I have been very frequent visitor to this forum, and value very much all the information I get. I just want to see what opinions that people here might have regarding the TL with re-paint work. Please read the below and I am sorry for the lengthy information, again.

Finally with much haggling, I got the car, Auto NBP (Parchment) with NAV. But problem is that this car had couple noticeable scratches on it (Well, now I find out that it's very deep scratches, down/through to the paint.), about 2 inches long on two places (by the passenger side real door and on the real wheel fender). The salesman told me that it wouldn’t be a problem fixing that.
He said that it's not that deep and they can fix it easily. Then I get a call today saying that the paint specialist said that I have two options:
1. The whole door needs to be repainted to correctly match the color.
2. They do a "wet-buffing" to remove the clear-coat on the scratches and surrounding area then do a touch-up work then re-apply the clear-coat.

I wasn't too excited to hear this, since this is supposed be a "brand-new" car. With much phone conversation, the sales manager told me that they are going to do the option 2, regardless of if I take the car or not, then have me look at it then decide if I wanted it. I told him that I would do that. But I just have a sick feeling that in couple of years, that "worked" over area will age differently then the rest of the car and will always wonder.... And how am I going to really tell the differences?

But the sales manager is now saying that why did I decided to get the car, knowing that there were scratches there and knowing that they were going to fix it. But the sales person said the scratches weren’t that deep and it will be a "minor" work. Sales-manager tells me their option 1 and 2 is still a "minor" work. I personally disagree. Sales-manager brought it up that they were nice enough to change the color options when I made a request. I first chose to get the Deep Green Pearl, but right before they detail the car, I decided to get the NBP.....

So question is, will the paint age the same in about 2, 3, or even 5 years down the road? Am I making a big fuss for nothing? What do you guys think? I already got the finance signed and put down 9K for the deposit.

I thought I had a hard time getting a MDX, but trying to TL experience is worst then getting a MDX.

Thank you all very much.

 

They were "nice enough" to do what? EARN YOUR BUSINESS? That's ridiculous -- I'm sick of hearing of dealers thinking that they're doing you a favor by ordering you the color you wanted. That's no way to do business.

I don't think you're making a big fuss at all - I would be just as anal, if not more. Hell, I'd wait on a different car to come in. If the paint specialist can really make the paint look like new, take it, but otherwise, wait on another one.

 

No.
Simple as that.

 

My car had a pin head sized nick on the bumber. I took the car anyway since it was so minor and could be fixed with a little touch up. Which they will do as soon as I bring it in.

I would not accept any car with any paint, dings, or other issues to the sheet metal. Let them fix it like new and sell it to someone else.

 

No way. You are paying 35k for a NEW car. Not a damaged and fixed car. If they want to hack a k or so off the price maybe. Don't take the chance that it will cause issues later on. Go to a new dealer and order a new one. Good luck

 

Junbug,

As far as I'm concerned nothing a dealer does is "Nice enough". Your the customer that that’s it. You’re spending the money on the product they are selling.

Anyhow regarding your dilemma. I know that having a new TL is very exciting and you want it to be just perfect. Mine was when I picked it up about 3 months ago. And exactly 1 week after taking delivery, one of my coworkers backed into the rear bumper. It took me about 3 to 4 weeks to stop thinking about the damage (which was very minor in the whole scope of things).

The long and short of it was that I had to get a new rear bumper. All of the sheet metal was fine though. When I first went to pickup the car after the body shop was done with it, they completely mis-matched the paint. The guy said that they will repaint it. The 2nd time was the keeper. They matched the rear bumper so well; it looks like the OEM paint job.

My suggestion would be that you visit and talk to the shop that they are going to have the work done at. Or perhaps have them do the work before you sign off on it, since the car will have to have the work done anyhow for another customer should you not take it. Then decide.

 

No, no, and NO!!!!!!!!

Simple as that.

 

Don't do it.
and
get the deep green pearl. I luv it

 

Most cars (>50%) have some touch up work before it is delivered new to the customer. At the factory, they have a large area called the "Hospital Line" where they touch up problems. In this case, you know about the imperfection. I would insist upon them doing the entire panel. A decent bodyshop painter can match the finish. In fact, the biggest worry would be that the repainted area looked better than the oem finish. That is how a good painter earns his $$$ -- being able to match (but not exceed) the oem finish.

 

oh hell no, they make it sound like they are doing you a favor by taking your $35K and giving you a car that was suppose to be new? i dunno about you but since when did a new car require re-painting? i think for the most part if the door was repainted it would hold up fine over the years especially since it was NBP the color would match easily. but that is not the point they are trying to unload a car that needed to have work done on it. if you are evening questioning it right now then don't take the car. have them give you another one or order you another NBP car. if not take your business elsewhere. i just dunno why car dealers become so sleezy. all for a quick buck? if i were trying to sell a 35K car i would try to make sure the customer is happy and satisfied.

 

The thing that most of you don't realize is that you could very easily be driving a car with paint work. They do not have to disclose it to the customer unless its over a certain amount. (I believe it is $1000, but not entirely sure). Any reputable body shop will do just fine. The new paint work will carry the same warranty from acura.

 

wait on another car, you're paying for a brand new car, thats what you should get.

 

i realize that there will probably be no difference between a brand new TL and the one that has a little paint work done on it. i picked up my car 3 days after it came off the truck. it had 3 miles on it so i doubt that it had any paint work done on it. it depends on how much this bothers you. personally i would not accept the car and would rather wait for a brand new one instead.

 

The comments regarding new cars that MIGHT already have had paint touch-up without the customer knowing are interesting and probably true. But this customer does know, and that makes all the difference. I gotta vote with the majority here: just get a different TL, period.

 

I would take it, BUT i would get them to take a couple grand off or go for an A-spec upgrade

 

Remember the repaint is probably better than the OEM.

 

Then you wouldn't get it

 

Thank you all for the reply!
As always, it's always nice to hear what other people think. My wife insist that we get a different car, but I thought maybe I will check out the work they do. I got a call from a sales manager stating that they opt to do the "wet blast" to remove the clear coat and will do the touch-up and re-apply the clear coat today.

My original color choice was a Anthracite with Quartz and second choice was NBP with Parchment. Since they didn't have the Anthracite and was told that I will not get much dicount on it, I was looking at the NBP and Deep Green. Wife liked the Green but I was having a second thought. The sales manager told me that it will take them 2-3 months to order me one. Now I regret putting down my deposit (9K) so early.

I really appreciate everybody's responses. It's great having this forum.
Again, thank you all.

---- junbug

 

holy smokes 9K deposit? all i left was 500 bucks.

 

Here's some more advice you didn't ask for from a total stranger: get your deposit back and tell them to call you when a car meeting your requirements is available. Deposits on new cars are a bullshit dealer scam to begin with, and believe it or not putting a deposit down can lengthen your wait, because the dealer feels like they have you on the hook. And the magnitude of your deposit is way out of line even for situations where a deposit seems necessary. 9K? That's pure dealer greed. Disgusting. Get your money back ASAP. Again, just free advice from someone you've nevet met, take it as you wish.

 

Is it possible that he chose to give them the 9K since thats his downpayment? Maybe he went to pick up the car with the cashiers check but then found the scratch and just assumed leave the check. You guys always assume its the dealer...

 

You people don't read...He has done all of the paperwork, so the 9K is really his downpayment. I believe in every state the car is not yours until you drive it off the lot. So he will be able to get the money back if he chooses not to take the car.

But remember...ALWAYS blame the dealer first!!!

 

jrudd - Valid point, maybe that IS what he meant.

Still, car salespeople are NEVER angels, and most of them aren't even nice enough for Lucifer's core. It's always best to assume you are going to get screwed if you don't watch your back.

 

TLGator...I know what you mean, but most of the time customers are lying just as much as the dealer. Not saying either one is right, just that both always seem to hate the other for good reason. It is amazing how far logical thinking and being nice will get you.

 

Junbug,

I own an auto body repair shop and while I feel we do exceptional work as may the body shop that works for your Acura dealer the knowledge of knowing your car was repaired before you even drive it its first mile will always be in the back of your mind. I picked up my 2004 TL on March 13th and returned it after stopping at a restauarant 5 miles down the road. Upon leaving the restaurant i noticed the quarterpanel looked funny. Upon closer inspection I noticed a slight difference in color due to the blue mettalic in the Nighthawk black pearl. The panel had been repainted for whatever reason. I ran back to the dealer freaking out. The dealer tried to convince me they could fix it better and give it back to me but, I know its been repaired I dont want that for the rest of my life with the car. After another hour of paperwork i was down the road with my second ( after returning the first) and flawless new Nighthawk Black Pearl TL. So, if your picky and love cars, dont get it

 

no and go to another dealer!

 

Hi all.
I guess I didn't do a good job of explanining the purpose of the deposit. The deposit was for the downpayment, thinking that I was going to pick-up the car the next day after they detail it. It wasn't a deposit for ordering a new car from a factory. I am sorry for the confusion.

I just wanted my TL to be perfect when I pick-them up. Maybe I am asking much, but when I went to pick-up wife's MDX 1.5 months ago, MDX was in excellent condition. But I did pick the NBP TL knowing that it had scratches on it, but was lead to believe that it wasn't as bad as it looked. I do appreciate the dealer letting me know before they did anything to the car to fix the problem.

I think I made up my mind to have them order me a new one, regardless how long it takes.

Thanks all again for the inputs.

 

Are you a dealer or salesperson? If not, I don't get where you're coming from. I'm a pretty paranoid/skeptical kind of guy, but I don't think most people are regular liars. Most car customers are just nervous in a dealership, they are afraid of being screwed and half-expecting it. Most just want someone to give them a reasonable price and an honest deal. Sure, everybody's a liar now and then. Aunt Hilda's new hairdo is horrible, but who's gonna tell her that? But most ordinary people don't go around lying all day. Car salespeople, on the other hand, are more or less instructed/trained/taught to use bullshit and lies as part of the sales process. Don't believe me? Check out this link:

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying...2/article.html