hi guy's done some research and am think of buying a tl. please give me some feed back on reliablity, maybe some low cost mods. things to look for in a used model. i have plans on looking at a 1997 3.2 loaded 82kmi. he's asking $8500
fair price?? plus i got a couple more on the list. i've also read the common probs.
thread on this board windows,trans,d4 light,etc.. which makes me wonder i've owned a couple hondas for a short while loved 'em. but i want to step up the game. this will be a daliy driver around town to work sometimes a 80mi. oneway. input would be appreciated.
thanx
travis

 

welcome to the forum. Dude, we all complain about our cars and shit but in reality our TL's, especially first gens, are quite literally bulletproof. Mine's been in the family from 40k to now (about 125k miles ) and counting, and nary a problem. They are no trsnny failures, no rattles and squeaks or whatever. The problems yiou highlight: D4 light and slow window. Come on! A stupid green led that lets you know your in D4. Ive lived without mine for 6 months - if it bothers you then change it, we have stickies on this. The slow windows are slow thats it and again if this bothers you, all you gotta do is pop the panel off and grease the tracks. Like I said, these things are bulletproof, and we have members who have close to 180k and still have yet to tear into the engine.

Biut forget the problems and complaints, the real joy is in driving this baby. Man are these things smooth and classy and comfy and sexy. I cant say enough about my 3.2, cept that I wouldnt trade it for anything. Honestly, iof acura offered me a new 3g tl in placde of this, i know I'd stick with my first gen. I seriously love it. Drive one, and I'm sure you'll agree.

Good luck with the (potential) purchase and let us know how it goes.

 

I don't know what the common transmission problem is, just shifting a bit hard? Mine was, changed the fluid, and it is still shifting well. It isn't silky smooth completely unnoticable, but you don't notice the shifts unless you are trying to, like in any car. Keep in mind the car is 8 years old, you shouldn't expect completely seamless shifts.

The D4 light and slow windows can both be fixed for less then $5 and in less than an hour. All you need is a new light (or switch with another light [D1]) and a little bit of grease for the windows, WD40 works too.

I'm not sure what applies to the 3.2 you are looking at, but on my 2.5 (same year, 1997) the ball joints and exhaust manifolds were known to have problems, and Acura replaced them for free. I got new spark plugs, wires, and oil change for free also, a pretty good deal in my eyes.

Low cost mods, performance or cosmetic? There really aren't a whole lot, but you could look into clear bumper signals which clean up the front end's look. Chrome the shiftgate. Maybe a cold air intake (Weapon-R just made one), but those are the most common and easiest things I think.

I haven't had any problems with this car that I would consider serious. I had to change the transmission fluid and coolant because they were both overdue (I have no service records from the PO). There is an oil leak (a seal between the filter housing and the block) and an exhaust leak (a gasket) that I am gettin fixed for $100, not too bad at all.

 

thanks for the input guys. did'nt mean to start anything w/ "problem thread" it's just after reading 7 pgs. was i little intimidating,i understand as with all cars you have some quirks. it's all good. so anyway went and saw a tl 3.2
82k mi. it was pretty mint , excellent vehicle.. one owner with the tittle to prove it.
$8500 he won't move on this price. only thing is he promised to let some other guy see it. i'm second in line. if he calls is this a good deal?? don't i'll see another this clean, around here. thanx

 

I'll give you another small problem with the 1st generation...

Very little respect from Acura and even a lot of Acura owners.

I'm sure anybody here who's ever taken their car to the dealership has heard, "Oh you have the older TL."

You should see how badly they knock us in the 2nd and 3rd gen forums when we try and stand up for our car. (Ok I'm citing only a few examples, but the envy is there)

 

got any threads about his man....i've got something to say to whoever thinks that a first gen shouldnt get respect! 3.2Tl right here with 125k and close to ten years since it went out the showrrom floor and guess what: im still on my original tranny, dont have butt prints on my seat, and a droopy headliner rushing against its head. And plus my 3.2TL cost more when brand new (about 36200) vs. the 35k for a new 05 with nav.

 

First off... Welcome to the forum...

with wackjum but i think they are just jelous because the 1st gen was the last of the TL's originally made in Japan... and they have US models...

Either way... the 1st Gen really is bulletproof... I'm at 175,000 miles and still going... i see another 100,000 to 200,000 miles on my TL still...

i just need to change the oil tomorrow... yes tomorrow... I'll officially announce the return of my tl in a seperate thread... Anyways... its been about 3 months or so now without its oil change... Anyways... i know the 1st Gen if maintained properly... it'll last you a VERY long time... I need to do my timeing belt some day too... just need the cash...

About the problems i've had...

1. Exhaust leak... Warrenty covers 95-97 TL's ... my 98 isn't covered...
2. Brake squeek... due to wear and tare... this little pin actually broke... i can take a pic when i get home...
3. The basics... Slow windows, D4 light, etc... small things you can live with...

Apart from that... i don't remember anything else that could be important...

THE AC SMELLS BAD!!!

Apart from all that... the car is basicly perfect... i can't wait to drive my baby again... view sig if you want to know why... accident...

1st gen>*

Although the newer TL's are different and look nice and sleek... just not "bulletproof" (not literally) like the 1st Gen...

 

Thats not a common problem though I don't think, that has nothing to do with teh car, but with particular dealers. My local dealer is amazing to me and I have never been treated any differently then anyone else. I acutally probably get treated better then most people, there are a few service advisors, and I always go to one I first went to, a really cool guy in is 20's with long hair He'll print me up service bulltiins, and tell me straight up it's my best bet to do them myself instead of paying the dealer

 

Man that is awesome.

Acura dealerships around here are downright nasty. Well the few I've been to. I haven't had the urge to go across town to other dealerships.

 

Yeah, having an older vehicle, dealerships might look down upon you since the value is less but IMO the 1st gen TL's have the best interiors out of ANY Acura before 2004. I have a 2003 TL in addition to my 1997 and the 1st gen has far less black plastic, better instrumentation and feels more upscale.

As for the cars themselves, the 1st gen TL's are very reliable if they've been treated well. Make sure there have been no problems with the starter and get the emissions recall done since it is a '97 model. Of course, around 105,000 miles you'll want to get the timing belt changed so keep in mind to save up 600 bucks or so for that.