hdcolumbus

I am seriously considering picking up an A-Spec (SH-AWD) likely in Bellanova White Pearl in the next month. I've owned an 06 3G (new), 09 4G SH-AWD (new) and went back to an 06 3G about 4 years ago (my current daily). The 5G hasn't done anything for me from a styling or performance perspective to make me seriously consider upgrading and I've toiled with leaving the brand altogether... Until I caught a glimpse of the A-Spec.

I decided to go into the dealer yesterday and give them a look. I test drove both the FWD and SH-AWD, and I really enjoyed the SH-AWD much more (one of the high-points, coupled with the 305HP engine in my previous 09 4G).

I'm still a bit hung up on the interior--I did not get a chance to see the Alacantara; but, the red leather is beautiful (I had Umber in my 4G and it always received compliments, I'd suspect this red would garner the same)--at any rate, the two displays, dated-looking maps and cockpit just feel out of place. I prefer the analog over digital in some cockpits (like the new Audi lineup), but everything else is kind of bland for 2018. This is also my first experience without an actual shifter--this will take awhile to get accustomed to.

The sales member I spoke with did say that a lot of the interior and computer will be updated in a coming model--do we have any insight into when that might be coming? The engine gave a little bit of pause as well, no performance upgrades with the A-Spec, only cosmetic? I asked if a Type-S is coming, he said it was; but didn't have details as to when.

I'm not in a huge rush and willing to wait, although my 3G maintenance tab has started to pick up as I'm approaching 160k miles.

I'm trying to decide between pulling the trigger or waiting--any news on interior updates, performance enhancements or a Type-S? I'm assuming an MT is never coming back.

A side note, the new RLX is beautiful as well--much to my surprise it is not updated with the newest computer system.

Some photos from yesterday:

Gen4MDX

BEAR-AvHistory

If you are not in a hurry wait. This car is at the end of its life cycle. The new generation will have a lot of upgrades.

restron

TLX will not be redesigned until 2020, acura cycle is atlest 5-6

ZipSpeed

hdcolumbus

Thanks!

I'm not one to find a small thing to nitpick and then complain if I make a decision--I think there is a lot to like about the 2018s, I was moreover asking if there were any definitive dates on performance/interior upgrades. I'd kick myself if I get into a long-term commitment only to find that, had I waited 6 months, there were updates.

That's the decision I'm weighing at the moment--wait and continue to drop more maintenance into my 3G, or leap now as I'm generally happy with the overall aesthetics and performance of the A-Spec.

restron

just buy it and enjoy

jhb31

Your looking at least 2 years out for any real changes. The MMC update has all the changes that you are likely to see until the next gen is released in 2020/21. With android auto/apple car play you don't even need to use the acura maps. I use waze on trips and don't even have the maps up for daily driving. There are a few things I don't care for on the car but the interior is not something that really bothers me at all at this point. My guess is even if they came out with the next gen model in june/july of 2020 you would be looking closer to end of 2020 before some decent discounts kicked in. I just got tired of waiting after 10 year driving the 3rd gen type S. I do like the AWD and the styling is very nice on the Aspec. Anyway if buying one now means you won't be able to trade up in 2020 or 21 then that to me would be a factor.

hdcolumbus

I am definitely happy about Android Auto--and assuming my phone is connected via USB, would I be able to simply use Google Maps on the screen? I'm also interested in what you mean by using Waze--that's what I use daily (I commute into downtown traffic)--are you able to use Waze with the screen as well?

UNCMo96

I've had my Aspec (blue with black interior) for about 6 months and really love it. As far as the interior I wish there was real metal instead of the fake metal. (I think my parents 3rd gen TL has real metal). As far as the NAV i've only used it once on purpose just to see what it's like. I find with Android Auto and waze or google maps the experience is much better. I am i the minority but I like the dual screen approach.

jhb31

You can run waze on the top screen, its one of the apps that integrates with android auto. Sure beats using the phone and the maps are much nicer than the stock acura maps. I generally use spotify and waze with android auto.

hdcolumbus

This is awesome news, thanks!

steve_97060

if you aren't in a big hurry you can wait until the new RDX is released in a few months and see what the new precision cockpit and electronics are like, that will give you an idea of what is coming in the future.

I know with current chip technology that the next wave of upgrades is expected around 2019 - 2020. It is unrealistic to expect car navigation or capabilities to mirror phone abilities, the software and chips are upgraded frequently on phones but can take several years to catch up in cars..

Anyway, I am waiting to see the new Acura precision cockpit before I make a similar decision.

Gen4MDX

BEAR-AvHistory

Speculation is the 2GTLX will be a 2020 model. That would be a late 2019 debut.

SDSilverM3

It's difficult to want a boring ebony interior after seeing the red. Very nice contrast and not too bright. A classy, muted red that pictures usually won't do it justice.

Jakes_tl

Does the A Spec use the same transmission as the previous years TLX's?

Gen4MDX

nothome17

If your at 160k and only drive 10-12k a year. You should be okay to hold off. From the maintenance side, you have a few more oil changes and maybe a few transmission fluid flush before you hit the 180-200k major maintenance. Which will be the water pump and cam adjustment. Or maybe the engine mounts or tranny mount since they only last about 90k to 120k.

pyrodan007

I agree, would hold off as well if your TL shows no major signs of problem so far. If anything, you can save a massive amount once new TLX 2.0 is announced and you need a replacement urgently.

FLYGUY31

I'm in the same boat. I want to buy this Spring but hate the Aspec head unit so I'll be looking at Audi's most likely and leaving the Acura family after many years. If the new models came out in 2019 I would hold off, but it's looking more and more like 2020. I'm at 140K and really want to unload around 150K. My TSX has pretty much been issue free.

SDSilverM3

Same ZF9 but you wouldn't think so given how different it feels compared to the previous years especially 2015s.

CPR

New ZF9 is light year's better than the crappy 2015 version; (which, by the way they replaced)
Smooth, & powerful, throughout
LOVE my A-SPEC/RED

alpha2beta

The filtering on those photos makes me want to vomit.

Christopher.

Is there a 2 year lease option? I anticipate a much more exciting TLX coming in a couple years.

The 3.0T V6 engine option [that we expect to be available in at least the upcoming Type S TLX, perhaps 2020 or 2021?] should finally put the nail in the coffin for those few holdouts saying that they liked the old TL better than the TLX.

I enjoy my TLX for what it is: a very nice car that has 90% of what I want for more than 90% of the time that I drive it. I like it so much that it makes me look for excuses to go out and drive somewhere. That being said, I'm a little disappointed that I didn't at least try the SH-AWD before purchasing, and, really wish that I could have gotten it with a 2.0T engine option to get the combined benefit of more low end torque with slightly lower weight and the ability to do a "level 2 tune" w/Hondata.

JM2010 SH-AWD

While I had my TL in for routine service yesterday, my SA (who is a real car guy and owns a beautiful GLM A Spec SH-AWD) told me the Type S will be coming out in 2019 as a '20 model and confirmed what we've heard about the 3.0 TT V6.

He said the numbers would be around 350 HP/400 TQ and that the body style would be brand new (FMC). I assume the car will be based on the '18 Accord platform. He had no info on transmissions or whether the Sport Hybrid powertrain would be offered.

Could be very interesting.

012TL-GLM

When I leased my A-spec a month ago the dealer said the same - Type S TLX around the end of 2019 and price would most likely be pushing 60K

Terdbath

Would love a turbo 3.0 in the next TLX but if its selling in the 60K range I'll look for something else.

FLYGUY31

Sounds promising, but $60K is on the very upper end of Acura buyers. I wouldn't see it being huge numbers in units.

jhb31

I kind of doubt that level of pricing unless they don't want to sell any. An S5 starts out at 55k. I normally buy my cars but there is no way I would shell out close to 60k for any TLX. Somewhere closer to a 5 or 6K premium over the A-spec is probably what the market will bear. If they come out pricing them at close to 60K there will be some major discounts to be had on them after they sit on the dealer lots for a year. The sales manager at my local dealer told me 2020 or 2021 model year for the type S. If he told me expect to pay close to 60K plus tax and tags I would have laughed at him

jhb31

I kind of doubt that level of pricing unless they don't want to sell any. An S5 starts out at 55k. I normally buy my cars but there is no way I would shell out close to 60k for any TLX. Somewhere closer to a 5 or 6K premium over the A-spec is probably what the market will bear. If they come out pricing them at close to 60K there will be some major discounts to be had on them after they sit on the dealer lots for a year. The sales manager at my local dealer told me 2020 or 2021 model year for the type S. If he told me expect to pay close to 60K plus tax and tags I would have laughed at him

svtmike

S5 may start at 55K, but that's a roughly 12K premium over the A5. If Acura can pull off a 5-6K near-S equivalent, they will have a giant hit on their hands as long as the interior and tech is up to date (and the RDX redesign is a good harbinger that it will be).

jhb31

Right but the base A5 is close to the top of the line Aspec SHAWD in price (i think 2k less or so). A base tlx is just over 30k so that would make a type S near 60k a 25K premium by the same process. I just don't see many TLX buyers in the 55 to 60K price point. Ultimately they want to sell cars and will need some value performance mix to do that. Adding 50 hp at a cost of $500 for each 1HP improvement will be a disaster. They already have the RLX as a low volume high priced sedan.

svtmike

If you take an A-spec at $45k MSRP and add $12k to it to upgrade to the V6T with all the other goodies that should go with it (higher capacity brakes, etc.), you are at $57k MSRP.

Now if you can get down near $50k for that after deals, that's a lot of car for the money from an established brand.

jhb31

I think get it down to $45k after some discounting that would be realistic. People are picking the Aspec up for high 30's now. Since the ASpec already has larger wheels and the AWD has some suspension upgrades really all you are looking at is adding a turbo and some different rotors/calipers/badging. The civic just above the base level has had a turbo on it for years now and that barely moved the price point. Even the last type S was only marginally more than the TL with navigation and a fairly good set of items not on the non type S model including a larger motor.

CheeseyPoofs McNut

The sedan market is far too weak to come out with a pricing model that wants 60K for a TLX - even with a super nice interior and a 3.0TT.

012TL-GLM

I could easily see the price being between 55 and 60K - how much do you have to spend to get an Audi or BMW with 400bhp? The difference with Acura is that it will be a fully loaded model, whereas the Germans will still nickel and dime you for every feature. Having a high end model is necessary for brand identification. How many Hellcats do you see compared to the lower models? Its the idea of the top trim that sells the lower trims. Check out the Type S - don't like the price, how about this A-Spec? IF Acura can deliver a sub 5 second 0-60 , a decent transmission, and maintain/improve the aesthetics of the A-spec there will be plenty of folks willing to fork over the cash

BEAR-AvHistory

Agree. Acura already has a near 400BHP (377BHP) "Super TLX" called the RLX that they cannot sell for $61,900. They need to get the brand "image" up before they can sell in that price range.

You already have 400BHP cars going for Infiniti Red $51-58K & Stinger $38-49K so the best Acura could hope for is to split the difference between a mid priced Stinger & a full Infiniti Red.

BMW will release a 380BHP (read 400+ performance) for about $55K next year & Audi/Mercedes are also bulking up at the lower end with more power.

dmski

New Type S will compete directly with Q50 Red Sport and should be priced the same way. This thing must push 400hp or it will be an automatic FAIL. You can't have a Type S come out after all those years demand a premium and be slower than KIA Stinger. Not going to fly.

pyrodan007

60k US$?! No way in hell this thing will sell in Canada. For 60k CAN, not that bad since it competes directly with the red sport. As long as the tech comes with it, should be a decent seller with respect to German sport models. Not cheap, but neither is its market.