So it looks like I'll be picking up my TL here in September, but...

My local dealer has the only manual in New England, maybe another one will pop up before then, but I find it doubtful since I'm sure most sales managers only order them on the first allotment of the year to give them time to get rid of them given their poor take rate.

Which is fine, as I'm assume it'll still be there in Sept, since it's been there since March and if not, this becomes a moot post ...

My issue is that it's gray, which isn't my first choice, I'd much rather have Black on Umbar, or white on black.

So, given that the car is even still available, do I settle on color and get the manual transmission that I want, in a color that I don't....or do I go find one of the many black on umbar, or black on blacks in the area for better negotiating power and get the color combo I want at a price that I can feel better about?

 

You saying a 2011 6MT or 2012?

Obviously if you get the auto tranny, you'll have more options and get a better price, but the 6MT is just too good.

I love every minute of driving mine. I have no regrets, but I think personally I would have regretted not getting the 6MT.

Why you waiting till September?

 

Get what you want. There is no need to rush into a car that isn't what you wanted in the first place. We (she) got exactly what we were looking for (I wanted S2000). It took months of researching for the right color and price, and in the end we bought it a month earlier than planned because it was so difficult to find.
Black on black 6MT, sounds good to me.

 

6MT FTW! If you are set on the manual, don't settle for the A/T, that being said, don't just rush into the grey because it's the only 6MT available right now, as long as your current car is still running, it will be worth waiting for exactly what you want. There is no reason to spend 40k on something and not get what you want.

 

wait.

 

You are less likely to regret getting what you want than you are by settling for what's there.

 

I agree, don't settle for less. I had to go two states away to get my 2011 TL SH-AWD Black on Black. I am pleased, worth the wait.

 

Ya, sorry I should have added a few details.

This will be on a '12 TL

Waiting till September because I have an agreement with the wife to make sure we have a certain number in another savings account so that we can realistically start interviewing people to re-do our kitchen in the spring, and with our current budget, we'll hit that number in September.

That being said, we have kid number 2 due in November, and our other car is just a bit too small to handle day to day family duties (Mazda3), I also don't need to haul a 8-9mo pregnant wife around when trying to negotiate on a car sale (maybe it'll help lol)

I'll expand my search a bit to see if I can find a black on umbar 6mt, when I get a bit closer.

 

OK, just figured out you can't do black/umbar with the manual transmission, well that sucks.

Guess it's going to be black/black.

I've only driven the '11s at this point, I do need to take out one of the new 6ATs to see if it can hold my interest. And really if I can't get the umbar interior with the manual transmission the gray wouldn't be a horrible alternative.

 

If you really want the umber interior, it is available on 2011 Mayan Bronze Metallic models (trying to find a 6MT in this color is a different story)... but since you're looking at a 2012, the 6MT's are only offered with a black interior...

 

How important is the 6MT? How important is the exterior/interior color combination? Which came first, the chicken or the egg? HEHE

 

That IS the question, a lot will depend on the 6AT drive.

I will probably end up getting the 6AT, black on black, I was mostly impressed with the 5AT and the select shift, I can only imaging that the 6at with it's added cogs and features will only enhance that impression.

That and I end up in traffic a lot, a fact I was reminded of today as I sat on I90 with my wife in her 5MT Mazda3.

Long term solution I'll pick up a Miata or s2k or 350z on the side as a track/autoX toy

 

Maybe it is just because I purchased it and as we all know, the color you own is always the best....but I really like the Graphic Luster after it is clean and waxed. It is much deeper than the grey TLs of past years. Just my opinion though. If you like black I wouldn't think you would hate the graphite but maybe....

 

I don't hate it, I just think the car looks better in black/white.

That and the last sport type car I had (STI) was almost the same color, and it's been a while since I owned a black car

It's not the worst thing in the world that could happen, just not ideal.

 

Have you sat in the the car with the umber interior yet? I suggest you do before you go with black on black, its pretty special. having said that, i can't help but wonder why you'd go with a manual transmission, given your family status. I've got sever year-old twins, and I can't imagine dealing with always having to work the gears while contending with the "daddy....daddy...daddy" that is ever-present. yeah, the kids aren't always with me, and then I'm a paddle shifting daddy with the best of both worlds.

 

do not settle!!!

 

This is a decent point, but I'm not sure how different it is from the nagging questions I get from my wife when she's in the passenger's seat.

j/k


And yes I sat in the umbar, it is really nice.... I do like it, it's a shame it's a dealer demo car, I prefer my cars with their cherry's still intact.

 

[quote=gibjer;13091176]This is a decent point, but I'm not sure how different it is from the nagging questions I get from my wife when she's in the passenger's seat.

j/k quote]

I know you're kidding, but something tells me the joke would be lost on her...