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Finally! 2018 TLX A-Spec AWD - Still Night Blue Pearl is here
Finally! I've been waiting since mid-June to get an AWD Still Night Blue Pearl A-Spec with black interior and she finally came in today. Had to involve Acura Client Care since there were none being allocated to California after waiting 4-5 weeks. They got a regional sales manager involved to get an allocation sent over. Judging by the VIN it looks like it might have been sitting somewhere for a bit. Got it with 20 miles on the clock and traded in our 2014 Fathom Blue MDX-Tech-AWD. Great supplement to my 2003 Aegean Blue Pearl CL Type S 6MT. I'll take pics of both soon.
Have had a smile all day today driving it wherever I could. So far so good! Drives great, transmission has no jerkiness to it. Shifts are smooth with no delays. Auto start/stop is annoying, but you can turn it off thankfully. Can't wait to break it in and see what she can do. I'm still trying to get used to the transmissions buttons, kind of annoying that you have to actively think to change gears (D, R, Park). I'm still looking down each time. Suspension is great, supple and firm at the same time if that makes sense. They did a great job on tuning the A-Spec. Dealer even remembered to not drill the front bumper for a license plate like I asked.
Thanks to all that have shared their experiences so far with their A-Specs. I've learned a lot before even owning one these past couple of months.
Dont worry about the shifter. It becomes second nature and is quite intuitive. With my RLX, it took me only a couple of days to get used to it. The TLX is now my second car with the button transmission.
Also interested in the color comparo to the old Aegean Blue Pearl,
I love the driving experience in mine still after almost two months.
Last edited by neuronbob; Aug 4, 2017 at 06:04 AM.
Great looking car. Acura did a pretty decent job with the new Gen grill. Much better than the previous gen of TL and MDX.
How's the stock suspension on the TLX?
Stock suspension feels great. I didn't drive a non-A Spec to compare, but the A-Spec is firm without being jarring and just absorbs the bumps and rough roads really well without rattles or harshness. Haven't really done any spirited driving yet to see how it handles in the curves.
Looks great. Any plans to tine the windows? How's Hopkins Acura sales/service department treat you? My local dealership closed years ago so I've been servicing my MDX at the Honda dealership.
Looks great. Any plans to tine the windows? How's Hopkins Acura sales/service department treat you? My local dealership closed years ago so I've been servicing my MDX at the Honda dealership.
Debating on tinting it. I don't like having tint on the rear windows and no tint on the front. Police around here nit pick everything and I'd really like to tint the front.
You're getting a better deal servicing yours at the Honda dealer. I've done both and the big difference about Acura service in my mind is the loaners. I'd get one just for an oil change because they'd say it takes 2 hours. It used to be the environment was more upscale but Honda's stepped up with dealers in this area. An example is an MDX transmission flush recently, Acura dealer (Concord) wanted $400 and the Honda dealer across the street $100. Crazy. ..
Beautiful car! Did your dealer have any blue a spec with red interior?
I am thinking of dumping my Acura Wagon, and replacing it with a RED/RED A Spec TLX or a BLUE/RED A Spec.
I was so on the fence about Blue/Black or Blue/Red. I ended up going the conservative route with the Black. I love Blue exteriors and Red interiors, but wasn't sure of that combo. I hear it's a love or hate feeling with it. I didn't get a chance to see one in person though, only pictures. You've got great choices in colors though. Red exterior was real close second choice for me. Love the shade that the TLX's come in.
Nicely done CL-S. Still love those, glad you have the one with the correct transmission.
The blues look quite similar and are similarly shade-changing depending on the light. Cool.
That CL-S has only 77,000 miles so it's going to be in the family for years.
I'm still amazed at this shade of blue. Like ABP depending on the light you get various versions of blue. It's a real stunning color and I'm glad I waited for it.
You can see the "genetics" of the car..from CL to TLX. Certain cues definitely show they are from the same Honda family. Congrats. Really nice look cars.
I was so on the fence about Blue/Black or Blue/Red. I ended up going the conservative route with the Black. I love Blue exteriors and Red interiors, but wasn't sure of that combo. I hear it's a love or hate feeling with it. I didn't get a chance to see one in person though, only pictures. You've got great choices in colors though. Red exterior was real close second choice for me. Love the shade that the TLX's come in.
For me the red interior is the first choice, exterior color is the second choice.
If I go for the red interior + red exterior, it will be too much, which is just perfect for me
Congrats on the car!! It's sexy looking car.
I know you waited a while so it's good to hear you say that you are "all smiles while driving the car". To me, that's what is all about...to drive a car that you enjoy driving, not just one that looks good.
Someone mentioned the resemblance of the TLX with the CL, and that's pretty accurate. Looks like Acurais turning back to the right direction...to their roots. I remember when I had my Honda Prelude and saw a CL type S for the first time on the road...I pulled up next to it and I was in awe. Loved the shape, loved the rear...oh and those rims...man that was a great looking car. Congrats on owning both!
I am still waiting for a few more incentives and hoping for lower prices come Labor Day (not expecting a lot...but anything will do) to pull the trigger. My current TL still drives smooth with 235k miles...so time is on my side and there is no rush ...but man I have to be honest, your pictures and more importantly how you "feel" about your new ride is certainly invigorating and enticing. Congrats!
Congrats on the car!! It's sexy looking car.
I know you waited a while so it's good to hear you say that you are "all smiles while driving the car". To me, that's what is all about...to drive a car that you enjoy driving, not just one that looks good.
Someone mentioned the resemblance of the TLX with the CL, and that's pretty accurate. Looks like Acurais turning back to the right direction...to their roots. I remember when I had my Honda Prelude and saw a CL type S for the first time on the road...I pulled up next to it and I was in awe. Loved the shape, loved the rear...oh and those rims...man that was a great looking car. Congrats on owning both!
I am still waiting for a few more incentives and hoping for lower prices come Labor Day (not expecting a lot...but anything will do) to pull the trigger. My current TL still drives smooth with 235k miles...so time is on my side and there is no rush ...but man I have to be honest, your pictures and more importantly how you "feel" about your new ride is certainly invigorating and enticing. Congrats!
same with me, I have 170k on mine and am looking forward to getting an ASpec, it finally looks like a TL(X) I would part with my 05 for.
Congrats on the car!! It's sexy looking car.
I know you waited a while so it's good to hear you say that you are "all smiles while driving the car". To me, that's what is all about...to drive a car that you enjoy driving, not just one that looks good.
Someone mentioned the resemblance of the TLX with the CL, and that's pretty accurate. Looks like Acurais turning back to the right direction...to their roots. I remember when I had my Honda Prelude and saw a CL type S for the first time on the road...I pulled up next to it and I was in awe. Loved the shape, loved the rear...oh and those rims...man that was a great looking car. Congrats on owning both!
I am still waiting for a few more incentives and hoping for lower prices come Labor Day (not expecting a lot...but anything will do) to pull the trigger. My current TL still drives smooth with 235k miles...so time is on my side and there is no rush ...but man I have to be honest, your pictures and more importantly how you "feel" about your new ride is certainly invigorating and enticing. Congrats!
Thanks! I'm hoping Acura goes back to their roots too. Will be exciting to see what comes out next. The CL has been a great car. Reliable, fun to drive and pretty rare especially in the blue and 6 speed. It's good you can wait because I'm sure you'll get a great deal on one.
Glad to see you like it! I'm still contemplating if I should trade in my 3G Type S for one. I actually live around Fairfield and was planning to go test drive one. What I find odd is no front license plate? Did you remove it or did it not come with one?
Saw a blue one on the road the last Saturday in July as my wife and I were driving through Chevy Chase MD on our way to DC. I thought it really stood out on the road and looked great!
Glad to see you like it! I'm still contemplating if I should trade in my 3G Type S for one. I actually live around Fairfield and was planning to go test drive one. What I find odd is no front license plate? Did you remove it or did it not come with one?
Love the 3G Type S! Never got one because at the time I had 3 kids in car seats. Would have been my first choice then looking for a sedan. Test drive a TLX just to at least compare. Talk to Will Smith in Fairfield. He's great.
I asked them to not drill holes for the front plate. I don't like them on our cars. Been 3 years on the MDX and 14 years on the CL and haven't been pulled over yet, knock on wood.
Congrats on your new A-Spec. I am also into Blue with Red interior. I like to get something that my first instinct tells me to get. I would hate to see someone else driving a car color combo that I wanted.
^^^^
What a beautiful car! I know for the past few years that the Acura front ends have been controversial to say the least but I am really loving the '18 redesign. Looks so good, especially on the A-Spec models.
Can see one in my future 
