Sup guys, I'm looking to get a 1st gen TL about a 96 or 97, and I was wondering if you all could give me a heads up about what some of the common problems are. I was looking into legends, but I hear that the timing belt, radiators, and head gaskets are common probs along with their high price tags and higher HP whice equals higher insurance, I opted to go for the new Ac's. I have done a search, but havent really found anything. Any help and opinions would be appreciate. Thanx

~Fiend

 

there aren't any real major problems that all of us share. The first gen TL was made right and im not just ****tin you.
it really doesnt matter if you get a 3.2 or a 2.5. I like the 2.5 better but im kind of partial to that opinion.

 

yea there havent been any complains about the first gen tl's and crap... other than the 2.5 not having vtec and 5 spd, its a nice car

 

i havent had one major problem with my 96 TL and its got 99909 miles to date, other than that my CV boots on the left front axle have gone out twice, not a big probelm at all. this car was built perfectly

 

I've had mine over a year now, and I love it. Great ride!!!

 

i had mine for two yrs now... they are great.. i think it was cause the first gens were actually made from japan... the second gens as u hear from their trannys just crap out...

 

Yeah, they're great cars. Personally, I'd get the 3.2 (that's what I did after I test drove both). I found the 5-banger to be a little too weak when pulling around the weight.

I also think the 3.2 looks better in the front, though I wish I could get the Mugen grille (only ffor the 2.5), but it isn't available anymore anyway, so...

To be honest - there are a lot of smaller, nagging issues with the TL's... Lots of people have problems with the stock alarms (ok - get an aftermarket which is better anyway). Also - the windows are slow and they get scratched by the guides (felt comes off the metal guides). There are a few other problems, but nothing major at all...

I've had my car for over 2 years, and the only thing I've had to replace is the upper control arms on both sides (under extended warrantee).

I drive my car like a MF, and it has served me very well. I've got about 150,000km on it now (about 95,000mi) - knock on factory wood grain...

Craig

 

ive had my car for 7..almost 8 years and it drives like a rock. oh i have a 2.5TL. there are little probs with the car but what car doesn't have probs? all the probs ive had are small problems like.. windows rollling up slowly, burnt light bulbs in the gauges, and um... thats about it actually.

if you want a car for its strong engine, 3.2 is for you. i believe it has 200hp stock. 2.5's have 176hp but there are a little more aftermarket parts for it than the 3.2's. basically, 1st gen TL's were all built in japan so it drives like a dream. 2nd gen TL's have probs too ...really big probs. their transmission goes out and thats mucho dinero

 

Thanks for the help guys, I feel better about buying one now. One question, is the front bumper interchangeable between the 2.5's and 3.2's???

 

hey praxiis ive had that same window problem with the slow rolling up, but only in the front and they do get scratched only the front also. does ne onw know how to fix the windows because mine roll up like molasis and its begining to bug me

 

it has to be modified in order for it to fit. 962.5TL did it on his car. he had a 2.5 with a 3.2 front end. i think he said he got it done b/c insurance was going to pay for his accident he once had

 

ive had my 96 2.5 for 4 years. The most expensive things i have had to replace was a fan and the timing belt. Not bad for a car with over 100,000 miles on it!

 

Yeah - my rear windows are nice and speedy... The front ones (especially the passenger side) are slow as balls.

Craig

 

My ****ing from driver window is soooo slow. If I go to a drive through and roll it down to pay, I feel like I need to apologize to everyone behind me for holding up the line for so long.

Buy a 96-97 tl its the best $$ you can spend, and whether you keep it till the wheels fall off or want goood resale when you finish paying the note, most acuras are good to go. I got mine cause I had a 93 integra that I ****ing reemed on from 50,000 miles when I got it to 107,000 miles when I traded it, and never had a problem.