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Old May 3, 2012 | 08:56 PM
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Progress Thread



Hello Acuraziners,

Actually not a new member. Following the site since two years, signed-up last month.
Personally don’t like the “New Member” posts without pictures, so I waited to organize my pictures.

I am from Istanbul. Moved to Boston/MA from Istanbul/Turkey in 2001. Currently student at Wentworth Institute of Technology / Civil Engineer.

I was inter at some company, tomorrow is my last day. Next week summer classes begin. Back to school. Anyways..
Yesterday 5/2/2012 car finally became 100,000
In 28 days, 5/30/2012…TL will 6 years old


Here are the things I did to it, most of the rest you’ll see on pictures

Stage II - Magnaflow Resonator, Straight Mid-Pipe
Trunk Lip
07-08 Alabaster Metallic Splash Guards
License, Trunk, Doors, Reading, Glove Box, Armrest - 12 LED Cool White…Superbrightleds
Allseason Floor Mats
Trunk Tray
S2000 Shift Knob
RHO-License Plate
Sylvania SilverStar zXe Fog Bulbs

Here are the problems it gave. I’m copying it from what I wrote to another thread

Since 2006 regular maintance from Acura, whenever the light goes on
Sent navigation to Alpine to get it fixed like last month
Around 10 of the bulbs replaced on the dashboard and around...last month
Two side mirrors were getting stuck on Reverse gear. Replaced the motor or something. (Warranty covers)
Replaced, O ring, that crazy sound in cold start.
Driver seat rail moves when you brake or accel. but smart service guys can't feel it.

Last week, had a flat tire, first time since 6 years. I was at the dealer for a RSX to my friend, just told them to fix the flat tire ($20); they said that I need a brand new one. I took my tire back, and checked it. They tried to insert some plastic to fix it but it was something that I never seen before, and wasn't working since they said I need new tire.
I just left and got a plug (the one you normally use, long brown one) and now tire runs perfectly. Well done service… well done

Today I was there again, my Bluetooth wasn't working. They said I need a new unit for the Bluetooth. $201. I just said forget it. I never used it. If it was like my dad’s old 2009 RL's which plays music with Bluetooth, then okay but...

And of course rattles everywhere, you get used to it but when you drive an 2012 loan TL, when the car is in service, then you are just like “what am I driving”

===

I like the red taillight and the exhaust tip, that’s why I don’t want to change them. I never like the 07-08 base model. Those rims are just not right. Also I don’t like its mirrors. Ours is like perfectly match with our cars body, its rectangle shaped and sharp edges. 07-08… it’s like fat, round edges… like Lexus IS

I just love this model. Especially A-Spec body and rims. Rear splash guards totally changed the look of the car from rear. Sits perfect on the road from the rear. Just like what I want.

I would get ATLP Base exhaust. Like the sound better than XLR8 and also the tips I like (since similar to stock), but they look perfect with A-Spec bumper, not with stock. I am not that sad not having it because of money…but still like planning on what would I get…
Also Intake with Stage II exhaust still perfect to me.

Next Mods

J-Pipe / RV6 V3 or will wait till the ATLP V2R. But not right now.

Unique Style Racing Pedals / They arrived but didn’t see them yet. They are in my hose in Boston. Roommate picked them up. I am in Woburn with parent. Because work was closer here.
Will move back again this weekend.

Pictures are from parent’s house. (Place I usually clean the car)

A-Spec Front Lip and 6MT RSB / I ordered these from Vendor but still waiting for invoice or something.
I like the rear with splash guards…but front is always missing something. That’s why I finally ordered front lip. Also after adding the front splash guards, I didn’t like they are lower than the front bumper…that’s another reason.

I will add the pictures I just took this evening…
Next post will be pictures from 6 years. 300+ pictures.
We could say progress thread but I didn’t play with the car too much. I don’t know what the call this thread but I will post everything here. Mostly random pictures

Currently;

Dad has 11’ FX35…Bought new last summer. Ext White, Int Brick
Mom has 07’ MDX Tech… Bought new. Ext Red, Int Beige (yellow one, IDK what they called)

Later on I will continue to talk about the past…cars of course
Also some from Europe

The only thing I hate about my car is and really really hate!!! Is being AT.
I started driving stick when I was 12… with a 1980’ car that… nah I’ll show you guys some random pictures from online haha I remember I couldn’t open that cars doors with one hand… think about the clutch or pedals

We got the car brand new but dad got it for himself, that’s why AT. Anyways those are long stories for later…



























































Dad brought the MDX to the service yesterday, still there...
Has a silver 11' MDX as a loan. He is like.. the car is 8k and has a whining noise from the tranny even on 75mph..

Last edited by MEKO; May 3, 2012 at 09:01 PM.
Old May 3, 2012 | 09:02 PM
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Great shots and well documented.
Old May 3, 2012 | 09:05 PM
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Looks good but get rid of the red stripe around the front grill.
Old May 3, 2012 | 09:08 PM
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Originally Posted by mY sLOW UA6
Looks good but get rid of the red stripe around the front grill.
I thought about it today... will remove it and redo the plasti dip and extend it to the gray part of the grille...back of the red stripe
But Boston is still cold... rained last 2 days...today was 48F
Waiting for summer to come back and then do it
Old May 3, 2012 | 09:41 PM
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I like the red pinstripe on the grill. I've got it too. I also have it on the lower rear grill.
Old May 3, 2012 | 10:14 PM
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Yes sir.. I saw yours. I looks perfect since it's a Type-S.
I tried to use a blue one on the front grill but fell off... and could't fint the exact same one as the red one in blue...

I will keep it as it is right now... matches with the license plate and backlights...
If I'll redo the plasti-dip... then I'll see
Old May 3, 2012 | 10:17 PM
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Just keep the red trim theme going and you'll be fine.
Old May 3, 2012 | 10:21 PM
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I forgot about this







I took it off once, but then the middle speedometer looked same size as the other ones... but with this it look bigger...stays out more than the other ones
And I like it...
That's why I kept it there.
Old May 3, 2012 | 10:24 PM
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You might consider doing the other 2....
Old May 3, 2012 | 10:35 PM
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What'd you use?
Old May 3, 2012 | 10:42 PM
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^Red stripe?
It's the one in Autozone. I don't know if this store is around the states or just here...
Then I ordered some other stripes from Amazon... blue ones
Couldn't get them stick on any of the surface of the car
Old May 3, 2012 | 10:54 PM
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Continued with the TL

These were Ebay LEDs back then in 2007. More bluish


























































































Old May 3, 2012 | 11:07 PM
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From: Boston
















































































My house in Boston











That seconds... when you turn off the car... speedometer lights. Looks too good









Old May 3, 2012 | 11:28 PM
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Looks good but needs moar progress! Also, manual shifter knob on an auto? Really dude?
Old May 3, 2012 | 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by MEKO



Haha, that's my old stomping grounds! (Just moved to California after finishing up grad school at MIT last June). Isn't Wentworth down on Huntington by Northeastern and MassArt?
Old May 3, 2012 | 11:57 PM
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^ Exactly...
Left of NU, front of MassArt
And after I finish the school, I am thinking of moving to CA as well haha
Old May 3, 2012 | 11:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Undying Dreams
Looks good but needs moar progress! Also, manual shifter knob on an auto? Really dude?
Yeah agree...
Knob.. I did find one that had no MT on it but nothing is like that S2000. Finish is perfect.
Anyways I took it off. I like the stock one being small on the top area...
Old May 4, 2012 | 11:30 AM
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Lunch break!!!
+ Last day at work... well inter

Forget food... back with TL



























































































At Cadillac... getting a car for dad's limo company








Last edited by MEKO; May 4, 2012 at 11:32 AM.
Old May 4, 2012 | 12:29 PM
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a lot of pictures, not a lot of progress.
Old May 4, 2012 | 12:44 PM
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if you're browsing acurazine on your smart phone, with no wifi...don't click on this thread.

oh, dat shift knob.
Old May 4, 2012 | 01:11 PM
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I thought there were no bad pictures.
Pictures are always good.

I am probably the only one that this Acurazine couldn't empty the pockets.
Because they are empty.
I said it, I can't do crazy mods. Mines are little details that makes me happy.

I thought about the title but could't figure out something else.
Of course I don't want to mislead anyone... clicking a progress thread and can't see any progress.

Mr. Bell help on the title

MEKO's life. (don't click if you're on mobile)
Old May 4, 2012 | 01:34 PM
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This shot is



A lot of pictures with little progress > no pictures with tons of modz

Keep it up!
Old May 4, 2012 | 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Phambam12
a lot of pictures, not a lot of progress.
Old May 4, 2012 | 09:33 PM
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Nice TL
A-Spec body kit bro
Old May 4, 2012 | 09:48 PM
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can you post more pictures?

I don't think I've seen enough
Old May 4, 2012 | 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted by guitarplayer16
can you post more pictures?

I don't think I've seen enough
Lmao, MOAR PICS!!!
Old May 4, 2012 | 10:20 PM
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Didn't need that snow flashback.....
Old May 4, 2012 | 11:39 PM
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Sorry just came home...
That was exactly half pictures of the TL....150 more to go
Then rest of the Acuras will come... then other brands.... blah blah

Anyways...
kind of tired... friday nigts.
I will upload them but before that, what happend whenI was coming at home.

2008 Blue VW R32 - 3.2 V6 Engine - 250 HP

I always thought this car would take my TL but I was wrong.
Took the ramp from I-93 to I-95...
Right when I got on to 95, this R32 floored it and passed from my left.
Of course went behind him.

He saw that I was coming right to his ass, he passed to the middle lane.
I dropped to the 3rd gear... mine is AT
Went right beside him....we were at 60 or 65 mph...
floored it at the same time

He could't even pass me for a second...
As the speed went up he felt way more behind
I went up to 130
He stopped around 120...

Then I had to take the exit.

It was a straight run...and clean new asphalt.
I was suprised actually... that small V6

I like the straight runs because I see what car could do.

When I am coming from work I usually see Maxima 3.5 or Altima SE
Never were able to pass me in a light trafic after work... never did
but that's the gap you take and leave them behin... can't compare the cars.

That's why love to do straight runs.
Once did with a 535 till 120ish, it was totaly head to head. Was suprised againg but probably because of its weight.

Pictures will continue after 30 min or so
Old May 4, 2012 | 11:49 PM
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Ordered the front A-Spec lip... will use it with the splash guards but I know after a month I am not going to be able to stop myself from getting the rear and side...

Grabbed the pedals from my house in Boston, I will install them tomorrow.

I belive those are the last snow pictures, kind of got mixed
Old May 5, 2012 | 09:41 AM
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Parents off to NY for the weekend.
Grandmother was here for a visit.. has a flight tomorrow from JFK Airport

Dad usually doesn't want to drive the MDX in those beautifullllll roads of NY We use the MDX normally to NY or somewhere but when there is many luggages, it becomes the excuse to rent a car...





Last edited by MEKO; May 5, 2012 at 09:47 AM.
Old May 5, 2012 | 09:59 AM
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You can't use the splash guards with the A-Spec kit.
Old May 5, 2012 | 10:01 AM
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These were the first pictures after leaving the last day of my inter.
Can't see my face but I was smiling..
Boss told me to work with them after I graduate...

First inter and one job in the pocket..





This was for the thread... where you park your car when at work




This was also yesterday... took the loan back to get the MDX
Belive it or not but this car is fast...3.7 300HP same as our old RL but this is way faster I don't know how.
I asked my dad also, and he was suprised as well.
Even felt faster than the 4G TL AWD

60 to 100... omg can't feel the car getting stuck...just goes
6AT

0 to 50 is kind of slow heavy but after like 40 50 it's crazy.









I liked the white speedometer more than our blue ones...



Also... I like the new RDX as well...
Rear is perfect..sits right on the road.
Front...ehhh but still good.
Interior is new gen.
Good thing is it's like 3.5L or something and MPG is 20 or 21 I forgot.
Reason they took of the turbo is because of giving low MPG... they said

Plus it's now sh-awd anymore... just awd
So the car could be lighter

Last edited by MEKO; May 5, 2012 at 10:16 AM.
Old May 5, 2012 | 10:03 AM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by Undying Dreams
You can't use the splash guards with the A-Spec kit.
Yeah I know. I just ordered the front A-Spec lip... will use it with the splash guards now...
Later on after making some money this summer, I'll probably get the side and rear A-Spec
Old May 5, 2012 | 10:21 AM
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Nice good plans.
Old May 5, 2012 | 12:48 PM
  #35  
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From: Boston




















































Plasti dip... ddn't like it and the reason was; since it's black, it doesn't stand out. I don't like the stock look of the trunk from rear... it's just not finished to me. It looked like there was no lip...so













Those new fog bulbs...













Feeding them with pizza ... dad pizza store















Brother's house at Harvard... but goes to Boston Uni. - School of management.
Waste of 40000 every year




Front of the Pizza... with 5 people in TL





To Vermont or NH.. don't remember
3 hrs north of Boston.
At that time there was like a rally race or something in that area... in 4-5 days Vacation.
We saw at least 300 Subaru Impreza...
Not at the same time...
They were just around
















































Boston Common













































Stage II
I did drove with Stage I exhaust for a month or so but don't preffer it to anyone. It doesn't make the car loud enough.. no way near G35




This is back of our Pizza Store... yes I did many deliviries with this car.. I mean when they needed help. Never actually took hours for delivery at the store



































This was a long story that didn't work out... when I got the AEM dryflow...
Currently I extended the angeled blue K&N pipe you guys saw on previous pictures and added the AEM filter...
Exxtended it all the way to the end...body of the car...
and using the resonator pipe to get air...not opening the engine cover and blah blah






This wasn't working because front cap was almost aiming to the pipe where air comes in. And no way I am getting spectra...



Splash guards









Why it got yellow? don't ask... you prob know haha





After fueling up I usually try to get 50 miles before that needle alligns with the first line









This was when I was watching a bridge...80 miles south of the office.
State told us to add a sidewalk to the brdige because of people crossing it.
I went there 4 days watched the bridge 6 hrs and count how many people passed

Good thing... 160 X 4 = 640 miles

640 X .550 = 352

I got $352 just for gas.
Gas I needed? Around like $100
Rest? in to the pocket

Now money goes to school...
Dad pays it but still it's my last year...come on I want to pay some of my tuition
He is paying 40k for little brother...that too much










I atleast fixed that little crack in the bumper a little bit. I bumped in to a fire hydrant yearsss ago...
was trying to make a u turn in one way street




And finally coming closer to a current date with the pictures... 6 years finished, kind of











Bridge on the left







I bought the bar keepers friend for cleanin the tips but I don't need it much I belive. Never used it but will try tho...













Remote starter + how I hide the fast lane thing... electric tape







I saw couple people using the blind spot with white clear. I got these blue ones from Autozone... and took of the plastic around it. Looks perfect... like the cars in Europe..orginal

















Yes!! to the current date now.

I have to leave now. Not sure if will have time to clean the interior and install the pedals today but I will try.


Hope you enjoy... and deffinatly take a Vacation to north NH or Vermont or Maine...
I will start to pictures of other cars we had and rest...
Not many... like 50 or something

Last edited by MEKO; May 5, 2012 at 12:55 PM.
Old May 5, 2012 | 01:08 PM
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Old May 5, 2012 | 05:43 PM
  #37  
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Old May 6, 2012 | 08:29 PM
  #38  
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Installed the pedals + pictures from today





















Used the bar keepers friedn on the FX for the exhaust



































Using dad old 09 RL's... matches interior







I used this on the body of dads old E320...that was the last time.
Takes much time. On TL I use it on the headlights after cleaning. Gives shine to the glass




Old May 12, 2012 | 11:45 AM
  #39  
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Front A-Spec lip and 6MT 20mm RSB, came yesterday to my house in Boston. Today at Woburn I installed the A-Spec.

I just fell in love once again... I wasn't expecting that much difference. It's so perfect, but missing side and rear













Old May 12, 2012 | 12:03 PM
  #40  
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Car is looking sic!! Couple questions/comments.

1) The pedals look awesome! Great job! It matches the car well.
2) What did you use on the carpet? My carpet in the back has some soda stains or something from the previous owner.
3) Barkeeper's friend works great! Did the same to my exhaust tips.
4) I use the same Armor All soap



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