, why didnt you choose a 4 cylinder vehicle?


Jayson, All I'm saying is that I should have waited a year to buy the better performing of the 2 at the same price point with the same miles.


*edit
it seems like you want the better value.
which in turn means that you're not in a financial position to purchase the better performing vehicle.
I'm willing to pay for the cleaner car.(i bet my leather is nicer than yours, even tho I did over pay.)

CanaryGT

I agree with most of you guys. It would be nice having a MT Type S for the fact that I wouldnt go all in on performance mods (well I tell myself that but we'll see). The only thing that gets me is that I could get a Base TL MT, Slap a SC on it and I would walk a Type S. And before people go saying, Well yeah, slap a SC on a Type S and it would blow the doors off the base... Im talking pure dollar for dollar performance. The largest thing that makes me want a Type S is simply the Look. Coming from having a bone stock GT mustang and putting on aftermarket body pieces and completely overhauling the motor, I can personally say that although I love to do the work.. Sometimes its too much.