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Comments
What did the Road and Track article say?
The sales guy was quite helpful and even came out to my car to determine if the clay bar was needed- it was determined that "claying" would help me rid my car's exterior of some minor brake dust and other contaminents. The procedure must be performed after using blue "Dawn" dishwashing liquid to clean and remove the dealer's wax job. Ah yes, prior to the magic polishing elixir being applied, the surface must be a perfectly prepared canvass before the artistry that is Zaino, is applied.
Prior to applying the amazing polish one must dry the car with cotton towels, not any cotton towels though. 100% cotton bath towels that are made in the USA, but not bought from a discount chain store like K-Mart or Walmart. They need to be purchased from a department store because discount chain store towels aren't selling truly 100% cotton. The ends need to be sheered off as they have non-100% cotton ends that may scratch the car's surface. They need to be white, not off-white, ecru, near-white, WHITE! The dyes of a non-white towel might bleed onto the car's exterior. The towels need to be rinsed twice and dryed on low heat and air dryed for the final stage.
A Toro 210mph electric leaf blower may be substituted for drying the car! Sal Zaino's specificity is uncanny. I was expecting a suggested manufacturer of washer and dryer. Maybe a suggested meal and wine to be enjoyed prior to taking on the hallowed task. Sal, your towel guidelines are more extensive than major sections of owner's manuals.
I'm actually going to Macy's to buy some towels tomorrow. Yep, I've had a sip from the Kool-Aid and I'm considering joining the cult that is Zaino.
I'll report back after I've tried the products.
it's time and money to make your car look nice but if you ever want to trade it in, a little bit of elbow grease to make your car look sharp will net you a lot more cash.
Polyester in towels scratches your paint, causing the "spiderwebbing" or "swirl marks" type of light scratches! This is a FACT. I have seen it myself, and separated out all my car towels with Poly in them to used only for the dog - he doesn't seem to mind. Cheap towels may still have poly in them even though they say 100% cotton! Towel bindings are sewn with poly thread, so must be cut off. If you care, you'll do it. The towel issue is yet another reason to AVOID car washes!
Once you see how great your car can look and how easy it is, you'll wonder why you did it the "old way" for so long!
BTW, the Potenza RE750s would have been a much better choice as the OE summer tires.
From the research on Tire Rack the LS-Z's seem like a reasonable all weather compromise. I don't feel the need to get spectacular summer tires as I'm opting out of a manual tranny for the first time in 32 years of driving. I must be getting old as all the kids call me "sir". Pretty soon I'll have to get a white belt and shoes to go with the automatic transmission and just steer it down the Interstate to Florida at 55. Somebody shoot me.
But in the case of the TL, why not get the 6-speed? Especially given the TL's past automatic transmission problems and the excellent performance of the 6-speed. I doubt perpetual slushbox drivers would be inclined to switch to a manual, but why are you going the other way at this time?
Sure you don't want to reconsider before going belt and shoe shopping?
To compensate, I'm toying with the idea of looking for a little summer play car like a Prelude, Miata or even a TR6 for those clear days on the back roads. Just to keep my left foot in shape.
"If anything, the limited slip (differential) exacerbates the existing torque steer, pulling on the wheel as if each pound-foot were a G.I. Joe action figure in a tug of war."
They went on to say "We're usually not ones to say stuff like this, but the automatic is arguably the more fitting transmission for the TL's lofty power numbers."
While they did compliment the styling inside and outside styling, their 'final verdict' was "A rear drive shaft shy of getting our full recommendation."
Same old argument...
I have a red 04TL automatic with parchment interior and am very pleased (expect to attach 17" Michelin Pilot A/S tires tomorrow).
Sometimes, I think those C&D guys are a bunch of prima donna pansies.
You must be a spin doctor for Pres. Bush
I bought TL for the toys, the extra power, Acura quality reputation, the looks, the fun factor. I am not swayed by the Princes and the Peas.
Agreed. Also, you can't put a price tag on the feeling of self-esteem when you settle into the driver's seat. If I hear one more Accord-lover squawking about the extra money we TL owners have dished out, I'm gonna scream. How many looks have they gotten from passersby?
I couldn't have said it better.
aciampi, if you like rear wheel drive so much why did you buy the TL? Also, the one about RWD with snows out performing FWD with the same snow tires? Can you explain that one again?
I purchased my WDP '04 TL on November 14th. Read a couple of posted messages on the TL. Ordered the products and didn't wash my car until the goodies came in.
I was also in a towel frenzy shopping around for the softest and purest 100% cotton towels. I shopped around at K-Mart, Sears, etc. and asked all sales associates for 100% cotton towels. I told them I need them for my car. One sales associate thought I was crazy and wondered if I owned a Ferrari or Lambo - I said nope, better - an Acura 04 TL. SHe said in that case you better go to Neimen Marcus, Nordstrom or Macy's and off I went. I bought special towels at Macy's (reserved only for the TL). I told my husband he was not allowed to use the towels (he-he)...
Got up early on Saturday morning, "dawned" the car out and performed the wax ceremony! I can tell you the job is well worth in! I waxed my car three times and the gloss is absolutely stunning - the white truly sparkles like a "pearl"!
After all that - my husband and kids slipped on gloves when they are anywhere near the car to avoid finger prints. (husband's wise crack joke)!
Enjoy your products gregory28...
Earlier, I think on this thread, someone was expressing concern over the lack of a single standardized high resolution surround sound format (DVD-Audio vs SACD), and that it might therefore render ones TL obsolete in the way VHS eventually won out over Betamax. I'm not too concerned with regard to my new TL, regardless how the format issue settles out. First, with the TL I get to enjoy exceptional, rich high resolution surround sound audio in the car I own now without significant additional player purchase cost (i.e. it's included standard with the TL). Second, the DVD-A's which I have bought will likely not be rendered useless for many years to come as the trend for new home DVD players seems to be universal players, units that play both DVD-A's and SACD's. Perhaps in a couple years an auto maker will include a universal player in their car, and by that time I'll be ready for a new car!
By the way, the "real carbon fiber" (which I prefer and have on my Silver/Quartz TL) is simulated, not real.
I have a white diamond pearl TLS and a grey grahipte pearl accord to perform the wax ceromony on.
I am going towel shopping friday night.
Bad thing is- I heard a Blizzard is going to hit the North East this weekend.
How long did it take for you to receive your order from Zaino?
Did anyone see "Ferris Bueler's Day Off"? Great flick. I remember Ferris's friend's father owned a limited edition Ferrari. A car that was 15 years old and had a grand total of 900 miles on it. The boys realized how screwy the old man was to have this wonderful car, but hardly ever drove it. It was a museum piece that was only cleaned and polished and rarely came out of the garage.
On the subject of stopping distance, they quoted:
"Braking performance is top-notch, too, with 60-to-0 stops averaging a short, neat 115 feet. Our drivers were very impressed with our 6-speed's all-disc ABS brakes with Brembo front calipers. Results are comparable to some recent Porsche's we've tested" -- MotorWeek, Program #2312
Here's MotorWeek's complete report: http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2312a.shtml
Canada customes will not allow brand new passenger vehicles designated for sale in the US, to be imported.
Thanks
C & D tend to be biased toward Honda/Acura products if anything.
I still like the TL and will eventually buy one, but I would not dismiss C & D's criticism so quickly. I haven't driven the 6MT TL yet, but I'm willing to bet that torque steer is an issue.
I am sure there are 300 commands (this includes your bluetooth handsfree commands as well). This I have too and it is also a blast!
I hope no one gets angry that I am about to post the commands from my owners' manual - so here it goes. Please inform me if I shouldn't do this in the future...
Global Commands
• Help
• Setup
• Display man
• Display menu
• Repeat
• Back
Navigation General Commands
• Display menu
• Display navigation
• Display map
• Display map guide
• Display setup
• Display information
• Cancel
• Backward
• What time is it?
• Repeat voice
• Help
• How long to destination?
• How far to destination?
• Register the current location
Navigation Display Commands
• Display current location
• Display north up
• Display heading up
• Display zoom in
• Display zoom out
• Display selected scale (there are 9)
• Display icon on screen
o ATM
o Gas Station
o Restaurant
o Post Office
o Grocery Store
o Hotel/Motel
• Hide icon on screen
o Same as above
• Max zoon in
• Max zoom out
• Go Home
Find place commands
• Find nearest
o Acura Dealer
o Honda Dealer
o Gas station
o ATM
o Bank
o Post office
o Hospital
o Police station
o Hotel
o Tourist attraction
o Restaurant
o American restaurant
o Chinese restaurant
o Fast food
o Italian restaurant
o Japanese restaurant
o Mexican restaurant
o Seafood restaurant
o Shopping
o Parking garage
o Parking lot
Climate Control Commands
 Climate control automatic
 Climate control off
 Air conditioner (on or off)
 Climate control defrost (on or off)
 Rear defrost (on or off)
 Climate control fresh air
 Climate control recirculate
 Climate control floor and defrost
 Climate control floor
 Climate control vent
 Climate control bi-level
 Fan speed (1-7)
 Passenger Automatic
 Passenger vent
 Passenger dash and floor
 Passenger floor
Temperature Voice Commands
 Temperature # degrees
 Temperature up
 Temperature down
 Temperature max hot
 Temperature max cold
 Temperature balance
 Temperature dual mode
 Passenger temperature # degrees
CD Voice Commands
 CD Play
 CD Play Disk # (1-6)
 CD Play Track # (1-30)
 CD Play disk #A track #B (A: 1-6 B:1-30)
 CD Skip forward
 CD Skip back
 CD play next disk
 CD play previous disk
 CD track random
 CD track repeat
 CD disk repeat
 CD normal play
DVD Voice Commands (similar to CD)
Radio Voice Commands
 Radio on
 Radio off
 Radio select AM
 Radio select FM1
 Radio select FM2
 Radio # FM (e.g. Radio 95.5 FM)
 Radio #AM (Radio 1020)
 Radio seek
 Radio seek down
 Radio next station
 Radio preset (1-6)
 Radio auto select
 Radio Select XM1
 Radio Select XM2
 XM Channel #
 XM Channel up
 XM Channel down
 XM preset (1-6)
Tape Commands
 Tape play
 Tape rewind
 Tape fast forward
 Tape change program
 Tape dolby noise reduction
 Tape skip forward
 Tape skip back
 Tape repeat
Information Screen Voice Commands
 Trip computer
 Voice command help
 Calendar
 Calculator
Set Up Screen 1 Commands
 Brightness Up
 Brightness Down
 Brightness Minimum
 Brightness Maximum
 Volume up
 Volume down
 Volume Minimum
 Volume Maximum
 Volume off
 Display off
 Display nigh
 Display auto
 Show icon on map
 Guidance mode
On Screen Commands
 Next
 Previous
 Return
 OK
 Delete
Are you better off just buying 18 inch wheels to make it look sportier? Or, can you just buy 18 inch wheels and get the car lowered an inch for the look? Thanks
For example, I am an older guy, probably not looking for the same thing out of the car as you might be. I think the spoiler ruins the look of the car, cheapens, makes it look less classy and and takes away from its style.
The model that I test drove had an apron, and I must admit I had to go in and out of show room 2-3 times to compare against a car that DIDN'T have an apron...I couldn't see a huge difference (although my wife liked it) so I would say it doesn't have a huge impact.
Bottom line... I wouldn't pay $1800, but then again I am an old fuddy duddy!
Torrance, Calif. 11/20/2003 -- The TL A-SPEC package is the latest high-performance accessory offering from Acura and features a variety of components designed specifically for Acura's best-selling sedan. The Acura A-SPEC performance package for the 2004 TL will go on sale December 1, be priced at $5,200 plus dealer installation, and like all A-SPEC kits, be covered under a full factory warranty ...
That is a lot of money !! And personally, I don't think it is worth that much $.
On the other hand, I'd be concerned about the standard TL's suspension's ability to handle low profile 18" tires. Most "sport" packages - BMW's in partcular - provide suspension upgrades to match the wheels and tires. Simply putting 18" wheels on a softer suspension (especially FWD) is likely to have you wearing out tires much quicker than expected due to body lean, etc.
You may choose to subscribe to XM radio if you purchase the car. I do, and many others here do. The reception is far surperior to FM and one never hears any static. One trait is that it's "on or off" because it's digital; i.e. one goes through a tunnel and it shuts down. One thing that probably happens to everyone is that once one gets used to a commmercial-limited format its difficult to tolerate the seemingly incessant commercials of FM or AM.