nyclio

I am considering purchasing an Acura over from a G35, and I would like to know why people decided to choose the TL-S over the regular TL and whether the price difference is justified; is it that much of a performance gain; is it only the aesthetics of the TL-S; some luxury anemeties on the interior; having a more elusive car; something else entirely?

Is there anything the regular TL has over the S-type?

Chime in with your opinions please

Thanks!

lembowski

iTrader: (1)

There is nothing the regular TL has over the TL-S in my opinion, except that I perfer the blue interior lights. More power, aesthetically more appeling with the rear lights and interior trims. If you can afford the G, you could afford the few extra thousand for the Type S.....and I think its worth it

Bearcat94

I just wanted the "Sport" upgrades built in. You can get a TL, add a couple of bolt-on's and be in the same place.

There are a few styling and/interior differences and that adds into the decision, but for me it was primarily the Suspension and HP differences.

VTEChump

Manual transmission. Makes for a huge difference between the base TL and the TL-s. If your going auto, the two are pretty similar.

blazinginder

TL-S = brembo brakes, two-tone interior, red interior lighting, 3.5 liter engine, nicer headlights/tail lights, quad exhaust, paddle shifters (not sure if the normal TL has those) = ALL more then worth the "slight" premium over a TL w/navi

Adobeman

6mt

nj2pa2nc

I agree-if you want manual-you have to get the tl-s.

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

if your going manual, you have to get the type s, the two automatics are not pretty similar either...unless you consider 286hp vrs 258hp similar...

also, the type s has the "anc" thing, its the active noise cancelling thing that is supposed to make the interior quieter...i like the quad exhause better, bigger motor, wheels, and the one thing that set my car apart from the rest of the tl, is the kinetic pearl blue paint...its only availible on the type s....

i was looking a the g35, but by the time you get it the way the type s comes, its over 40k, and they arent playing with the price like they are with the tl...i paid 32.9k for my type s minus taxes and crap...

nyclio

I am lazy so I would definitely get the Auto. Being that I am lazy (which has several drawbacks), I did have a few questions about the TL series of cars (sorry - this is my first experience w/ Honda/Acura):

Do these cars offer MP3-CD playback?
I did read that they don't have back up cameras, but do they have park distance control?
If I bought a used TL-S, would I be able to add on park dist. control afterwards? (I do a lot of parallel parking in NYC and it would really help).
Does the TL have fog lights standard or is it an option?
What exactly is this A-spec I keep hearing about? Is it just a different type of front bumper?

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

oh yea, you get the back up camera with the type s as well, yes it will play mp3, dvd audio, plug in for ipod...the sound system is 5.1 surround system to boot...

nyclio

Oh wow...all that for just a few $K over?? Why would anyone pick up the regular Tl w/nav then? There must be some advantage other than the slight difference in price...

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

you should just go drive them both...i like the styling ques of the type s alot better than the regular tl, but some prefer the simplicity of the standar tl better...the performance gains were nice as was the extra exhaust note comming from the sportier exhaust...for me it was a no brainer, for other it might not be...

Bearcat94

QUOTE=nyclio:

I am lazy so I would definitely get the Auto. Being that I am lazy (which has several drawbacks), I did have a few questions about the TL series of cars (sorry - this is my first experience w/ Honda/Acura):

Do these cars offer MP3-CD playback? Yes, 2007 and up.


I did read that they don't have back up cameras, but do they have park distance control? TL-S has a Back Up Camera. Park Distance Control is a Dealer Installed Accessory and I think available for TL and TL-S


If I bought a used TL-S, would I be able to add on park dist. control afterwards?
(I do a lot of parallel parking in NYC and it would really help). Yes. Dealer Installed Accessory.


Does the TL have fog lights standard or is it an option? Standard. Relocated to lower facia in 2007.

What exactly is this A-spec I keep hearing about? Is it just a different type of front bumper? A-Spec are parts that include Front, Rear and side skirts; Stiffer, Lower Springs, Wheels, etc for a more sporty, custom look. I think originally sold as a full "system" or "kit", many A-Spec parts are now available individually. The A-Spec parts are also Dealer Installed Accessories.

/QUOTE

korrupted

Some people don't need all the extras and perforance that the TL-S has.
They also prefer a "softer" ride, or would prefer to add on their own after market parts. Either way, you can't lose

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

the type s is also trimmed in carbon fiber on the inside vrs the wood looking stuff...i also know the type s has a gps linked climate control, so it knows where the sun is at all times and does something to compensate for the sun...maybe the standard tl has this too, i dont know...

Ilya

My brother has an 08 TL...I don't think his has this. I believe only the TL-S has this.

Basically...if you have your temp set to 75 degrees...if it senses that the interior temp (with the sun) is at 80 degrees it lowers the temp of the air coming out of the vents 5 degrees so the interior temp is still 75 degrees. Very neat if you ask me.

I hate cars

I think the TL-S is how the base Tl should come. The suspension is far from harsh, the brakes are ok, and there's slightly more power. When I test drove the S, I first drove the auto which felt maybe a little faster than mine. The manual felt like a different car. IMO, if Honda updated the base TL's drivetrain like they do the Accords, this is probably where it would be right now.

Aman

^ wait till 2009, i bet the base TL will have as much power as the 3g TL-S.

the only thing I dont like about the TL-S is the exterior. i think the 2g type-S was well done, but the 3g TL-S is trying too hard to masquerade as a sports car when it really is a fairly big car, albeit with good handling.

Bearcat94

^^

I've got both ('02 TL-S and '07 TL-S) and I respectfully disagree.

'07 Styling > '02 Styling.

The 2G was nice at the time of purchase, but is too reserved, even a little mundane. I thought the exterior styling became "dated" pretty fast.

The 3G, OTOH, still looks fresh even though it's at the end of it's design life. It looks as good or better than contemporary redesigns like the G35, CTS or C-Class.

Aman

to each his own, but i'm just saying that the Type-S doesnt really look like it needs multi-spoke gray rims. naturally, I would take the Type-S over a base, but exterior-wise, base for me. makes a good sleeper, too.

I agree about the 3g being fresh comment wholeheartedly. I was talking about the Type-S styling relative to the base 3g styling.

I cant wait to see how "fresh" the '09 TL is going to be.

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

no dissrespect, but you are a 15 year old commenting on a car that was aimed at a 30+ year old...

Aman

just stating my opinion

Manach

TL's are amazing cars, drive both and see what you like. My opinion, go type s if you can. Then change the rims and pretend the lighting is blue while you watch your speedo fly through the roof.

NightRider

I used to have an 04 3G 5AT TL and a 95 6MT Legend Type II Coupe, have driven the 3G TL Type S, and currently have a 2G CL Type S...

With that being said...One of the main reasons people get the Type S versions of Acuras are for the added performance and style. If performance is a priority then you absolutely have to check out the 6MT TL Type S - like the Legend Coupe, like the CL Type S, and now like the 3G TL and TL Type S, H/A's manuals are head and shoulders above their autos in performance and reliability. Styling is obviously subjective, and I think the Type S exterior looks better overall...but I would have different wheels than are on there, and although the quad exhaust looks good, I really like the regular bumper integrated exhaust. For the interior, I do prefer the regular blue interior lights over the red. Carbon fiber>"wood" IMO, the Type S interior/exterior is even better than the regular TL (which is still better than the G35, one of the reasons I didn't buy that car).
For the aforementioned upgrades and extra technology and features, the Type S is definitely worth the extra money. Navigation is $2K alone! As far as A-Spec goes, it is mainly aesthetic, especially with the upgrades the Type S already has.
Bottom line is if you are looking for brand new or close to brand new, you might as well wait for next year when the new TL comes out. I don't know if H/A will continue with the Regular/S setups, but the top of line TL will definitely have SH-AWD and either a slighly retuned 3.5L or the MDX 3.7L, good for over 300HP.

EDIT: Hey the kid is 15 but give him props for having style and taste, he could just as easily be on mustang, camaro, civic, etc forums...Also yes the 3G TL styling will look good for awhile to come, hell I still get alot of looks in my 01 CLs, although it is alot more rare to see than the TLs.

007TL-S

plus, you just get a better car with the TL-S!

shooter

+1 ... well done & enough said ....

shooter

It's all good .. you are still part of the family ... LOL

Aman

haha thanks, I appreciate it.

@ NightRider: the day i buy any of those cars is the exact same day i sell them lol

NightRider

So you're saying you wouldn't buy any of those previous cars that I had?

BTW the 6MT TL Type S also has LSD...LSD>VSA

scv76_

nyclio..
I think your choice will depend on what kind of driving you do.
A lot of people drive this car as if was some kind of a race car, others are just daily drivers.
I chose the standard TL because it had the smaller engine...gas prices influenced my decision. A bigger engine will use more gas (probably have something to do with the amount of tickets too) lol
By the way, the smaller engine certainly is no sled. I was quite surprised!!
I also didn't want a suspension system that was too stiff.
I think the standard TL is a rough ride, I can't imagine what the "S" would be like.
My average mph for a week of driving is only 26-30, so I opted for the automatic, which I find to be one of the smoothest trannies I have experienced.
Someone said earlier to go test drive the two cars...that's the best advice there is.

For the price and all the options it comes with in its stock form, no other car can come close

pokin

Hehe...man, people in different threads keep picking on you for being 15. I feel ya pain...I use to be 15 once upon a time.

I hate cars

85 years ago.