red00tl

I was at Richmond Acura recently and they had a white FWD TL in their showroom.
Much to my surprise the car had a painted front grill, even though not perfectly matched to the body colour just yet, and the salesman told me they'd offer it as a dealer option.

They were not yet sure whether the dealer would absorb the entire cost or not, but they assured me that if they had to charge customer it would be minimal.
They said they knew about the negative response on the front grill and if it was a deal-breaker for some the dealership would be willing to absorb the repainting cost as much as they can.

I guess this post is worthless without a picture but they didn't want me to take a pic as the paint job wasn't perfectly matched yet.
It was their first try and they'd keep trying until they get it right.

So just a heads-up for anyone living in the Greater Vancouver area.

Eric Allen

This is a sad commentary on a car that was so awaited by so many, that the only way the dealers can move them is to fix Acura's glaring marketing mistake

docray1

Painting that grille is only putting a band-aid on the problem. And if it isnt coated with some rubberized sealant, its going to chip and flake and look even worse later on. In all honesty, we bought the Palladium Silver 4G solely to "blend in" the grille without needing to repaint it. Whomever comes up with a aftermarket grille that is clean-looking and of good quality first is going to make some REAL profit on Acura's mistake. You can be sure of that.

CraigMacDTA

Good colour choiceLOVE the Palladium Mettallic

mr.Honnda F1

painting the grill make no sense to this BEAUTY >>>

Trew

iTrader: (1)

I agree. That beak looks gorgeous!

R2D

I don't know about you guys, but I don't like the front grill. I think it's to big and ugly lookin......

Edward'TLS

When authorized Acura dealerships are starting to offer a front grille paint job for the new TL, there is definitely something wrong with that front grille styling.

When even the authorized dealerships are not on Acura's side, Acura should ditch this ugly version of it's signature grille ASAP.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

I'm thinking this looks much much better.

mr.Honnda F1

double check

Myxomatosis

I do like the painted grill much better, without a doubt, however now I can see all the other things I don't like about the car....I think if you fix everything, you get something like an 08' TL. I wasn't one of the people waiting for this car and I'm definitely not envious. Of all the Acuras EVER made, this is the first that I said WTF! instead of ......someday

bmode

Too bad the blue doesn't really look like that. All the commercial internet TL pictures are misleading, you gotta see it in person to really take it in. I personally didn't like it in person. Photoshop'd or not, the painted grill looks better IMO, especially when the car is moving! Believe me it just has better conformity!

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

I must admit the grille has grown on me somewhat. But that's because I come to this forum at least twice a day...

SebringSilver

I wouldn't paint it. I test drove the car at Burrard Acura (in Vancouver). They're painting the grill for any purchaser who wants it done. They said it only costs them $100 to paint it, and the first thing that came to mind was "a $100 paint job isn't going to be a very good paint job".

The car is fine as is. Just enjoy it.

igowest

When I bought the car, dealer in Montreal asking for 500$ for it. I laughed and decided to take it as is. After 5 weeks of driving the car, I would have regreted it if I painted it. The car with all its chrome, looks fantastic.

Looking at the other cars' beaks, infinity, buick, cadi, audi, pretty much the same outstanding beak.

tegkid

iTrader: (7)

same here man.
everytime i see the front end it grows on me a little more.
and i love the interior
the only thing thats left is that rear end...

bmode

That's really odd to me, I love the rear end. This car really towers over my 05 TL, higher doors, higher butt, it's just more luxurious front to back. Sure the beak is a beak and could of been smoothed out, but I wouldn't change the back at all, I really like it. It looks classy to me, but opinions vary I guess.

PGSberg

I asked my Acura dealer what they would charge when I dropped off the car to have the wheels and body kit installed. They came back with $275. I had it done. That was the first they had heard about painting the grill. I didn't consider the frame of the grill or the stainless steel rear bumber trim. I thought it all blended well with the WDP. I am waiting for a quote on putting the clear bra on the grill.

Type34

Before this turns into another painted grille Photoshop gallery, here is the original Post pics of painted grille options please thread.

Red00TL, when you get pics on the white painted grille, be sure to add them to the thread above...it's nice to have a consolidated thread for grille options and colors.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

hmm I like the rear too.

TSXdawg

I didn't initially like the grille but I don't mind it now. I think most new and innovative designs take some getting used to. Remember when Audi first came out with their fish mouth grille? Everybody hated it at first until people got used to it and now people gush over it.

PetesTL

Totally Agree!

Colin

I'm not gushing..............wait.............no, just checked......still not gushing.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Yea, that's true. I guess the same thing will happen to the new "eyes" of Nissan headlights too. I think they are ugly now, but eventually they might grow on me.