Hello fellow friends who drive the same cars ,

It's about that time of the year again where I make one big thread with all the details and pictures of my car. I usually do this after a year and a half with my car in case you didn't notice.

The title should have said "Journey of a Wheel Whore" But I was not sure if it was suitable to say the word whore on the title...

For those who did not see my FIRST TL thread, here it is ----> LINK <--- yep there. It was an Anthracite metallic, 2005 Auto with Navi.

Before we start, make sure you are seated comfy, perhaps with a nice cold iced coffee or tea handy, and relax and enjoy the pictures and journey!

One day I woke up and realized I was not happy with an Automatic. Sure the first 2 months of driving an auto after driving a Manual transmission for 4 years was cool, but after that, man is it starting to get boring. So after a year with he Auto, it was finally paid off. A local dealer was selling an 06 TL Anthracite 6spd with Navi for 22k, I thought that was dirt cheap! only 30k miles at the time (this was back in 2008). After a month has gone by, I saw the car was still there. I spoke to a sales rep, he told me that it was mostly men around 40-50 who came to look and realized it was a Manual transmission so they walked away. The price also dropped to 19k! I couldn't resist so I quickly put my auto back to stock....traded it in for measly 14k and my journey with the 6spd begins!!!

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Before we start, just to catch your attention, this is how she looks today!

Details will be posted below.....zoomzoomzoom....

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VERSION ZERO: The Revival
I asked the salesman if I could swap some parts from my 05 TL onto this 06 TL, so here is how she looked when I brought her home.
+ UA7 Type S Front End w/Aspec
+ Blacked out headlights
+ OEM Visors
+ Aspec Skirts
+ Type S Tail Lights
+ Type S Sidemarkers

A week later came this.
+ Tein Basics
+ Stage 1 Exhaust Mod
+ ATLP J-Pipe Ver.1
+ ATLPE Race Pipe
+ AEM V2 CAI
+ Home Depot Lip (for a 2weeks >.< wtf man)





VERSION ONE: Something Different
I wanted a Track look and at the time, TA wheels were getting somewhat popular. I got A set of Linea Corse LeMans (BBS LM Reps) and did them TA style.
+ Linea Corse LeMans 19x8.5+35 +19x10 +40 Time Attacked
+ 225/35/19 Federal SS595 All Around
+ TypeS Rear Aspec
+ ATLP Quads Ver.1
+ Aspec Trunk Lip
+ 4000k Lower Fogs
+ Nokyo Ion Yellow Upper Fogs



Didn't Like the TA look so I decided to change it back to the typical Polished lip wheel look.
+ Repainted Linea Corse LeMans to Gunmetal w/ Polished lip
+ Red Linea Corse Center Caps
+ Slammed on Tein Basics



VERSION TWO: Euro Style TL???
So Mike Yu of ATLP got me into the whole Base tail light deal because it looked very "European." At this time, the whole Vdub scene was booming due to the debut of that one video with LMFAO...what is is..."every day I see my dream" whatever. I was infatuated with how they run SLAMMED with tiny tiny wheels...but since I didn't have a Euro car, I decided to rock JDM wheels....yeah idk what I'm smoking with these stupid VERSION titles.
+ ENKEI RPF1 17x9.5 +15 SBC color
+ Falken Azenis ST115 235/40/17
+ Base Tails w/ Clear Smoke
+ Nokyo Ion Yellow Turn Signals
+ Those Tree Air Fresheners Euro cars love





VERSION THREE: HELLA FLUSH VIP BIPPU NIPPU TIPPU STYLE!
The Rise of aggressive stance was coming to Acurazine...but it hasn't hit hard yet. I did this after i first discovered Hella Flush back when they weren't too popular yet. Did Hella Flush....killed my front Drive fender...Rubbed the living daylights...i loved it...
+ WORK VS-XX 18x9 +5 18x10 +20 CHROME
+ 215/40/18 Toyo Proxes 4
+ 225/40/18 Federal SS595
+ Koni Yellows ATLP Re-Valved
+ H&R Race Springs
+ 04-06 Red Base Tail Lights
+ ATLP Roof Spoiler Ver.1
- AEM V2 CAI
- Type S Aspec Front Lip (hit a tire...doh)
+ Home Depot Lip (OH NO NOT AGAIN DOHDOH)







VERSION FOUR: ROTAAASsss ROTA! ROTAAASssss ROTA!
In case you have NO idea what I was saying above, I was saying the company of my next wheels....ROTA!!! ROTASssss...I always liked saying that because it sounds like the old GI JOE intro song, but replace the word cobra with ROTA! Lost? here....remember, replace COBRA with ROTA...yes I am weird.... @ 35sec http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN034sBeF4c
It's 4am okay, give me a break, I have to keep myself sane somehow.
+ 18x9 +30 ROTA G-Force GunMetallic
+ 245/40/18 Federal SS595
+ Type S Aspec Front
+ Type S Headlights Cleared
- ATLP Quads Ver. 1
- ATLP J-Pipe Ver. 1
+ ATLP J-Pipe Ver. 2
+ Red Brake Caliper Paint




VERSION FIVE: FULLY Aspec, Finally.
Well Minus the suspension and steering wheel of course. Ditched the Rotas because they rubbed too much with those FAT tires. Traded them for Aspecs.
+ 18x8.5 Acura OEM Aspecs Silver
+ 235/40/18 Pirelli PZERO Rosso
+ Color Matched Grill Pieces
+ Project Kics 20mm Spacer (4)



VERSION SIX: Track POSER!
The 6-speed makes me want to track, so I opted for some track wheels and stuff, too bad it never saw a day at the track.
+ ENKEI NT03+M 18x9.5 +22 BLACK
+ Sunny SN3800 235/40/18 (POS TIRES)
+ Ground Controls
+ DATUM1 Tow Hook
+ GunMetal Trimmed Type S Tail Lights
- OEM Door Visors (sigh..)
+ Nikon D5000 DSLR Camera (woohoo)






VERSION SEVEN: Reaching Balance
Being confused whether to go track or luxury or sport or hella flush, I decided to combine all of the above!
+ 5Zigen ZR 520 18x9.5 +20 GunMetal
+ 225/40/18 Tires
+ Base UA7 Front Coversion
+ Base UA7 Aspec Front Lip
+ AutoBarn D.R.L. Kit
+ Autolumination Amber LED Bulb (for DRL)
+ Base UA6 Red Tail Lights
+ Aspec Badge
+ Rays Extended Anodized Blue Lugs
+ Magnaflow Quads
+ ATLP Roof Spoiler Ver. 2
- Aspec Trunk Lip





VERSION EIGHT: Almost Complete
After hearing Varrstoen Wheels were looking for a TL to test fit, I quickly jumped in. Check them out at www.varrstoen.com . Great wheels, great quality, looks fantastic imo. Just a few more things left and I think I will be done. The Mod bug has been dying...my engine mods are all stock minus the Magnaflow quads. I just drive my car day to day, not thinking of buying this and that like before. Age has struck me, I have a lot of payments and responsibilities now...All that's left for my little TL is Door Visors (I know I shouldn't have sold it) & Thule Roof Rack.
+ Smoked Type S Headlights
+ Varrstoen ES2.2.1 18x9+15
+ Federal SS595 225/40/18
- Front Tint (ticket)







That seems to have sum'd up about my 2nd TL. Thanks for sticking around and reading/viewing it! So yeah, mod bug...hasn't been very active. Since it hasn't I decided to embark in another hobby, something that I haven't touched for over 11 years, RC CARS! Anyone still play with these little 1/10 scaled cars? Well time to time if I am not busy, I would play around with it as if it was my real car heh. After the realization that you could stretch tires and do stance on RC, I was hooked! If you are just THAT bored, check out my RC blog http://intimitationrc.tumblr.com/. call me lame, retarded or whatever I don't care, I can wheel whore for 1/100 the price =]

In conclusion of my TL Journey...
My First TL, the 2005 Base Auto, was something childish. I bought so many wheels left to right because I wanted it all. It nearly bankrupt my savings in doing so. I was irresponsible and could NOT stick to one wheel. I was a curious boy who's thirst of curiosity was at it's peak. With the new 6-speed, the horrible wheel-whoring trait followed, soon ceased after an epiphany. Not really sure what happened, but the joy of modding slowly stopped. From buying wheels every month, to every 6months, to just sticking with a set.

I realized that I have been rocking more Style/Knock Offs/Rep wheels. Do I care? No, they are just wheels to me. After I bought the Varianza T1s for my Auto, I thought i would stick with it because they were so "Ballin," but I couldn't. After wheel whoring so much, I just didn't care about what the wheels were....well I still have some self respect so I wouldn't get anything that wasn't very reputable such as Kyowas and so on.

All in all, I've learned to accept that I can not please everyone. I can not keep the TL fresh without spending a lot of money and doing insane work. I give props to each and everyone one of you out there with a TL or even TSX, RSX, RL etc. These are nice cars, take good care of it! No I am not saying all of this because I am selling my TL...I still have 4k of payments left hahahha so I'll be here for a while. Thanks again folks, bye!

 

 

Good job... nicely done!

 

I've liked all of the looks above. Very tastefully modified!

 

so sexy! love the ATLP Quad movie. Epic

 

Probably my biggest inspiration. Your wheel choices help me decide on my own Glad to see modded AM's

 

nice progress i like the varrstoen wheels the best

 

sweet! all your setups look great.

 

 

I liked your videos! I just have a question, why do you have a black bumper in the "ATLP BASE Test Video (NO BG Music)" video?

 

Still remember every single setup that you've gone through! Good memories man! Love the varrstoen look too! Come out to the bbq tmrw if you can man!

 

Holy mother of God!
I can't decide if I like your car design or camera skills more. Great job.
Nice to look back and see...you change your setup more than I change my underwear. And not just lugs/rims...suspension...lights...etc...
sh*t, you even changed your car. lol...for the same one.

+1 BILLIONMILLION for 6 speed though...I'm with you there.

 

I'm glad I found my car and it was a 6-speed. I had considered settling for an automatic on this car...seems I made the right choice by taking the manual Seems like nobody is satisfied with an automatic.

 

good memories and times.. lol

can't believe you posted pics with my old TL with said lincoln grill in it too.... now i miss it. betch... lol

 

I wont lie, those VS-XX were <33333


I've always loved all your setups! SICK!

 

Hi Tim!!
the new TL is sick

 

 

some pics arnt working but can you post up a pic of your current DRLs in daylight?

 

They all seem to be working for me

 

version three *heart*

 

Dang bro you got some skillz! Nice choice of rims & nice photos.
I personally like the Aspec's & WORK VS-XX the best.
(+5 & +20) for the WORK VS-XX.......
I like all the styles you've been rocking!

 

Tim, I love your sense of style. All the versions of your tl are clean and tasteful. When I had my old AM your 1st ride was definately an inspiration. I will say I like your base bumper over your type-s one and I seem to like the polished or silver wheels over black, just adds more contrast. The new aggresive set-up however looks fantastic. Hope to see it at the meet if you attend.

 

you make me sick!
im getting those wheels painted and should be on next week!
every version looks great!

 

Perfect tl!

 

Nice journey! Version 5 & 7 are my favorites. haha

 

+1... polished/silver/black chrome wheels fit your car best... but love the story line!

 

THanks!
Thanks!
hahaha yeah =] thanks!
I am glad I could be of some inspiration! Keep that AM pride alive!
Thanks! Glad that you do since I won't be getting wheels for a long time, if ever!
Thanks Man
you too Scott!
Thanks! I have AZNBO187's bumper because my base bumper's exhaust outlet was cut to fit the TL-S Aspec

Dude John! I knowww man so many memories! I wish I could have kept the 5zigens because without a doubt they BELONG on a AM TL!!! I just shouldn't have done +20 offset! See you tomorrow man!

Thank you for the kind words! You gotta start changing those underwears more often man lol jk

lol i Know...why did u betray the Acura line up man =[ I am disappointed in you...jk jk

Hi Carrie! Thanks! Yours too!

I won't lie too I probably should have kept them but I am happy with what I have now.

Thanks man!

Thanks Jaime! your car is and will always be an inspiration to me and many of us! your sense of clean cut look and perfection of your mods got us hooked! Just look at how many people are rocking the Base lip after seeing yours

You are getting Varrstoen?? what color??

Thanks!

They are one of my favs too, thanks!

I agree it does bring out luxury to this color! Brian you need to start making a timeline too!

 

great looks, making me think about adding the type-s front to my ssm. and im really contemplating those varrstoeners, do you have any closer pics of the fitment? the vs-xx and the varr...... look the best imo

 

i love the gunmetal and polish lemans. those are my favorite setup. props for doin it big and showing that the TL can be whatever you want it to be

 

Hey tim... your car always looks hella fresh and the set up now just looks insane!!!! as always great choice in wheels

 

Awesome! I thoroughly enjoyed reading (and drooling) over this thread. Your TL has come a long way and I love it

 

no i was referring to the 5zigens i took off your hands

 

So you're the one that took them :angryfire

 

^^^^

Man your has came through many stages, I keep having to any many miney moe which one I like the best! LOL

 

Pinal come by da house today if you pick those wheels up

 

:thief:

 

Dang. You go through wheels like underwear. Every single version of your car looks sick. What roof spoiler are you running? Looks great.

 

Very well done. Makes mine look so... vanilla.

 

The base aspec looks so much better than the type-s aspec. I don't know why people opt to do a type-s front conversion, it just just doesn't flow and looks bulky. The rear type-s aspec is ok though. Kudos to you for going back to base aspec!

 

Hell of a thorough write-up. Very well documented.