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Hello to all Acurzine member, for those who new comer to Acurazine. I am one of the few original AZ gang left in the community (as a whole and Houston as a specific region), many members here called me "3G TL maniac" and that is true until this date.
I bought the my first TL-S back in 2012 (took me 5 years) after reading the Honda press release for the 2007 TL Type S back in fall 2006. I was a big fan of the TL since 2000, the 02-03 TL Type S made me droll (the 03 CL-S MT is good but I was never like 2 doors car) however with the announcement of the 2004 TL offer in 6 MT that where I am research more into automotive world. Fast forward another year (2005) I stop by my local Acura dealer to pick up parts for my Legend and I spotted a TL MT with full Aspec kit, Navi, SSM with Ebony interior. I remember sticker price was $40,000 after all the dealer install options and the car sat low to the ground and Aspec kit made it more aggressive.
Fast forward to fall of 2006 when Honda press release article about the 2007 TL offer in Type S trim, what really seal the deal when I saw Speed Channel broadcasting Motor Week review car key on a 2007 TL-S and later actual review of the 2007 TL Type S in KBP and MRP during a snow storm and that made me sad...
I had set my goal to owning one in the future, its all hope and dream because I was working 2 jobs 10-20 hours between Dunkin and Mc Donalds. I am unable to afford a decent used car let alone about dreaming owning one. I remember seeing a lady pull up in the drive through with her new purchase 07 TL-S in Morrocan Red Pearl, MT, Ebony Silver interior with the seats still cover by plastic bag and that was really get me into 3G TL.
3 years later I am still drooling over the Type S when they sat at the dealer lot as CPO and the cheapest price was $29k again way over my budget.....
After multiple career change and work my way up, finally I was able to afford one in 2012. The shopping list was consist of 07-08 G35 sedan, 06-08 IS350, 07-08 GS350, 06-07 335i sedan and TL Type S. I test drove a 335i sedan quickly found out how much hidden cost on the 335i despite it being the fastest car of the segment and the 335i quickly got drop from my list. The G interior is cheap when compare to the 3g TL and BMW so that quickly dropped as well. The Lexus IS350 offer more option and better navi graphic than 3G TL however rear leg room is almost nonexistence, it literally a 4 doors with coup interior. I need rear leg room because I had a new born.
After months of searching every sites on the internet for a Type S (yes I was specific looking for a Type S only) and its quickly become frustrated. The demand was high even being in the used car market. I am getting used to phrase such as "sorry the car is sold" or "we already had a deposit on the car" and all of this happened even before the dealer post any pictures. Three color was come to mind to me was NBP, ASM and KBP. Average used car market was $25k-$27k for a CPO, and $21k-$24k for a non CPO or with higher mileage (75k-86k miles range).
I had contacted several Acura dealership in state of CT to look out for a trade in/ newly arrived from auction.... etc the search was involved in NY, MA, CT, RI, NJ, PA, DE, MD and northern VA. First 3 months was no bueno.... I was travel down to Ramsey Acura in South NJ to purchase a NBP but it turn out one of the Honda dealer just listed a TL-S (again with no picture at all). During the phone conversation the sale rep told me it was a fresh stock they got from Auction and its has not inspected for road worthy inspection. That doesn't stop me from coming down and check the car out.
When I got the the dealer, the car isn't in terrible shape, the previous owner let the interior kinda dirty, but after I waited at the show room floor so they can do "inspection" after that I took for a test drive. The car drive nice, mileage is in exact my goal and price is on point as well. The only down side was the car is AT and the interior is Taupe. But after seeing the MRP chaning it color from dark red to bright red depend on angle that expose to sunlight. I immediate put deposit down and buy the car.
Ultra super fast forward to 2018 I am in the market for another TL. The search criteria this time was MRP or KBP MT with two Ebony/Silver interior, budget as high if the car condition was met my expectation. I offer a really good number for a AZ member but got turn down so finally I settle on a low mileage Base TL.
Earlier this month, I was laying in bed comfy going through Facebook news feed seeing a listing for a KBP MT with Ebony/Silver interior with front and rear Aspec lips, price was competitive in the market and mileage was 131k. I quickly message the seller and asking questions, the seller though I am not serious because I was a out of state. He told me that several people had contacted him for the car and they are all local, this time the excitement wasn't high as I was ready to pull a trigger on a local Ultra Sonic Blue ISF.
Two days later the seller message me back stating the car is still available as couple people low ball him. At this point I offer him one and only one offer, I explain how I come up with this number and my fund is ready to go, other dreamer will struggle to get the car finance because age and mileage. He agreed on pricing and we started to go into detail how this purchase will play out. The car is locate in Kansas City, MO so I have to fly up check the car out then take the seller to local bank do the transaction. After exchanging information and completed the transaction the car will get ship down to Houston, TX. The seller is a nice guy 20 years old kid but doesn't hesitate put money in maintain the car (which is quite rare now these day).
Ok I done with rambling.... The car itself is a 2007 KBP MT with Ebony/ Silver interior, 131,300 miles, originally it was a lease vehicle from NJ, then sold as CPO by Radley Acura in VA. 2nd owner sold to 3rd owner in VA later trade in to a dealer. 4th owner flew to VA purchase the car and bring it back to Kansas City in September 2014. He/she then trade it in to a Jim Norton Toyota dealer in Oklahoma city on September 2018. The 5th owner pick it up until my possession.
Cons
* Dash has 3 cracks one of them is long as the Mississippi river (typical 3G TL problem)
* PS pump leaks
* Driver seat has a hole and someone do a cheap job of patching up.... SMH
* Mechanic who did suspension performed poor job put the C pillar back.
* Cosmetic damage in paint on the passenger front side skirts.
* LCA bushing bursted but not completely gone (every single 3G TL ever)
* Car will need new axles as the owner did clearly stated in his original ads.
* Mismatched user manual, the dealer decide to replaced it with a 06 one lmao.
* Interior will be need some love.
Pros
* 105k services along with oil pump assembly, valve cover gasket resealed at 125k miles back in April 2019 (seller has document of the work)
* Clutch + flywheel and throw out bearing along with lower ball joints replaced on December 2019.
* Car lowered on Tein Stree Advance (i was against this but after test drive the car the damper was good as stock if not better)
* Rear trailing arm for toe adjustment had been replaced as well (super common for car that spend time in winter salt state)
* Seller repainted hood and driver fender (document showed $2500) after his brother backing into his TL.
* Brand new alternator and starter installed on August 2019
* Installation of the front and rear lip is good, no sagging or uneven line showed (document provided as well)
* Zero body rust, I was very cautious about that.
Verdict - the car mechanical speaking is great but the cosmetic and interior will need some love.
These picture was taken by the seller, I will be taking pictures posting before and after once the shipping company delivered. This will be the progress thread that way I can keep track all of my record and maint logs as well. I still pondering how myself now owning two Type S with the two rarest colors ever being offered on TL Type S trim.
Morning fly out from Houston to KC.
Finally secure the key and title for the car, its officially mine
That is the new SouthWest livery also is the plane for me to board back home.
Good ole sweat Htown from the air lmao...
Do you ever wonder what is the different pressure between 40,000 ft and ground level in Houston? The bottle is completely normal at 40k FT, I though it was cool to see how much it got squeezed.
No real major update yet, its had been a busy week for me and the shitty weather didnt help either. However i got a chance to do a total wipe down on the interior. There was fine dust everywhere, even on the headliner.
I just did some leatherique treatment on the interior not to make them looks nice but stopping the crack from getting rips larger. I will have to redo the interior to my standard. Dash will eventually get replace as well, the car is super dirty from being shipped on a open carrier. I will be posting picture after a nice clean wash.
here are some picture taken prior the car being ship and the after it arrived in Houston.
The current keys crisis.
1st fill up in Houston right after it got unloaded from shipping truck
Not perfect interior but it still beat most car currently offered on the market.
Leatherique treatment, thanks SockR1
Since the dash already develop cracks, I want to see if leatherique has any impact on slowing the dash from develop any additional cracks. I tried 303 and that didn't stop the dash from develop further cracks.
KBP and MRP in one picture.
HFL unit and rear Carbon Fiber trim accessory, FIY there are only 9 pcs left in stock.
Last edited by truonghthe; 03-05-2020 at 08:22 AM.
congrats, my friend...
good shit!
you make me look like I DON'T have a problem.
If you love driving and maintaining this one more
than the rest, are you planning to thin the herd?
Just curious. Not mad or anything. I bet it's for the back. He likes the back...
lmao the back is all its left...
Originally Posted by gatrhumpy
Where'd you find the CF accessory? Is that the front or back?
its the rear piece that goes onto the rear air vents.
Originally Posted by rockstar143
congrats, my friend...
good shit!
you make me look like I DON'T have a problem.
If you love driving and maintaining this one more
than the rest, are you planning to thin the herd?
Oh the moment I text crab boi picture of KBP he said "you got Rockstart143 problem" lmao, I always wanted a KBP or MRP with two tone seat this one came with a Aspec front and rear so it even better. No financial burden here since I own all of the car in our driveway, BUT its un-necessary extend of $$$. I will be listing the SSM MT and one of the 2 WDP for sale later this month. to free up space and funds. Lets see how bad is my RL previous owner want it back, if I do not like the number then its gonna use as daily drive as intended.
Originally Posted by sockr1
congrats again man! we talk too much outside this forum already but glad to see a progress thread on it.
and you're welcome about leatherique, you know me making others spend money on their TL is what i do best! (cuz i spent so much on mine already)
are you going to get the type s aspec side skirts (need to paint them) to finish the aspec kit?
Talk? you mean your AZ mechanic/ part specialist on duty? I am still awaiting for that PS pump you rebuilt lol.
I bought the Aspec side when I went up Kansas City, its brand new in box lol. The seller happens to own a 08 TL-S as well... eventually it will get painted to KBP, clear 3m wrap the side and install on the car. I need to taking care couple items right now and the side A spec is no where near top of the priority list.
Just some quick update for the weekend, I drop the car off for bad axles replacement (don't worry its not your typical) dealer pricing. Everyone in the dealer service writer/ sale/ part sale and including customer was pouring out the area to checking the car out. Some of them doesn't even know Acura TL has a Type S trim and they didn't know its possible to get a 6 spd MT.
Enjoy some of the progress as I had to work nearly 60 hours this week lol.
oh its all begin with Amazon and Rock Auto lol, i don't even want to look at my bank account statement. For those of you interest what in these package (top to bottom order).
1. MAP sensor (I check the car history code) see Feb this year pop up a P0108 which indicate MAP sensor reading high. OEM sensor is $75 vs Rock auto DENSO (OEM) for $52.
2. GM Synchromesh, but this is my fuck up for not reading the description. I mistakenly purchase the regular one instead of "Friction Modified" (I got that sort out quick and got the FM fluid today)
3. Half shaft assembly along with deeez axles nuts (I almost forgot about them).
all bushings for lower control arm along with front sway bar end links. Front plate bracket mounting, I bought that because some people here in Houston love to use it as their personal "parking sensor". MT MRP got back into several time and these bracket save the front bumper big time. hint the 2 screw instead of 2 screws lol.
Would you look at DEEEZ NUTS?
Kirkland microfiber towel "WAS" new, after one round of wiping down the KBP interior after Leatherique treatment. This is after rinse couple time with clean water lol.
Front Aspec and side Aspec, I will be send the side out to paint match the KBP TL.
pairs of axle, this is the part number for MT TL-S
Front seat after wiping down and clean with water, what a differences.... the leather is softer and more smooth. I definitely recommended this to any TL enthusiast and THANKS to Sockr1.
rear seat after the treatment, yes I will address some of these interior issues later.
Replace the old worn shift knob with new OEM one (the left is from 3G TL and the right one is for 4G TL) the only difference was stitching and price. 3g ($95) vs 4g ($72)
This is my 6th USA spec and 5th BT45-ACU unit lol, its a best $145 investment. I would highly recommended.
My son decide to helps me with the HFL replacement, after chatting with PO. He told me the HFL still works when he unplug it as he didn't want it to drain the car battery, I pulled the unit and behold its already got replaced once sometime back in 2012.
Yes i did replace it with another HFL that manufacture on July 29 2019, and they did upgrade the version and revision some time back in 2017. Hopefully no more death HFL as mine MRP still work after the 1st replacement back in 2014.
I brought the car to the dealership for service, people that work there and customer was coming out and checking on this 14 years old car lol. It just happened that they have another customer TLX Aspec right next to it. He also drool all over the Type S.
Valet parking guy who working at the dealer was dying to move the car to the back lot, little did he knows.... I had asked my former advisor (now service manager) to move the car for me. I still remember his disappointment when the service manager shout "Don't move it, I will be moving it" after pull the car into the back lot the locked the key in his draw lol.
The funny part when you see their face seeing a KBP with 3 pedals... the reaction were "OMG its a KBP yo" other guy "hey its a 6spd" another guy "I never seen a Type S" or "what does this blue color called?"
The woman in this picture is my current service advisor.
its pollen season here in Houston so don't mind the dirty SSM. I got a new ceiling light bulb and want to test out the before and after light output. I washed the MRP last weekend and didn't drive it since.
Next up for the KBP is full interior vacuuming, new carpet floor mats and transfer the OEM rubber mat from the SSM over. That OEM rubber mats is serving the 3rd TL with 3 pedals now as previously I snatch it from evilvirus here in Htown.
congrats on another pick-up truong. This thing is a beauty!
Amazing what a little TLC can accomplish.
When you get a minute, please link me the place where you bought the leatherique.
Currently I'm comparing prices, as I'm in Canada and want to get the treatment done as soon as the weather warms up here.
congrats on another pick-up truong. This thing is a beauty!
Amazing what a little TLC can accomplish.
When you get a minute, please link me the place where you bought the leatherique.
Currently I'm comparing prices, as I'm in Canada and want to get the treatment done as soon as the weather warms up here.
autogeek dot net always has sales you can get it for 25% off unless you’re ballin like OP lol
congrats on another pick-up truong. This thing is a beauty!
Amazing what a little TLC can accomplish.
When you get a minute, please link me the place where you bought the leatherique.
Currently I'm comparing prices, as I'm in Canada and want to get the treatment done as soon as the weather warms up here.
I had been busy lately, I just working on the car here and there when I have time. I do find a lot of mechanic special BS on this car, I mean common this thing service at the either at the dealer or reputable performance shop. My dealer mechanic had a fair share of this experience with me lmao, he called me and said "I see a lot of DIY on this car".
I then show him all the records for the work performed he was really pissed, stated I wouldn't let these guy doing oil change lol.
1st mod for every single TL lol.
5 hours of washing all the salt underneath the car/ engine bay/ trunk and door jams. I have to say that this car is no longer has salt on it and it will never see it again.
Door jams came out perfect, I am sure Rockstar143 understand the time consume process.
Call me Thanos 3g TLs
don't mind the messy garage lol
I am still dumbfounded how did I ended up owning 2 rarest Type S color? originally I just wanted NBP Type S.
The rest of the driveway lol
That ugly ass yellow has to go lol.
Super bright LED for back up camera....
every single TL essential items that typically goes bad, I had extra stock. 4 of each parts lol
1. Radiator reservoir cap
2. Radiator cap
3. A/C compressor relay
The A/C compressor relay ($12) is the gray one between two magenta relay, if anyone is wonder the exact location. Honda/ Acura will typical having the A/C stop working, replace this first before replacing your compressor. If this relay stuck opened it can also drain your battery over night.
Brake fluid is dark but I will be rebuilt front and rear caliper so that fluid will get a flush anyway.
I can CERTAINLY appreciate all that!
Awesome, dude...what a great feeling.
I'm shocked at how well these things hold up to having seen winters up North.
Once you clean them up, you literally can't tell.
Ok I thought I was nuts with 3 3rd Gens, 2 of them KBP. Why have so many of same vehicle? Celebrate diversity man and mix up the fleet a little bit.
congrats on making it to the KBP mafia!
Its a long and complicate story....
Originally I wanted just the Type S MT but with a new born (back then) I can't have that mentality "must be 6spd", my wife didn't know how to drive MT. The MRP is the most reliable vehicle I ever owned up to that point in term of mechanical so I settle for a TL-S AT (I actually miss out on a same year/mileage/price TL-S MT NBP full Aspec). I always wanted a KBP because I had seen them in person when the car was NEW->CPO-> USED car market and it always teasing me lol.
For awhile I did own some Lexus products, IS300, GS300, (drove some GS350, LS430, LS460) depsite being RWD and more luxury and the badge has more prestige than Acura but I still don't like the way they are handle (too soft). I was gonna pulling a trigger on a 2010 ISF Ultra Sonic Blue a day prior seeing this KBP. But after seeing the car has A-Spec front and rear along with decent maintenance records and price was right as well.
I missed a chance to own a KBP MT 2 years ago and only later found out another forum member had been 15 mins quicker reach to the seller (the car was in Greenboro NC) 07 KBP MT 147k miles listed for $7600.
I then offer another forum member for his "slightly mod that looks almost exact as this KBP" KBP MT at premium price (BAT price) but he decided to keep the car so the MT hunts continue. The dilemma of my search was that I wanted a specified color combo (KBP/MRP Type S, MT, Two tone seat) the condition must be matching with asking price. 3 months passed and I see nothing even worth $10k and i don't even care the other color combo.
I picked up the SSM by accident as its too cheap to be true, 3 owners, 1 accident (the damage still there, not bad at all), dash not yet cracked, cup holder lit still function, no rip on seat and MT. The PO didn't know that I already pulled all the records that performed on the car through my Acura dealer. The 2nd owner replaced the dash, center console, rack and pinion, PS pump and rear main seal through extended warranty.
Originally Posted by rockstar143
I can CERTAINLY appreciate all that!
Awesome, dude...what a great feeling.
I'm shocked at how well these things hold up to having seen winters up North.
Once you clean them up, you literally can't tell.
I am shocked to see the minimal amount of rust on the car and under the car after spending entire life in the salt and winter state. Well no more salt for the KBP, just like your KBP , you bought the car from Illinois right? so I am sure you can related what "winter" damage could do to a car. I am originally from Connecticut so for this KBP I knew where is the "weak" spot for Honda usual rust, thanks god its only have surface rust.
Quick update...
Front axles along with half shaft assembly had been replaced, LCA bushing and front sway bar endlinks. NO MORE SHAKING during acceleration, the car feels solid in term of handling, I have to addresses more "getho mechanic special" sometime next week and I will be giving you guy update.
Last edited by truonghthe; 03-16-2020 at 07:32 PM.
I found amazing ghetto mechanic stuff on my old E36 coupe: dryer vent tape on the intake filter box, drywall screws through sheetmetal, zip ties on head coolant hoses. Mismatched and stripped hardware everywhere! I always pictured some thick-headed young guy working on the car in a dirt alley next to a scrapyard he pilfers from, with only a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. Oh, and some JB weld for the broken valve cover.
Ohio for me...and before that, I don't recall.
I love your passion...
If I remember correctly JJH bought the car around Kansas.
Thanks, your KBP and a few more is what drive me to want to own a KBP MT. Its actually quite nice since this already have the front and rear A-spec lip.
Last edited by truonghthe; 03-18-2020 at 07:00 AM.
by my calculations...
that's about 15 permutations and combinations
I was in LOVE with the 2G back in the day...kidding me...
but once I grew to appreciate the shape of the 3G...shit...
there was no looking back.
I found amazing ghetto mechanic stuff on my old E36 coupe: dryer vent tape on the intake filter box, drywall screws through sheetmetal, zip ties on head coolant hoses. Mismatched and stripped hardware everywhere! I always pictured some thick-headed young guy working on the car in a dirt alley next to a scrapyard he pilfers from, with only a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. Oh, and some JB weld for the broken valve cover.
ouch, the problem with mine is the PO paid premium for top service, he still got getho mechanic tho
02-26-2020, 03:03 PM
My KBP BS thread, I just did WHAT???????
lol
