I've been doing a lot of research, test drove an audi, G37, and 2012 TL. I have drove a AWD TL and really liked it, but I want/need a manual transmission. Both Audi and Infiniti allow custom order (with 6-12 weeks build time). You can order exactly what you want (color, options, etc). But, the salesman who I dealt with at acura said they did not offer this option, and he would "try to locate" one for me, but it wold be "hard" and I'd have to give a deposit and pay extra for shipping. I don't know if this is really true or if he was just trying to get me to buy the automatic I drove that day (or if he just really didn't know). I honestly tried to search for an answer here without posting, but couldn't find it. Can someone kindly let me know? Thank you.

 

You can't order "exactly" what you want as the TL comes in limited color,trim and options packages which may not necessarily meet your desires/needs/requirements. You can order though based on those criteria.

 

I understand I would need to order a car that conforms to their specifications (available colors, available packages, etc), but I can order a AWD manual with the available option packages I want? If that's the case, that's awesome (and definitely NOT what the salesman told me). I appreciate the help. That answer made my day. I don't mind waiting a few months for it to come in. thank you!

 

As set out above, the 6MTs are available in limited colors (4 to be exact) with Ebony your only interior color choice in 2012. Really, the only option (other than dealer installed items) is the exterior color.

While the 6MTs are in short supply, they are available, but you might have to expand your search geographically a bit. Sounds like the dealer you visited is trying to set you up for the old "oh, a manual transmission, those are rare" line so he can try to hold the line on price (or even try an upcharge or two).

So your options are 1) try other dealers in your area; 2) get a local dealer to trade another dealer in your region; 3) order a car from a dealer and wait until it comes in.

Good luck. And, BTW, the car is worth waiting for. Especially in 6MT trim, it's an outstanding sport sedan.

 

Remember, you are the buyer and they want to sell you a car. They had to dealer trade mine from out of State and I only paid invoice, no additional charges. The Internet is a powerful thing, you can check any dealers inventory by just searching. If they don't want to deal, another dealership will. Just don't settle and get what you want. I love my TL and would not have been happy Had I settled for what was on the lot.

 

PENN....As others have said, there are somewhat limited selections when it comes to the way you can order your TL but as long as you stay within those confines, you should have no problem.

I think your sales person was not trying to mislead you as he is "partially" correct and here is why. BTW, if I am wrong, I hope others will correct me. Shortly after the tsunami and the part shortage, most dealers lost ALL their orders and were told that until further notice, no new cars could be ordered. Acura would build cars based on their parts available and would send the cars on an allotment basis so dealers really had their hands tied. This will now chnage as things start to return to normal so I would be surprised if you couldn't order a TL very shortly the way YOU want it (again, as others said, as long as you stick to the colors and package available for the manual)

Hope this helps...

 

It's different buying from Acura.

You don't get to pick the custom options for the base-level car as for Audi. But you can pick the color and trim level of the car that most fits your requirements. In some trim levels, transmission and/or leather-color options are also available. Everything else on the accessory list is dealership installed item which requires minimal wait time.

The benefit of this Acura way is much faster delivery time (under normal circumstances, with the one-off exception that the recent Japanese earthquake which has caused a huge backlog of vehicle production), rather than having to wait 3 months for a fully customed Audi.

 

I worked for an Acura dealership some years ago, I can perhaps shed some light on how things work from the dealership side. At the time I worked at the dealership, Acura would allocate vehicles. The allocation was based on factors such as sales targets and CSI scores of each dealership. A dealership that did not earn it's targets or scores did not get as many cars or picks of the really good stuff. Unlike American cars, the Acuras were not built to order, they were just built. The dealer allocation told the dealer just what they were getting. At times, we were given color choices, but sometimes on cars that were in short supply, they would say you are going to get two white, one black. That was it! On the dealer trade side, that is not as easy as it sounds. First in order to "trade" you have to have something in your stock that the other dealer whats. If you don't have something the other dealer wants, then you can't trade. To put this into perspective, we had a Red NSX that a dealer in the New Orleans area wanted. He had a white NSX to trade. We had no luck in selling the Red NSX. It was on our showroom floor for almost a year. We did not want another NSX, but were short of Legends. We worked at a deal where he sent us one coupe and 3 four doors for our NSX. Also from the dealership side, it cost money to do the transfer. This extra money is taken out of the salesman's commission, so that is why many sales people don't like to deal in trades. It takes money out of their pocket. I have always looked at trades to get a person's business. If you work for the customer and not yourself, you not only gain a good customer, but all of his friends too. It's a win, win. I hope you get the Acura of your dreams. I'm sure in the end, the wait, how ever long will be worth it. Good luck.

 

Do an inventory search (you can use cars.com to name one) see who has a 6MT that you want in your area or within the closest vacinity. If it's reasonably local, go there and make a deal on it. Bargaining will be in your favor since the car is already on the lot.

If it too far away, check with a few local dealers, see what they can do and if they have any allocated that are coming in soon. They can even switch the allocations with another dealer and as others have stated, can bring one in on a dealer trade if it's already on the ground or another dealer lot. Finally, you can find a few dealers willing to order the vehicle for you but expect to not get as good of a deal.

If you are willing to wait a month or two, production should ramp up on the 2012 which seems to be on the limited side right now. I don't know if it's a parts shortage or not but there is a lot of 2011 inventory still left anyway. About 20% of the total TL inventory in the US is pre MMC (2012) models.

I take it that is still too much for Acura's liking and they don't want dealers getting stuck and not being able to sell the original design models still in inventory, now that the new one is out. That's probably also why we are not seeing the same types of deals and incentives right now. Like I said, that should change soon, many are predicting middle to end of Aug, whether it is a parts thing or a 2011 clearance issue and chances are you will be able to get a better deal then as well but even now many are getting invoice or close to it and that is never bad deal.

 

if any dealer tells you that there is a limited supply of TL's due to japan earthquake, dont believe them. there are many and many TL's still around for sale, you just have to widen your search for the car. you can always do online transaction from another dealership out of town, or the next state. they ship cars regularly from state to state.

i believe its about 600 bux on top of what you are paying to ship it.. now 600 is worth paying for the car you want.

 

Please stop spreading that stupid line over and over... It is BULLSHIT and we've proved that THERE IS LIMITED SUPPLY OF 2012 TL's in the country but you refuse to believe it... damn. We even had a member give you a link showing just where each TL is and how many each dealer has.. but on and on you go.

We do not know the reason for the shortage but it's here..

 

The OP is looking for a 6MT. According to Autotrader, there are only 23 new 2011-12 6MTs listed, anywhere in the U.S.

I know not every dealer lists on Autotrader, but I was very surprised at the small number of cars shown there. When I bought my 2010 6MT, there were at least a dozen within 200-300 miles of my home.

 

I don't what the issue is or what to accredit it to but eveything is pointing to a limited 2012 TL supply, it's very hard to argue against the evidence. Don't get me wrong I am not necessarily concluding anything but it's not as if there is zero evidence in favor of the idea, nor is there much, if any, going against it.

I agree that folks can still get what they want as long as they are willing to work at it, as is always the case regardless of the inventory situation, and with exception to a few trims, there probably is just adequate enough 2012 TL levels as a whole and throughout the country, particularly for the higher volume selling trims but that is different than there not being a supply issue at all, in fact it adds to the idea that there actually is one.

Looking at inventory levels, other than a FWD and FWD tech, a lot folks are going to have a hard time getting what they want. Either advance version as well as the SH techs are going to be on the very limited side and the 6MT and SH non tech are virtually nonexistent. That is speaking for the entire country, not just the (my) local dealer arguments.

 

OP--


Where do you live?

In the short.. YES, the TLS are a little limited

Japan? small factor.. The Transmissions in these cars are manufacturered in Japan

I am not 100% positive, but check Year production numbers... i think Acura cut back a tad, since the 4G didnt get the best start in sales in 2009


Plus, in case you guys didnt notice... Car market has been strange lately... used car values have gone up alot over the past 3-4 months, and its getting a little harder to get such a fantastic deal on a new car...

 

 

Acuras are built and then the dealers get what they're allocated with the top dealers getting some choice in colors and trim.

The only exception was the NSX. A well connected buyer could get a non-targa (coupe) and/or automatic transmission as a custom order. They could also pick their exterior AND interior color to go with that. Easier to do since they were hand built.

 

Yes, this is true re: used car values based on kelley blue book quotes. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to help much for trade in offers from dealers, but it's good if you're going to sell your car yourself.

I wonder if the lower discounts on new cars lately (I've noticed that as well) is actually the driving force for the higher used car prices, or if it's just a case of "rising tide floats all boats"