New Acura TL-S pics

[Rio Rebel]

Here is my new 08 Acura TL-S. I still haven't decided about the lip spoiler...some days I like it, other days I wish it didn't have it at all. I don't want to go to the wing spoiler, and I'm not going to pay to take it off, so I guess I better like it!

I came from a Chrysler 300M. This has much less space, but it's comfortable, and it handles like a sports car. The 300M was maybe a little more "luxury" than "sport", and this TL is probably more "sport" than "luxury".
2008 Acura TL-S

 

[SoulAssassin]

nice...I just got rid of my 04 TL A-Spec. I debated the lip/wing spoiler for a while and ended up getting the wing. I don't think it's too large that it's riced out but it is probably larger than some would like. Either way I don't think you can go wrong. I'm just driving my Wrangler now which was my 2nd vehicle...thinking about waiting for an 09 TL or a used M3. Take a wander over to Acurazine when you get a minute: http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=1

Congrats man.

 

[TheAudit]

Nice car and the spoiler looks good.

 

[alpineranger]

You can easily and inexpensively upgrade the 300m suspension with 300m special parts (still oem), which will make it much more performance and less luxury oriented. The main parts to upgrade are the springs, struts, and sway bars, and the low profile wheels. Everything except the wheels are fairly inexpensive, and those you can find used. This is a popular upgrade at the LH forums I frequent (dodgeintrepid.net).

 

[Arkaign]

Congrats. I still think the Acura TL has the best NAV/Sound system available in any car at any price. Great overall package. I don't mind the FWD (tested my brother's TL's, both the current and previous gen), but I think if they sold the TL with AWD or RWD it would destroy G35/G37 sales.

 

[maddogchen]

i really don't like that color.

 

[zerocool84]

I like lip spoilers than wings. Wings are too gaudy and lips give it that sporty look without saying hey cops look at me.

 

[Rio Rebel]

Thanks for the comments. I don't know if I'd call the wing spoiler "gaudy", but it is a bit overstated for the look I want. Thanks for the tip about acurazine. I actually found that site a week ago when I was looking for ipod connectivity options. They still haven't found the perfect solution yet, as far as I can tell, so I'm sticking with a dock connector and controlling it through the ipod.

As to the color, the shots were too reflective to see it well, but maybe that's just not your taste. To each his own. I will say that I like my wife's TL a lot (it's black), but I didn't want another black vehicle. The paint chips become obvious and I don't like "car bras".

Cheers.

 

[GoatMonkey]

Nice car, grats.

The TL is on my list of possibilities for my next car also. It has a really great interior design. And the exterior is pretty good also for a not too expensive sports sedan. I parked my 99 Mustang next to a TL last weekend and it's funny that they look almost exactly the same in overall dimensions (length/width/height they're within 2 or 3 inches), but there is a ton more usable interior space in a TL. The front wheel drive does help in things like that for overall packaging. I would prefer RWD also for better balance and a little fun, but I'm sure it would mean giving up some of that space.

I've been lurking over at acurazine recently also. The limited iPod options were surprising for a car that has so many other nice features.

If I decide to get the TL also, I will probably go with black. It has a bit of a sinister look on that car. Then look into an a-spec suspension and body kit minus the wing. If you're going to get a TL, the nav system is the only way to go, it's one of the best out there. Then I'd get some nice wheels and window tint, and it would be done. That's the nice thing about a sedan, I could get just some basic cosmetic things and I wouldn't be as tempted to upgrade it like I have been in the Mustang. That could save me a ton of money.

What kind of fuel economy have you gotten so far?

 

[Dudewithoutapet]

Nice!!!

 

[Rio Rebel]

I'm getting around 22, with a mix of city and highway. This is the first car I've had to use premium (ouch!). I've never had a car that handled this well - I'm no expert, but I found the experience in the TL-S similar to the G35 despite the FWD. I was very impressed with the ipod integration on the G35, and the "studio on wheels" is incredible, but as a borderline audiophile, I really enjoy the DVD-Audio capability of the TL.

The nav system is awesome, but I wouldn't have paid thousands more for it. I got it because after driving the G35, I found the 3.2L in the base TL a little lacking, and the TL-S was more comparable in power to the Infiniti. I have to admit, though, it's pretty cool to show off the voice recognition in the TL.

 

[ponyo]

Looks very nice. I like the color and the wheels. Makes it look very aggressive. Lot of car for the money IMO.

 

[Imdmn04]

You do realize that the 09 TL will be a complete redesign right?

Shoulda waited out couple more months.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Originally posted by: Imdmn04
You do realize that the 09 TL will be a complete redesign right?

Shoulda waited out couple more months.

Exactly the reason I'm driving my POS Wrangler around right now.

As far as ipod options, yeah the factory (actually dealer) installed ipod option is crap. Very disappointing. Acurazine lists some good alternatives including how to burn DVD-A.

 

[Rio Rebel]

I'm pretty happy with my solution. Exactly the same quality as an integrated unit, I just have to control it through the ipod.

As for burning DVD-A, that's blasphemy. Once you hear some legitimate DVD-Audio disks, you'll be hooked. Listen to the DVD-A of Hotel California. You'll think there's a rattlesnake in the car with you, just before the guitar lick comes in.

 

[Rio Rebel]

I'm not sorry I didn't wait. I like this design. And I'm doubting that the $2000 dealer incentive will be there when the new design is out.

 

[alimoalem]

my neighbor has the exact same car. TL-S, same color, same rims. every time i get out of the house and see it, i think "what if it was mine."

congrats

 

[alfa147x]

congrats
welcome to the Acura owners \ drivers of AT club

2008 RDX with tech-package

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
I'm pretty happy with my solution. Exactly the same quality as an integrated unit, I just have to control it through the ipod.

As for burning DVD-A, that's blasphemy. Once you hear some legitimate DVD-Audio disks, you'll be hooked. Listen to the DVD-A of Hotel California. You'll think there's a rattlesnake in the car with you, just before the guitar lick comes in.

Hell Freezes Over Version > *

 

[SoulAssassin]

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
As for burning DVD-A, that's blasphemy. Once you hear some legitimate DVD-Audio disks, you'll be hooked. Listen to the DVD-A of Hotel California. You'll think there's a rattlesnake in the car with you, just before the guitar lick comes in.

The point of burning DVD-A is so you can get more than 74 or 80 minutes of music on it since Acura is failing to provide a head unit that can play MP3 discs. You can take ~100 songs and put them on one disc. More of a quantity over quality thing.

 

[Rio Rebel]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
As for burning DVD-A, that's blasphemy. Once you hear some legitimate DVD-Audio disks, you'll be hooked. Listen to the DVD-A of Hotel California. You'll think there's a rattlesnake in the car with you, just before the guitar lick comes in.

The point of burning DVD-A is so you can get more than 74 or 80 minutes of music on it since Acura is failing to provide a head unit that can play MP3 discs. You can take ~100 songs and put them on one disc. More of a quantity over quality thing.

I understand that. I've read some Acura forums, though, where it seemed that the members didn't even realize the point of the DVD-A format.

By the way, you can now use an MP3 compact disk in the head unit, but you still can't use an MP3 dvd.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Unfortunately neither DVD-A or SACD really caught on so most people don't even realize what it is.

 

[Rio Rebel]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
Unfortunately neither DVD-A or SACD really caught on so most people don't even realize what it is.

QFT. It is a shame, really. But I can't fault the public for having a different taste than mine, or for valuing portability over sound quality.

 

[thecritic]

Join AcuraZine, I'm a moderator over there.

Nice ride!

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
Unfortunately neither DVD-A or SACD really caught on so most people don't even realize what it is.

QFT. It is a shame, really. But I can't fault the public for having a different taste than mine, or for valuing portability over sound quality.

Yep, the blame actually lies in MP3/Ipod, and the move to portable digital formats. I fully believe that Audio CD will be the final physical audio media that gains any kind of traction. Just as BluRay will probably be the final physically distributed home movie format.

One solace : emerging audio formats reach and breach the limits of DVD-A/SACD. It's only a matter of time before Apple launches Ipod HD, and you can listen to master-quality audio on the go. This will probably happen when ~250gb 2" SSDs come down to the $100 price point, in 2010 or so.