Didn't want to miss it, so I pulled the trigger on the SH-AWD
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Didn't want to miss it, so I pulled the trigger on the SH-AWD
So I went to the Framingham,MA dealer who had the only 'demo only not for sale' SH-AWD around this morning and took it for a test run. It had the reg 18" rims which do look really beefy and hot! It was Grigio/Umber, which looks very nice I may add, classy. I have to say it's a totally different car than the reg TL, a little firmer but just a little more attitude and better control of course.
Anyhow, then I call my dealer so I can see if they have any Mayan Bronze reg TL's to just see the color on the car. I've had the Mayan/Umber as my choice but needed to see it in the sun to be sure. Wouldn't you know they had just pulled the one and only to arrive Mayan/Umber SH-AWD w/ HPT, off the truck. So I was there in a flash! This car takes your breath away.(pic links below) After I drove it, people saw it from the street and were coming in to see it and wanted to drive it etc.. One may have even wanted to buy it right then... So I didn't want it skoffed up so I made the deal. I'm curious to hear everyone's opinion of the color.
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/65402...15911964_EN4Df
Anyhow, then I call my dealer so I can see if they have any Mayan Bronze reg TL's to just see the color on the car. I've had the Mayan/Umber as my choice but needed to see it in the sun to be sure. Wouldn't you know they had just pulled the one and only to arrive Mayan/Umber SH-AWD w/ HPT, off the truck. So I was there in a flash! This car takes your breath away.(pic links below) After I drove it, people saw it from the street and were coming in to see it and wanted to drive it etc.. One may have even wanted to buy it right then... So I didn't want it skoffed up so I made the deal. I'm curious to hear everyone's opinion of the color.
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/65402...15911964_EN4Df
#2
Team Owner
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kansas City, MO (Overland Park, KS)
Posts: 36,545
Received 6,470 Likes
on
5,162 Posts
Wavehogger...very interesting story. And very unique color. From the pictures, it looks like a kind of brownish, root beer type of color to me. Very nice!!! Congratulations.
#3
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (1)
wavehogger- congrats!! Make sure you post here: https://acurazine.com/forums/4g-tl-2009-2014-123/4g-tl-owners-sign-689080/
#4
Drifting
HOTNESS!!!!! The Mayan Bronze color is HOT, HOT, HOT!!! I love it with the umber leather interior. It is STUNNING! You surely will get lots of attention (GOOD attention!) with this combo!
#7
Racer
Thread Starter
Opinions please?
The only question I have now is what I should do for the winter. Maybe I can get some opinions. Has anyone used the PS2's in below freezing temps? I've read mixed reviews where a few said they were fine in the cold but ice/snow was not good at all. We have an SUV so 90% of the time I won't be driving in it but you never know when you may get caught in a little snow. Thanks
Trending Topics
#8
Three Wheelin'
Congrats, Wavehogger! I know you will agree with me that the SH-AWD TL is one Awesome ride! Unique color you picked out.......but not my "cup of tea." Anyways, enjoy your ride and welcome to the ever-growing 4G family!
#9
Three Wheelin'
Actually, I was shocked that it wasn't really much of a difference in both road noise and smoothness. And I did go right from the 18's to the 19's within 30 minutes. And drove them both for about 20 miles of mixed highway and back roads that were really rough. And you know even the worst of new england wheel eating ruts didn't slam or feel like it was hurting the car. Yes it was a little stiffer but not even to deter me. But the grip on the PS2's around an on ramp I took hard pushing the AWD was AMAZING! Day and night to the regular 18's.
The only question I have now is what I should do for the winter. Maybe I can get some opinions. Has anyone used the PS2's in below freezing temps? I've read mixed reviews where a few said they were fine in the cold but ice/snow was not good at all. We have an SUV so 90% of the time I won't be driving in it but you never know when you may get caught in a little snow. Thanks
The only question I have now is what I should do for the winter. Maybe I can get some opinions. Has anyone used the PS2's in below freezing temps? I've read mixed reviews where a few said they were fine in the cold but ice/snow was not good at all. We have an SUV so 90% of the time I won't be driving in it but you never know when you may get caught in a little snow. Thanks
PS2's are pretty low....so you wouldn't want to waste them during the winter.
#10
Racer
Thread Starter
Did you get rid of the 18's? Hope you didn't because you can easily put winter tires on those (finding 19" winter tires are not easy and expensive to boot). I have my 19's in storage for the winter and right now, I'm using my 18" wheels and all-season Michelins. Those PS2's are for summer only--they're worthless (and dangerous) in sleat and snow.....besides, the treadlife on
PS2's are pretty low....so you wouldn't want to waste them during the winter.
PS2's are pretty low....so you wouldn't want to waste them during the winter.
#11
Racer
Thread Starter
And thanks everyone! And Pete, I know what you mean, this combo is sexy but probably a little too much for many. I can't wait to put some break in time on her.
#12
Three Wheelin'
It came with the HPT's so I'd have to buy a winter set of wheels/tires. It's funny if you scour the net you'll find some people with AWD in some Audi's and G35's that have driven through winters with the PS2's in the cold and a tiny bit of snow. I can avoid the snow, it's just how much traction do they have below freezing? I really don't want to spend 2k+ for really only driving them in cold temps. I may just wait to see how they feel as it slowly gets colder and make a decision if it becomes very obvious. Or i'll find some TL 17" take offs and go with those if I have to get something.
Your call but I wouldn't want to gamble on a brand new $44K car. That being said, though, I think if the road is bone-dry, freezing temps. alone shouldn't cause too much trouble. You have to remember, though, these hi-perf. summer tires are made of soft rubber compounds and unlike dedicated winter tires or all-seasons, they will stiffen up as the temp. gets very low and their grip on the road will decrease. I saw some good deals on Ebay on stock 17" wheels/tires.
#13
Three Wheelin'
I love that ext/int color combo...I haven't seen the Mayan Bronze in person yet, but from what I've seen, I really like this color. Nice choice
Regarding winter tires, have you though about getting a used set of RL 18"s and put winter tires on them? RL wheels are also 5 x 120mm and I assume you'd have brake clearance + TPMS compatibility...food for thought...
Regarding winter tires, have you though about getting a used set of RL 18"s and put winter tires on them? RL wheels are also 5 x 120mm and I assume you'd have brake clearance + TPMS compatibility...food for thought...
#14
You'll Never Walk Alone
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Age: 37
Posts: 9,521
Received 846 Likes
on
526 Posts
I'd suggest getting proper winter tires (or wheel/tire combo). If I had a 09 TL SH-AWD, I'd hate to see road salt damaging my rims! Besides, summer tires aren't very effective when it's cold. May be you can get away with it since you have the mighty SH-AWD system though..lol.
#15
3.2 VTEC
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Sin City
Age: 37
Posts: 878
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pete, didn't you have a FWD TL with the same color as that one, and didn't u say u were looking for that color but they didn't have it so u had to go with black (2nd choice)?
lol, not trying to confront you or anything, just wondering why the change of mind.
lol, not trying to confront you or anything, just wondering why the change of mind.
#16
3.2 VTEC
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Sin City
Age: 37
Posts: 878
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
treadwear woudn't matter in winter because if you're driving in snow, there's no traction for the tread to actually wear, so treadlife woudn't be an issue. however they would be pretty bad in snow i agree...then again what isn't, the differences are small because no matter what you have very little grip in these kind of conditions.
#18
Advanced
Wave, Which MA dealership do you go to. I've bought 2 cars (04TL and 07 MDX) from the Framingham dealership and was hoping they would cut a good deal. Are they willing to take anything off MSRP?
#21
Racer
Thread Starter
Your call but I wouldn't want to gamble on a brand new $44K car. That being said, though, I think if the road is bone-dry, freezing temps. alone shouldn't cause too much trouble. You have to remember, though, these hi-perf. summer tires are made of soft rubber compounds and unlike dedicated winter tires or all-seasons, they will stiffen up as the temp. gets very low and their grip on the road will decrease. I saw some good deals on Ebay on stock 17" wheels/tires.
And iforyou, the more I think about it I don't want any salt on them either. Plus who knows who slippery these things will be at 0 degress.
JnC, I've seen your work, nice! But I'm not sure yet on what mods i'll be doing. I'll let you know. Thanks
Couch257, It was Ron Bouchards Acura in Auburn,Ma, and they are really good people there. This is my 3rd new Acura from them and unfortunately when you're buying the model/color combo that is in demand you don't get too much off MSRP. I got all my accessories, but no money off. And the Framingham dealer also told me the same thing, that they will be selling for sticker. He even said some dealers in big cities want to make em over sticker! I'm curious to see over time what's happening.
#22
Three Wheelin'
My FWD TL was Basque Red Pearl.....Wavehogger has Mayan Bronze.
#23
Three Wheelin'
treadwear woudn't matter in winter because if you're driving in snow, there's no traction for the tread to actually wear, so treadlife woudn't be an issue. however they would be pretty bad in snow i agree...then again what isn't, the differences are small because no matter what you have very little grip in these kind of conditions.
I don't think you've driven in winter too much, have you? If you think there is very little difference in traction between snow tires and summer tires, you need to spend some time in the snow belt part of the country and you'll change your mind very quickly.
#24
Racer
Thread Starter
Exactly, and in central Mass it can and will snow out of the blue and add up quick so I'm not going to take any chances. I'll be in sleeper mode during the winter with my stock 17" wheels.
#25
Alpha Geek
Now, Vermont is a different story!
#26
Racer
Thread Starter
Well I just grabbed some 17" TL take offs from e-bay so i'll be good. Now if I can just manage to avoid the idiots who think having a truck and/or AWD means they can stop better than the rest of the world.
#27
3.2 VTEC
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Sin City
Age: 37
Posts: 878
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
anyway, the snow tires do help out a little more, but i guess that could be enough in some cases to make the difference between going or being stuck.
he driver can handle it it's fine...however i do agree he should get winter tires because as i've noticed the original tires on my HPT TL (Bridgestone Potenza RE030) lost a tramendous amount of traction when it got cold, because the soft compound got hard, so yes high perf summer tires are pretty useless for winter driving but can still manage, as you've heard from other drivers.
i have all season goodyear F1s right now and when i go to the mountain in the winter they are decent enough on snow, the ps2s would be worse i know. the biggest difference is spiked winter tires, but since you can't really drive that on a dry road it's useless for city driving.
#32
Cruisin'
Love that umber!
Wavehogger, congrats on the purchase! I must say that the umber color looks really good in your pictures. I can't wait until my local dealer gets one in. I really want to see what it looks like in person. Even though I threw my money at the FWD, I really like the contrasting stitching on the AWD. Looks good in pics.
#33
3.2 VTEC
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Sin City
Age: 37
Posts: 878
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#34
good colour choice, i am in love with the interior! top knotch material all around. i have to say this, ACURA should be hailed as one of the best manufacturers because they make the finest premium cars at a very reasonable price. looking at bimmers, mercs and their pricings, I came to this decision....with the 4G TL, acura has actually stepped up in the luxury zone...
#38
Racer
Thread Starter
Thanks, and same to you and your CTS! I actually like that car a lot. Really bold design, like the TL. We should line up, it would be a good run.
yeah yeah bring on the comments from those who saw me make the joke about the 'light to light idiots'.. lol (I am often included in that category)
Forgot to mention I picked her up a few hours ago, and added a couple pics. It was raining and dark so they aren't great but i'll put some nice ones when it clears up later.
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/65402...15911964_EN4Df
yeah yeah bring on the comments from those who saw me make the joke about the 'light to light idiots'.. lol (I am often included in that category)
Forgot to mention I picked her up a few hours ago, and added a couple pics. It was raining and dark so they aren't great but i'll put some nice ones when it clears up later.
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/65402...15911964_EN4Df
Last edited by Wavehogger; 11-14-2008 at 08:38 PM.
#39
Drifting
BTW, Wave, I looked at the Canadian Acura site and realized that up in Canada, Mayan Bronze can only come with ebony interior! Not the beautiful umber interior!!! I wonder why Acura would do something like that? I would totally go nuts if I were up in Canada drooling over your Mayan Bronze + umber combo!!!
#40
Racer
Thread Starter
BTW, Wave, I looked at the Canadian Acura site and realized that up in Canada, Mayan Bronze can only come with ebony interior! Not the beautiful umber interior!!! I wonder why Acura would do something like that? I would totally go nuts if I were up in Canada drooling over your Mayan Bronze + umber combo!!!