bsprinker

After searching for a TL-S for a couple of months earlier this year (with no luck), I purchased my '08 TL with nav back on August 1st. I really like the car, but don't really LOVE the car. I got a great deal for the certified '08 (at the time), and felt as though I didn't "need" the extras that came with buying a Type S.

Last week I stumbled upon a practically flawless '07 Type S in the my favorite color at a local toyota dealership. The price is very good, I drove the car this weekend and negociated them down to within $1k of where I would probably take the deal. So am I crazy for considering this?????? A year older, non-certified car???
Here are the details. My car....2008 TL with nav, certified, 18.5k miles, bought 8/1/08 for $28k, spent $600 for clear bra on entire front of car. The other car....2007 Type S, not certified, 16.5k miles, A-Spec wheels, no clear bra, there advertised price was $26,499.
Their last verbal offer was in the form of a question. It was "Would you do it for $1,500 difference?" I said no.

Guys and girls....give me your thoughts, please...of course my wife thinks I'm crazy.

Cecilt

What are they willing to give you for your 2008 assuming you are trading it and their final price on the Type S is what? Include their dealer processing fee in that price.

WalkerUA6

iTrader: (1)

Do it, The type s has a higher value so its blue book is probably more than your 08. Clear bra doesnt matter. the Type S comes with aspecs, has lower milage, faster, nicer, better color (in your case). I say do it.

greco9885

iTrader: (1)

im pretty sure the only reason why its not certified is because it is a toyota dealer. not an acura dealer. carfax and bring it to acura dealer for inspection

bsprinker

Cecilt,

They are willing to to take my car plus about $1,500 of my dollars, before TTL. That was their final offer. I was going in hoping for even trade, since mine is a 2008, and mine would be more marketable sitting on a toyota lot.

The numbers we discussed were $24.5 for mine; which would mean $26k for the type S, to leave $1.5k difference. Their first number for my trade was $23k, but we settled on $24.5k after they supposedly made a couple phone calls to other dealerships to determine the value of my 2008.

Should I resist the temptation, since I'll be losing at least 1 year of warranty, and getting a car that is a year older?

swiftonesTL

It's more on your preference. Is the type-s a 6mt or 5at? Do you REALLY want the extra horse power, red gauges, two-tone leather seats (if it has the two-tone color) etc etc. It's more of what you want. Not being certified is kinda ehhh but I'm sure it comes with the factory warranty. You are also going into a year older car which is another ehhh, but the type-s makes up for it. So I would deeply think about this decision. But whatever your decision comes down to, no matter what you'll be in a TL regardless . Good luck to your decision.

Bearcat94

Do it. TL-S is ~$2000 more when new. That difference (in your deal) is depreciated to $1500 PLUS the A-Spec wheels which are worth (new) another, say, $1500.

Not bad, I think.

BUT, will you be upside down on your '08? If so, how much?

greco9885

iTrader: (1)

toyota only certifies toyota
lexus only certifies lexus
acura only acura
and so on and so forth

atleast im pretty sure

Bearcat94

^^

True, but certified, in this case isn't *that* big of a deal is it? The '07 still has a lot of Waranty left.

bsprinker

Title is in hand, so that doesn't really matter.


Also, the A-Spec wheels are 18", and had Michi Alpine Sports on them. Does anybody know what exactly these tires are? Are they all-season or strictly winter?


And UAwalker808 mentioned that the Type S not having the clear bra wasn't a big deal, but if I buy the S, I'll have to shell out another $600 to have it installed on the S. I want to protect my car. Just sayin'

WalkerUA6

iTrader: (1)

So then sell the aspecs and buy a clear bra and have money left over. feel me

TLType-s12

iTrader: (2)

Dude just make sure you do a carfax. Also, tell them that you want Acura to Certify the vehicle before purchase. See what they say. But ya Id say go with the Type S, the goodies on the Type S are way worth the extra $$$$$. TL-S is da shiiznitt!!

By da way you didnt say what your favorite color is?

WalkerUA6

iTrader: (1)

Honestly, DO IT! I wish I had that oppertunity

WNY08TLS

I say do it because the S is so much better than the regular TL.

However, I just traded in my TLS because it was terrible in the snow. I get deep snow, and drive alot. I know alot of people who dont have trouble with regular TLs in the snow. I tried different tires and everything but i couldnt keep the tires from spinning going up hills--and i drive too much for snows... Anyway idk what the deal was if it was just too much torq for FWD in deep snow or what but i just got an -7MDX tech pack and...

HOLY SHIT what a difference. I got my first snow here today, i was barrelling around turns (in an empty parking lot to test it out) and could hear and feel the SHAWD doing its thing and keeping the car going in the right direction.

For the record i still think you should do it, its just something to consider since you are in pittsburg (nice win tonight!). I cant do snows because i drive around 4k miles per month.

miker_types

"I really like the car, but don't really LOVE the car"

that in itself should answer your question, if the price is almost a wash, and it would mean "loving" your car, than barring the acura inspection coming out horrible, i say do it, and be happy

bimmerman

If the deal seems right on price I would do it.

chairguru22

I think you should try and ask for a straight up even trade and if they don't agree, let them know to call you back if they change their mind. If it's meant to be then it's meant to be. I'm sure they'll go further down in price for you, plus they'll get an '08 TL. Then again, TL-S are harder to come by...

Their list is 26.5k on an 07 TL-S and your 08 TL is probably around that too because brand new 08 TLs are going for 29.5-30k these days. So I don't know. I would also say go for it then because it's the car you really want and it's not that bad that you "overpay" a little for it.

stillhere153

iTrader: (1)

what are you going to do with the negative equity, unless you paid for the first car outright?

edit: just read... 1500 negative equity, that sounds like a fucking great deal...

ps. there is no difference between the 07 and 08 production models

mista.huynh

iTrader: (4)

I say you should do it. You will probably regret it if you don't in the future!!!!

scotterson

iTrader: (4)

I think he'll regret either decision hahah. I probably would

MichaelBenz

iTrader: (2)

Have the same tires myself for winter. They are VERY expensive winter tires....highly recommend for winter use. So far as running them as all seasons....wouldnt recommend as they are snow tires basically. That being said....I did all year this year. But I do have to qualify that by saying....I mainly just drove from my house to the track - switched out to slicks - and then back to the snow tires for the trip home. Didnt feel like replacing the Yokohama's I had worn out the previous season as I daily drove my Lexus instead this warm season. ..so they didnt see more than minimal milage anyway.

cotmfk

I would say do it... in the long run, you might make up the difference in value with the Type-S.

Con5179

Do it.

carlos9827

iTrader: (2)

I wish I was only $1500 upsidedown. I think I still owe 29k on my 05 TL with nav!

Cecilt

Go for it. That is a great price on the Type S and a good value on your '08. Toyota can not take this to Acura for certification as one poster mentioned. The Type S has low mileage and you are covered to 50k miles. Check for the specific in service date though. Remember it is 4 years or 50k miles WHICHEVER comes first. What color are you getting interior/exterior?

bsprinker

Asking them to get it certified is a good idea. I might try that.

My favorite "practical" color is the silver. I had an Aegean Blue CL-S and LOVED the car when it was clean. Dark colors always look better when they're clean, but man, what a PITA to keep them that why. So, for me, silver looks great when it's clean and still looks good when dirty.

bsprinker

That's what I am afraid of....looking back in six months and kicking myself....I've done it before. I know it's not alot of money, but I'm a principle kind of guy; and more money for an older car with less warranty just doesn't sound like a good money move. IDK. That's what I'm struggling with.

But you guys' input is great and very much appreciated!!!!

BEAR-AvHistory

Edmonds says the '08 TL is worth about $1,2000 more then the '07 TLS.

bsprinker

Sorry for all the separate quotes guys. I really need to learn to mult-quote. Anyways, has anybody owed both regular TL and TL-S, who lives up north and dealt with snow on a regular basis? I don't drive a lot of miles to work, but the roads are rural. Are there all-seasons that are adequate in the snow and good enough for "some" spirited driving in the summer? I don't want to have to spend a small fortune on wheels and snow tires in order to get anywhere in these Pittsburgh winters.

Will 16" 2nd gen TL wheels fit a TL-S for winter use? I happen to have a set in my basement left over from my CL-S that I never sold. Will the 16" wheel fit over the TL-S brembos? Thanks.

Cecilt

IMO whether you have a TL or Type S if it snows you will probably get the same results. I would not make this a criteria in upgrading to the Type S. If the type S were rear wheel drive vs a front wheel drive TL then this should be part of your criteria. Both are front wheel drive and will perform the same. Put all seasons on there. If they are sport tires, which it appears from one of your posts, see if Toyota will swap them out or give you some more off to put on All-seasons.

Oswald Vater

If you can't get the dealer to come down further on the price, perhaps you could ask them to throw in the clear bra for you? That way your difference is only about a thou and you get the protection you want. Just a thought.

Bill C.

Hi,
I just traded an 05 Tl for a left over 08 demo TLS with 2k mi on it. I went back and forth and didn't want another car payment. Finally I pulled the trigger and bought the 08, I couldn't be happier, I love this car. Some other factors played into it, 0% financing and $7600.00 off the MSRP. I don't think you will be sorry, the TLS is that much fun to drive. Good luck.
B.C.

bsprinker

I've already attempted an even trade and they wouldn't do it. They even brought out the manager to explain to me that they desperately want my business, but can't do an even trade. I said that it depends on how much $ they have in the type S versus what they think they can get our of mine, NOT their "trade in versus retail" talk. The manager still wouldn't consider it, though.

1075

I would tell them that you would go with the trade and pay them $750, final offer. That gives you some $$ for clear bra, etc.

I would STRONGLY recommend that you bite the bullet and invest in some dedicated winter tires and have them mounted on wheels regardless of which TL you decide on. FORGET all seasons. You can either get some used winter beater wheels for winter use or get some custom wheels to use for summer and use the stock wheels in winter. I have a place in Garrett County, MD so I'm familiar with winters in that region. It's too late to decide that you should have spent the extra $$ on good winter tires after you crash your car.

I run studded tires in the winter on my CRV which is my winter driver along with a Subaru Legacy.

TypeSDragon

You only live once! Only drive the car you "LOVE", don't settle for just liking your TL.

wall e

i would only do it if they did the even trade, i mean urs is an '08, so its only right. if anything u would be getting the lower end of the deal doing the even trade.

Cecilt

To the OP, the $1500 difference is what you have to decide is worth it. Yea, you go to an '07 but gain a lot of car. A lot of posts keep telling you to ask for more. It appears the dealership has given you their best deal. Telling them you will walk if they don't do better is only good if you really don't want the car, think you can do better etc. Trust me, $26k for a Type S is a great deal. $1500 is something that you will soon forget about. Do the deal, smile and drive a car you will love. That is worth $1500. You may feel like crud if someone buys it while you ponder the decision. I know, I had a deal worked out on an '08 Type S, 11k miles, A-spec wheels for $28,500. I wanted $400 more and lost the deal over a weekend b/c the salesguy was off and never responded to my latest offer. Called him back and said I would do the deal at $28,500 and they sold it that weekend. It's easy to tell someone to ask for more or get a better deal when it is not "thier" car to loose.

greco9885

iTrader: (1)

very true. if you are serious about it and want more time to thing put a $100 or $200 deposit on it, and that will give you a few days. when i bought my 08 tl-s in august i put a $300 deposit down just so i can think it over...turned out i bought it the next day lol!

chairguru22

If you are willing to wait AND wouldn't regret not pulling the trigger, you should just let them know that you want an even trade and walk away. If (and when) they realize they can't sell the car they'll call you back. How long have they been trying to sell it? Has it even moved since being in the lot?

With my car, they said all those things about how it's popular and it won't be around if you wait too long, but it sat in the lot with the white plastic still on it and not even moved/test drove, even had the same miles I had left on it from my test drive!

They aren't budging because they can tell you really like that car and are willing to overpay for it. That's what happened to me and was it worth it? Definitely, but... I could've saved even more money on the other hand too.

chairguru22

I put a deposit down as well and I would recommend NOT doing this. Because you are basically putting money down on actually buying the car. PLUS, that will lock you into a price in which you can't come back later and talk down further, and they won't go down further. It's a tactic I think some dealers use. They'll tell you to put money down and they'll hold the car for you so you can "think about it". They aren't selling the car anyway so it doesn't matter to them.