Wife gave me the final approval today. So as of right now, I plan on ordering a '04 TL 6MT w/Navi tomorrow @ a local dealer in Anthraciite/ebony. I'm still undecided on the ebony as some recent photos of the Camel interior look pretty good. Any last throughts before I commit to ordering?

Thanks!

 

Not sure that Anthracite and Camel is a possible combo...I think those two colors are unavailable together. Also, dark grey and yellowish interior...does that really sound attractive??

 

Actually those color combos are obtainable. The photo's looked pretty decent, but who knows.

 

just me but that color interior is just :yack:

 

Sorry about the misinformation about the color combo possibilities... I agree that the Camel interior is kinda nasty (only opinion, of course). I don't know how the yellowish leather with the wierd colored wood with the black plastic with the aluminum all work together. Kinda funky looking...not much of a flow to that interior at all.

 

I have that color combo and I wouldn't have it any other way. I think the 'nasty' camel more resembles a true leather color. I don't recall any Quartz or Ebony leather clad Indians from the old cowboy and indian movies. What sort of animal has the Quartz hide....???

To each his own. I like the contrast.

 

This is definitely a personal preference issue. Ask 10 people and you'll get 10 different answers. But since you asked...

I had originally settled in on Anthracite/Ebony and placed my order for one a couple of weeks ago. The dealer came back shortly after that and said he was having trouble locating that particular combo. So I went back in and re-evaluated all the color combos I could see on their lot to see if anything else struck me. For me, both of the lighter interior colors (Camel and Parchment) just didn't look all that appealing with the rest of the interior. Neither did the 2 tone effect of the Quartz. So, for me, ebony was the only way to go. I would have loved to get the Green/Ebony or Blue/Ebony as a seconc choice, but neither of these are available as a combination. So I stuck to my guns and stayed with my first choice of Anthracite/Ebony. I take delivery tomorrow.

But the one thing I need to stress is that you have to see the color combos in person. Don't rely on the pictures or (god forbid) the TL brochure or Acura website. None of these do justice to seeing them in person. And it's a pretty important decision, so choose wisely. You will have to live with yor choice for a while once you get it.

Good luck. Let us know how it works out.

 

The Acura Website and TL brochure are absolutely horrible. The color swatches are so small.

I've been browsing various pictures in the member galleries and I ran across a few that I like. I know that the Anthracite/ebony combo is good in my opinion -- or rather you can’t go wrong with it.

But I've always liked that camel color and/or parchment colors. But more so how there's that simulated wood and black plastic pieces to complement the whole package. Reminds me of high cost luxury.

But as you said, you'd get 10 answers as everyone has their own choice.

This is my color choices in no particular order:

Anthracite/Ebony or maybe Camel
Black/Camel or Parchment
Green/Camel or Parchment

The rest of the colors (interior and exterior) are no-go for me.
If all else fails, then its Anthracite/Ebony.

 

Hey greenseed, nice pic! All of your preferred colour combos are good. I have not seen the green or black with camel, but they would look good too. Good luck with your colour decision.

 

Thanks Jeff. I'm excited as I know what I want, but the color is the worst thing for me to decide on now.

I'll probably make a split second decision at the last minute, and not look back.... (hopefully!)

 

What really struck me (and held my attention!) about the Anthracite/Camel when I saw it was the wood trim and the contrast between the leather and the black dash.

However, I decided that the upkeep would be too much to handle so I'm holding out for Anthracite/Ebony, due to arrive in the next 2 weeks or so!

 

I'll see your Camel and raise you Orange...

 

I can honestly say that I had a tough time with all the colors, interior and exterior... The only ext color I would not own is the brown/champaign, I'm not even sure of the name. Now, not slamming anyone who has it just I really don't like it. My wife on the other hand would have the world painted in that color...
Bottom line I liked them all. The fact that I like all black the least for reasons of no contrast on the interior and "only" the fact that the exterior is some what difficult to keep clean and scratch free,,, ruled out black and the ebony int. I had silver ext and int in/on my 04 Maxima "lemon", and just didn't want that again. The anthracite was awesome but more "sporty" than I desired. So Green, Red, Blue, or White were my end choices. It really came down to the fact that I had owned vehicles of all those colors except white. The wife and I always liked the white pearl during previous auto buying saga's, so WDP it was. I chose the parchment over the camel because I too felt the camel was too orange (looks good in a Porsche though:-). I liked it, just not as much as the parchment.

Now, if I were you and had narrowed it down to your above 3 ext combos I would be taking a long look at the green with parchment. Very elegant combo and still sporty.

Bottom line, damn Acura made it too hard to chose But in the end, you will love whatever combo you take delivery of.

Have fun/Happy New year

Smitty

 

But the one thing I need to stress is that you have to see the color combos in person. Don't rely on the pictures or (god forbid) the TL brochure or Acura website. None of these do justice to seeing them in person. And it's a pretty important decision, so choose wisely. You will have to live with yor choice for a while once you get it.



This is terrific advice. The camel looks like the orange interior in BarryH's pic not the camel interior in greenseed's pic. I realize it sounds strange that the real pic doesn't look like the real thing, but you need to see it in person. Colors on the internet don't always match up. Greenseed's interior looks like the parchment interior. Camel is the most controversial color I think. People love it or hate it.

 

I just ordered Anthracite/Ebony. I love the way the chrome trim stands out with the Ebony interior. My test drive was in a Black/Camel TL, but after sitting in a car with the Ebony interior it was a no-brainer. Check it out in person and sit in the car, don't just look from outside, so you can get the feel of it.

 

Greenseed, what colour combo did you end up choosing? I am currently not in the market, but if I was colour combos would drive me over the edge trying to figure out which one I want to live with for the life of the loan. Regardless, the TL is a great car in all colours available.

 

JeffS,

I went with Anthracite/Ebony in a 6MT w/Navi. Ordered Today. Shoud arrive in 6-8 weeks. I felt that the Anthricite was a good color to hide dirt and washes well. And that the ebony was a neutral color for the interior.

 

I sat in an Anthracite/Ebony (no Navi) at Los Gatos Acura and was a little overwhelmed by all of the black. It was at this same dealership that I saw the Anthracite/Camel (with Navi) and was ready to buy had the dealership given me the price I wanted.

Now after discussion with all of you I am glad I held back; I think the Anthracite/Ebony will be a safe and good choice.

 

Anthracite/Ebony is great! I originally wanted it with Camel, but was told by every single salesperson that it didn't look good. I took their word and was glad I did, once I actually saw one.

The Ebony interior looks very classy and "together". Black plastic goes very well with black faux carbon fiber and aluminum. Also, Ebony will look great much longer than any light interior. Just wait and see how all those Coke and coffee spots look on Camel carpet after two years. And how you have dirty folds in the Camel leather.

 

Well Anthracite/Ebony are those colors you cant go wrong with no matter what you do. However regardless of what others say here in some of these posts. I do think that Acura did a good job with the Camel/Parchment colors. I think that the color contrast of the Camel/Parchment when mixed with the black trim pieces and simulated wood grain accents are very tasteful looking.

However having said that, I've never owned a car with either of those two interiors in leather. Since my last "sport type" car with leather was a '95 Jetta GLX, I remembered that I enjoyed that black interior as well. So I went with my gut on that one.

Anyhow to each his own I guess.

 

Greenseed, a good choice. The camel is not for everyone and the anthracite/ebony combo will be easy to keep clean. Good luck on the 6 to 8 wait.

 

The Black Ext. w/brown interior looks great,
especially on a Porsche .

After visiting the local Acura dealerships >15x's in the last three months, I came to the following conclusions:

1). The Ebony interior keeps a very fluid balance in the Cockpit.
2). The Camel takes second place by a nose--looks REAL,
and is nicely balanced.
3). The Quartz is very complimentry to the cockpit asthetics.
4). The Parchment is bordering "Too busy,"
and looking the cheapest.

This is just MY ranking order.

2-4 showed scuff/dirt marks in the door sills, door panels, and other various places.
People who sat in these vehicles at the dealers,
must treat these cars differently than their own.

One last thought..
When you go to your dealer:
1). Regardless of color combo--count how many Navi and Non Navi's are on the lot. Navi's are probably the REAL variance, that could make your car buying take a little longer through the negotiating part. They are hiding 04TL's in the back lots, mechanics bays, wherever. Approach from the service area.
2). Take a pad of paper to anotate the offers they throw at you. I bought my 04TL last Tuesday (great xmas gift by the way), and it took 5 or 6 offers.
3).

Offer $500 over invoice for the car, all accessories at Internal Pricing, and 7yr/100K ACURA extended warranty for $920 + $100 commision ZERO deductible. If you get the extended warranty (I highly recommend). It could be higher or lower for your area. The $100 commision is where the finance guy makes his bread.

Last few days of the year, first few days of the year...

Go get em.

04TL_Anth_Ebon_6mt_Navi_HPT
No regrets on color choices At All...
$1k over invoice, internal prices, $920 + $100 zero deductible...
NathanSilver

 

NathanSilver.

Thanks for the informative message. I purchased an Anthracite 6MT w/Navi on 12/31/03. I only visited two dealers, and only dealt with one of them. The dealers in my area are 30+ miles apart, and really didn’t want to argue or haggle over pricing, but I was ready to walk out a few times. I was anxious about having the car. but not so much so that I “HAD” to have it.

I went into the dealer knowing that I would be fine paying MSRP w/no freight/shipping charges. They gave me about 500.00 worth of accessories as well included. Plus (and this is the kicker for me) I'm trading in my wifles old Honda Accord (98 with high mileage and paint missing + very poor maintenance) and they gave me 2500.00 for it. I was only expecting 1000.00. So I was happy to take the deal.

Now I guess I have to wait though...

 

Greenseed.

Good luck trying to sleep at night.
As soon as the Commander (my wife) gave me the go-ahead..
the sleepless nights began.

It sucks waiting--if you wake up in the middle of the night, I suggest you avoid thinking about this car or any other affiliated items. Turn over and go right back to sleep.

Also, I downloaded the 04TL Anthracite wallpaper for my CPU's at work--this doesn't help either.

One last bit of advice, Greenseed: Listen to the stereo after you have reached a steady gear for the first couple of miles.

It's REAL easy to wind her up in the R's--I keep a constant eye on the Tach...now.

Good luck waiting, it will be here before you know it.
NathanSilver

 

Well, To be honest. I've been thinking about it off and on for about the last 3 or so weeks. Much more so before I had the wife talked into it. Now every now and again when I wake up (or in the process of waking up) I think about it.

I start work again on Monday the 5th. So once I get back in the work mood (from long holiday) I'm sure I'll think about it less and less.

I just switched (ported) to T-Mobile and got a Sony T610 so I'm ready for the HFL. And I've got my plethora of CD's burnt ready for the CD changer.

Good luck with yours. Drop me a line should you get any word on your delivery. Sounds like we should be getting our cars around the same time give or take a couple of days.

 

Greenseed.

Sorry if I wasn't too clear.
I picked up my 04TL_ANTH_EBON_6MT_NAVI_HPT
Tuesday the 23rd of December.
Look at my last Par. on the message I posted on 02JAN03-07:57

I've been holding out for Sprint or Verizon to get a BT phone on the market. The music--sounds like your ready for that too.
Whoo whoo!

I got the all weather floormats, along w/the trunk tray.
I suggest the prior for sure. Take the original, very cheap floormats out and stash them. The all weather floormats can be hosed off every wash. $129-, well worth it.

I'm holding out on 50% tint. One of my friends is having this new ceramic window tint installed on his 500E/E500. The TL owners manual advises against tinting the lower part of the rear window--Signal Attenuation concerns.

I saw what the Silver TL looked like with door guards and the side bumper molding--distracts from the lines tremendously. I advise against both.

NathanSilver

 

NathanSilver,

Sorry, misunderstood your original post. Regarding Verizon, I think you’re going to be holding out for quite a while. From what I've been reading here, Verizon does not seem to eager to adopt blue tooth. In my case, I've been having such a bad time with AT&T billing that I decided to ditch the contract.

I plan on ordering floor mats for the new TL and my wife’s 04 Maxima from http://www.weathertech.com/ in a few weeks. The mats in her Maxima are crap.

I was thinking about tinting, but I'm still undecided about that. And I'm also unsure on the other body moldings. I basically only want the rear spoiler (small one). I think the car looks good as is for the most part. I have to cool it on the accoutrements as we are trying to save for a house.

Green

 

Greenseed.

Roger House--same boat.

Weathertech's are nice, but the TL drivers front has 2 hooks.
Does Weathertech's floormatts have a provision for this?
Acura $129 for the set of 4--looks great.

As far as cell phone service providers, it's comparable to the last couple of Presidential Elections...

NathanSilver

 

Blue/Camel combination is awsome!

Camel is not as bad as everyone thinks it is. It's one of the better interior leather colors I've seen.