2013 and earlier-Acura TL Prices Paid and Buying Experience

pmf13

Thanks brew. I've used the APA previously to buy a car as they have arrangements with specific dealerships to sell cars for a specific amount over invoice. Many years ago I used them to buy a Subaru at $650 over invoice for my wife. Simplest and cleanest way to buy a car ever. Put in the request to APA, got the price. Called the dealership gave them the details (colour, model, options, etc.) and my APA number, they said, "Come and pick it up Monday." No haggling and the best deal out there.

I emailed the APA last week and they confirmed that they do have an arrangement with Acura, but I have to pay the annual fee to find out what it is. For $52, it's probably worth it.

dulnev

APA is a Canadian thing so I don't know anything about it, but I've tried several US car buying programs of this kind and found them to be unsatisfactory.

Yes, the buying experience is great and if that's all you care about, then go for it. But the prices are always higher than what one can do through negotiation and butting several dealers against each other. Let me repeat this: ALWAYS!

pmf13

In this case, eight years ago, the APA deal was better than any I had heard about or had been able to negotiate on this car. In Canada, $650 over invoice is as low as anyone will go unless it's end of model year and they're trying to clear the lot. So in this case, your ALWAYS changes to MOST OF THE TIME.

moto04

FYI: I just bought a 2004 TL in Denver (Dealer) for $1000 under MSRP which was the best I could get in the area. Brokers, which normally give you a better discount was no better.
AT, Deep Green Pearl W/Parchment, no Nav.
Only add-on I requested was a clear film on nose and mirrors for a way-overpriced $495.
I skipped the $495 "protection package" and ordered the same splash guards/Wheel locks on-line ($99)and installed myself in less than 1hr.

dulnev

Damn! That's high! You sure pay the price for being in an isolated and sparcely populated region in the middle of the country.

kahunah

This car's worth $1000 over MSRP, easy. Congratulations and enjoy the ride.

gbriank

I'm in Dallas. It's your call, but I think you could get him down a few hundred more....

brew99

Not familiar with APA but if you do go ahead and use them, please let us know how things turn out. I am personally waiting a little while before jumping in for too many reaons I won't go into but the thought of a simple, no hassle experience to buy a car is pretty intriguing even if it is only close to the best price out there.....

randini

I live in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Picked up my 04 TL for $30,300 excluding TTL (no nav). The only thing I added was mud flaps. Went to the dealer New Year's Eve about 3:00 in the afternoon. He seemed willing to make a deal to make end of year numbers.

danny1878

Which dealer that you went to? I also live in northern chicago. Thanks

randini

I went to the dealership in Libertyville off of Milwaukee Rd. It's funny but I was talking to an auto repair shop owner a few days after I bought my car and he mentioned he had a buddy who was looking for an Acura and that the only dealer in the area that would come off list for the car was the dealer in Libertyville. Good luck to you.

uvamarkg1

I have two separate offers for a silver/ebony/6MT/Nav for 1500 under sticker. Both dealerships will do the wing spoiler and body side molding for $1000 installed.

Is this a good deal? Should I pull the trigger or try to continue pressing these guys against each other?

Thanks!

jkidd3

I just picked up my new TL last week in No. Cal. It was MT-6sp with navi, blue/quartz, protection package, all season tires (no upgrade). The dealers were not willing to budge off sticker except for one who told me the car was coming any day. This went on for several days and I finally said the heck with being played and I used a car broker who delivered my new TL within two days from So. Cal. After broker fee I still got $700 off MSRP with pro. pack. thrown in.

I was told that only one of this particular TL was in the entire state of CA. The car is great so far. Anyone want to buy my 1994 Acura Integra GSR?

pps88

$1000 for the wing spoiler and bsd is way too much. Probably max $700. $300+200+200 (labour)

However $1500 sticker for 6mt/Navi is really good, but depends where in the country you are (east coast and texas seems to be getting good discounts).

mdhauke

Here is a quote I got for a 2004 Acura TL, Six-Speed Manual with DVD Navigation in North Carolina. Should I pull the trigger? It also includes protection package? Also I noticed he isn't putting the destination charge in there. Does that mean they are including it in the quote or are they going to try to add it on later when I come in?

MSRP: $35,195.00

Sales Price: $34,602.91

NC Taxes: $1,038.09

Documentation: $298.00

Title / Tag: $61.00

Total Investment: $36,000.00

mdhauke

It does include the protection package, I am not asking if it does.

dulnev

You're wrong, the destination fee is already included in the $35,195 MSRP.

Given the ridiculous $300 documentation fee, you're getting the car for $300 off MSRP, which is a bad deal for the East Coast. At least get them to drop the price by the amount of the junk fee.

mdhauke

I figured that can make up for the documentation charge.

What kind of deals are people getting for 6spd with NAV? I heard that they were hard to come by so getting anything off of MSRP is a good deal.

k_chui

Quite a number of people had reported $1000 off MSRP and protection package thrown in free. $298 doc fee is pure profit for the dealer, it should be no more than $50.

How did you negotiate? Through phone / email or in person at the dealership. I found that the dealers are much more willing to deal face-to-face than over the phone / email, but you have to be ready to walk if they are unwilling to deal. I also found that women are often better negotiator, bring your wife / sister / friend with you. And try to expand your search (thru emails) further away, once you have a decent quote from one dealer, then use it to negotiate with the local dealers. Hope this will help.

Let us know how things work out.

dulnev

Protection package is pretty much ALWAYS included "for free".

mdhauke

Got him down with all the fees about $900 off of invoice for a Anthracite Metallic / Ebony Leather 2004 Acura TL, Six-Speed Manual with DVD Navigation. Also including protection package of course. I pulled the trigger over the internet because I am currently in Iraq and didn't want to get back and have to wait a month or so for a 6-speed with NAV to come in. They had the color I wanted with the trim I wanted arriving the same week I get home. Sure, maybe I could have saved $500 or so more if I waited till I get home and shopped around. But dealers are widely spread over this area and to me that small amount isn't worth spending a couple days driving a couple hundred miles around the state trying to save a few bucks, not to mention the extra month or so I would have to wait for one to come in. So all said and done with all the fees it came out to just under $1000 off of invoice. Looking at the deals on this board on what people have been getting on this specific trim I am happy with that. .

dulnev

That's MSRP, not invoice. In any case, that's quite a decent deal. Congratulations!

briannicks

Hi all, I'm looking to possibly get an '04 TL in a couple months time. I've owned 2 Lexus's in a row (99 GS400 and 95LS400), and both cars did not meet up to my expectations. I had planned to sell my LS in a few months, but just yesterday the transmission went at only 113k. I was totally disappointed in the so-called "Lexus reliability". So now i have to spend $2000 to rebuild the transmission just so i can sell it. Anyway, basically i would love to hear some feedback of current TL owners. How is the overall driving experience ? are they very reliable ? how does the performance compare to other makes ? also, if anyone has driven a Lexus before and now drives an Acura, i would love some feedback from you too. The one thing i liked about Lexus was the comfortable seats and ride. How would the TL compare in that regard ? Thanks

kahunah

Most of your questions would be answered by browsing the other Acura TL boards, particularly "Acura TL vs Lexus ES 330".

bodble2

"I had planned to sell my LS in a few months, but just yesterday the transmission went at only 113k. I was totally disappointed in the so-called "Lexus reliability". So now i have to spend $2000 to rebuild the transmission just so i can sell it."

What were you saying about Lexus...?

lexusrock

with dest. charges and protection package in SF/Bay Area under $31K?

prophet2

Even with their "relentless pursuit for perfection," even Lexus will come up with a lemon here or there. No one is "perfect."

113K before the transmission went out? Go talk with the Chrysler buyers!

briannicks

"113K before the transmission went out? Go talk with the Chrysler buyers!"

Well, you can hardly compare Chrysler with Lexus in any regard. Besides, Lexus is known for their reliability and Chrysler is not (isnt Lexus a luxury car?) Anyway, if any new ACURA owners can tell me more about their '04 TL ownership experience so far, i would appreciate it, thanks !

pat

Briannicks, you need to be asking your questions in the discussion at this link: Acura TL.

Take a few minutes and read through the previous postings there. You can use the "Search This Discussion" feature on the page bar and/or the page links. There is a whole lot of good information there about the '04 TLs!

Good luck!

higgins7

Looking to pick up a 2002 Type-S, no navi, with 27K miles. Dealer is asking 23.9K. I am NOT paying 23.9K. Also a 2003 Type-S with 20K miles, another dealer is asking 24.5K excluding tax and title of course. What would be a decent price for either car. Never had an Acura in the family. Thanks in advance.

qbrozen

You are much better off asking Terry those questions.

phillyillini

I think I am going to take the plunge on the 2004 TL with Navi. The problem is that they have none in stock so I am going to have to reserve the next one coming in. Has anybody done this? Do I negotiate now or wait till it gets in?

bodble2

You can negotiate now, but make sure you make the transaction subject to a testdrive and final inspection (for fit and finish and build quality type issues).

ej1111

04 TL Anthracite/Ebony Auto/non-navi. 29,800 pp. 900 for wing spoiler/protection/bsm. total before tax 30,742.50. not bad i think! I love it so far!

msf2

Nice! How were they negotiating on Nav's? You made a great deal. Enjoy the car!

ej1111

I did the deal with an out of state dealer via email/phone. I offered 2000 to make the non-nav deal into a deal with nav and basically got laughed at. He mentioned he couldnt get it approved for anything less then ~3500 for a nav. This was a NY dealer and i went personally to pcik up and drive home this weekend. (im in NC). Very happy and saved about 1200 after all my travel expenses from any local dealer. Plus i got a nice little vacation out of it! Im very happy!

blechblah

Just picked up a 2004 Desert Mist/Parchment, Auto, No-Nav from Vandergriff Acura in Arlington. Got $2000 off MSRP and a trunk-tray. The final "drive-off" price was $33,399.

We started out contacting Goodson, David McDavid, and Vandergriff via phone and e-mail. We actually went into Goodson a couple of times. We got snubbed (I tend not to dress up that much) initially, and when we did speak with a salesperson, he was kind of a jerk. David McDavid was a pleasant experience with a polite sales person, but they couldn't quite offer some of the deals described by other posters on this board. Finally, Vandergriff committed to the above deal on the phone. We gave Goodson and David McDavid a chance to match/beat it, since they're closer to us anyway. Neither could (Goodson even said that they doubted it was a legitimate offer), so we took a drive to Vandergriff and now my wife has her TL.

In summary, I doubt I'd ever buy from Goodson. I dealt with multiple sales persons throughout the pricing cycle and just didn't get a great feeling from them. We would've purchased from David McDavid if they could've come a little closer to what we were looking for (they were about $500 away). We're definately pleased with our Vandergriff experience. They were courteous and even got us a lower finance rate than what we brought in (which was pretty low).

gbriank

My experience with Goodson was quite the opposite of blechblah. I walked into their dealership met with the Internet Saleguy (Steve Levi), took an extended testdrive and came back for negotiations. Took about twenty minutes and a visit from the General Manager to come to a price. $33695 for a Anthricite/Ebony/NAV/Auto. I take delivery this Wednesday.

acuraadmirer

Has anyone purchased a TL in the Atlanta area or Georgia? What are good dealers and purchase prices(What should I expect)? I am beginning my search now.

Thanks

phillyillini

I got the 2004 TL w/ Navi. (blue pearl with quartz leather) with delivery in 10 days. $400 off of MSRP with options included for free (wheel locks/mud flaps, splash guards, and trunk tray)

I figured that is the best I am going to get for the TL with navigation.

eglewis

Who was the dealer in NY ?

gpeisker

Could you please e-mail me I have a few questions
about your deal.
My e-mail is: guntherfire@hotmail.com
Thanks

vvuong

Picked up my TL (Black/Camel/Auto/Non-Navi) last Wednesday. Been lovin it since.

Anyone get a good lead on deal for an extended warranty like Honda Care? We have an Odyssey and have found the Honda Care warranty to be quite useful. I found a deal on this board back in 2000 when we bought the Ody that gave us the 100K mile Honda Care warranty for ~$890. Dealer is asking $1500 for their "Platinum" extended warranty. Think I can do better?

kph

Ordered a Redondo Red/Camel/Auto/Navi this weekend from Buerkle Acura in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. I bought an Integra GS-R from the same salesman in 1995. Had the most positive buying experience back then that my wife and I have had before then or since, so we were inclined to go back. It also happens to be the closest dealership to home, and I was happy with their service department while I owned the Integra (stolen from a church parking lot in December 2002 -- there is a special place for people who steal from church parking lots...)

They knocked off the destination charge, and sold accessories at "their cost" -- don't know if it is really their cost, but it was discounted from the sticker prices they had for the cars on the lot. Decided on all-season mats, flaps, door guards (I prefer the look without, but this car will live in a work parking lot), 3M protecting film on the nose, and the wood shifter. I didn't to the final math on the savings, but I expect it is down a total of about $800 from MSRP with accessories.

Will get it in late March - they are placing their order for March, and don't have this combination coming before then -- that is fine, as it will be after the salt season here in Minnesota.

ssamir

I am looking forward to buy 2004 3.2 TL with Nav and the offers which I have recvd are around 34K. Has anyone got godd offers than this in the tristate area. Any help will be appreciated.

blechblah

Wow! If you don't mind my asking, is that $33695 the drive-off cost (includes destination, TT&T, etc.)? If so, maybe I spoke to the wrong people at Goodson. The 3rd sales person I dealt with at Goodson called today to follow up and see if we were offered a legit deal from Vandergriff. She seemed kind of stunned when I told her that it was a walk-in, fill out the papers, hand over the check, and drive-off transaction.

pat

Please do not post links to dealerships (or any other contact information). Check the header of this discussion for more details.

Thanks!

eitan56

If anyone has leased an '04 Auto trans./non navig., I would be interested in knowing the deal you negotiated. Acura's website calculates a 42 mo lease, 15k miles/yr, at approx $450/mo with approx $2,500 up front. I presume that is based on paying the MSRP of 32.6K.

I live in North NJ. I would appreciate any feedback on the good & bad dealers in my area.

Also curious if all Acura dealers offer service loaners.

gbriank

Woung: I peeked into the dealer's pricing guide for the '04 TL 7yr/100k $0 Deduct. and wholesale price was $920. I brought copies of the online quotes from two Acura online dealers (Curry Acura in MA and Veljeho in CA). Both offered the warranty at $1125 and $1120, respectively. My dealer matched the $1120 and I was out the door. $200 profit is acceptable on my part (dealer has to make a little $$$).

blechblah: $33695 includes Destination. TT&L was extra. That's it. I also had to wait a few weeks for my car to come in. That might be what makes the difference.

PAT(host): Does it violate board posting rules to give out the name of the dealership? If there happens to be a corresponding website where the consumer can acquire the product, were not allowed to post the address. Right? Just getting clarification. Thanks!

pat

Names are okay, links are not - you are right.

See the header at the top of this discussion for the rest of the details.