Well I had to say goodbye to my '04 TL (totaled in a car accident) and I want to get into another TL ('07 or '08 Type S). Any significant difference/s that you guys can share? I've considered the MB C300 and the BMW 328 but the TL-S IMO seems to be a more reliable sporty near luxury DD.

I've read some of the issues like rattles and such but that seems tolerable. Obviously I'm getting something used so is there anything I should look out for when choosing my next TL? TIA.

 

get low milage car...thats a 1st

 

I don't think you can go wrong, like the previous poster said, low mileage, 07 or 08. I think its a great combination of sport and luxury and they seem to be more and more rare which for me is a neat feeling.

Good luck!

 

Great cars you cant go wrong. There are no differences whatsoever between an 07 and 08 TL-S.

 

Spark knock, engine ping under WOT on hot days. Seems to be more prevalent with '07 TL-Ses, but my '08 does it as well although not to a severe degree as others....yet. There's a lengthy thread in the Problems forum.

 

Quite a few owners opt for the base one because the diff between these two doesn't justify the price diff. But I beg to differ as I've been enjoying the type-s for two years now ... IMO you should get a type-s & never look back ...

GL !

 

If you get the Type-S, you don't have to worry about converting to one. With every bell and whistle already installed, it's a no brainer. Type-S for sure.

 

I agree, im not sure why some people think the difference is to minimal to justify the cost. I think there are significant changes and about the same if not more differences from what other car manufacturers do to their top of the line product.

If you really think about it there are soo many differences. Yes some are minor but its those little things to that make a big difference.

To name a few just on the inside alone...Differente seats, gauge color lighting, door panels, trim (and Type S's have the active noise cancelling system). On the outside everything from the headlights, to front and rear bumpers, tallights, spoilers, marker lights, wheels, brakes, exhaust, suspension... Oh did I mention it has a different engine lol.

Lots of stuff.. I went from a base 07 to a 07 Type S and absolutely LOVE it!!

 

I agree, if it weren't for the Type S, I would not have purchased a TL.

 

I agree the TYPE-S is a different monster i think people with the base TL saying that there is not enough differences to justify the price is mearly looking for an excuse to not get one because once you drive the S you can't look back!

 

Here is the latest ratings from Consumer Reports (including the '09):

 

^^^ how come the legend doesn't tell what the other symbols mean????

 

...he...he...OOPS..duh...OK, try this chart instead:

 

<----Proud TL-S owner.

Think of it this way:
There are numerous owners out there converting their "base" to Type-S. I haven't seen any Type-S owners converting theirs to "base."

I've seen plenty of base owners say they wished they would have gotten a Type-S. I haven't seen Type-S owners say they wish they would have gotten the base.

So clearly, the Type-S is the preferred vehicle.

As for things to look out for - go through the Problems forum, but take it in perspective. By definition, the only people that post there post when they have a problem. Duh. Rattles are an extremely common complaint, and AFAIK the 07-08 TL-S transmissions are pretty solid. You'll find some folks have had issues with earlier trannys.

Otherwise, do your due diligence as you would for purchasing any used car, and you should be good.

Good Luck on your search!

 

I have an 08 Type S, and test drove a base with Navi. I wouldn't have purchased a non Type S TL. There are LOTS of differences between the two models. While they look similar, they don't perform similar.

 

I don't get this....I've had my 07' TL-S for over a year now and I have never once heard a ping or knock. It doesn't matter if it's warm, cold, humid, or dry...the engine seems to run flawlessly. If I read this correctly, you've had pinging issues in two different TL-S cars??

 

Me too, i don't have this issue either so its hard for me to understand this pinging issue...

 

Ditto

 

i have a base but deff tl-s all the way

 

Still searching Autotrader, cars.com, carmax, carsdirect for my next TL (S). Any other sites I can check out? Thanks for the comments so far.

 

What area are you in? Consider expanding your search radius on those sites. It may be worth it to rent a car or fly somewhere to get the car you're looking for.

 

tl-s all the way. They're just out of my budget though. But mostly because they only sell the 6sp in a tl-s

 

I've had my '07 Type S for 2.5 years and not a single problem...

 

i wanted a Type S but WDP was more important to me and at the time I could not find one. and yes there is a difference between the base and type S, but nothing significant IMO. I mean even with the exta HP, the type S still cant beat an IS350 on a redlight.

and prior to driving a TL, i drove a mini cooper Type S and i realized that type S isnt everything Type S does not imply ur the fastest car in the street. i use to be like "damn ur car beat me and mines a type S"

besides have u seen a 2008 WDP Base TL? they look hot esp. cuz the 07-08 tailights have white in them which realli matches a WDP car.

 

why would you expect a typeS with 286hp to beat the IS350 with 306hp anyway?

 

Same here. Even when the dealer put 87 Octane gas in my car. Now with 93, it runs better, and still quiet! No knocks, pings, etc.

 

GunnAcura.com here in SA has two Tl-S's with low miles. Both are 5ATs though. White and Red.

 

why waste the mony trying to convert a tl to the type s???? Just save yourself the time and just get the top of the line... It looks alot better and it is faster...

 

I'm in the L.A. area but don't mind driving a few extra miles for a better deal. I found a CPO '07 Type S (43k miles) for around $30k (out the door price) which is about 23 miles away from where I live. I also found another CPO (33k miles) '07 Type S for around $28k...sure it's 45 miles away (could be a couple of hours in LA traffic) but it's a no-brainer (10k and $2k less). So far this is the cheapest CPO I've seen.

Again, thanks for additional comments and advice. BTW, is PPI (Pre-Purchase Inspection) advisable for a CPO?

 

The ones are CPO here, with 14k miles for $29k, and the other had 10-11k on it for around the same price. Both 08s.

 

30k for an 07 TL TYPE S and it has 43k miles way too much u should try and bargin with them for 27k

 

Those are great deals, but I'd like to stay local for this purchase.

 

True, that's why I'll be driving a little farther to look at the other one I found (CPO '07 Type S) with 33K miles for about $28k out the door (this includes tax, doc fee, reg'n, and smog). Thanks.

 

thats a sweet deal. I got out the door at 25k here in Houston for my 08 type S with 35k on it.

 

I shopped around looking specifically for an '07/'08 NBP TL-S before i finally found one locally. I had found a few but by the time i actually had time to go see it in person it was sold. Finally found one and jumped on it. And now I am in love. LOL I like it better than my friends IS350. Got my '08 NBP TL-S with 10K miles for $26K out the door. Not too bad ( I think).

 

Ill give my as to i went from a 04 WDP Auto TL to a NBP 6 Spd TL Type S. The car is by far a lot better than my 04 from fit to finish... to inside rattles fixed... to im not even gonna go into all of it. I will truley say though i wish I never did it. The true value of this car wasn't worth giving up my 04. I now wish i just waited and either got the G37S or the Jaguar XF or the Shelby GT500. I know each car is in its own class and none belong in the TYPE S class. I have around 13k on my car now and loved every mile in it...but when i see the other cars on the road i kick myself in the ass

 

You might as well get a Type-S if you get another TL. Also mines a '07 Type-S, no ping noises here either... Good luck on your search to find one. You will not regret it!

PEACE!

 

Funny thread.

I like how we have a 20+ page thread on TL-S pinging problems but some still deny the problem exists at all.

If I were looking at a TL I would definitely check out the TL-S. If it were offered in '06 I would probably have bought one.

The cornering is a *little* better and the acceleration is a *little* better. When I was thinking of buying a Type-S and drove a few in both auto and manual I had to really try and feel the difference in power.

With that said, the styling is a little flashier which is personal preference. I personally like a more conservative look.

I see it this way. If you care about a slight performance boost and never plan on modding it, get the Type-S. If you plan on modding it, either one will do. Once you do the typical coilover and RSB swap you've just changed 95% of the suspension that makes a Type-S a Type-S. Power wise you're starting higher and the larger engine should respond slightly better to mods. But it will never be fast by sports car or muscle car standards without the turbo kit and that's only offered for the base.

The only reason I bother commenting is the attitude by the TL-S owners in this thread.

 

in the end its the practically the same car, if you care about what other ppl think dont get it, they probably wont even notice the difference. If it were up to me i'd get a different car

 

Whether or not every TL pings on 91 is debatable. What's not debatable is whether it pings on 87. Every TL pings on 87, your ears just aren't tuned.