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Old 11-01-2011, 06:16 PM
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2004 SSM TL
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Talking New Member...First Mod!?!?!

Whats up fellow TL owners (past, present and future)....

Just bought a 2004 Acura TL SSM 5AT, black interior w/ 24,000 miles for 15K from a local dealer here in South Florida. I've been scouring this board for two months now (since purchase) and the amount of info I've pulled from this is amazing. Thanks to you guys I'm already planning my 3rd and 4th pressure switches sooner than later (or never since I would've never known about it), contemplating a dash cover before I get any cracks and salivating at the DIY threads.

My first mods will include:
1. 15% tint all around ('cept windshield and sunroof) $200
2. H&R Sport Springs from XLR8 $225
3. Phillips 85111+ bulbs w/ ZWR-something clear lenses (maybe) $140 Total
4. Accord Fog Lights w/ DIY thread $40

Hoping to do all by the end of the year w/ Birthday and Christmas money

So Question to All:

1. What grade would you guys give me on the above, and
2. What were your first mods?
Old 11-01-2011, 06:20 PM
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Welcome to the Money Pit.

I agree with your list. I did tint as my first mod. I would also consider the J-Pipe for performance.

By the way....that is some really low miles. Post pics.
Old 11-01-2011, 06:22 PM
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Get a super charger... That was my first mod.
Old 11-01-2011, 06:26 PM
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Welcome SC-your list looks good. Tints for these cars always the best mod to go on first.
Old 11-01-2011, 06:29 PM
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i would go complete coil overs instead of just springs. Better in the long run IMO.
Old 11-01-2011, 06:42 PM
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Thanks guys...

I'd do complete coils knowing that shocks may need to be replaced later, but don't have the funds for that. Doesn't that go for like 2k?

Same thing with supercharger...plus aren't our internals pretty fragile? Not looking to replace pistons within the first year lol.

And the J-Pipe is a must..actually thinking a full exhaust but that'll happen with my tax refund check next year!

And yeah the miles were surprisingly low. Down here we get alot of snowbirds, equestrian people, old people or other groups that don't drive much. I'm assuming the previous owner was old...but he/she was definately careful with the ride cause carfax was emmaculate. Oil changes on point, regular maintanence on time and even the timing belt and water pump was done a month prior to putting it up for sale in September. Yeah Buddy!

And EVERYTHING was done at the same dealer the car was purchased from!!

The same dealer that the original owner purchased it from....

Where the heck is the edit button? lol

Last edited by Steven Bell; 11-01-2011 at 09:15 PM. Reason: Merged Posts.
Old 11-01-2011, 06:49 PM
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I believe after your trial period ends, you can edit.

and dont listen to the guy that suggested the supercharger.

nice mod list.
you can find coils from $700-1200.

but since you have such low miles, your shocks will be fine with the springs.
and it depends on what you're looking for in terms of which route to go with; springs or coils.

I happen to think springs and a great after market shock like the koni yellow is superior to coils..but I'm after performance.
most people on here like the looks of slamming the TL, and thats why they go for the coils.


My first mod was tint.
then I got the need for speed and upgraded my jpipe.
I thought I was done, but needed moar power and went for the Pre-cat deletes.
Now, I'm itching for an exhaust.

Last edited by justnspace; 11-01-2011 at 06:54 PM.
Old 11-01-2011, 06:59 PM
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Jesus christ 24k miles for 15K? I'm having a hard time finding under 100K for 15K or under here in SoCal
Old 11-01-2011, 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by vexx786
Jesus christ 24k miles for 15K? I'm having a hard time finding under 100K for 15K or under here in SoCal
yeah i thought, WOW...that's freakin' low a$$ miles for an 2004?!

tint and then what ever else your heart desires.

i went back asswards with my mods. CAI, wheels, suspension, RSB, tint, LEDs...in that order. might do j-pipe in the future...who knows. if i did it over...tint, LEDs, wheels, suspension/RSB...then power mods.

all in all, this place will suck you dry. have fun and happy modding
Old 11-01-2011, 07:55 PM
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yay for accord fogs
Old 11-01-2011, 07:59 PM
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Yeah the miles aren't a typo! I was looking for tls for about four months and then my wife found this one that was posted the day prior at a local Infiniti dealership's website. Carfax confirmed that it was driven all year round and not sitting for like 8 months at a time.

Although, it wasn't all a steal cause the dealership got me for $900 in dealer fees that I wasn't even aware was thrown in until I got to financing!! They're definitely scumbags IMO.
Old 11-01-2011, 08:24 PM
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First mod was the real-McCoy LED conversion, but only because it was the cheapest

Do the headlights first.
Old 11-01-2011, 08:29 PM
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I thought i was lucky with my 27k mile 2005 for $16k! nice deal! Old people owned my car previously, so your probably right with your prediction.

but get stickers for the Acura logo on the front bumper! or you could paint it like i did for $10. That was my first "mod", and i liked the look it gave my car, and it would compliment your accord fog lights when you get them.

also people like the stage one exhaust upgrade. i wish i could do that now, i just don't want to void my warranty.
Old 11-01-2011, 09:12 PM
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Great find! I bought my type S last year...I'm also from south Florida
Old 11-01-2011, 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by SiriusCity
Whats up fellow TL owners (past, present and future)....

Just bought a 2004 Acura TL SSM 5AT, black interior w/ 24,000 miles for 15K from a local dealer here in South Florida. I've been scouring this board for two months now (since purchase) and the amount of info I've pulled from this is amazing. Thanks to you guys I'm already planning my 3rd and 4th pressure switches sooner than later (or never since I would've never known about it), contemplating a dash cover before I get any cracks and salivating at the DIY threads.

My first mods will include:
1. 15% tint all around ('cept windshield and sunroof) $200
2. H&R Sport Springs from XLR8 $225
3. Phillips 85111+ bulbs w/ ZWR-something clear lenses (maybe) $140 Total
4. Accord Fog Lights w/ DIY thread $40

Hoping to do all by the end of the year w/ Birthday and Christmas money

So Question to All:

1. What grade would you guys give me on the above, and
2. What were your first mods?
Nice find!!!! Lot of jelousy here, lol! As far as mods, these cars look so good as they are a few visual mods, (tints, springs). But go for the performance! Jpipe, PCD's, Catback and so on!
Old 11-01-2011, 09:22 PM
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Thanks everyone...

Where can I genthose stickers. I briefly saw the thread and I forgot about them. Nothing like a quickie mod lol
Old 11-01-2011, 09:25 PM
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acurazine.com stickers?


acurazine holds a charity drive every year. WHen you donate, acurazine will send you a sticker out of appreciation
Old 11-01-2011, 09:29 PM
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my first mod was cutting a half an inch off of my driver's side window lock
Old 11-01-2011, 09:32 PM
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I think other people got theirs from vendors on here and other compnaies, but here are some on ebay

they look pretty good and free shipping!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/04-05-06-07-...sories&vxp=mtr
Old 11-01-2011, 09:33 PM
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nah its the stickers that highlight the Acura in our front bumpers.

and I'm fairly new to precat deletes. I'm going to have to search for what they are. I don't remember them back when I was more into mods.

before the tl I had an 02 protege that I rode to the ground with 150k miles. That car was not worth modding so I got off the tuning scene for awhie
Old 11-01-2011, 09:34 PM
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Drop it dude! suspension is the best mod, imo. then tint, and HID fogs (like 3000k) I think the Stock TL wheels look good to sport, especially on a lowered TL. Looks sharp!
Old 11-01-2011, 09:38 PM
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cool I can add clearcoat so I don't have to worry about washes and rain right?
Old 11-01-2011, 09:39 PM
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since no one else said it- ASPEC body kit.
Old 11-02-2011, 01:33 PM
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^^^ I agree ^^^
Old 11-02-2011, 01:55 PM
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Congrats Welcome to AZ! Check out the 3G garage for tons of info. Also register your TL at www.myacura.com in the USA or https://www.myacura.acura.ca/ in Canada. Save your Navi and Radio codes there. Check for any recalls your TL may need.
Old 11-02-2011, 01:56 PM
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If I could do it all over again I probably wouldn't do anything performance wise.
Old 11-02-2011, 02:01 PM
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dont forget about the window roll-up module... its pretty sweet
Old 11-02-2011, 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by gogators22
my first mod was cutting a half an inch off of my driver's side window lock


Did this also, its nice if you smoke in your car and have your elbow up there and you dont have something poking you.
Old 11-02-2011, 05:32 PM
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Wow, we got some great info here.

I don't smoke so I never really noticed the whole window lock thing. Can you explain the window roll-up module? If not, I'll search for it later if I remember.

I feel ya UA6...sometimes the mods do more bad than good that it deminishes your enjoyment in the ride. But I get so tempted browsing the board lol

Great idea with the registering the acura....I'll do that tonight for sure!

And the A-Spec ...ahhhh, the A-Spec lol

I'd love to but I can't do $1,000 on the body kit and plus the rims and suspension on top of that. I'd love to, but I just can't.
Old 11-02-2011, 05:39 PM
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visa and mastercard should sponsor this site and so should paypal haha
Old 11-02-2011, 05:56 PM
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Jealous of your mileage. Wow.
Old 11-03-2011, 06:17 PM
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Yepp, just broke 30,000 miles!! lol
Old 11-03-2011, 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by vexx786
Jesus christ 24k miles for 15K? I'm having a hard time finding under 100K for 15K or under here in SoCal
WOW !!! that is a steal , i got my '05 SSM with 91k for 15k . it really is hard to find them cheap here in socal. great find , congrats and do tint first, thats what i did on mine first.
Old 11-03-2011, 08:39 PM
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What a steal !
I highly recommend you go with coilovers, I had springs on a different car and it drove me insane, it will destroy your car eventually.
I have a 6MT but I hear a lot of people do the Auto Transmission Cooler mod.
Good luck and welcome aboard !
Old 11-04-2011, 03:03 AM
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I say tint the windows enjoy driving your TL stock for a while save up money, and then decide what you need. You'll have a better understanding of what you want and what you feel the car will need.
Old 11-04-2011, 10:12 AM
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Congrats on your new TL, SSM FTW
Old 11-04-2011, 10:39 AM
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Congrats on your new TL, I definitely say tint first (is that even a mod? I consider it mandatory lol) and get a feel for what else you would like to do to your car. Imo the best functional upgrade I have done is the ZKW lenses for my car, they light up everything at night plus gives you the nice cutoff as well.
Old 11-04-2011, 10:40 AM
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Originally Posted by GivatiTL
What a steal !
I highly recommend you go with coilovers, I had springs on a different car and it drove me insane, it will destroy your car eventually.
I have a 6MT but I hear a lot of people do the Auto Transmission Cooler mod.
Good luck and welcome aboard !
err....

springs will not destroy your car. lol

it all depends on your needs and wants.
are you more performance orientated or do you want to drop your car for looks?
Old 11-04-2011, 03:25 PM
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Nice, great stuff! I'm looking for looks now, mostly subtle yet classy stuff so the lenses are ideal. Mos, did you do them yourself?
Old 01-22-2012, 06:00 PM
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Hey I m new here too, and from southwest Florida.. oh and a proud owner of a 05 acura tl
Happy u got a great deal , cuz I have no luck finding mine at a descent price..
As for mods, tint, headlights, exhaust, n of course Cai.. I hvnt done ne yet cuz I jus got mine a week ago.. bt headlights r getting order within a few weeks.. waiting on a replay of a member here who did customer headlights.. n very well known too for his wrk n service.. jnc I believe his name is.. check him out tho


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