Hi I have a TL with 100k-- transmission started acting up sotook it to dealer- turns out needs new transmission- $2400- also the oil pump is leaking quoted over 1K- ball joints need to be replaceded $700....Break lines look bad $$

Anyways the dealership offered me $500 for trade in,
any suggestions on what i should do, i mean car is in good condition, interior etc.. 500 dollars??
I was thinking i buying a 2012 , but i wanted to see what the board thought of the 500 dollars

 

You took it to the stealer??
Look around for an independent Honda specialist.

Transmission acting up how? Might be an external solenoid.

 

Sounds like dealership prices to me.... They must be high or something...

To OP.. You are in a crossroad right now. There is no benefit in replacing the trans for a shitty new one. (search AV6 swap).. The oil pump leak is an easy fix not that expensive.
Ball joints perhaps right but for stealerships part prices.

500 for the car with a broken trans is not a bad price... For the average joe fixing all that up will end up with the Blue Book asked price for your TL so you won't be selling that car by yourself for more money like in never specially being a Base Model.

If you are sure the trans is death and you definitely don't want to lay down the cash to fix it, accept the money. Otherwise you will have to fix at least the trans and the AV6 swap all in all will run you down 2K.

 

This sounds about par for the course at a dealership. You take in an older car that needs a lot of work done, they offer you money for a trade in to sell you something new(er).

If you don't mind having a car payment, go for it. Those prices are, without a doubt, dealership service department prices, but it sounds like the car has reached its life span- at least with that crappy transmission in it. $500 is a really good trade in price actually. I've seen stuff a bit older, in decent condition (mechanically and physically) go for less than $500.

At the end of the day, you'll find the answer to your question by asking yourself, "Do I really want a car payment?"

 

I wonder how many people would actually say yea to that question.

 

Get a second opinion, maybe half of what they are saying is not true.

 

After my recent dealings and past dealings with the stealership I'd say this is more than likely. They told me my power steering pump was leaking in 2010 and that it'd go out in a month or two..guess what it's almost 2015, sh** still works. I'm never going back.

 

Welcome CTX123 !!!
How long have ya owned the '02 TL and what did ya pay for it ? Do ya like the car ?

At this point, ya really need to confirm the possible issues with the car before doing anything. Get another full inspection from a local independent shop for repairs needed, then decide which way to go from there.

Right now, having the new car itch and if you're able to afford the payments, just dump the TL if it's becoming a money pit and costing far more than it's value. While repairing the TL can become expensive, once the tranny and PM basics are taken care of.....these cars will provide years of service.
The choice is yours to make !!!

However, if ya can find a shop to honestly evaluate your car's mechanical condition, then consider spending some money on the "AV6" donor replacement tranny at about $1500 if needed. Might save a new car payment if ya still really like the car.

If the tranny is bad, don't expect much from the car as is. Ya may be better off to sell the car yourself, which would help ya to negotiate a better straight deal on the new car. But, as others said.....stay away from dealerships for any servicing on an older car. They want to sell new cars !!!

 

^ yeah maybe you can put it up on craigslist and I bet you can get close to double what they want to give you. 100k miles is low. Maybe post some pictures up so we can see its condition? Ball joints are no big deal, but I would agree I have been told more than once by a dealer that i needed ball joints amongst other things that I knew was false.
If the car is clean and everything else is in good working order, then maybe a ~$1500 AV6 trans swap is the way to go and you can get another 100k out of it

 

Yeah, no used car is going to be perfect. Try to find out for sure what the worst issues are and then evaluate your plan of action from there. Ya gotta prioritize your desires and make it work with the money available.

Either spend some money to keep the old gal running.......or just bite the bullet and move on. If ya gotta rely upon dealerships, then your choices are rather limited, IMO. Sorry man.

 

pretty odd for a 100kmile 02 to have such probs as ball joints and brake lines
Where does this car operate? on Earth?
Trans- 2400 at dealer is half of what they usually ask!!!!, maybe a backdoor warranty partial pay based on miles, PS Leaks -those are easy to fix
its a seal or a line

look in phone book for smaller ad that has Honda or preferably Acura logo or name listed as cars they specialize in - not just imports/American -The TL is different in many ways including what happens in the trans

Did you ever change the atf? it got the recall installed 2nd gear oil jet that mounts on top of trans? where a fluid filler hole bolt with ATF stamped on it will be if its NOT been done. OR if a warranty replacement trans done after 2005 with BLUE paint on bolt heads = trans are warranty units

Dealer doesn't do any repairs to the trans!!- only change fluid and REPLACE entire unit with another pre-assembled unit when anything goes bad

Its Worst case news on trans health?- you can get a junkyard/auto recycler trans from accord or odessey van/Honda for 500-750$ and the same to install it, it will work fine and be more reliable
There are a few threads on this swap on the main page list

The badazz `SS` race car type brake lines are only $100-125 a set, so stock rubber ones are probably $50 for all 4? an hours labor to install and flush-refresh/bleed brake fluid
Why do they want to replace the lines, was anything explained to you or a list or problems and prices? with a CAR SALESMAN standing in the background-
it needs what?? hmmm you need a new car payment!, and a tech who can rebuild that trans for parts cost and other things in a weekend is rubbing his hands together--
I will give her/him 500 right now for it hehehehehehe quick! before it gets away- we can rebuild it and make 2-3 grand re-selling, or the wife gets a sweet new ride with good interior and exterior

NO don't give it to them for any price- the new car price will go up the same amount--or more!!!!!!!!!!!

A TL will go 200-300- we have a moderator here driving a 2000 TL with over 600,000 MILES of street and race track- still going strong!! now with a different larger Honda motor and manual trans for more power and fun/reliability

 

$2400 for new trans and labor to install included!!!!?

Thats actually a great price!

This is a new remain acura trans or a used one?

If its new do it get it replaced! Keep the car will last you a long time.

Ball joints, oil pump leak, these are not a big deal can go hundreds of miles without issue.

Brake lines?? For what? Cause it looks old? Lol
Not needed.

If your local I could help you do the ball joints, pump.

 

Acura remanufactured trannys are expensive.
Doubt that's what getting installed for $ 2400 ...... more than likely a recycled used unit.

 

let me be clear: acura dealer will NOT install a junkyard/recycled unit/trans in your car!
they can only install the assembled rebuilt unit that comes thru the dealer ordering system-
the trans are all rebuilt by a few places across the country that do all of acuras rebuilds = pretty much every part returned for warranty gets rebuilt and used as--wait for it-- a warranty replacement part on another car! you don't get new parts on warranty- how do you like that! as bad as cell phones~

back in the day we had 107kmiles. 7.9 year trans warranty!! and many many exception to the limits were granted at full value or half price as the 2400 would be
So- this is total storytelling and not based on this incident= service manager has great relationship with district warranty guy from acura- who can grant anything they want, If a story of excellent customer- bought many cars there- always maintenance done at dealer etc,,to make this out to be a desired acura customer = corp can decide any $ amount they will charge the dealer for the rebuilt trans, from there negotiation with the customer happens for dealers profit on part and install
If that occurred after you sell the car for $500, the dealer would then own a nice easy sell to gen2 with a fresh trans!!
serious bonus money for that!!

you can buy the same unit acura uses right from the shop that rebuilds them but the white box it comes in doesn't say Acura on the side, ck ebay for acura white box
BUT its the same trans we have at this point the used accord/oddy trans are a better deal

 

price reference: a head tech and trans guru at a dealer far far away from my home
said he rebuilds these trans at home on the weekend for his friends.... for $450!!