theactivist

Folks,
I'm thisclose to getting my black on black 05 nav TL...just waiting for it to be delivered...dealer says days, i hope that's true. Yes, i'm salivating.

While i've been waiting for the last 2 weeks (and a couple of months fighting with allstate to give me my $ for my totalled Passat), i've been thinking of what mods to add...reading all yer comments...and I've been back and forth on the A-SPEC body kit. I'm not interested in the suspension changes, and i want to see the steering wheel in person before swapping it. I'm worried about whether the front lip would scrape often on bumps, ramps etc (without lowering the car), and whether it would be a hassle in the snow. Otherwise i'll get it--i like the way it looks, especially how the grey on the lower part breaks up that black monotony in the back.

Can folks give me feedback? Scrapes and snow hassle anyone?

Other definite mods:
swap carbon fiber for wood (or is that plood)
wood automatic shift knob
more, um, plood from exotic wood
decklid lip spoiler
splash guards
wheel lock
clear cover for headlights

maybe mods
body side molding (nope, not asking opinions on that, i've seen the wars!)
front, side and back molding

thanks folks!

BstonBruin

I don't have any part of the a-spec package so i cant help you out with that.
Dont you like the carbon fiber look with the black???!?
have a good night
Christoph

Acuraluvr

iTrader: (2)

i dont hav it but i believe that the front part of the kit is only bout half an inch or so taller than the oem part. considering u live in the bronx, i dont no if its good for the curbs and such but i think its worth it.

aw1

congrats on your new ride. I am also in the market to get the aspec body kit for my 05 TL. However, since I live in NYC as well, my concerns are the same as yours. My driveway curb is pretty steep and bearly clears the front bumper. Snow? I dont really know yet until we get a lot more white stuff...

jbtcole

Congrats on your new TL. I got my '05 TL in NBP about a month ago. I thought a long time about whether to get the A-spec kit or just the full underbody kit and deck lid spoiler (without the A-spec rims, suspension mod, emblem, etc.). I decided on the latter since it was less expensive and gave me a similar look as the A-spec. After-all, the A-spec primarily adds visual enhancement and does not add any horsepower or engine performance enhancement. I am very pleased with my decision and love the look at significantly lower $$$. I have not had any "unusual" problems with scraping curbs or hassles driving in the snow, perhaps because the car has not been lowered like an A-spec. Good luck on your decision. Regardless, the TL in Black looks righteous!!!!!!!

DAVERUBINO

Snow??? AAAAHHHHHHHHH. I don'tr even drive mine in the rain and it's a 2000! That's what $3000 beaters are for. :doh :

willz822

I'd rather have the A-spec suspension and the improvements in handling it provides over the cosmetic changes the body kit provides anyday of the week.

vp911

I have had it for a couple weeks now. I have not had any problems with it and the snow - yet. I am very cautious when driving though - so just be careful when driving if you get it.

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

I've had A-spec kit since day ... 20 .. i guess... and my Tl has been through tough chicago winter storms...etc... no problems w/ scraping.. etc.

Go for it, you will NOT be disappointed...

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

My car stands out against the hundreds of non-Aspec Tl's out there... it really almost looks like a different vehicle... that's why I'm so impressed w/ A-spec --- why be ordinary?

ed99

I have the full A-spec kit w/the A-spec deck lid spoiler and I love the more agressive looks it brings out. I have alot of compliments about the kit and have a few TL drivers pulled over beside me asking me how much I paid for the kit. I had the car for almost a yr and I had never scrape any parts of the kit (KNOCK ON WOOD!!!) thru speed bumps/deep dips on the road/side walks. So it is all good!!!! Hope you make the right choice bud....and you won't regret it!!!!

theactivist

Sounds like folks haven't had problems with snow or scraping, especially without the A-SPEC suspension lowering. I'm still suspicious about scraping on my driveway, but maybe i'll just take that chance. any other comments on that would be great!

what do y'all think is a good price for the underbody pieces (not the whole A-SPEC, just the underbody front, sides and back) and for install?

ed99

The only thing that might scrape in your driveway is the front piece under the bumper sorry I don't know what to call it but you can see it if you look under your front bumper. That might scrape but it is a protecter so it is ok. I end up paying $2500 cdn for my kit installed. That works out to be around $2100 US dollars.

samkws

save the money for the comptech headers

PTN

2004 with A-SPEC suspension and body kit. no problems. just be extra carefull and go slower on steep transitions. actually the suspension only lowers the car a half an inch from stock.

ravingstylez

WHOA WHOA WHOA comptech is making headers for 04 TL??????

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

LOL!! tell me you're joking.

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

No, they are not -- he's just a) uninformed, or b) a very funny guy

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

ACtually... the front underspoiler is no deeper/longer than the OEM nose .. so it will NOT scrape.

The ONLY problem I have w/ the A-spec kit is that when I get into my car (into the driver's side seat) .. i always seem to kick the sideskirt on that side w/ my shoes and I inevitably scuff it .. there are now a few black nicks that simply won't come out w/ elbow grease and a cotton towel -- i'll need to buff if out ..

other than that... A-spec kit rulz.... i get tons of looks in it.. i love it.

2K2SilverTL-S

I love my A-spec body kit, but I have scraped my front chin on steep driveways a few times. There are some driveways where its impossible not to scrape. If you have a really steep on ramp onto your driveway, you will most likely scrape daily.
However, the way mine has scraped has been such that you can only see it if you look underneath the car, so it doesnt bother me. Good luck.

05TLTony

I don't have an a-spec kit on mine and I still scrape the bottom of the front end when I reverse out of my dad's driveway. If I go head first, it will not scrape. A-spec kits are on ebay for about $800 for the kit. I'm thinking of getting one as well, but do not want to pay 2,000+ to have it installed (Yikes!!!) Not sure if it could be a DIY project.

vp911

The body kit is about 850 on ebay, the suspension is about 800 on ebay, the steering wheel is seperate (around 400)

Installation for the entire kit is between 500-800

If you want ONLY the body kit installation should be no more than 200

ONAGER

thats why i live in florida.... i never drive in snow!!!!

vp911

I hope by some miracle it snows there this yead haha jk

jbtcole

I can't remember how much I paid for the underbody kit, but I do remember that it may cost more if you purchase it through the salesperson vs. after the sale through service. You might try asking your salesperson for a quote and then calling service and asking them for the quote. Let us know what you find out.

vp911

He is right... I had the same thing also.

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

Guy...

I bought mine online for about $800 shipped... and installed it myself. This is a 2/10 or a 3/10 where 10 is extremely challenging, and 0 is as easy of a job as sticking on a VTEC symbol. YOu can TOTALLY do this install yourself -- save the $500.00