I just went to the acura dealership and I am dead set on getting and 05 Tl. I really only have 1 question before I actually buy it. Is the Navi worth the money? I dont really go anywhere I dont know how to get to but there are those few situations where i need a mapquest prinout. Please give me your opinions. Oh and sorry if this has been posted before alot. Dont have time to search. If this has please just close and disregard.

 

Well for some folks it's just 2K worth of eye candy. Personally I enjoy it. Helps finding places - yeah, I still plan out my routes using Google Maps, but using NAVI in my TL simplifies things. It's fairly accurate and I like the ability to re-route my trip on the fly. Also, if I'm somewhere and I just want to find the nearest food joints, I can just ask NAVI and it finds things for me. But be aware the NAVI is not just the $2000 accessory as you have to pay about $180 if you want to keep the NAVI current.

 

Before it gets closed, I vote yes if you can afford it without problem. It makes the car look better; maintains about half of value on resale and more. It should really be called an information system and is considered one of the best on the market. I would rather have it and not need it, how about you?

There are pleanty of threads for all models "How can I install aftermarket Navi?" The short answer is that you can't.

 

I would also vote yes. Don't always use it but the dash looks 10x better with it. I think the regular display looks alittle cheap and the radio display is huge. for the navi. Oh and try to talk them out the door for around 33,000 out the door i got mine out the door for right under that but that was my 4th acura from that dealership.

 

I think its worth it, especially on trips, even to those areas you think you are familiar with (it'll tell you which ways you can/cannot go).

Having a Yellow Pages in there is pretty neat too. I can look up businesses by number or by name. There's a wealth of features I still have yet to use, and I think its already paid for itself.

 

Yes worth the money and the looks. It adds a lot more than just navi functions. You will have voice commands for radio, AC, and navi.

 

I don't go anywhere really either, but I find the Navi to be VERY helpful when I do get lost or go somewhere that I am not sure about. Mapquest and most other online map sites suck, and there is always the issue of looking down at the directions while your driving. With the Navi everything is voice guided and you can keep your eyes on the road for the most part. The Navi is not 100% perfect, but it DOES point you in the general direction all of the time. I have never gotten lost while driving the TL.

In addition this, the Navi is so easy to use and the screen is huge and bright. the voice commands are nice too.

I regretted not getting Navi in my 04 Maxima, and I said the next time I get a car I WILL get Navi, no matter what others told me. Well I did get it, and I do not regret my decision at all. I say its worth it, and more than just a gimmick.

 

My vote is Yes. First few hours when I drove the car it sounded (seemed) as I have an autopilot in the car. I almost expected it to do everyhting. Especially that it enables voice recognition for many functions in the dashboard. And if you have NAVI you can find a gas station or restaurant or something else nearby and get there right away without looking around.
One of the features in the NAVI, which I appreciate - it recalculates the route without any questions or additional manipulations. And it is SOOO user friendly and intuitive...

 

Yes, get it. Though I know my 38-mile commute route by heart, there have been times when traffic backs up more than usual. I glance at my screen and see instantly there is another way around the mess, so I take it knowing it will not just be a dead end or take me too far off-track. I don't even need to tell it my route. I just see where I am on the map and what options are around me.

The gps-controlled climate control is a cool gimmick, too. The A/C factors in the sun's angle to decide which vents should blow the cool air to keep the cabin at the desired temperate.

Another minor, but cool feature: You never need to set the clock and the time is spot-on with some of the most accurate clocks in the world.

I love that I can be on my way somewhere and suddenly remember I forgot to stop at an ATM. I just say, "Find nearest ATM" and I'm guided to one.

 

Guess I'm the minority here. I didn't get it. I agree that it is an excellent system with many cool features but for me I just didn't really want to spend the extra dough for something that didn't thrill me. The car alone with the 6MT was more than enough thrill.

Trust me, I love technology but I am somewhat of a "retro grouch" about video screens and all the potential for distractions they bring into the vehicle. Many will say I don't know what I'm missing but I still have no remorse over not getting it. In fact all of my co-workers (technology types as well) agreed with my choice as did all my family members. Never once have I regretted the choice. I'll certainly have no regrets when I buy a new, Ultegra equipped, carbon-fiber/aluminum road bike (bicycle) next year with the money saved.

If you think you want it then get it. Just don't "talk yourself into it".

 

GET IT!!! I went through the same dilemma and my friends told me to get it! Well, now that I have had it for a year I will never buy another car that does not have a Navi!


It is just great on trips, it actually causes LESS distractions, because you do not have to read a map and or directions. Gives you time, distance, etc...


Bam!!! Right to your hotel, restaurant and to the fair grounds for your Koi Show. No more pulling over and trying to figure out where you are.


Also, going to a new friend’s home? No, no, no Sandi, I don’t need those crazy, cracked out directions, just give me your addy.


The Navi is also integrated with your bluetooth phone … look up Ruby Tuesday's and just press the phone icon to dial for your pick-up or check the wait. The Navi is also a phone book

$2k is well worth it as it adds to the look and value of your car.

Besides, you know you want to get it … just do it, do it … come on, it’ll make ya feel good. ;-)

 

ok...i think that everyone has convinced me to get the navi. I really appreciate everyones opinions. Thanks again.

 

Just had to add this: I was driving from downtown Toronto to where I live to the north, even though I knew the route, although not travelled often, I had the NAV running and at one point it had me turning around an intersection when I had to turn left ahead but I followed the NAV driections which looped me around thru the intersection via a couple of side streets i had never been on, when I was passing thru the intersection I noticed a sign "No Left turns 3-6". It was 4 and the NAV knew I could make the left turn i wanted to so it routed me around.

Truly amazing, I love it.


The added voice control for Vehicle command is great as well, audio, climate, phone etc...

GET IT

 

Just one more...

Just try having the wife or girlfriend read a map and give you the directions. It ain't going to happen. Women can't read the freakin' maps! But they expect you to drive and get there on time! I can try to read the directions myself, but difficult and dangerous at 90mph. Plus the system tells you how far a turn or exit is. No more "Oh sh*t, there's the exit" and you're on the left lane going...90mph.

Wife and I went on a trip recently. This time I didn't do a Mapquest nor looked at a map, I just punched in the address in the Navigation. We got there stress free without any arguing, except when I peeled out...

 

You made the right choice.

 

Get the Navi Krazy Ed, I'm glad I did.

I just got my TL 2 weeks ago. Now, I am the type who loves maps. So I always felt that I had a Navi in my head. But this Navi is so much more than a map. Here are some of the things it's helped me do...

- I was driving around on a Saturday night here in the Chicago area and I was unsure where to go for dinner. I looked at the Navi, asked it to list nearby restaurants and we were able to choose at will. But it got better. With my bluetooth activated, I simply hit a button on my steering wheel, and the restaurant was called. I made my reservation, and we actually took the pager the restaurant gives you while you wait into the car and we listened to music on the XM.

- I LOVE the Calendar feature! So many times I forget to run an errand, especially one on my way to work. Now I set my reminders, so everyday, the first thing I see once the Navi comes up is the reminder! That alone is huge. You can have a Palm Pilot, or even a calendar book, but those can be lost or left at home. The car calendar cannot be missed!

- We had a major traffic snafu here last week, with a bank robber hiding in a house and major streets were blocked. Using the Navi, I was able to take the most unusual side streets (winding with many dead ends - more of a rural suburb) and got through the traffic much better than most. ALWAYS follow the guy in the TL!

- I love how it turns dark at night, I was not expecting that. My dad has a Q45 and his screen is always white and bright. Plus, it's not a touch screen, another bonus of ours. But he does have the bird's eye view that we don't. No big loss.

- Music, XM readouts are nice and big on the screen too.

I love it.

 

I really appreciate all the feedback. I just went and checked them out and I am definitely going to get the navi....makes the interior look better. Now my next choice is to buy a 6 spd or get an automatic. I know everyone will say 6 spd but with my new job I sit in a lot of traffic and dont know if I want to deal with that. I will keep everyone updated!!

 

Just add my 2 cents here, I decided to get it also, picked up my TL a month ago today. Navi came in handy as I was leaving the dealership. I had gotten to the dealership the route I always go, when I left I entered my home address and the Navi routed me in a different direction, saved me 5-10 minutes from my commute home, I was hooked after that.

It is truely a great thing to have. One thing that sometimes ticks me off is if you want to go a different route, it is too bad the Navi can't learn routes, but not a big deal. The time and mileage remaining is also a great feature. I do the split screen which tells me how many miles are left on that particular highway/road.