New Owner! NBP Type-S
08-18-2010, 10:26 PM
#1
New Owner! NBP Type-S
I extend a great deal of thanks to AcuraZine members for guiding me to one of the most exciting days of my life, driving home in a near mint condition black on black/gray 2008 TL Type-S last week.
I feel like there's so much to tell, but so much of it you'd all already know. Just so you know that your dedication to the community doesn't go unnoticed, I'd like to share my top 10 seemingly "useful" opinions as a shopper/buyer and how this site helped me in my decision.
Item #1: Finding the TL
No doubt finding a Type-S at the right time, right price, and right condition is a more difficult task than I expected it would be. I had one show up 10 miles from my house, fairly priced, but the outside looked like it belonged to a guy with a ticked-off girlfriend. I was about ready to jump, but held back because of the exterior condition. The wait paid off, and I ended up with a car that's about flawless, and still has warranty.
The lesson I took from this site: Wait for the right car, don't jump on one just because it's convenient.
Item #2: The Family Matters
I have 3 children (ages .5, 3, 7...minivan already in fleet, don't worry), and all 5 of us fit nicely in the TL even with child seats installed. This was a big deal for me because for as much as I wanted a TL, I was a little concerned that it wouldn't be big enough. We have a double-stroller (the long way, a Baby Trends Sit & Stand model) and it fits in the trunk. Barely. Don't plan on long trips with anything other than the stroller unless you have a smaller one.
The lesson I took from this site: The TL is big for its class, but don't expect too much of its capacity. They didn't build it expecting their primary buyers to be a family of 5 with tons of crap. That's what an Accord is for.
Item #3: The Ride Quality - Perspective and Subjective
I was no doubt in love with the TL-S looks but I didn't really need the stiffer suspension and associated sport-oriented parts. Turns out that in the end, I think it's more fun to ride in. I didn't notice much difference between a base TL and the Type-S for normal driving, but coming from a Civic, not sure I'd notice anyway. What I did notice was how connected the Type-S feels to the road, and any relative stiffness I was warned about is not noteworthy in my eyes.
The lesson I took from this site: many people who didn't buy a Type-S later wished they would have. There have already been a few things I've noticed in my short time as an owner which make me glad I have every option available.
Item #4: The Assholeisphere
I didn't know this, but apparently there's this bubble of air that surrounds the TL. Any other driver that comes within that air drives like a complete prick. Drifts from their lane, cuts in front of you, tailgates you, or slams on their brakes unexpectedly at seemingly unnecessary times. Leaves you in a constant state of fear that your TL will be harmed in some manner. Oh, and it also turns all stoplights red. I certainly hope I'm not confusing this air bubble with jealousy.
The lesson I took from this site: NONE! NEVER BEFORE DOCUMENTED!!
Item #5: The Transmission
I went with the 5AT after test driving. The 6MT is great, but coming from a Civic, the TL feels very large and laid back. I couldn't see me wanting a stick every day with this vehicle. I'll save that for the smaller sports cars when I have my scheduled mid-life crisis. For the 6MT lovers out there, I left several of them for ya! Enjoy!
The lesson I took from this site: You have to test drive them both to really know which one is the right one for you. This is one area where I would have regretted following mass opinion on here, as many are very strongly for the 6MT.
Item #6: The Gas Mileage
The gas mileage posts didn't lie! I averaged 33 mpg on the interstate on the way home according to the MID. Holy crap people...that is better than my Civic on the interstate. I thought you were all just really good at photoshop & fiction.
The city mileage is more realistic for this kind of car, but with a mixed average of 26 according to the MID, I'm still a very satisfied buyer.
The lesson I took from this site: It's a TL, not a Prius. But who wants a Prius anyway?
Item #7: The MID
That little info display in the gauge cluster is probably the key to improving world-wide fuel usage for people like me. I keep the trip computer on most of the time, and trying to keep the Average MPG number high is my goal. In doing so, it forces me to drive the car gingerly. Sometimes I feel like a bit of a grandpa, but perhaps that little screen is making me exercise more caution than I would have otherwise. Who knew something so small could make such a difference?
The lesson I took from this site: Take the time to understand and make use of the tools offered in the car. Without poking around the pictures and threads in here, I might not have took much notice in the MID and kept the display up for the odometer and outside temp.
Item #8: The Price
Dealers have been a little difficult to work with on the TL-S for some reason, perhaps because they're a little more rare in my area. I managed to stumble on a deal (see item #1, patience). Originally listed for $27,998 and with a sale plus a little negotiation, we agreed on $24,600 resulting in a flat $26,000 out the door. A little higher than where I was hoping to be, but given it's nearly perfect WITH tinted windows and all-season mats, I don't think that's all that bad!
The lesson I took from this site: Tons of people have been kind enough to share their OTD price, which helps you baseline what to expect. Search carefully, know what you're buying, and you should have more than enough fodder to negotiate a great deal. It worked for me.
Item #9: The Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts
There was an interesting thread started where the OP asked what you like most about your TL. Most comments were focused on the looks, but if you consider everything as a whole, I don't know that there's a better car in the world for me right now. And I mean that. Looks, safety, reliability, cost of ownership, value...everything. It's all there.
The lesson I took from this site: There are cars out there that have better <insert nouns here> than the TL, but considering the package, this is hands down one of the best bang-for-the-buck buys out there if you even have some little spark of automotive enthusiasm in you.
Item #10: The presentation.
Only photo I have at the moment. It rained all the way home after I got it, so it's a bit dirty right now. This was the pic I took on the lot before I bought it. I have to say, as an owner, pictures will never do these cars justice.
The lesson I took from this site: Pics or it didn't happen...right?
So, again, THANK YOU AcuraZine 3G TL contributors for your countless valuable opinions and insight that helped make this purchase go as smoothly as could be expected. I don't regret a thing, other than having a second car payment.
I feel like there's so much to tell, but so much of it you'd all already know. Just so you know that your dedication to the community doesn't go unnoticed, I'd like to share my top 10 seemingly "useful" opinions as a shopper/buyer and how this site helped me in my decision.
Item #1: Finding the TL
No doubt finding a Type-S at the right time, right price, and right condition is a more difficult task than I expected it would be. I had one show up 10 miles from my house, fairly priced, but the outside looked like it belonged to a guy with a ticked-off girlfriend. I was about ready to jump, but held back because of the exterior condition. The wait paid off, and I ended up with a car that's about flawless, and still has warranty.
The lesson I took from this site: Wait for the right car, don't jump on one just because it's convenient.
Item #2: The Family Matters
I have 3 children (ages .5, 3, 7...minivan already in fleet, don't worry), and all 5 of us fit nicely in the TL even with child seats installed. This was a big deal for me because for as much as I wanted a TL, I was a little concerned that it wouldn't be big enough. We have a double-stroller (the long way, a Baby Trends Sit & Stand model) and it fits in the trunk. Barely. Don't plan on long trips with anything other than the stroller unless you have a smaller one.
The lesson I took from this site: The TL is big for its class, but don't expect too much of its capacity. They didn't build it expecting their primary buyers to be a family of 5 with tons of crap. That's what an Accord is for.
Item #3: The Ride Quality - Perspective and Subjective
I was no doubt in love with the TL-S looks but I didn't really need the stiffer suspension and associated sport-oriented parts. Turns out that in the end, I think it's more fun to ride in. I didn't notice much difference between a base TL and the Type-S for normal driving, but coming from a Civic, not sure I'd notice anyway. What I did notice was how connected the Type-S feels to the road, and any relative stiffness I was warned about is not noteworthy in my eyes.
The lesson I took from this site: many people who didn't buy a Type-S later wished they would have. There have already been a few things I've noticed in my short time as an owner which make me glad I have every option available.
Item #4: The Assholeisphere
I didn't know this, but apparently there's this bubble of air that surrounds the TL. Any other driver that comes within that air drives like a complete prick. Drifts from their lane, cuts in front of you, tailgates you, or slams on their brakes unexpectedly at seemingly unnecessary times. Leaves you in a constant state of fear that your TL will be harmed in some manner. Oh, and it also turns all stoplights red. I certainly hope I'm not confusing this air bubble with jealousy.
The lesson I took from this site: NONE! NEVER BEFORE DOCUMENTED!!
Item #5: The Transmission
I went with the 5AT after test driving. The 6MT is great, but coming from a Civic, the TL feels very large and laid back. I couldn't see me wanting a stick every day with this vehicle. I'll save that for the smaller sports cars when I have my scheduled mid-life crisis. For the 6MT lovers out there, I left several of them for ya! Enjoy!
The lesson I took from this site: You have to test drive them both to really know which one is the right one for you. This is one area where I would have regretted following mass opinion on here, as many are very strongly for the 6MT.
Item #6: The Gas Mileage
The gas mileage posts didn't lie! I averaged 33 mpg on the interstate on the way home according to the MID. Holy crap people...that is better than my Civic on the interstate. I thought you were all just really good at photoshop & fiction.
The city mileage is more realistic for this kind of car, but with a mixed average of 26 according to the MID, I'm still a very satisfied buyer.
The lesson I took from this site: It's a TL, not a Prius. But who wants a Prius anyway?
Item #7: The MID
That little info display in the gauge cluster is probably the key to improving world-wide fuel usage for people like me. I keep the trip computer on most of the time, and trying to keep the Average MPG number high is my goal. In doing so, it forces me to drive the car gingerly. Sometimes I feel like a bit of a grandpa, but perhaps that little screen is making me exercise more caution than I would have otherwise. Who knew something so small could make such a difference?
The lesson I took from this site: Take the time to understand and make use of the tools offered in the car. Without poking around the pictures and threads in here, I might not have took much notice in the MID and kept the display up for the odometer and outside temp.
Item #8: The Price
Dealers have been a little difficult to work with on the TL-S for some reason, perhaps because they're a little more rare in my area. I managed to stumble on a deal (see item #1, patience). Originally listed for $27,998 and with a sale plus a little negotiation, we agreed on $24,600 resulting in a flat $26,000 out the door. A little higher than where I was hoping to be, but given it's nearly perfect WITH tinted windows and all-season mats, I don't think that's all that bad!
The lesson I took from this site: Tons of people have been kind enough to share their OTD price, which helps you baseline what to expect. Search carefully, know what you're buying, and you should have more than enough fodder to negotiate a great deal. It worked for me.
Item #9: The Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts
There was an interesting thread started where the OP asked what you like most about your TL. Most comments were focused on the looks, but if you consider everything as a whole, I don't know that there's a better car in the world for me right now. And I mean that. Looks, safety, reliability, cost of ownership, value...everything. It's all there.
The lesson I took from this site: There are cars out there that have better <insert nouns here> than the TL, but considering the package, this is hands down one of the best bang-for-the-buck buys out there if you even have some little spark of automotive enthusiasm in you.
Item #10: The presentation.
Only photo I have at the moment. It rained all the way home after I got it, so it's a bit dirty right now. This was the pic I took on the lot before I bought it. I have to say, as an owner, pictures will never do these cars justice.
The lesson I took from this site: Pics or it didn't happen...right?
So, again, THANK YOU AcuraZine 3G TL contributors for your countless valuable opinions and insight that helped make this purchase go as smoothly as could be expected. I don't regret a thing, other than having a second car payment.
08-18-2010, 10:33 PM
#3
Race Director
iTrader: (8)
Cliffs:
Acurazine + Acura TL = Bond.
Acurazine + Acura TL = Bond.
Welcome to the forum
08-18-2010, 10:52 PM
#6
Team Owner
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kansas City, MO (Overland Park, KS)
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Welcome Brady-now you can join our Type S Social Group here.
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08-19-2010, 07:10 AM
#10
BANNED
iTrader: (33)
nice write up on your experience. congrats on the type-s...you will love it! good paint choice as well! 
welcome to the forum...anything and everything you ever wanted to know is just a few clicks away. enjoy it!
welcome to the forum...anything and everything you ever wanted to know is just a few clicks away. enjoy it!
08-19-2010, 09:53 PM
#14
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Congrats on the purchase! I'm glad your fellow Acuraziners were able to help you out! I try my best not to steer anyone in the wrong direction
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