qstorm78

Hi guys just wanted to ask your opinions on which of these cars you think gives the best bang for your buck. I got a 97 CL 3.0 and i'm thinking of getting one of the two mentioned above. I like the 2-gen TL's but the tranny failure issue got me scared. Haven't read much on the Accords yet, but the 03/04 models look good. Are they prone to the same tranny failures as the 2-gen TL's?

I came across an 03 TL today up for sale and i like the ride. It got, 65k miles, leather heated seats, Navigation, side impact airbags, traction control Etc and they're asking $12,500. This sounds like a good deal for me. That means would have 35k miles till my tranny warrantee goes or up to 2010. Let me know what you guys think. Appreciate any comments.

Thanks in advance.


Q.

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

First of all that does sound like a good deal. However if buying an 03 becare becuase not all of the 03s are covered in the warranty. If you buy one make sure its covered by the 109K warranty.

qstorm78

Is there a way to check if its covered by the 109K warrantee besides taking the word of the sales guys?

Bob_F

Yes, you can call Acura's national Customer Care number with the TL's VIN number and they can tell you if the transmission is covered.

One nice thing about an Accord is that you can get a manual transmission if you like driving a stick. That's one thing I miss driving the TL.

Bob

qstorm78

Cool. I had the VIN and added it to the owner link page and it did show this:

Description 00-04 CL & TL A/T RECALL
Date 6/29/2004
Type Safety Recall Campaign
Status Fixed


Also go a carfax on it and saw it was involded in an Accident less than a year ago:

05/04/2006 New Jersey
Police Report
Case # 6003981 Accident Reported
in Essex County
Involving left front impact
It hit another motor vehicle
Front area primarily damaged

Can't really tell much from that but that does kinda make me think thats why its such a good deal. But from the pics it looks pretty ok. Here's the link to it:

http://www.toyotauniverse.com/ou/lit...used_inventory

Bob_F

The accident would make me a bit cautious about buying that car. The fact that there was a police report might mean that it was a pretty serious accident. In many part of the country, the police won't even come out unless someone was hurt or there's significant damage.

Note that the accident automatically drops the Kelly Blue Book value from "Excellent" to "Good".

The Owner Link page should also show if the car has the extended warranty on the transmission. (That transmission recall item is not connected to the extended warranty. It involved an inspection and the installation of an oil jet kit.)

If you can't confirm the extended warranty on the Owner Link page, just call Acura with the VIN number. If the car does not have the warranty, I would not buy it.

Bob

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

Based on that VIN number I dont think its covered I would also look at some 02s along with 03s I mean its the same car and all 02s are covered. You can get that car if you want however I would suggest getting an extended warranty through Acura.

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

http://www.hondatransmissionsettleme.../php/login.php

You can use that website to confirm it.

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Get the Accord.

qstorm78

I check out the site and run the VIN and its not covered under the warranty, also the KBB on it is $17K, thats more than $4k below the BB value. Thanks for all the quick responses guys that really help a whole lot. I'm looking to get either an TL or Accord like it said but i just wanna be sure i dont get taken to the cleaners. The ride does look good, but the accident and the warranty is a big issue for me, so i think i will pass on this one.


But I still woul like you guys opinion on whether the 2-gen TL or 03/04 Accord is the best way to go. I'm looking for a car I will be hanging onto for the next 5 to 7 yrs and wont have to spend major $$$$$ on it every couple months or having to worry about tranny going bad.

Thanks guys

Q

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

Well You can get an extended warranty from Acura that will not only cover tranny issues but everything else. I am not sure how much they cost though. However if the accident worrys you I am sure there are other cars out there.

AMGala

iTrader: (4)

Did the seller of the TL not tell you it was involved in an accident? That's some shady business right there...

qstorm78

Its from a toyota dealership, think someone traded it in and from their site they got a car fax on it. The car does look nice, even got on star on it as well. Even though its not covered for the 109K miles, are all 03 TL's cover for at least the 100K mile/7 year warranty?

I'm thinking I might go take a look at it even though i'm not serious about buying it.

ChrisQ1980

Bring it to an Acura dealership and have them go over the entire car. Ask them to perform a frame check, and to see if the parts used to repair the car were genuine Acura replacement parts.

Pay special attention to the Aprons, and Frame rails. Also look to see if the headlights are HONDA units and not a knockoff with a crappy beam pattern. See if you can get maintence records and see if the car was well taken care of. Don't rush into the first TL you see.

Personally I like the TL better than the Accord based on looks alone. The Accord looks very bland and boring. Just a basic looking car. As far as performance and comfort, they are great. If I had to get an Accord it would be a Carbon Grey 4dr V6 with a spoiler.

qstorm78

I will drop by there tomorrow to take a look, but i dought they will want me to take it to another dealer to check it out. I will bring the car fax with me but wont tell them i got it, wanna see if they will tell me about it. Will pretend i see if off the street, maybe then i will ask to take it to an Acura dealer to have it checked out. You're right about the honda they look just too plain jane, only the EX V6 interest me.

Are the accords covered under the 100K/7 yr warranty and the 109k miles warranty as well?

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

The accord will have a 100k coverage if you buy it certified or you buy one yourself otherwise just the standard warranty. And the 03/04 accords dont have a tranny warranty up to 109k either however I think those trannys run well.

ChrisQ1980

Certified pre-owned cars are covered up to 7yr/100k. You would have to get it from an Acura or Honda dealership.

If they don't let you take that car to get inspected by an Acura dealership then walk out immediatly.

qstorm78

I put an off in online for $10500 and the sales guy already called and left a voice mail. LOL. If i can take it to the Acura dealer and it checks out good, and if they're willing to take my old CL 3.0 for at least $3k, then we might be able to work something out. On top of that will be calling the Acura customer service and check on the warranty. If all these work then maybe i can consider this TL, if not i'm not desparate and will wait.

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

Sounds good but you can also sell your CL through private party if you would like. Another thing about buying a warranty from Acura I dont know it but there is an online website were you can buy Acuras warranty online and its MUCH cheaper. However I would recommend you dont buy that car without a warranty.

3rdGenHybrid

well how much money do you have to play with? 03-07 accords are very nice, peppy...i work at honda and haven't seen the new tranny's go bad yet....and you could def. get the 6spd....its basicaly a TL without the 40k price tag....good bang for the buck

qstorm78

I'm looking to spend at least $11500 to $12k and use my CL as a trade in, or sell my CL before and use the $$$ as a down payment.

The cheapest i've seen an accord in in that range is about 12k for an 04 with 57k miles, and that was an LX. Can't find an 05 in that price range.

AZN.M3NACE

the tl looks exactly like mine.. i have onstar, navi, and everything else.. but i think the car should go for about 11500... i mean it was in an accident... but its not that bad driving it because my car was also impacted on the right side with about 13000$ worth of damage... but still runs like it did before...

qstorm78

I went in yesturday, when i got there it was already sold. Dont feel bad cause i suspect they knew it was sold already and just wanted me to come in so they could try to get me into something else. The sales guy was a rookie so i knew how to mess with him. He came out with his 4 squares piece of paper. LOL. But i'm still looking, if its not a TL it will be an accord.

Q

slavver01

iTrader: (3)

well for what its worth, id go with the tl, i think it makes much more of an impression then an accord. but like everyone else said, without warranty, forget it. rather go with a reliable accord then a tl that can go off on ya

adamlee05

If you can find the 04 Coupe V6 with the 6-speed....go for that.

Jesus they are fast. 244hp and really nice interiors!

L3wD

take them both for a drive, i had an 04 accord and its not too bad, it actualy is pretty sporty. the interior is very similar to that of the 3rd gen TLs, IMO. I had an EX-L sedan, 5 spd 4 cyl and that 4 banger would give my TL a run for its money i think,.. i miss the gas mileage the most though lol... and auto up windows... and 6 disc... lol but i think the 03 TLs have auto up windows and 6 disc changer

all in all, 2 great cars, i believe the accord has more room inside also

test drive both, thats the only way to decide

csmeance

if you can live with something smaller but faster, try out a used TSX. The 03-07 accords are pretty good if you don't need alot of technology in the car, unless you get the navi ones. how much do you want to spend on the car?

qstorm78

Looking to drop about $12k for an 03 or most likely likely an 04 with 60k miles for the most. You're right i will test drive both before i decide. But the accords are hard to come across at that price, since i'm looking for the EX V6. I search just about every week.

L3wD

what technolgy does the 2nd gen TL have that the 7th gen accord doesnt?..i really cant think of any.

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

The '03 and '04 Accords have the drive by wire throttle system, and the EX-V6's with navi have the voice-activated feature, something that you will not find on the '03 TL.