Hey everyone, new to this forum but I've been poking around for a few days. Lately I've been considering trading up to a TL or TL-S. I have a 2001 S2000 (go Honda!) and as awesome as it is, its just not practical at all. It is not fun at all in the winter even though I also have a hardtop and it has a beefier clutch so its a pain to drive around the city where I live.
I test drove a 2010 Mazdaspeed3 and as much as I liked it, it just couldn't compare to my s2000, so I paid off my car and currently enjoy no payments .

Fast forward to now, as winter sets in, I still consider a different car. Driving a 6 speed is nice and fun but if I'm goin to drive a manual sedan, I would rather have an automatic and be able to enjoy the ride. Coming from an s2000 I've been spoiled with a sports manual and would probably detest a 6MT TL.

After browsing prices and colors and otions, I really would like to get a TL-S. But after seeing the slight upgrades across each area of the car, I wonder if its worth it. Like the S2000, the newer models have subtle upgrades that make me wish I had a newer S2000. That being said I've read several testaments on here where owners suggest prospective owners to get an 07-08.

I've read a few opinions on getting the Type-S over the base but wanted to introduce myself and see what everyone had to say: is there enough difference to justify the price bump from the base to Type-S?
If there are already tons of threads about this and I didnt search far enough, then you can lock this and just let me know to keep looking.

 

I think it depends on what you can afford. The Type-S is awesome as it has every bell and whistle the TL comes with. Other members are modding their TL's to look like a Type-S. Of course the Type-S is only for 07 and 08, which makes them rather new also. No recalls on them as far as I know. You should be able to find a nice one with low miles for a decent price. Out of necessity, I just traded my 08 TL-S. I really hated to see her go. But she was a blast to drive and I really enjoyed the little extra's, such as the Navi and back up camera. Welcome to AZ and good luck with your search!

 

i can afford the Type-S but wasnt sure how the owners on here felt concerning being worth it. im a believer in the idea of "go big or go home" so i would want the top of the line if i went for it.

I was also wondering what the difference between being Certified Preowned and having factory warranty remaining is? i bought my s2000 used with cash so i could modify it without worry

 

Welcome to AZ first off! I just bought an 07 TL-S 6MT and it's such an awesome car. I had researched them for so long and looking on the forum made me want it more. I think the Type-S is worth the extra cash and if you are interested in buying an AT, you can definitely find a good one for a good price. I highly suggest Type-S because of the tech features and the bump in power. It sounds like you are a speed demon, so you would appreciate the power the Type-S has to offer.

As for recalls, there was the TSB 08-018 that was about the 3rd gear for 07 and 08 TL MT vehicles, but not all were affected. That's the only major one that I know of.

Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) have an extended warranty for 5yr/62K miles bumper to bumper and 7yr/100K miles powertrain. Factory warranty is 4yr/50K miles bumper to bumper and 6yr/70K miles powertrain.

 

You said it yourself - you want a Type-S. I have the same mindset that you do. If you get a "base" TL (not "basic" by any means), you're going to be second-guessing yourself. I bought a TL-S a little over a month ago, and have never thought for even a second that I wish I would have gotten a "base" for a couple grand less.

I can sorta relate to you coming from an s2k. My other car is an RSX-S, and the two cars could not be any more opposite. You're going from a screaming 4-banger to a torquey V6. The VTEC on the TL, while there, is much more subdued. Not to mention going from a 6-speed to a slushbox. The AT on the TL is very good, but will never replace the world-class shifter in the s2k.

You should go test-drive a TL and make sure that is what you really want - it's going to be a big change. Then if you decide you want one, go for the Type-S, you won't regret it.

Good Luck!

 

^
+1. Go with the UA7.

 

I agree with Arrogant and Princely. I fell into my Type S and have been VERY happy that I did. By the way, I bought mine on December 31st. End of month, end of year. You should be seeing some great deals coming up soon.

 

You already answered your question my man "im a believer in the idea of "go big or go home" so i would want the top of the line if i went for it". I was in the EXACT same shoes and I settled for a 07 base w/nav. Great car but I kicked myself in the ass every single day for not getting a type S:-( I found myself doing mods just to make it look like one but in the end it simply wasnt a Type S. To make a long story short I got rid of it and now drive an automatic 07 Kinetic Blue Type S. Im VERY happy I got into the Type S I love it!
So im warning you now from what you said if you went with the standard TL you will regret it within a week of purchase gauranteed!!

Hope this helps.

James

 

Thanks for the great answers! you have me sold on the Type-S over the base for sure.
I know it will be a big difference from the s2k to the v6 sedan but ive driven my dads audi a6 plenty and i think im prepared to make the jump. after a long day at work or soccer the last thing i wanna do is shift my heavy duty ACT clutch at 5k rpm in heavy traffic/winter weather.
once i sell myself on the move , a test drive is next!

 

So after browsing for what's available around me (Philly area) I found a few used ones in Moroccan and Black for 28-30k. what do you think is a realistic price to expect after negotiation? do you think an Acura dealership will come down much from their listed price?

 

Go with the Type-S...yes you can mod other TLs but there are so many more features than Type-S lights & bumpers. I had an 05 NBP TL and traded for an 08 NBP Type-S & so happy I did!

 

So what should I expect with dealer negotiation? Ive seen prices range from 26-33 all with relatively similar mileage, about 20-45k.
With the end of the year approaching will they have extra incentive to lower the price?

 

BUMP as i am in the EXACT same situation as suprmonky...and i want to know what everyone thinks about deal negotiation.

I am not trying to steal the thread here, but how low do you think i can negotiate on this base TL..http://www.acuraofbrooklyn.com/inven...Y-29407072.htm

 

If I was looking for a vehicle right now, I'd take the TSX V6. Light weight package, TL-S(RL) engine. Win.

 

Or u could get a G37 which is superior in just about every way

 

It doesn't seem like it but is there any advantage to having a 2008 over a 2007? If given the option between the 2 , i would go for the one with the lowest miles, unless there are features in the 2008 that are missing in the 2007.

 

The '07's & '08's are virtually the same. Grap the one with the lowest miles and the least blemishes on it.

 

Thanks!
My current car is the first i bought on my own so im kinda new, so pardon the noob questions, but in terms of warranty and service work - what is the advantage of buying the car from an Acura dealership over any other dealership?

 

None whatsoever. It doesn't matter where you buy the car, you can still always take it to an Acura dealer for warranty work.

If you're looking at '07 - '08 you're probably going to have a good amount of the original warranty left. The only thing you may get from the Acura dealer is CPO certification (basically an extended warranty), but you can get an extended warranty anywhere. But I wouldn't worry about CPO or extended warranties unless you're buying a car with higher mileage.

 

great! thanks that helps a ton!

 

I vote for no car payment.

 

I would re-think your options. Do you want a car with a smooth ride or sporty/ more rigid ride. The TL is not smooth at all. I would go test drive a few Lexus GS350's then test drive a few TL's. I think that would help you decide.

The TL is awesome, especially if you think of price tag and what you get. But there are other really nice cars that have smoother, more comfy rides for daily driving/ road trips.

Personally I think the 6 speeds options really suite the 3G TL.

 

Since I currently own an s2000, almost anything similar to the TL will be a huge difference so the sporty/rigid ride is probably what i would prefer. going from my uptight 2 seater to a cushy lexus is probably not the jump i would be happy with in the future.

 

I think the TL is firm, but smooth. Crisp, yeah, but still smooth - not at all UNcomfy at least. Feels about equal to my Lexus actually, and that's with 18s on the TL. FWIW i am more than thrilled with my "base" TL, and have never thought it would be worth it to trade for an S, I mean it's not a drastically different car like for example going from a base MINI to an MCS (and I had an MCS new in 03, couldn't spend the extra on the S quick enough after test driving the dog of a base model).

 

So, being that the end of the year is coming up, what do you think is reasonable to pay for a Type-S. Do acura dealers stay super firm to their prices or will I be able to negotiate the price down?

 

if you can afford the type-s do it. every day i drive around and see grandma's in type-s and i just wanna cry knowing after all i've done me and her are about the same performance