Helping my little brother out here. He's looking at an 08 TL Base or 08 Type S, both with low-miles and both are AUTO. Is there a real performance/acceleration boost with the TYPE S auto vs Base auto?

Also, what's up with the cracked dashboard issue? Did that show up in the 2008 models?

Anything else he should look out for?

 

one has a 3.2l engine and the other has the 3.5l engine.
one is going to feel a bit more peppy than the other. can you guess which one?

also, unless they changed the material in the dash (highly unlikely) it will still display the same characteristics of the dashes in this generation...2004-2008.

if the car was kept out of the sun, its not likely to crack. if it's an outside car the constant heat and cold from the weather will accelerate damage.
so, basically...its the luck of the draw.

 

Unless you are going to do some heavy mods or price is not an issue, get the Base. The changes in the Type S don't really justify the price difference, and in my opinion, the red interior lights on the Type S look awful. If you're going for value, get a low mileage 07/08 Base that has been maintained properly.

 

If I were in the market and only looking at buying a Base vs. Type-S, I would get the S hands down. All else being relatively equal like mileage, condition and maintenance the additional features the S has is worth the premium.

 

I would give the Type S the nod and not necessarily for the performance difference. There are less of them and it provides that much more of a differentiation. I've owned both and was happy with both of them.
In terms of the dashboard cracking, I think it is/was more prevalent in the earlier 3G production years.

 

He's shooting for the low-mileage base 2008, but worried about the dashboard cracking issue. I'll look further into it. I do see a lot of hits about this on Google and mentions of "class-action" lawsuits, but of course those did not get anywhere as usual.

To the person who mentioned the red interior lights on the Type S, I kind of agree. I prefer the blue lighting of the base model. I personally also don't like the ebony/toupe interior combo on the Type S either. Oh well, personal choice. I much rather have the black leather in the base. I'll talk to the bro about it.

 

when the temperature changes; the materials in the dash expand and contract.

my 2006 is kept in a garage all day every day. no cracking here.

also, i understand the perils of buying a used car, but its just that...a used car. so, if the dash does start to crack....
its not like he bought it new at $35k

 

Has your bro driven them both? I would strongly suggest that if he hasn't.

 

To each their own for the led's in the interior. I never thought I would like the red LEDs (more of a blue fan myself) but I love my Type S and grew to love the red because they fit perfectly with the red LED from my Valentine1


I wouldn't go so far and fault the damn car because of a couple diodes that can be replaced for a couple bucks


OP, I'd say go for the Type S

 

AFAIK, my 04 was never garage kept yet still no dash crack. I think it depends on more factors than our little human brains can calculate.
Try not to expose it to very hot/cold often in rapid succession (as in if you live in a cold climate to not blast intense hot air and if a you live in a very hot climate to not blast it with AC).
In summer having a windshield cover will likely help a lot.

 

I just called about the low-mileage type S and they said it's sold. It was 38,000 miles and sold for 25K to his "friend". I call major BS on the price.

 

Yes, but one thing is for sure. All dashboards in all cars do not crack - lol.

 

Yes, but this is a huge known issue which Acura does not address. I don't think any car new or used should have huge cracks going vertically and horizontally throughout the dash, but hey, that's just me?

 

Does anyone here have the base TL?

 

True, I wouldn't turn down a car if everything else was better but the color of the lighting.

 

Oh definitely. I'm not saying it's normal, just that it's not happening to every 3G TL owner.

 

What's your brother's budget? A decently maintained 05-06 can be had for not too much money and would be assumed to be pretty reliable as well.

 

dude, are you new to car buying?

cars have faults. there is not one car out on the market that DOES not have its faults.

is a dash crack detrimental to some one's health? can you die from a dash crack?



there are many car manufactures that have dash cracks...not just acuras

 

 

unless you have a balling health insurance company, most insurance companies WILL NOT COVER a COSMETIC SURGERY PROCEDURE.

why?
because it is neither life nor death and just cosmetic.


So, to you...it might be unacceptable....but honey that's not how the world works.

 

then in this post you contradict your self so bad.


so, if the proposed TL was in 90% in great condition with that 10% of a chance where the dash might crack, you would think its unacceptable?

gtfo!

 

Don't stop now, you're on a roll!

 

I have

 

Type S for sure! Offers everything the base does and more. Besides isn't like 90% of the mods guys on these forums do Type S mods on their base models? The Type S is like a factory modded car.
Cracked dashes aren't really effecting 07/08 guys, atleast yet. Just get a garaged car and it shouldn't be an issue. I gave had multiple 07:08 TL's and no issues whatsoever with cracked dashes.

 

Have to agree with Justin! All cars have their "undesirable downfalls", but overall the TL is pretty reliable in whatever variety you choose! If a Type-S is in the thoughts, and fits the requirements, go for it! Either way, a Great car!

 

Personally , I would probably get the base and save a chunk of change, there really isn't *that* much more on the Type S when it really comes down to it. Just my opinion, not saying that I wouldn't rather have a type S if it were the same price and all.. I have an 06 Thats outside without any dash cracks.

 

You are correct the Type S doesn't technically offer any additional features or any options the base (07/08 with nav) doesn't already have..... or I take that back, the Type S has "ANC" active noise cancellation. However, what it does offer is a LOT of cosmetic changes interior and exterior, and a slight bump in power on top of that. The only way to get Brembo brakes on an 07/08 TL is by getting a Type S. Obviously its up to the OP to decide, but as a car enthusiast I think the Type S is a awesome package that is perfect left stock, or modded. Although base model TL's are also excellent vehicles, they require mods in my books otherwise its just the same as all other 15 TL's you see on the daily commute.

 

Didn't you also JUST get your '06 too? Also what do you mean isn't *that* much more?! Don't you know how many HP that Type S Badge adds!?!?

If I had an 06 and below, a damn dash crack would be the least of my worries.. how about that failing A/T transmission ehh? When your car starts slipping, you'll wish that the only problem you had was a dash crack


This thread is going everywhere. OP if you are worried JUST about the dash crack, then don't bother. It may or may not happen to all cars irrespective of age. Do some preventative maintenance like a windshield cover if you park outside and it's a moot point. You should be focusing on other things like maintenance of both cars, exterior/interior condition, accidents? number of owners, etc.

Also like ggesq suggested, go and drive the two and I'll know he'll fall in love with the Type S Many base owners have Type S envy so if you have the choice, just get it from the get go and not worry about it

 

Dash crack usually happened in climate like Texas or Florida up north the case go much rarer, I don't know why people panic.

 

They type s is noticeably faster but it's not blow your mind fast. The 6MT version will put down the most power to the wheels.

If you're worried about the dash use a cleaning moisturizer and a sunshade.

 

I have owned 2- 2006 TL Nav's
And 3- 2007 TL Type-S.
IMO the Type-S is much better

 

I bought my Type-S about a month & a half ago and the way I approached my shopping was that my emphasis was on the Type-S but if I were to come across the right Base that was clean, well maintained, and low mile- at an undeniable deal, then I would have been all over it, no problem. Typically, whoever is selling an S whether it be an owner or a dealership, they probably know what they've got and they will apply a premium. The resale might be better but the buy in is also higher. I guess you just have to ask yourself if what the S represents is worth it to you, or if you're going to actually use what you're paying for.

The Type-S Auto comes with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, and a supposed more aggressive shift program.

 

I have a 2008 Base TL and I actually really like it. Sure it would be nice to have an S, but I love my base. Blue lights, black leather, alladattttt

Plus, I'm just a regular driver, so I didn't see any practical reason for me to get an S.

 

I agree with you justn on the whole dash issue, but I find it pretty funny that five of those pictures are TL dashes 😭😭

 

most people here will tell you to go with the type s and they are absolutely right.

 

I bought a new 05 auto and drove it 6.5 years and 110k miles with no issues at all (replaced battery and brakes). After trading it 4 years ago, I just bought another 05 with 60k miles. On the 04-06 auto's it is good to change the transmission fluid regularly. From what I have read there are less transmission failures on the 07-08's.


I test drove an auto 07 Type S and didn't feel enough of a difference in power to justify the premium. Others will disagree and there are so many factors involved. IMHO the base is a great value if you can find a clean and well-maintained one with lower miles.


And I agree you can find lots of issues on any car on the internet.

 

Whatever you decide on.
I "Highly Suggest' NAV

 

quit lying, Justn. Those are all photos of TL dashes

 

Agree with JTS and this is more or less (less detail) what I said above in post #5. The Type S offers more differentiation from base TL both in performance (HP and braking) and looks. Need to decide if these are enough to justify any cost difference, but bear in mind neither the TL or the Type S are the race cars some folks want them to be.

I believe most folks would agree with this statement as do I. It completes the look of the dashboard. Honestly everyone has a smartphone with some sort of GPS capability built in nowadays, so navigation in a car isn't a big deal. However, as mentioned it does complete the look of the dash and does a good job of integrating/combining other dash functions.
There are many non-navi owners who wished they had opted for a navi car after purchase.

 

Actually, I kind of wish I didn't have nav in my TL after I bought it. Doesn't having non nav make it easier to install a double din? I do like the screen, but its pretty much useless as nav is fed in through a CD and there's no SD card input. There are mods available to change how the nav works, like a carputer, or DVD player, but the price points on those are pretty expensive...