Drove TL Sat., bought it Fri.

[n5lfh]

Hi All....I'm going public altho I've been lurking for several months, mainly for your thoughts and my interest in Acura. We got all the life we could out of my wife's '94 Maxima and started test driving new cars in Aug. I usually buy late in a model year because we drive cars till they near drop. This time, we were looking for a manual tranny and pickings were poor at the end of 03. That got us into the 04 cycle, but we were also interested in a 04 Maxima. It's a new platform for that name. Last Sat. we drove a 04 TL and Mon., finally, a manual Maxima. The TL beat it, but the Max was a close second in our Nissan biased eyes. Yesterday, we drove off in a Blue/Camel 04 TL, 6 speed with 28 miles. This evening its got 668 miles after going from Austin to Dallas and back. It's a nice suspension (my back doesn't hurt) and it was fun going thru the gears instead just planting my right foot all the time. All our past few cars have been automatics. So over time, I'll be asking questions and telling stories. This is our first Acura, really our first non Nissan since 1978. This TL feels like I can tell stories when it hits 188K, but lets hope! Greg For you're MSRP questions, that's what we paid and that was the trend from 9 dealers that had 6-speeds in Texas. Our dealer gave me locking lugs, side molding, edge protectors, tint and waved the Destination fee. Those came really without asking.

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[98CoupeV6]

Congrats Me and my dad test drove a 04 6MT on Saturday and he loves it...the auto felt kind of squishy and boat-like but the 6 speed is really tight in comparison to it. His only real decision is whether or not to spring for the navi. I like the Nighthawk Black with black interior, he likes black with camel and abyss blue. Like you said, our dealer was willing to give us some crap but not really move off of MSRP...supply and demand, you know. My dad is probably going to buy one this winter. Tell us how you like it when you put some miles on it

Chris

[AcuraTL]

Pay MSRP for the 6 speed for the 04 TL I think is a excellent deal. Congrats no your new TL. I am jealous now LOL

[SiClone]

I drove the auto TL over the weekend and liked it a lot. It's features (center console controls, display, HVAC system, and Nav) are very similar to those in the 04 Lexus LS430 I drove laterthat day, too. I'm definitely going to consider buying this for my wife when her lease is up next year...

[filip75]

Hi all,

I'm new here... so, let me introduce myself: I'm FILIP and I currently own a highly modified BMW hatchback. Recently I was doing some test drive in order to get a new car... I ha a couple of choices: Mercedes C230 Kompressor sedan, Saab 9-3 sport sedan, Lexus IS300 and finally Acura TL (I just got tired of driving a 2 door car).

I test drove a Mercedes and it was very nice, then I drove TL and fell totally in love with it. After that I stopped by the SAAB dealer and the car didn't even look right to me. The same thing hapened with IS300. Nothing seems to come close to TL, neither in Luxury and handling nor in Standard options that it offers. Lexus looked the worst out of the bunch. Even though it has some cool guages, but it still looks like a Toyota inside. I can't say the same about TL... Also, I didn't even know, but my phone has BlueTooth technology in it, so that'd be one more toy to play with.

I'm deffinetelly placing an order for one in January. Up until then I have to decide if I want a 6 speed or A/T. Manual would be nice, but I hate getting stuck in traffic and having to manipulate a lot... but then again - I want the nice feel of it.

[n5lfh]

Hi Filip
The stick has been easy driving in Austin. The clutch pedal weight is effortless and the TL idles in gear in the slowest traffic. There even appears to be a throttle compensator where it will rev itself just as the RPMs get too low, altho I have killed it on starts a few times. There's just not any pumping the clutch to maintain a walking pace speed. My main problem is not being able to hear the engine rev...1800 RPMs sounds the same as 5000! I think we've got 1680 miles since Sat. a week ago.
Goodson Acura sent me this yesterday:

I wanted to follow up with you to see if you received my last e-mail and wanted to let you know that I can give you upto $1,500 off untill the end of this month.
I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Oscar van der Kooij (just ask for Oscar)
Internet Sales Manager
Goodson Acura

So far so good
Greg

[AcuraTL]

Welcome Filip. Good choice on the TL. You also have to remember that the TL is alot more roomier than the other cars that you were comparing to. So good luck on your new TL.

[filip75]

I'm just also a bit hesitant because it's been over 5 years sionce I drove stick. I don't want to look like a retard stalling a car, until I get used to it

Is the A-spec model available yet? Dealer didn't even mention it

one more question- Would I be able to install a Clutch stop in it?

and one more: would I be able to modify anything on it?

I'm getting the one with the complete body kit and rear deck lid LIP (NOT spoiler), getting aftermarket 18s...and that's it. I usually like to mess with cars, but not sure how modifyable is this one. Also, would any mods void the warranty?

[AcuraTL]

It is too new for any modifications right now but look for Comptech to make some nice parts for the new TL. Depends on what mods you do, it might or might not void the warranty. If you just stick to the basic mods, like Intake/Headers/Exhaust or suspension, you should be ok.

[98CoupeV6]

Originally posted by filip75
I'm just also a bit hesitant because it's been over 5 years sionce I drove stick. I don't want to look like a retard stalling a car, until I get used to it

Is the A-spec model available yet? Dealer didn't even mention it

one more question- Would I be able to install a Clutch stop in it?

and one more: would I be able to modify anything on it?

I'm getting the one with the complete body kit and rear deck lid LIP (NOT spoiler), getting aftermarket 18s...and that's it. I usually like to mess with cars, but not sure how modifyable is this one. Also, would any mods void the warranty?

Nah, the TL 6 speed is very easy to drive. Just give it a shot, you'll love it

The A-SPEC kit is available and has been announced by Acura...for a price of like $5200 before dealer installation.

If I were you, I'd get the 18" Acura rims before 18" aftermarket ones...they will have much better resale value and IMO are probably the sweetest rims I've ever seen.