Switched from 4G FWD to 4G SH-AWD
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Switched from 4G FWD to 4G SH-AWD
Well, after test-driving the SH-AWD car at my local dealer this weekend, I went ahead last night and pulled the trigger. I swapped out my FWD 4G to the SH-AWD model. My monthly payment went up by $45 and I had to put down an additonal $3K but, to me, it was worth it. I wanted the same color as my previous car--Basque Red--but they only had one AWD car right now and it was Crystal black (my 2nd fav. color). What really sold me was the handling...."night-and-day" difference really.....the AWD car really felt planted through the turns and inspires quite a bit of confidance over the FWD car.......blew away the G35x I test drove a couple months ago in this regard. To me, Acura should discontinue the FWD car and just sell the AWD ones instead.....it's that good. Acceleration seemed a bit quicker, also, but since the car is so new (only 5 miles on it), I'll have to wait 'til the engine breaks in a little more to really test it out. I love all the little "touches" on the AWD car--Thicker steering wheel (as thick as a BMW M3's) with little indents on the side so your hands stays glued to the wheel....Sports seats w/thick side bolsters......contrasting double-stitching on the steering wheel and on the seats. The car came with some mods already installed......body side moldings, splash guards, trunk mat, rubber floor mats, and wheel locks. I have a clear bra and painted grill on order. The car came with 18" wheels and all-season tires. (I kept my 19" wheels/tires from the previous car--stored for the winter). I just managed to take 1 picture late last night when I got home. I'll post more when I get the chance.
![](http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq321/PSB1013/SHAWD.jpg)
Last edited by PetesTL; 11-11-2008 at 08:02 AM.
#3
Drifting
Pete, if you only had to put down another $3000, then it's worth it!!! Congrats! Didn't they charge you an arm and a leg for the "depreciation" of your FWD 4G?
Also, please tell us how you find the gas mileage to be, whether there is a big difference between the FWD and the SH-AWD.
Now, you know what my next question is - where are the pics!? :-)
Also, please tell us how you find the gas mileage to be, whether there is a big difference between the FWD and the SH-AWD.
Now, you know what my next question is - where are the pics!? :-)
#4
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Congrats again Pete. You beat me to it on getting the 4G SH-AWD haha. I'm still waiting for mine to arrive at the dealer which should be sometime in the middle of the week or saturday. I guess its your turn then to give a review on the car. Your 4G is a lease or you bought or financing it?
#5
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Also, a few more things to add:
* No more torque steer! (car takes off almost like a RWD car)
* Slightly louder exhaust than the FWD car (when you hit the gas, you hear a meaner moan from the cabin--I love it!)
* Sharper/heavier steering feel than the FWD car
* I love the Quad exhaust pipes!
* No more torque steer! (car takes off almost like a RWD car)
* Slightly louder exhaust than the FWD car (when you hit the gas, you hear a meaner moan from the cabin--I love it!)
* Sharper/heavier steering feel than the FWD car
* I love the Quad exhaust pipes!
#6
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
#7
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Pete, if you only had to put down another $3000, then it's worth it!!! Congrats! Didn't they charge you an arm and a leg for the "depreciation" of your FWD 4G?
Also, please tell us how you find the gas mileage to be, whether there is a big difference between the FWD and the SH-AWD.
Now, you know what my next question is - where are the pics!? :-)
Also, please tell us how you find the gas mileage to be, whether there is a big difference between the FWD and the SH-AWD.
Now, you know what my next question is - where are the pics!? :-)
Yeah, I thought they would "kill me" for the deprec.....but I've bought 3 Acuras from these guys and I referred a lot of customers to them over the years so they gave me a break I suppose. I just got the car last night so not sure about gas mileage.....according to Acura, there's only a 1 MPG city/highway difference. 1 Pic above....more are coming.
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#8
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Congrats again Pete. You beat me to it on getting the 4G SH-AWD haha. I'm still waiting for mine to arrive at the dealer which should be sometime in the middle of the week or saturday. I guess its your turn then to give a review on the car. Your 4G is a lease or you bought or financing it?
#10
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
![Smile](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#12
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
#13
Pete,
If you haven't already you might want to consider putting the clearbra over the painted grille. I have a friend who painted his grille and after about 6 months of highway driving it was badly pitted from sand and gravel.
If you haven't already you might want to consider putting the clearbra over the painted grille. I have a friend who painted his grille and after about 6 months of highway driving it was badly pitted from sand and gravel.
#14
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
#15
.... .... .... ... ....
damn pete another TL? haha
congratulations it must be fun to drive with the SH-AWD. The guys that own 3G TL may never understand how cool that system is.
congratulations it must be fun to drive with the SH-AWD. The guys that own 3G TL may never understand how cool that system is.
#16
it's me, Alan Rickman.
Pete... adopt me?
The V6 in the SH-AWD should sound a little different than the FWD TL, it's the first Honda V6 w/ VTEC for intake and exhaust (right?); from the little i've read I understand that it's louder and sounds pretty sexy!
Did you get the tech package?
I went to the Sac Auto Show on Saturday and played around with an 09 (FWD) tl w/ tech; that new nav system is amazing - the screen is so frickin clear, sharp, bright, it's like 1080p for nav! It took me all of 60 seconds to start figuring out the nav system, as much as I love my touch screen once you figure out which button goes back, menu navigation, it's pretty darn easy, and the screen location helps keep your eye on the road. I also like that the system talks [maybe the 07-08's did this?], but in this car I went to "messages" and then clicked on one, and the car read the message to me "the driver side daytime running lamp does not appear to be working. when it is safe, pull over and turn the engine off, then on, and check functionality."
I WANT A NEW TL SO BAD NOW![Frown](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
Congrats!
The V6 in the SH-AWD should sound a little different than the FWD TL, it's the first Honda V6 w/ VTEC for intake and exhaust (right?); from the little i've read I understand that it's louder and sounds pretty sexy!
Did you get the tech package?
I went to the Sac Auto Show on Saturday and played around with an 09 (FWD) tl w/ tech; that new nav system is amazing - the screen is so frickin clear, sharp, bright, it's like 1080p for nav! It took me all of 60 seconds to start figuring out the nav system, as much as I love my touch screen once you figure out which button goes back, menu navigation, it's pretty darn easy, and the screen location helps keep your eye on the road. I also like that the system talks [maybe the 07-08's did this?], but in this car I went to "messages" and then clicked on one, and the car read the message to me "the driver side daytime running lamp does not appear to be working. when it is safe, pull over and turn the engine off, then on, and check functionality."
I WANT A NEW TL SO BAD NOW
![Frown](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
Congrats!
#17
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#21
Three Wheelin'
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I had to jump on it. Minutes after signing on the "dotted line," my dealer received 10 calls about the car. One of the sales manager who just got back from vacation was so pissed he didn't get a chance to drive it.
![Smile](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#22
You'll Never Walk Alone
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wow this is a surprise! I remember you saying how the FWD has good enough handling and AWD isn't necessary too! lol! The system must be really good then! Congrats! Can't wait to see more photos! Oh, and imagine your 19" rims and performance tires on this car...
EDIT: you already uploaded pics, awesome!
EDIT: you already uploaded pics, awesome!
#25
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You have to add-on the $45 x ? months. Depending on the term of the lease that could be a few thousand+ more dollars
#26
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
True....seriously, though, had I not test-driven the AWD car this past weekend, I've would've been pretty content with my FWD 4G. As they say, ignorance is bliss. But once I test-drove it, I was smitten!
#28
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LOL ... nice going Pete .. U R our role model ....
That blk beauty sure is sexy, isn't she? Of course taking care of her down the road is another story ....
Congrats ...
That blk beauty sure is sexy, isn't she? Of course taking care of her down the road is another story ....
Congrats ...
#29
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Gongrats Pete! You make me want to NOOOT go to the dealership and test drive the SH-AWD like I planned. I feel like it's a conspiracy. This is my 3rd TL and the most miles I had on one is 10,800 on the last. I ended up going to Iraq a few weeks to a few months after each new TL.
#31
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damn, u must be trigger happy pullin' triggers left and right like that lol.
watch in a year a 6speed auto comes and u'd be all over that, then a type-s....you'll be shedding more TLs than snakeskin.
jk
congrats on ur new ride man, enjoy it.
i'm personally waiting to test drive the 2010 6MT version, although i gotta admit i am not very fond of awd at all, so i really hope i don't like it cuz that wud mean i'd have to give up my NBP 06 6MT and i really don't feel like doing that lol
watch in a year a 6speed auto comes and u'd be all over that, then a type-s....you'll be shedding more TLs than snakeskin.
jk
congrats on ur new ride man, enjoy it.
i'm personally waiting to test drive the 2010 6MT version, although i gotta admit i am not very fond of awd at all, so i really hope i don't like it cuz that wud mean i'd have to give up my NBP 06 6MT and i really don't feel like doing that lol
Last edited by vincethe1; 11-11-2008 at 10:59 PM.
#32
Pete, u da man! Congrats no. 2. ![Cheers](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/cheers.gif)
![Uzi](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/uzi.gif)
It is pretty much a safe bet that Pete will be the first Acuraziner to get a hold of the 4G MT as well.
![Cheers](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/cheers.gif)
![Uzi](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/uzi.gif)
It is pretty much a safe bet that Pete will be the first Acuraziner to get a hold of the 4G MT as well.
#35
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#38
Three Wheelin'
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#39
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I expect delivery w/i the next 3 weeks.
Congratulations for stepping-up, Pete!
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#40
Wild Child
man pete, omg! man you know you just bought your way out of the ridicule pile that all of us 4g owners have been sitting in. congradulations. i wanna be just like you when i grow up. i know you will keep us posted. the 0-60 is only a tenth of a second faster. are you feeling that much of an increase in acceleration? what kind of brakes are on the awd? details please!
Well, after test-driving the SH-AWD car at my local dealer this weekend, I went ahead last night and pulled the trigger. I swapped out my FWD 4G to the SH-AWD model. My monthly payment went up by $45 and I had to put down an additonal $3K but, to me, it was worth it. I wanted the same color as my previous car--Basque Red--but they only had one AWD car right now and it was Crystal black (my 2nd fav. color). What really sold me was the handling...."night-and-day" difference really.....the AWD car really felt planted through the turns and inspires quite a bit of confidance over the FWD car.......blew away the G35x I test drove a couple months ago in this regard. To me, Acura should discontinue the FWD car and just sell the AWD ones instead.....it's that good. Acceleration seemed a bit quicker, also, but since the car is so new (only 5 miles on it), I'll have to wait 'til the engine breaks in a little more to really test it out. I love all the little "touches" on the AWD car--Thicker steering wheel (as thick as a BMW M3's) with little indents on the side so your hands stays glued to the wheel....Sports seats w/thick side bolsters......contrasting double-stitching on the steering wheel and on the seats. The car came with some mods already installed......body side moldings, splash guards, trunk mat, rubber floor mats, and wheel locks. I have a clear bra and painted grill on order. The car came with 18" wheels and all-season tires. (I kept my 19" wheels/tires from the previous car--stored for the winter). I just managed to take 1 picture late last night when I got home. I'll post more when I get the chance.
![](http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq321/PSB1013/SHAWD.jpg)
![](http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq321/PSB1013/SHAWD.jpg)