siy010

Hi,

I have been looking at a 2007 TL type S on Craigslist. The title is clean, second owner, with 76,000 miles. However, it has two accidents ("minor", according to the seller of course) reported from Carfax, and the seller told me that the timing belt and water pump should be replaced within 5000 miles. They have never been replaced. The price is $11,000. Is the car worth the money? And more importantly, is the accident history and the timing belt/water pump going to be real hassle? If I were to think of buying the car, I will definitely have it inspected by a shop. If I bought the car, I would of course replaced the timing belt and water pump as soon as possible.

Thanks so much!

treal512

I'm a relative noob here, but my 3G 6MT TL with 67k miles clean title no accidents cost me 9k. As for the timing belt and water pump, that job will run you 800-1.2k minimum.

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I agree that 9k is probably a more reasonable price for that car. I got mine with 100k for 9.5k but it was very well maintained, accident-free and had nearly all the bolt-ons already.

BROlando

A type S with under 100K miles for 11K is about right, considering its history.

Look for the VIN tags on the body. Depending on how many are missing, you can determine the severity of the accidents.

Le7316

OP , we are in the same boat ... I am about to pull the triiger on the 08 Type S 6spd manual and I am stuck with the VIN Tag location on the two front fenders and the bumper . I am not local that's why.

siy010

Thanks for all the reply. In the end the seller agreed to have time belt and water pump replaced before selling for $11,000. Also, during test drive, the brake squeaked a little when stopping at really low speed. Is this a critical problem? Thanks.

theCoffeeFiend

iTrader: (2)

Thats a better deal with the TB and water pump included. As for the brakes, you should take a look at the pads. They may need replacing, along with some rotors

6MTSSR

As long as all vin tags are present on ALL body panels, whatever incidents were minor.Pull the trigger.

siy010

Yeah. Actually the accident was severe enough to have airbag deployed, even though the title is still clean. But I will check with the seller. Thanks.

6MTSSR

Meh, airbag deployment can be tricky.I would stay away.My 07 type s was hit twice while parked.Front fender dent once which was pulled and refinished and rear quarter/bumper corner scraped.Just a repaint and repair bumper.The key is retaining factory bumpers/panels.So obviously insignificant damage.I take before/after pics for proof of damage/repair.Personally I would pass on any airbag deployment.

siy010

Thanks. May I ask why is retaining factory bumpers/panels important? Wouldn't a brand new bumper be better? (Sorry, I am new to buy used cars.)

6MTSSR

Example the type s bumper is expensive and if their is minor damage,why not save the original bumper and repair it? Cheaper and its the original bumper if retaning vin tags are important to you.Again just my opinion.

Jackass

Airbag deployment has absolutely nothing to do with the status of the title nor a true tell on the severity of the accident other than it was more than just a little bump. Airbags can deploy with fairly small impacts if it is "just" right. They also can not deploy even with considerable damage to the vehicle. The title status comes down to the status of the repair costs vs the value of the vehicle, the insurance company, and the state laws regarding titles where the car happens to be titled.

truonghthe

OP it really your call, I personally would not buy a car that has airbag deploy UNLESS the owner has all the documentation the repair was perform corrected along with photo of before and after. This is why I always documented all of my body works by taking pics before and after.

6MTSSR

....Exactly......

jhb31

II would tend to agree with others about the airbag being deployed. Damage to the front end of the car is a place I would almost always want to stay away from. Usually a close inspection can find issues. Another thing I would consider is when the accident happened. Was it 4 or 5+ years ago and the same person has owned the car and it has been maintained? Typically people with accident problems don't keep their cars too long afterwards and/or get lax on the maintenance. I don't think things are cut and dry. The type S has been out ten years so chances are likely at some point its been bumped or dinged. If it came down to a choice between a fully maintained car in great condition inside and out with a minor accident repaired properly and one owner versus a no "known" accident history and a 2 or 3 owner car with little or no maintenance history and a bit worn looking I know which way I would go. I prefer to look at the total picture as things are not always so cut and dry. The interior is also a good place to tell how hard the owners have been on the car. I have seen some type S cars that looked pretty nice outside only to see torn and cracked leather on dried out seats, the carbon fiber inlays in the console scratched to hell and the carpet in poor shape which tells me whoever owned the car at some point didn't care enough keep it nice. I would also look to see if everything works, the more meticulous owners will fix an item that breaks while others will just overlook it. At the very least if unsure take it to an acura dealer or mechanic and have it checked out. I don't think you touch a 70K no accident 1 owner excellent condition type S for close to 11k (a base model sure), At least not around here that I have seen and if you find one buy it immediately. People are asking that much or more for ones in not so nice condition with well north of 100k miles. I have been down at the Acura dealer lately checking out the new stuff and they told me they rarely see a low mileage type S come in but even the high mile ones they get go quick. Good luck.