Has 127k seems to be in great condition. Cant decide if i wanna sell my 03 TL type-s and go with that. TL tranny is going out, so i might bail while i still can.

 

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2822530707.html

 

Has it had the water pump / timing belt replaced? I think mine had that done at about 130k.

Anyway, love my 99, only problems were caused by previous owner doing subpar work on it.

 

The timing belt should have been done at 105k. If not, then I be suspicious of other 'deferred' maintenance.

Rich
98 RL 201k miles

 

That makes my 99 look pristine! Did you notice the left front wheel is different than the rest? I would almost replace the tranny on the TL and keep it. $.02. Good luck with your decision.

 

RL98, He said it was intentional because of the reliability of the part. Realistically, that brings it from a replace at 105k and then start to worry at 210k to a replace once type part. Since he had the car detailed once a year at the dealer, I don't think he was just being cheep or never took it in.

 

I would either fix and keep the 03 TL Type S, or find a 99 or above RL. The 99 had a big number of improvements compared to the 96-98 like HID headlights, better looking front and rear ends, and newer more reliable ABS modulator among other things. I used to have a 96 RL and those old high pressure ABS modulators tended to leak and replacing one cost over $1200! Just that point alone should be enough to steer you to the 99 and above which has the newer lower pressure kind without a reservoir like in your TL.

Also in my opinion, the 99-04 RLs look a lot more modern with the refresh.

 

That's a very strange combination...making the car pretty at a dealer and letting the timing belt go longer than specified. Considering it's an interference engine and the cost of a belt brake is $$$$ (and they do sometimes break!) I'm amazed that the dealer didn't recommend it be done...

 

I would defiantly look into getting the TL-S fixed. You could also consider doing the 6 speed swap. My 96 is in way better cosmetic condition. The front bumper is missing the chrome trim, i noticed a center cap missing, different rim. Also it is not the premium version(lacking heated seats and traction control. Another thing, did the air bags go off in this car? Looks like it to me. It leads to to question was this car well maintained? Also they are totally different animals. My uncle had an 03 TL-S and performance wise they are obviously different.

If you want an RL, id do as Megatron said...find a 99+.

 

Jimmay, do you say that because of the non-matching color of the air bag portion of the wheel or the poorly installed passenger air-bag?

 

I say that because if you look closely at the wheel and at the passenger air bag cover they look slit open, like the air bag had been deployed.

I can run a carfax if you give me the vin and youre interested in buying it

 

Definitely looks like the airbags have been deployed. Good catch!

 

Acurazine to the rescue!

 

Darn, photos are gone with post... would have been a nice thing to be able to detect.

BTW, you mean that those airbags were toast, or that they may have been deployed?

And isn't there a factory recommended 10 year air bag check?

 

Deployed. And it was either 10 or 11 years after the manufacturing date of the vehicle.