tchfall15

I am looking to buy a new tl soon. I have an 03 cl-s which i love. But i am wondering, is the A-Spec package really worth the cost? I love the ground effects on a normal tl. but is the a-spec worth it? Whats everyone's thought?

neuronbob

I think only the suspension is worth the money because it provides an actual performance function. That's why I have that and not the rest of the package.

My

vp911

I spent the money on it, I think it is worth it. Neuronbob is righ though, the suspension is the only real difference - but if you want the car to look different to everybody else, then get the full a-spec.

After having it for a couple weeks, I can say I would get the suspension again - I would get 18" wheels again, and I would get the steering wheel (the a-spec wheel is thicker than the factory steering wheel). I would not get the body kit again. I do not think it is really worth $800 for the body kit.

Also, I suggest getting the comptech rear sway bar, it is $110+ shipping - well worth it.

Acuraluvr

iTrader: (2)

well, id keep the oem ground effect, but i would spend for everything else in the package= tires ( not the crappy el42) rims and suspension


hope this helps

cM3go

suspension yes, kit yes, steering wheel maybe

wheels i rather get something aftermarket

still kinda overpriced

Nodoze2004

It depends on what YOU want out of the car! In my case I wanted a sportier feel to the car, and enjoy the A-Spec package. I find the stock TL w/o the body kit to be a bit bland and enjoy the new look the kit brings to the TL. in addition the new steering wheel is great (If I did not get the A-Spec kit I would have pursued a purchase seperately!)

Overall I like the A-Spec , but to each his own!

MyJohnson

This has been discussed a few times before.

Here's my two cents since I just took delivery of an A-spec/6MT/Navi/DM/Parchment.

I test drove both auto and 6mt TL's but could never get a hold of an A-spec. Acura in Bedford, Ohio had two but wouldn't let anyone test drive them while I was home visiting on leave. I tried to get Acura of Cleveland to prep an end of year '04 with all I wanted, but they're dealership is so new they couldn't do it, I guessed.

Anyway, I just went ahead and bought an '05 and I think the body roll, nose dive with breaking, steering (only slightly) and general handling are much, much improved. I don't find the tires noisy at all, but then again they're new and I drive in the Southest in Alabama and Florida where the roads are good. I don't have pot holes as I would in Cleveland where I grew up.

The look of the Black Chrome 18" wheels, Tires, ground effect kit and decklid spoiler are awesome. I'm really happy with the purchase. I drove a beater car for 11 years waiting to buy this and I'm thoroughly happy with the car and handling. The interior is outstanding. The technology can not be matched by any car out there. The voice activated controls have been a great help while driving a Manual and my V710 has paired and worked flawlessly (I still have to update the s/w though). I have no rattles or unexpected fit or finish issues. I combed over the car at delivery for anything I could find but found their prep to be outstanding.

I know many others hate the BSM's and Moonroof Visors but I really like them and so I added them.

I still want to get it tinted, a 3M 'clear bra' and a Viper GPS Two Way Alarm installed. I also want the "FOB FIX" that rolls the windows up with holding the 'lock' button down on the fob. I personally really like external keypad's as on most Ford's/Lincoln's. I find them incredibly useful when I go to the park or for a run and don't want to carry keys. I don't know where a keypad could fit, though.

After that it will be pretty complete for me. I have three small kids but we have an SUV and Minivan, so only co-workers will likely be in the back seat much. I don't feel a need for a DVD screen in the headrests, etc. I have to hardwire my V1.

So, to answer your question, is it worth it? 5 large is a lot to pay for springs/coils/tires/wheels/ground effect and deck lid spoiler, but I'll keep the car for 10 years and I really, really like driving it. Oh, I made sure I took the OEM Michelin Tires with OEM Wheels and the OEM Coils/Springs which I hope to sell and make the cost even lower.

I recommend the all weather mats (now in tan for the camel or parchment interior) and, of course, the trunk tray. I got the Wheel Locks as well. All is covered for 4 years and 50k miles. I also had the backup sensor installed.

I bought it from Proctor Acura of Tallahassee. I don't necessarily recommend them. They wouldn't yield much on price but, then again, no one would from Florida to Cleveland, Ohio. I called probably a dozen dealerships and told them exactly what I wanted and offered $39,970 but could only get it for $40,500 plus Tax, $199 dealer fee, lemon law fee ($8.50) and some other polution fee that was like $3 bucks. I figure this was about $1100 below sticker for everything.

They at first tried to switch the OEM Tires for worn tires and RSX wheels which would have been a royal screwing. My wife almost drove off with them in the minivan while I was still finishing the deal. They also didn't know how to check the clutch fluid or other things in the engine bay. They didn't go over maintenance or warrantee information.

Again, I don't necessarily recommend them and gave them mostly 4's and one 3 on the Honda Survey that called one week after the purchase. The dealership called back and was "shocked" that I had given them such a rating. I went over the problems with delivery and they "appologized" and asked what they could do to continue to earn my business. I told them they could throw in free A and B Services when I come there and could throw in the DVD Nav update 3.40B that's coming in January. "Cathy" at Proctor told me that she'd check.

Guess what, they called back and gave me.......NOTHING!

She claimed that the entire package was worth $43,700 or something like that. I think that's inflated. That's how they want to earn my repeat business. Looks like I'll have it serviced at the dealership that's 20 miles closer. Again, I don't think I'll go back to Proctor Acura for my next SUV/MDX purchase. My Explorer is 8 years old and I'll replace it in two years or less.

The one thing they did well was prep the car. I have to give them that.

I'll have to post pictures. I've taken some but haven't uploaded from my digital camera.

Overall, I'd pay for the A-spec again. I'm going on a 300 mile trip this week to Casinos in Mississippi. I'll try to post a review when I have more than the 450 miles I have now.

vp911

Nice review MyJohnson

Treblig

I would have to say and emphatic YES to the suspension! It has made quite a difference in the handling of the car. It really sticks in the corners (aided by the Comtech Rear Sway Bar I'm sure!) and does not porpoise on road undulations. Nose dive on braking and rear squat on acceleration has also been dramatically reduced. Get it. You won't regret it!

neuronbob

Nice review, MyJohnson. Points given.

At least you were smart enough to move from Cleveland to the South (e.g. someplace warmer). I'm saying this, having been hit with a total of 32" of snow over the last 10 days. I'm trying to convince my Cleveland-born and bred wife to move someplace warmer, or better (like Colorado, where I'm from).

captain

My car is a 6MT. I have the A-Spec suspension and wheels and would definitely do it again. I put 5k miles on the car before I installed the A-Spec suspension and I can tell you there is a huge difference. Dive, squat and float are all greatly reduced. Even the steering feels slightly tighter. Also, the car has a more aggressive stance as it is .5-.75" lower. IMO it is the perfect height. Not too low to be a hinderence for everyday use but it reduces the amount of empty wheel well you can see. I also don't like when a car is lowered so much that the top of the tire is hidden by the fender... which the A-Spec doesn't do. Having experienced the suspension, I don't think I would want this car without it! The car was a little "blah" before it. The 8.5" gunmetal wheels look awesome with my AM. I am getting my Comptech rear sway bar installed this week.

Eduardo

The decision to choose my Performance Package (ZHP) 330i over a stock 3rd generation TL came to the sportier drive/feel of my 330i. I was tempted to look for a fully loaded A-Spec option but could find one in stock (that and I could not see myself paying $40,000+ for a TL). The drive of the TL for me was too 'spongy', 'floaty', and the steering too 'loose'. I have seen the A-Spec TL and love its sportier look. I must say though, just like you guys (and gals) I too get a stupid grin when I am behind the wheel of my Performance Package 330i.
Happy motoring!!!