M.I.N.O.'s progress thread
12-02-2012, 12:03 PM
#41
More updates
Repainted the red callipers to a gloss black (don't know what I was thinking when I painted them red 
)
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Supercomputers door sills. Took me FOREVER to get these but well worth it:
Supercomputers pedals:
04-06 nav to 07-08 nav conversion. Finally have MP3/WMA, XM radio and iPod interface in my TL, which were all features I could not get with 04 radio/nav system that came with the car. Very pleased with the setup:
Backup camera included:
That's it for now. The car now sits at 47K miles and more importantly, was paid off a few months ago. Had a chance to buy a KBP 6-speed type-S but was sold by the time I got to the dealer so I guess it was not meant to be. I already have enough cash saved up for the next car, but unsure of what to get so I'll probably hold on to it for a while. All the maintenance is up to date and I still enjoy driving it so might as well keep it until I decide on the next ride.
Thanks for looking!
)BEFORE:
AFTER:
Supercomputers door sills. Took me FOREVER to get these but well worth it:
Supercomputers pedals:
04-06 nav to 07-08 nav conversion. Finally have MP3/WMA, XM radio and iPod interface in my TL, which were all features I could not get with 04 radio/nav system that came with the car. Very pleased with the setup:
Backup camera included:
That's it for now. The car now sits at 47K miles and more importantly, was paid off a few months ago. Had a chance to buy a KBP 6-speed type-S but was sold by the time I got to the dealer so I guess it was not meant to be. I already have enough cash saved up for the next car, but unsure of what to get so I'll probably hold on to it for a while. All the maintenance is up to date and I still enjoy driving it so might as well keep it until I decide on the next ride.
Thanks for looking!
12-02-2012, 09:14 PM
#42
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Wow MINO-you've been busy! I liked the red calipers myself.....
Sorry about the Type S. Save your money-you'll find another one!
Sorry about the Type S. Save your money-you'll find another one!
12-03-2012, 06:53 PM
#43
Thanks Steven! I have nothing against red callipers, but the stock ones are kinda ugly, and the red just made them look worse. You have the Brembos which look great in red, so I'll have to upgrade my brakes or upgrade my ride altogether to get the same look lol.
Hey Steven, think I can get the thread title changed to M.I.N.O.'s progress thread? Not really an intro anymore, I've been on Azine for a minute lol.
Hey Steven, think I can get the thread title changed to M.I.N.O.'s progress thread? Not really an intro anymore, I've been on Azine for a minute lol.
12-03-2012, 08:15 PM
#44
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^^^ Done, my friend!
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M.I.N.O. (12-03-2012)
05-18-2013, 06:00 PM
#45
A couple of updates:
The A-specs were pretty beat up so I had them painted gunmetal. They came out pretty good and I'm quite pleased with them. I'll post some more pics later.
Also got some Acura license plate screws (inspired by Steven Bell). Not much of a mod i know
, but I still think they're nicer than the plain screws.
That's it for now, other than some basic maintenance stuff that was done. The car now sits at 51K miles. Still debating whether I should keep it or not. I found an 08 KBP 6MT TL-S with 52K miles, but the seller wants $27K for it. As much as I want the car I can't justify paying that much for it. Also, my employer is sending me to work in the Middle East for the next 2-3 years (probably split between Dubai and Saudi Arabia), but I have the option of shipping a car with me or purchasing one when I get over there so here are my options:
1)Keep the 04 TL and ship it overseas (The cheapest option since it's paid for and my employer is paying for the shipping and will pay for the return shipping if I decide to bring it back. However there may be some additional delays with customs since there are certain restrictions against importing a car that is more than 5 years old, so my car may be held for some time before I get to drive it).
2)Sell the 04, try to negotiate the selling price of the KBP TL-S and ship that car abroad (not sure what would be considered a fair price for it but I know $27K is too high).
3)Sell the 04, purchase a late-model SUV and ship it abroad (SUVs rule the road in this part of the world, and on some roads SUVs will eat cars for lunch. I would also be able to do some off-road excursions depending on which SUV I buy).
4)Sell the 04 and buy a car once I get to the Middle East (the only downside to this option is that I would have to sell it before the end of my work assignment, as cars in the Middle East do not meet North American specifications so I can't bring it back with me, and I would have to sell it in order to be permitted to leave the country, which could mean selling it at a significant loss if I don't find a buyer.
So, any advice on what I should do? I already had a healthy budget for another car (08 TL-S, '10-11 Audi S4 and S6 were on the list), and since I won't have to pay for food or shelter for the next 2-3 years this will allow me to save up more money for the car fund and I can treat myself to a better car when I come back.
The A-specs were pretty beat up so I had them painted gunmetal. They came out pretty good and I'm quite pleased with them. I'll post some more pics later.
Also got some Acura license plate screws (inspired by Steven Bell). Not much of a mod i know
, but I still think they're nicer than the plain screws.
That's it for now, other than some basic maintenance stuff that was done. The car now sits at 51K miles. Still debating whether I should keep it or not. I found an 08 KBP 6MT TL-S with 52K miles, but the seller wants $27K for it. As much as I want the car I can't justify paying that much for it. Also, my employer is sending me to work in the Middle East for the next 2-3 years (probably split between Dubai and Saudi Arabia), but I have the option of shipping a car with me or purchasing one when I get over there so here are my options:
1)Keep the 04 TL and ship it overseas (The cheapest option since it's paid for and my employer is paying for the shipping and will pay for the return shipping if I decide to bring it back. However there may be some additional delays with customs since there are certain restrictions against importing a car that is more than 5 years old, so my car may be held for some time before I get to drive it).
2)Sell the 04, try to negotiate the selling price of the KBP TL-S and ship that car abroad (not sure what would be considered a fair price for it but I know $27K is too high).
3)Sell the 04, purchase a late-model SUV and ship it abroad (SUVs rule the road in this part of the world, and on some roads SUVs will eat cars for lunch. I would also be able to do some off-road excursions depending on which SUV I buy).
4)Sell the 04 and buy a car once I get to the Middle East (the only downside to this option is that I would have to sell it before the end of my work assignment, as cars in the Middle East do not meet North American specifications so I can't bring it back with me, and I would have to sell it in order to be permitted to leave the country, which could mean selling it at a significant loss if I don't find a buyer.
So, any advice on what I should do? I already had a healthy budget for another car (08 TL-S, '10-11 Audi S4 and S6 were on the list), and since I won't have to pay for food or shelter for the next 2-3 years this will allow me to save up more money for the car fund and I can treat myself to a better car when I come back.
05-19-2013, 09:25 AM
#48
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Gunmetal ftw 
Keep the car and ship it overseas for work. Drive it, get your moneys worth out of it, and sell it when you're back to get that S4
Keep the car and ship it overseas for work. Drive it, get your moneys worth out of it, and sell it when you're back to get that S4
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M.I.N.O. (05-20-2013)
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M.I.N.O. (05-20-2013)
05-19-2013, 10:27 PM
#50
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MINO, the Aspecs look great. Glad to be a little inspiration too.
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M.I.N.O. (05-20-2013)
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M.I.N.O. (05-20-2013)
06-02-2013, 09:46 AM
#53
Just found out from my boss that I can't ship my car overseas, because the country I'm moving to doesn't allow the import of cars that are more that 4 years old...FML....
Soon up for sale in the BM...so pissed off, but at least I get to go car shopping.
Soon up for sale in the BM...so pissed off, but at least I get to go car shopping.
06-02-2013, 07:21 PM
#55
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Buddy, sorry to hear you can't take it. What country are you moving to?
06-04-2013, 07:05 PM
#56
The Middle East (visiting several countries in the region during my assignment). My boss said I could possibly take it, but some countries in that region force you to pay excessive duties and customs fees to import older cars, and they hold my car for several weeks/months going through inspections, before I get to drive it. It's not worth the hassle so I'll just sell it, as long as I can get a fair price for it.
07-13-2013, 08:18 AM
#57
Newest member of the UA7 club
Update.
Since I'm no longer permitted to ship my 04 TL overseas, had to go shopping for a new car, the main criteria being that the car had to be 5 years old or less, to allow import into some Middle East countries.
I test drove several cars:
2009 Lexus IS250: too small and lacking in power
2010 Infiniti G37: Nice drive but also smaller than my TL, didn't like the interior colour, asking price was too high
Was also looking for an Audi S4 but couldn't find one in the color combo that I wanted.
Then I thought to continue my efforts in the search on an 08 TL type-S. Couldn't find one in Montreal at a reasonable price so decided to expand my search, and found an 08 WDP TL type-S with 40K miles at Acura of Oakville, near Toronto. Sent a friend of mine to the dealer to check it out and he said it looked good. Put a deposit on it the very same day. Paid 22K out the door. Found a cheap flight to Toronto to pick it up, and drove it 6 hours back to Montreal. So that's my story. As much as I tried, I couldn't see myself driving anything else than a TL. Would have preferred a KBP one but very happy with my WDP.
A couple of pics of the car:
When I picked her up at the dealership:
After the long drive home:
Sorry, no pics of the car with a side of bacon and stick of butter...You'll have to take my word for it.
A huge thanks to Acura of Oakville for making the purchase of the vehicle go as smooth as possible. They even picked me up at the airport and filed all the paperwork necessary for me to drive the car back to Montreal. Exemplary customer service.
Now all I have to do is take all the goodies off the 04 and slap them on the 08. A-spec kit has also been ordered and on the way (thx Bruce).
The 04 will soon be up for sale in the BM.
More pics to come after I slap all the goodies on the new car.
Now just wondering if I make a new progress thread or change the title of this one to "Type-S upgrade" or something like that. Thoughts?
Since I'm no longer permitted to ship my 04 TL overseas, had to go shopping for a new car, the main criteria being that the car had to be 5 years old or less, to allow import into some Middle East countries.
I test drove several cars:
2009 Lexus IS250: too small and lacking in power
2010 Infiniti G37: Nice drive but also smaller than my TL, didn't like the interior colour, asking price was too high
Was also looking for an Audi S4 but couldn't find one in the color combo that I wanted.
Then I thought to continue my efforts in the search on an 08 TL type-S. Couldn't find one in Montreal at a reasonable price so decided to expand my search, and found an 08 WDP TL type-S with 40K miles at Acura of Oakville, near Toronto. Sent a friend of mine to the dealer to check it out and he said it looked good. Put a deposit on it the very same day. Paid 22K out the door. Found a cheap flight to Toronto to pick it up, and drove it 6 hours back to Montreal. So that's my story. As much as I tried, I couldn't see myself driving anything else than a TL. Would have preferred a KBP one but very happy with my WDP.
A couple of pics of the car:
When I picked her up at the dealership:
After the long drive home:
Sorry, no pics of the car with a side of bacon and stick of butter...You'll have to take my word for it.
A huge thanks to Acura of Oakville for making the purchase of the vehicle go as smooth as possible. They even picked me up at the airport and filed all the paperwork necessary for me to drive the car back to Montreal. Exemplary customer service.
Now all I have to do is take all the goodies off the 04 and slap them on the 08. A-spec kit has also been ordered and on the way (thx Bruce).
The 04 will soon be up for sale in the BM.
More pics to come after I slap all the goodies on the new car.
Now just wondering if I make a new progress thread or change the title of this one to "Type-S upgrade" or something like that. Thoughts?
Last edited by M.I.N.O.; 07-13-2013 at 08:21 AM.
07-13-2013, 08:21 AM
#58
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Wow, congrats! 
WDP is so clean!
WDP is so clean!
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M.I.N.O. (07-13-2013)
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M.I.N.O. (07-13-2013)
07-13-2013, 03:12 PM
#61
Burning Brakes
very nice upgrade! congrats!
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M.I.N.O. (07-13-2013)
07-13-2013, 09:59 PM
#62
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Congrats MINO! Be sure to join our Type S Social Group from the link below my signature.
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M.I.N.O. (07-14-2013)
07-14-2013, 12:45 PM
#64
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07-28-2013, 03:48 PM
#65
Small updates
Finally received the A-spec body kit from Bruce and installed it this week along with the A-spec M/T suspension and A-spec wheels. Really loving the look of the car with the new kit. Only thing left to do is install my window visors.
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