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Acura TL 2006+
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LOL, me too :P
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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I have raved plenty of the color...but it is as he indicates...a chameleon. Not too many out there...and a true differentiated color. And no other maker has the color.
Not many TLs have pulled along side to me in that color....making it more unique.
The TL looks great in all the available colors.
To those who are here to talk about the changes for the 2006 TL, I apologize, but some people just have to make ridiculous comments like the one that I am responding to.
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Now back to business. What I would personally change for the 2006 TL:
New colors, mirror turn signal indicators (so the TSX doesn't have anything on the TL), ventilated seats, SH-AWD (at least as an option), lose the two lights on the sides of the car that run in line with the door handles, keyless ignition, new scratch resistant fob, a rear sunshade, parktronic, and of course a moderate horsepower bump to 280-290.
Let's get value minded again for the future TL. Some of these features should be offered as optional equipment, which would be an Acura first. Standard changes should be the new colors, mirror indicators, SH-AWD, better fob, and horsepower increase. Those changes with navigation should MSRP for $36K. If the sunshade, parktronic, keyless ignition, and ventilated seats are desired, then it should be in the $38-39K range. The RL should receive the same changes, but maintain an advantage in horsepower by at least 30, as well as being the only Acura vehicle with the smart key entry system, real-time traffic data, and of course, the size and ride advantage that I would expect the RL to possess over the TL. All of the changes that I suggested for the TL should be standard features on the RL, and it should have about 315 horsepower. MSRP should not increase by more than a few hundred dollars to the high $49K's. Hey, a man can dream can't he?
I tell you what...I wish we had Navi's back when I was 21 because to me that would have meant that you could create your own little minni-drive in....remember those things....outside...in a car...watching a movie on that big screen while you hung the speaker from your window.....oh...those were the days...Drive-Ins are a dying breed....but who says that you can't take a drive up to the mountains or by the lake and park...sit back watch a movie....you can also enjoy nature and of course the company you have with you....I feel ya!!!
I agree with your thoughts on the TL....the only thing I am a little weary on is the options....I don't really want to see Acura move to having so many options that you can have like say a BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, etc...what I like about Acura's is you pick your model....with or without nav and you know exactly what you get....
I can drive down the street and see someone driving a TL and I know exactly what equipment that car has...except maybe if it is a navi or non-navi....But when I see the Bimmer, Lexus, etc...you don't really know what options it has on it....hell you can actually get a BMW with cloth interior (very rare)....figure the odds....
But I do understand what you are saying about the options though....if there is something that you can live without and it can drop the price a bit that maybe it might be worth it...kind of a catch 22...I think...
Here is Florida...don't really need the heated seats....
Rock On my friend!!!
As for the side markers...I actually like them...especially since they are integrated into the side swoop. What I wish they would do is to have the front and rear turn signal markers to blink (that is...they blink but only visible from the front and rear...not the sides...as Acura used the side markers instead).
Rear sunshade...totally agree. Had it in a car and it is great. Motorized in the back sunshade would add an additional luxury feature.
Keyless ignition....I see it as a toy. Had it in a G35 loaner...no big deal. But would like to see the remote integrated into the key so no fob.
Folding rear seats...I kinda gave up on that as I now understand that it is to stiffen the frame.
Wow...if the suggested pricing is $39k....you folks better get into gear and buy a 2005 in the low $30k.
I've been riding around in a friends 05 TL and the more I ride in it, the more I am convinced that this may be my next car, but I'd love to see what they upgrade it with in the 06. I'm sorry, I'm sure it's been mentioned before somewhere in the previous 268 posts, but do any of you have an idea of when Acura will start letting out info on the 06, or even when it might release it? I have a baby on the way in early 06 and need to get a sedan before his/her arrival.
Lastly, any suggestions for dealers in SoCal that are worth going to. I have talked to 3 friends who have gone from SD to up to LA because they SD dealers want outrageous prices.
As far as dealers....everything that I have read on this site indicates to me that the Bay (San Fran) area has the best prices by far...on the west coast.
On the east coast it is NJ....
Hope this helps!
Yes....we need an integrated mp3 jack. Agreed....but not totally common...but in the new bmw3 series.
For suggestions. I live in Del Mar near San Diego. You can try them...but I found that the SD dealers are $800 to $1500 high on car prices....even after haggling...which won't lead you far in savings. To give you a sense of the SD dealers... Cush (both Kearney Mesa and Escondido)....sales dept doesn't behave like other Acura dealers...but like a Ford dealer that use a receptionist for internet sales. Hoehn in Carlsbad are snobs and act as they are selling rare vehicles. Ball in Nat'l City....slick snake oil sales. And this isn't isolated as I just bought a TL and TSX within the past 2 mos...and have heard the same from many.
I would cast my internet quote net all the way up to northern LA...even using the internet request system here on Edmunds so they can earn a little money. As I mentioned in other posts in other TL price and purchase boards (which you should refer to), the DCH dealers (Temecula/Norm Reeves, Tustin, Mission Viejo) have very good pricing and professionlism. You will hear one person on these boards keep saying that Glendale Acura is the lowest (but that is not true...I was able to get the same pricing at many SoCal locations...and I have not heard any others hawking the Glendale dealer). Keyes (however they try to do the Hollywood glitz). There are just so many with good pricing...just 45 to 150 miles north of SD. And know you can bring your Acura to any dealership for servicing...you are not tied to where you bought it from.
Good luck with your car purchase and congrats on your baby. Let us know if we can help any with the car purchase....and you will really enjoy your TL.
And nowadays, you can't just drive up to the mountain and park by a lake and relax. You'd be constantly worried that some psycho will creep up and put a bullet between your eyes. :mad:
Now back to regular scheduled programs...... :P
As for the internet pricing systems...Will you get the same pricing regardless of what company that you use (Edmunds, Car's Direct, Vehix, etc.)? If not, do you have any recommendations as to which one gets the best prices on these cars? I love edmunds and all, but if it means saving some moeny, I'd go somewhere else. I've got diapers that I need to buy! :P
Hoehn Carlsbad....as you see...snobs in how they won't even attempt to match. You thought that is bad...wait until you try Cush Acura. I feel bad when I see others buying from Hoehn and Cush...knowing they overpaid big time.
As for whether you get the same pricing from the various sources....not certain...but it does appear to be the similar. All boils down to the dealership and williness to deal.
Speaking of diapers....Costco is great for that...but their autoprogram isn't so great. In San Diego...Costco is $700 above the initial offer from other dealers outside of SD. AAA is no better.
So once again...believe it is geography...not affiliation to source.
We better get back to the topic before the moderator comes on and tells us to go to another chat room to have this discussion....anyway, I'll definitely wait for the 06s to come out...that way I have a chance to check it against the new IS too...but the way it's looking, its just had to be Acura's pricing (Lexus prestige be damned)...and I especially like that Acura includes all the options in their packages...I know I'm paying for it, but I guess with the other guys I feel like I'm getting nickel and dimed...BMW especially. And, like someone said earlier, it makes it harder to compare price between dealerships because some grimy salesman is sure to say, "well you can't compare our price to theirs because it doesn't have the same options."
As for the 2006 TL ... will be interesting in what is released. At the same time...not certain how materially different from the 2005. The wish list for the 2006 is indeed worthy....but still the current amenities are already very beefy.
Good luck with your family and car decision process.
I was goin to get a BMW e90 but decided to wait til almost the end of the year. Therefore I can see whats new for 06. Some options or standard items I would like to see for 06...turn signal mirrors, fog lights on the bumper, and keyless ignition. Also, the exhaust tips look funny to me. I think they should go with the plain dual round or quad exhaust tips like the Maxima or M's from Infiniti. I don't think they will have alot of options b/c they want to keep things the way they are, 1 option, with or without NAV. IMO 270hp is plenty.
I heard someone talk about it being a safety issue since the mirrors are more in our sightline, but while as a driver, I enjoy that added bit of communication, I don't think it's ever helped me avoid an accident. I guess if I see someone's blinker and they're right next to me, I can honk to make sure they know I'm here, but I don't see the placement of the lights as that important.
I think where they are now (inc into the side-lines of the car) looks great. Don't think it's look as aerodynamic if they were onthe mirror.
Cars A & B are next to each other, and if either changed lanes, they'd collide. A wants to change lanes and doesn't see B. A signal in the mirror would alert B that A is going to make a lane change, giving B more time to react.
This is the situation, right? I can see it helping a little more than the current situation, but still don't view it as a big improvement. Again, I could definitely be missing something, so let me know.
A month ago I proposed that the side mirror signals improved the visibility as it higher up and in the line of sight. Similar to the rear stop 'cyclops'.
The example of visibility of side-by-side cars is one example. But in reality the visibility is beyond that example. The signal buoy is visible much more to the rear....and absolutely clearer to the front vantage. By having the signal on the extreme perimeter of the cars...it aids in clearly indicating intention. I find it especially visible in a congested situation where many cars are boxed.
In regards to styling....well that is a personal preference. I like it as it isn't an intent to get an 'upscale' look. But rather I see it as a 'euro' or 'international' flare.
I'm not sure I agree that it's more visible to those in front and behind as the regular turn signals, but (i) I do see how they'd be more helpful for those situations on the mirror than the current placement and (ii) in general, the more directional communication between drivers, the better ("directional communication" does NOT include telling another driver to "go to @#$*").
I still don't think it's something that's "missing," as in "it's just not right unless it's there," but I don't think you guys are making a mountain out of a molehill anymore.
If only it were that simple! :sick:
Anyway, don't you think that if Acura wanted to permit this they'd have to change something so you wouldn't be forced to run to the trunk to swap discs?
I see 2 options (and, no, moving the DVD into the glovebox is not a viable option):
1. Make 1 or all of the cd-changer slots video DVD capable, and then you'd access the screen by displaying the music screen;
2. Creating a separate single slot ofr music and video dvds in the center stack. Not sure if you could do this while avoiding overcrowding.
Thanks for the postings in this forum that I can learn about the invoice price and the experience that you folks shared on the net.
ps: I can't get to G35 forum but one thing I heard about this car is that you don't have to change the timing belt at 100K since they have chain for the engine not belt :-))).
Thank you
As for the G35 timing belt. Kinda good....but you will pay for the cost of a belt replacement by the MPG savings. A friend drove down from Northern Calif to us to visit. He was thrilled to get 25mpg with all highway driving. I already get 26mpg in mixed driving...and 32mpg+ on the highway.
Cars A & B are next to each other, and if either changed lanes, they'd collide. A wants to change lanes and doesn't see B. A signal in the mirror would alert B that A is going to make a lane change, giving B more time to react. A shifts over into B's lane without using his/her blinker, and A & B collide.
It is a useless feature in some areas. :sick: If you use a little defensive driving sometimes, it will go a long way toward keeping you clear of accidents.
Absolutely correct that a little defensive driving may assist. And that may include visibility of others that may have signaled but failed to look to ensure the path is clear.
(ok...ok...I will get off the subject of side mirror signals...but I had to respond to that one).
So I pose my question once again to all, especially Acura Marketing, wouldn't the TL platform be ideal for a true Sport Coupe with SH-AWD, 270 + HP and some good styling cues. I had an '89 Legend Coupe which I thought had everything going for it, styling, performance and luxury. Bring it back, please.
Coupes tend to have a more sporting image... To sell in the $30K+ range, I think they'd have a tough time with a FWD CL based on the new TL (they did before, as well).
Now, if they would come out with a CSX coupe version of the TSX for $27K, they might have a Solara killer....
I saw a CL-S yesterday in Red... I think it is a nice looking car... Bland.. but so was the TL it was based on...
regards,
kyfdx
EDIT... I just noticed you mentioned SH-AWD.. that would help, but they don't even have that for the TL at this time.. Plus, you'd be pushing the price up to the $36K range... Tough market... Coupe market is small, anyway..
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Now if you packaged a revamped CL as a two-door convertable, you could give it less hp and luxury features than the TL, charge the same, and probably find a market, though true enthusiasts would probably opt for the 350ZX and comfort-folks with the money would probably opt for the Lexus SC.
1) I think a redesigned CL Coupe w/SH-AWD would compete with the majority of the coupes I named with the exception of the BMW 600.
2) Coupes are not meant to be family grocery getters, that's why we want a "Sport Coupe"
3) The IS series was first presented on the Winter Auto Show circuits as a sedan to be followed by a coupe, convertible and/or a retractable hard top. Inside Line confirmed that yesterday with an in depth article stating the IS would be built to go head to head with the BMW 3 series in each of these categories.
As I said in my original post, my 1989 Legend Coupe was everything you could want in a luxury sport coupe even with FWD. I agree that the most recent CL coupe was a very bland car, but taking some styling cues from the new TL could produce a real sexy coupe for the Acura crowd.
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kirstie_h
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle