I think his NBP TL is one of the few TL's that can fight (lol) a WDP.

 

I think acura messing up the 4G helped us looking good still haha

 

The 3g TL is sharp enough that it can keep up with current car generations and designs.

 

Yeah man I don't feel the 4G design at all... Even modded it looks a bit "wrong" lol

 

I figured that much lol.. But what brand?

 

I used to like the 2nd gen Type S since my dad bought a 00 TL back in 03. Then I saw they offer MT in 04 TL that wasn't looking great at the time for me until the release of A-spec in 05 then when I saw Type S press release in early 07, it was like "I gona get the Type S only".

 

Maybe I should specify lol. My exterior looks like crap *in comparison to that beauty LOL. My car actually isn't that bad, when I bought it carmax did a full detail / touch up. Actually looked brand new couple months ago so the paint chips are extremely minimal, but I need that shineeeeeee LOL

My husbands on the other hand, scratches galore. Poor car lol.

 

Hey all...sorry, had to take an acurazine break to wait for the blush to leave my cheeks. Quite the compliments in this thread, my goodness! Thank you ALL!

and I should clarify my thanks above...thanks fellas AND GAL!

Ok, so the detailing and keeping clean thing has been an ongoing battle for me. I use the camera and lighting to hide certain imperfections. I promise you all though, the front of my car is FULL of chips. I'm just pretty vigilant about putting touch up paint on any sizealbe chips.

I did get into the porter cable thing and compounding and polishing, but after a few months of washing, even 2 bucket method, I realized that trying to keep a swirl free black car was next to impossible. SO, I do my best NOT to put new scratches in, and occasionally do throw my protectant on with my makita rotary or porter cable with a black pad. Much easier to just try and hide the swirls with good product than eliminate them...and much more realistic for a daily driver.

I have used, and continue to try different things...in that picture in particular, it was washed etc...and I put some Wolfgang Concourse paint sealant on. The stuff went on easily and came off even easier. In the past I've sealed with zaino z2, excellent, and griots garage stuff (was hard to remove).

When I FIRST got the car though...my stepfather had had it waxed by some people ever 3 months for the entire first 5 years of the car...even so. I washed and put a coating of Meguiar's Gold Class liquid wax (over the counter at autozone) and I swear, the side I did on the hood vs the side that wasn't done looked VERY noticeably wetter and deeper black. I was amazed and hooked at keeping the car looking good. A lot of people ask me if I've had it repainted when I tell them the car is nearly 9 years old.

 

I'm in love with my Base TL. Had it since April, still loving every minute.

My dad told me the one time, I look like a doctor driving in the car. Haha.

I haven't had much time for mods yet since being a server in the summer kinda blows around my area because most people wanna be on grills etc.

I plan to keep my TL for a very long time. Or eventually, trade my TL in and try and find one still a baby, haha. Lifetime of 3G TL's.

 

Agreed. I'm also in favor of the wedge shape. I would say that Acura totally abandoned the 3G design. I had hoped that it would evovle into the 4G. I love the 4G's interior and it drvies well, but the styling leaves a lot to be desired.

I also agree with the OP, that the 3G is simply a great looking car. I think it's about as close to perfection as a car can be. Nearly 6 years later, I will stand there admiring my car at times. I'd probably do it more, but I don't want the neighbors to think I'm crazy:-)

 

a lot of the bells and whistles available today were already in the 07-08 TL, so yea it was waaay ahead of its time. i think it was one of the first models to have blue tooth.

this is why u rarely see TL's in the used parking lot, the ppl that got em are holding onto them until the wheels fall off because its a discontinued model

 

we musn't forget the nsx!

over a decade of production and still looks good to this day and doesn't look too "old"

damn rockstar, 9 year old black paint looking BAUS

I only know one other person like that, a friend of mine who has owned 2-3 black cars each spanning 5+ years each always meticulous aside from rock chips

 

+1... Though I preferred the pre-2002 body. IMO, it kinda lost it's timeless design with the '02 facelift.

 

I agree to a point. As a previous owner of one 2nd gen, two 3rd gens and two 4th gens, I always loved my 3rd gen. But now with the 2012 redesign my heart gave in for the 4th. It looks much better now.

 

We should have a thread where different colored TL's face off against each other and people vote to see who wins (via looks, mods, etc.)

 

^^^I think that already exists although a battle in something subjective, is a battle in futility.

 

The 04 to me is simply an elegant saloon. The lines are so clean.

 

I dig the 4g look, it's nearing its 4 yrs.

 

i still love my 3G TL after 7 yrs....the guys at my dealer always do a double take on the year..."that's an '05?!" the last time i was there one of the techs said "that's the best looking TL i've seen here." gee thanks, put a scratch in it, ding it, or mar it and you'll have my foot up your backside. lol. and ==>

the design has aged well (it doesn't really look dated). there aren't a whole lot of other cars that appeal to me (right now that i would consider owning) which makes me love my TL even more. i still gawk at well kept TLs. the ones that i notice that have had a hard life (i see this at the dealer, it's shameful).

 

It actually does show it's age, it has a tape deck for god knows what reason.
lol

 

okay okay the tape deck is the exception. the 3G TL came out during that tweener phase where CDs/ DVD/MP3's started to become mainstream. outside the tape deck (for those running an ipod adaptor through this method) the 3G doesn't show it's age....too much.

 

^ Lol every time someone gets into my car, they ask about the tape deck.

All seriousness, I agree with most of the earlier posts. The 3G has a timeless design and still looks great in comparison to a lot of newer cars.

@ rockstar's NBP

 

Just for giggles, I'm going to find a tape and slip it there, so I can actually use it.
:p

 

I totally agree that that 3G TL is like the best looking TL made. If Acura went back to that design for their next refresh I would be the first in line to buy one! The TL's that have been well taken care of by their owners still catch my eye as much as the brand new 2012's! I often wish that I had brought that design when it first came out!

 

I also think this 3rd Generation TL will "stand the text of time". It's just a great, classy look. My dealership constantly asks me if I'm ready to move up to a 4G......

I don't think Acura will ever admit that the 4G TL is not as popular as the 3G. But you also have to remember that they moved the 4G TL into a different class of car. The 4G is no longer Sports Sedan.

 

Same here, everytime i visit my acura dealer they always bring up the "are ya ready to trade the type S in"

 

They want dat profit. They know they'll sell the 3G TL's like hot cakes.

Bastards lol

 

TL's don't seem to hold value well compared to other honda's

 

Hey i have a 04 tl which doesnt come with the nice front, side, back skirt! i love the ways the 05 looks with this front lips and the rear one! Im i able to add those lips or skirt without changing the whole bumpers!??

 

^
What's the difference between 04 and 05?
did I missread something?

 

well, all the 05 tl i have seen, have the front lip like urs and the rear bumper have like a little grill in the middle, i just want to know if i have to change the whole bumper to make it look like that or if that is just some lips i have to buy?

 

Hondas are conservatively styled. This helps it age more gracefully and makes them move off the as fast as the were traded in on Honda/Acura Lots. My favorite Honda to this day was the Aqua colored 92-93 Honda Accord SE coupe. I'd buy one today if i found a really clean one. Cars with overly done overly bubbly styling like say Pontiacs age fast because the following model looks so different. Honda just seems to add size to the vehicle while keeping the genes in there. You can see some of the 92 accord still in the 2010 to some degree.

 

???

 

Don't think I'd EVER buy one now, but I do agree to an extent. Not my cup of tea styling, however say the word Accord to me and that is the first body style that I picture in my mind-- in that exact color, with tan interior.

 

you have much to learn about this gen TL.

body styles for 04-06 are the same.
body styles for the BASE 07-08 are the same (similar to 04-06 with subtle tweaks added during the mid-cycle "refresh". let's be real here...the 3G didn't need much of a refresh).
then you have the 07-08 type-s models (slightly different front ends around the fogs, and different rears).

these lips you speak of are the OEM aspec lip kits. they are optional. do your homework and you will discover the differences between the above yr/body style combos. can't give you all the answers.

the "grill" in the back. the rear diffuser came out with the 07-08 models while the 04-06 models have a solid rear bumper. /OT

 

I'm a little partial to that year Accord too... Loved that car...should never have gotten it cheaply painted and/or traded it in for peanuts.

 

I have to agree that the 3G TL has a timeless design. But I also like the 2G RL and 1G TSX designs. 2G TSX is okay. Title fixed

 

I don't completely agree, because the only Honda that I can think of that holds its value is the S2000 or maybe Si Civics. From the standpoint of other luxury brands, Acura can't hold their value nearly as well as Lexus, BMW, or MB, but that's understandable.

 

Better for us IMO, cheap 3G TL's for everyone lol.

 

Hey thank u man, helpful answer! i will start doing the research now, Now i can start looking for those lips and side skirt that looks nice!