nothome17

Debating if I should trade in 08 TL Type S for ILX. I'm looking into moving to a more of a compact car. Thinking of getting an A3 or ILX. Or considering a Mazda 3 hatch.

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

good question. Kinda considering a 2016 ilx myself. I would keep my 07 TL-S as a 2nd car though

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

Keep the TL-S or get the A3....

I wouldn't even consider a ILX over an A3.

aomechmarine

Short answer

With the very limited info you gave, I would say...hmmm... HELL NO

Cars, in general are fucking money dump. I say this as someone who sold cars at a Honda dealership for a while. You NEED a good, quality, reliable car. You don't NEED a brand new car to keep up with the Jones's. The Jones's are in debt to their eyeballs, living stressed paycheck to paycheck, and about to get repo'd, because they are spending. They should stay low budget and stack paper and have savings, 401k's, Roth IRA's, Checking Deposit (CD's), mutual funds, bonds and stocks, and have a mortgage, not an apartment. Do you want that stuff? Keep your car as long as possible, 10 years should be a minimum goal, 15 years better. (***Meaning from new, car should be about 10-15 years old when you get rid of it. If you bought the TL from new, then you should still keep it for AT LEAST a few more years.)

You already have a very nice car. The ILX and the Mazda would be a downgrade in size and possibly feel. The Audi would still feel small. Selling cars, it was EASY to get people to go from previous Civic (or equivalent size) to bigger more spacious Accord size. I don't think you will like the change, for either of those 3 cars. Also the A3 maintenance cost will be significantly MORE

aomechmarine

Long Answer

Meaning you actually NEED to change cars for various reasons
1) Your parking situation sucks
2) Your family situation is now different... Usually this would be someone going from a coupe to sedan or something, cuz they bought the coupe when single, now they got a kid, Or had a big ass SUV, but now their kids are in college, so they want a coupe or sedan,etc.
3) You HAVE all those diversified forms of savings and investments...And you just want a new car just because. NOT likely in your situation, because if you were balling, I don't think you'd be looking at those cars.
4)you drive a crap ton and are at 200k+miles and don't want to deal with possible breakdown/maintenance issues
5)some other extenuating circumstance - please explain.

Need a LOT more info. Is your current car paid off? How old are you? Why smaller? Why the Mazda 3? Hatch back? For what purpose? Who is mostly in the car? You? Kids? Wife? Girlfriend/s? sometimes? You and Buddies? You and dog/s? Want a car to help get chicks (cuz fuck it,if it helps, why not?)?

aomechmarine

*** Audi insurance will cost more too.

aomechmarine

"The average U.S. vehicle age has hit a record.


You know that slot in the middle of your center-console that you sometimes use as an iPhone holder? Well, that’s actually a tape deck—an ancient artifact once used to play cassette tapes. But what’s it doing in your car?
According to IHS Automotive, a consulting firm that provides insight into the automotive industry, the average age of vehicles in the U.S. has reached an all-time high of 11.5 years. Cars have become much more reliable throughout the years, so they can endure the road for a significantly longer period of time. With new smartphones and other devices being released every couple of years, cars far outlive the technology that comes with them; thus, tape decks.


IHS has been tracking this data since 2002. The average car age has gradually increased each year, with an even more dramatic boost during the recession due to a 40% drop in new car sales from 2008 to 2009. The climb has since slowed, and it has started to plateau. IHS predicts that the number will reach 11.6 in 2016 and remain stagnant until 2018, when the company thinks it will hit 11.7."


Average Car Age Reaches An All-Time High - Fortune


In 2020, when your TL Type S is 12 years old, statistically speaking, you will STILL have a nicer car then 50% of the cars on the road(majority/average car age on road). Since MOST cars on the road will be 12 years old by then. And most people drive Corolla's, Civic's, Accord's, Camry's, similar/equivalent and etc. You could keep it for 15 years, and if you actually take good care of it, it STILL wouldn't be a beater. Probably about to be at that point tho. You have an Acura, most people don't have a luxury car.

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

Why does it matter how old he is? His age does not play a factor in the decision...

aomechmarine

Age plays a huge role if you are buying a new car. Mostly because people are going through different stuff at different points in their life. If you want to be financially smart, (not everyone does, or needs to be)...Then you need to try to keep the car 10-15 years. You need too look at a car and think "HMM... Do I ACTUALLY see myself driving that in 10 -15 years"?

Maybe he's 20-25 and his parents gave him the car. Never really like the car to begin with, he's in college/and or starting a good job/career and in some metro where parking sucks, wants something smaller and more fuel efficient, especially city driving. And he doesn't care that he'll be in a smaller car until he's 30-35.

If this guy is 35, does he want to be 45-50 and still driving a small sedan? Probably not. That's not how most people are. But, maybe he's not most people. Need more info.

or Maybe he's 30-35. About to get married, maybe have a couple kids by the time you are 35. Does that seem like the right time to get a coupe? NOPE. Is your fiance/ wife gonna drive the car?

You are 45 and a confirmed bachelor. You don't give a damn about kids. You don't care about a wife. You just wanna do you.

They are all different scenarios that are affected by age, and where you are most likely at in life. Everybody's different tho.

stevenv

having owned a '07 TL-S and now owning a '16 ILX with 15k miles on it, i think you will be happy with the change..the 16 ILX premium aspec is as good as the TL-S i had. dont listen to the nay sayers, there are always people saying don't do it keep the old car etc..drive the ILX for an extended test drive yourself , the car is tight, drives great, and the tranny is awesome..some minor quirks, but nothing that should keep you from buying one..actually kind of dissappointed no android integration yet...i wish it had a few minor items but for the price and reliability you cant go wrong, never driven the Mazda so cant say anything about it...

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

why ask us on something as subjective and personal as a car?

as the poster above me stated, give it an extended test drive to see if its something for you.

we all have different personal goals and wants and needs out of a personal vehicle.


Get some seat time and report bacK!!!

Triscuit

I will tell you from experience. I went from a 2007 TL-Type S (6spd) to a 2014 ILX (6spd). The reason I changed was because I would be doing 100+ miles a day. Dropping off the kids at grandma's and to work. My TL had 140K so the anxiety of car failure and maintenance was my deciding factor.

I'm not gonna lie I do miss the power and larger volume of the TL, but the ILX is small, nimble, and better on gas mileage. I am 30and made the switch almost 3 years ago. Hope this information helps.

tstack22

No. Absolutely not. I went from an '07 Si to a '16 ILX and of all the impulsive car buying decisions I've made, this was by far the most regrettable. Not only was the Si more fun to drive, but it was nicer, more comfortable, and more luxurious, and far better looking. So unless you want to trade your TL for my ILX, stay away from this car.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^whose fault was that!?

if OP is already thinking of a smaller car, all he would need is some seat time to further persuade him or dissuade

TacoBello

a 2007 Si was more luxurious and comfortable than a 2016 ILX? Now I know who's full of it

tstack22

What it comes down to is the plastic seats in the base ILX. And the terrible stereo. If I'd opted for the premium package, I'd probably have a completely different opinion of the car. But when the seat's uncomfortable (and unsupportive), nothing in the car feels nice.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Interior space aside, you will give up a little bit of performance with the ILX. In return, you will get some more modern features, and much better fuel economy.

nothome17

Thanks for the feedback fellez.. thanked most you. Age 36 married and no kids (waiting for an accident)

Reason on debating on a trade-in is due to mileage. TL being at 200k so its due for the major maintenance.
Timing belt/water pump $800
Brake master cylinder $200
Motor/transmission mounts $1000
Compliance Bushings $800

Should I spend $2000 or get at least $5000-6000 from selling the car.

I've come from Compact cars from the 92 GSR, 2000 GSR, 2006 TSX and the TLS which is the biggest that I've owned. I've had more fun driving the compact cars that's why I was looking at something smaller. The TLS feels bulky on the twisty roads.

Also if I keep the car and buy another it'll still be in my insurance so that's $80-100 a month.

A3 - Liked the ride and good to have AWD since I do go snowboarding/skiing. Not sure how I feel about turbo if its reliable.
Mazda 3 - Feels sporty and don't mind having a hatch for snowboarding/skiing. Feels like the 04-05 ILX lol.. but better
Ilx - reminds me of my oL 06 TSX with a few tech upgrades.

aomechmarine

4)you drive a crap ton and are at 200k+miles and don't want to deal with possible breakdown/maintenance issues

Damn I nailed it... yep.. Even a cheap bastard like me won't argue that you should hold on to it. Good time to sell it or pass it on to someone. Seems you drive a lot, so if you fix it and keep it, then you will literally run it until failure or until it's not worth anything. Perfect first car for someone else, and get either a nice down payment on your new car, or a nice little amount to do whatever with. DO NOT do a trade-in at the dealer. Your car is still worth something on the street to someone. Not worth anything to the dealer. They will literally insult you with their offers.
Too bad the ILX is not AWD, or I'd say go for that. Couple recommendations tho. Go with a buddy to test drive all 3. Have him help you compare and contrast a little. Sleep on it a little. I've put posted before on a few threads on A-zine about how to get a better deal when buying a car. I won't post all that here, but you can search for it, should come up.

Is your wife gonna drive this car? You should ask her what she likes....AFTER you test drive them, then you can try to persuade her into what you preferred, hahaha...

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

have you test driven it yet!?

nothome17

I've test driven all 3 cars, A3/S3, Mazda 3 1.8 and 2.0, and ILX. So far I'm liking the S3 though but will see, don't feel like shelling out 40k again. Also not sure about turbo as I prefer aspirated engines.

My wife drives the 2014 Honda sport accord. She did like the Audi S3 and at the same time I want her to drive safe car. So she might be driving it.

A3/S3: AWD yes..
Mazda 3: Too much on the road
ILX: Power is pretty good but the exterior design is kinda a turn off.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^sounds like you're in a pickle!

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

I'm a mid 20's guy starting a new career. No wife and kids, but just looking to get a 2nd car since my TL-S has 176k miles already. What do you guys think about my scenario?

The reason I want to keep the TL is that I still really like the car, but just feel like its getting pretty high in miles and lacks some new tech

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

^S2k..


No wife, no kids.


S2k.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

yeah, it would be silly to buy another 4 door acura...

get something different as a 2nd car, like an s2k or lotus or something.

if all you want a 2nd car for is new tech....might as well sell the TL and drop coin on a 2016 brand and model of your choice...

nothome17

Looks like will be keeping the TL and will eventually give it to Pops. Keep the tradition going lol... Believe if or not my family is still driving the cars I've passed down to them. My pops drives the 92 GSR, little sister drives the 2000 GSR and little brother drives the 06 TSX.

Sixers12

was between an A3 or '16 ilx for me too, bought the ilx had it for over a year now.....excellent car, love it

Audi A3 is too pricey for a compact, could get so much more for the money

Nexx

if you go ilx get a tech aspec

aomechmarine

Right now is a good time to get what will be an impractical vehicle in maybe 5-15 years for you. If you end up getting married or having kids, as most people do, it would most likely be within that time frame, statistically speaking... If you are gonna keep the TL, then a fun coupe is a good option. Or how about a motorcycle? Why not both? As long as you are doing all the other boring money stuff I mentioned first... If I was ballin' , I'd keep my ILX (just cuz I already own it) and get a couple bikes and a coupe...I'd go G37 or Lexus and since I'm daydreaming here, maybe NSX!... haha....

Some guys wives/girlfriends make them get rid of the toys, and then some guys are like "NAH I don't wanna risk dying and missing out on my kids, I'm giving up my toys"... and then some guys have it all... BASTARDS... But you're young right now, good time for the toys... If you are like most people, the next time will be when your kids are grown! That's a long time!

If you like the TL keep it and the new fun car. You will probably trade out both if you get married or have kids. Mini van could in be your future bro!


On A Related Tangent-
The TL, if it's well maintained, will run EASILY to 300k miles, just like most any Honda, Toyota or Nissan, especially nowadays....I've seen a lot online that made it to 400k and 500k miles. In all reality, the car will probably get totaled out by insurance before the motor actually stops someday...

The other main issue is, most people don't feel like spending the money to do the proper maintenance on a car once it hits a certain mark in their head. 150k, 200k, 250k etc... so they start delaying proper maintenance schedule, or using cheap stuff...OR, they NEVER did proper maintenance to begin with! because it's not gonna be their problem if it breaks down at 150k, if they only keep it until 100K! Which is why I'm very paranoid of used cars.. And you ALL should be too! CARFAX! Also if you keep a car to maybe around 250k+ miles, on paper, its worth crap...Even tho it still may run like a beast... Which is why it's usually better to just keep it as a beater, extra car, or give it to someone in your family, or a friend. So people usually try to unload the cars at X number in their head, too. Usually about 300k is the max amount that most people push it to before they unload it, even if its for basically nothing.. I seen people trade in cars for $200-$500 bucks that were actually in decent condition, just had 300k on the odometer. Literally 1% of the original purchase price when the vehicle was brand new! The owner just wanted it gone, and you can't blame the dealer, that's gonna go to an auction, NO WAY can they sell that on any car lot...

The people taking cars past 300k are usually original owners, or knew the original vehicle owner. They know the car's history and feel confident doing so. Part of the reason that 300k number comes into play is because of the average miles a year is considered normal mileage. 300k would take most drivers 15-20 years to get to. People that drive a lot may get there in even 10 years. If a car is 10 years old and you drive that much for work, you are gonna get a new car to not deal with possible breakdown.

***The cheap bastard in me says go for the ILX in the highest trim you like. You seem to have gotten Honda/Acura products before and not been let down, and since it seems you drive a bit more then normal, you're probably gonna enjoy the 36mpg hwy miles rating on the 2016 ILX.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Btw OP, have you considered/test driven the new Honda Civic 1.5T? If not, I'd encourage you to test drive one, especially in the Touring trim.

You may not like the CVT, but I thought it's well worth a try nonetheless.

nothome17

Not liking the looks, looks like a mini Cross Tour. That's just me. Here's how the rear looks like < ivi > pretty much the a big civic logo in the rear lol.. Looks are subjective though, its up to there own. I'm sure it drives great, from just looking at it, its probably the same size as the 1st gen TSX.

But will be waiting for either the 2nd gen ILX or newer Model Impreza's.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

haha I agree, looks are subjective.

The 2nd gen ILX should be interesting as it will most likely be based on the new Civic platform. May even have AWD available!

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

I guess I had my mind set on buying the '16 ilx...took it home last night! white, aspec with tech plus package. Still have the TL, but may just end up selling it

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

You bought another 4 door Acura? S2k :Spanky:

nothome17

Post a pic with your username on a piece of paper on the car to make it legit.

usdmJON

How to be a douche. Step by step.

1. Buy lowest quality of something.

2. Bitch about low quality.

3. Compare to higher quality product.

4. Post on-line review based on an apple to orange comparison.

As for looks. I think the ILX is miles ahead of the civic. Even the 2013 IMO looks worlds better and more luxurious than the 2015 and 16 Si. 15 SI looks like the typical grocery getter SI while the 16 looks like a hot hatch transformer. Opinions are awesome.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

lol you have 2 acura sedans...
one HAS to go!

Oh Sickest TL

iTrader: (3)

3rd gen type s for a 16 ILX is not a great trade, depreciation alone. if your type s is mint then I say no way

4cruizn

I didn't read the whole thread but my answer to your subject line is "No." Keep your TL-S. It's a better looking, more powerful, and sought after car. I would love to get my hands on a 3rd gen TL-S 6-speed in Kinetic Blue someday.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

It probably looks mint, but here's the summary points from the OP about his 3G TL-S:

Reason on debating on a trade-in is due to mileage. TL being at 200k so its due for the major maintenance.
Timing belt/water pump $800
Brake master cylinder $200
Motor/transmission mounts $1000
Compliance Bushings $800

Should I spend $2000 or get at least $5000-6000 from selling the car.