rhiannon1207

I am in the process of purchasing a new 08 TL with navi. The dealer has located the car in Nighthawk Black (my first color preference) and it should arrive on Thursday. My current car is a 2002 Acura TL non-navi with only 44K miles on it. The reason for purchasing a new TL is the transmission warranty will be expiring in 10 months on the 02 and I don't want to take the chance of getting stuck with an expensive trasmission repair post-warranty. I did have the transmission replaced at 23K in 11/2005 and the current tranny seems fine for the most part (an occassional hard shift when the engine is still cold). Do you think I am over-reacting and making the wrong decision given that my 02 is otherwise in great shape. There are some things that I like about the 02 over the 08, primarily the seats feel more comfortable and the trunk is much larger. The 08 does seem to handle better and I really like the navi and bluetooth. So, I'd like to get the opinion of others as to whether I'm making a wise decision.

One more thing - given the economy, would I be better off trading the car in? The car is in excellent shape and I hate to "give it away". Thoughts?

Thanks!

TequiLa

iTrader: (3)

I think it's a better investment to get the 08 and sell your 02 cuz if your tranny fails out of warranty you're gg. I would tell my dad to sell my car now since it's over 109k, but then I would prolly have to driver my sister's avalon xls

But what do I know, I haven't bought or traded in my own car :P

TheMegalodon

I think you are somewhat overreacting, simply because any transmission replaced into the 2nd gen TL after march of '05 should be fine. Think about this, even if it did go shortly after the warranty expired...what's more expensive, a new tranny or a new car? Unless the '08 TL will provide you with benefit than your perfectly fine '02 TL what's the point in upgrading right now.

What you should do is weigh the pros and cons for keeping the '02 over buying the '08 and see how it balances out. I mean shit, your '02 only has 44k miles on it; that's peanuts.

CJITTY

i'd love an 08, but I prefer my paid for 03! I have confidence in my tranny. fluid is still nice and red, no issues at all on my 2nd tranny. Not sure what your car finance situation is, but do what you feel is best for you, neutral answer.

Hot Boi

iTrader: (1)

Just my opinion but I'd say keep the '02 and put the top of the line double din unit that has nav and bluetooth and keep a emergency tranny stash for just in case. Dont know ur financials but why pay $400 or more p/mnth for the next 3 to 5 yrs if u dont have to.

AMGala

iTrader: (4)

rhiannon, are you from CT?

rhiannon1207

No, I'm from Maryland.

To add a little fuel to the fire, I would most likely buy a new car in 2010 anyway. Don't you think the 2009 redesign is ugly? I've tried to like it and maybe it will take more time.

6MTUA5

iTrader: (2)

If you get a body shop to do something custom with the grill, I don't think it will be that bad at all.

red00tl

I'd keep the 2G and wait another year or until 2010 as you said.

Bob_F

Based on what you've written, I think that you're overreacting.

You own a low mileage 2002 TL that's in excellent shape. And you have warranty coverage on the transmission for another 10 months.

Even if the transmission was not covered by a warranty, what would a new one cost? About $4000? Compare that cost to the $35,000+ cost of a new 2008 TL. And that brand new TL will depreciate substantially the second it rolls off the dealer's lot.

Will your insurance costs increase for the new car? Be sure to factor that in.

And calculate the state sales tax on your new car. What's the sales tax now in Maryland? About 6%? 6% of $35,000 is $2,100. So just the sales tax alone on your new TL could pay for about half the cost of a new transmission.

Buying a brand new car because you're concerned about an expensive transmission repair 10 months down the road doesn't make much financial sense.

But good luck with whatever you decide.

fsttyms1

Way over reacting. Plus How much is the 08 compared to a trans! Also to buy a car now and then to most likely buy a new car in 2010 is a even larger waste of money.

Razzi

2008 TL-S and you're set for years to come. cant go wrong with that beast

Jake 6MT

iTrader: (1)

I love the looks of the 3rd gen TLs but I gotta agree that your reason for selling your car is kinda crazy. If you just want a new car, then ya I'd say pick up a new TL or a G35 sport but don't just get a new car because you're scared about paying money to get a new tranny

godizus

I think you're overreacting

'03TL-S

iTrader: (10)

It's hard to fine a 2G TL with low mileage these days. I'd say keep your 02 and you'll save tons of money. Is your 02 a type S by the way?

LacViet

Overreacting. If you want to buy new car in 2010 like you said, then it's more reason to keep this car, then save money from now until 2010 then buy new car then. Trading or buy new car in this kind of economy is ridiculous unless you have too. Cost of fixing your car which is still in good condition is always less than cost of buying/trading for a new car then buy/trade for anther new car in just a few years. I have 03 TL-S with 106k miles still in original tranny and I'm intend to keep it until it die or when I have extra money to buy a new car that I really like. I'm enjoying no monthly payment for this car right now!

rhiannon1207

Thanks for all of the feedback. If I buy the '08, I would _NOT_ buy a new car in 2010. I generally keep my cars for a very long time. As an example, I still have the car that I bought prior to the 02 TL which is a 1992 Toyota Celica. Also, I am finding that I like the 2009 redesign less and less and feel that the 08 is a nicer looking car.

For those of you that own an 08, do you think that this car is as comfortable as the 02 on long trips? My 02 is the base model without navi and I would also really like to have the built-in navi and some of the other features standard on the 08 TL.

Also, I would be paying cash for the 08. Should I trade or sell the 02 if I go through with the purchase?


Thx!

00 acura tl

if thats wat you decided, its better if u sell it, the dealer is going to rob the car off ur hands and its a very clean tl for its year, 44k miles is peanut

Jake 6MT

iTrader: (1)

Ya don't trade it in. If you cant sell it then at least take it to carmax before you trade at the dealer

Billy Sacco

Have you had good luck with carmax? I heard they don't give you much money for your car.

Bob_F

You can retrofit your 2002 TL with the factory navigation system. See this link:

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/d-i-y-non-navi-navi-573887/

And I think you can also get a navigation system that's built into an aftermarket head unit.

The "trade or sell" question really depends on what the dealer will offer you. Typically dealers will lowball you on a trade. They often will make more money on a trade-in than they do on the sale of a new car.

Do your homework on what your car is worth.

rob-2

Let me talk to you about money.... your 02 costs less to own/opperate even if you bought a new tranny in cash today. Your 08 will drop in value more then the cost of a tranny in the first year, plus additional drop for a model year change.

$3000 is NOTHING compared to depeceation, increased insurance, and interest - to name a few costs.

If you value your money, and I mean have any sense about you, buying a new car over the 'fear' of a failure on a car that is otherwise like new - 44k - is crazy.

Keep the car you have. If the tranny blows, buy a replacement and move on with life. $3000 isn't why you purchase a new car.

Now if you want a new car and still saved 10-15% this year, go ahead and purchase. If you're unable to save and/or have not caught up for missed years - don't by the car. It'll be a piece of junk in 15 years anyway, where as your cash might buy you something.

ChrisQ1980

The trannies after 2/05 have proven to be 98% more reliable than originals. Even if you still had the original I would think it's a bad idea. Keep the 02 and drive it into the ground. You can get a Double Din Navi with blue tooth, get a new tranny, new wheels, add a bodykit/spoiler and it will still be less than buying the 08.

Depending on your financial situation I woud say stay with the 02. If money really isn't an issue and you want a new car then get it. Don't trade it in, sell it here or on ebay/autotrader and give someone a nice deal on a great car while still making more than you would get on a trade in at the stealership. They make so much money when you trade your car in, and buy a new one.

I love the 99-02 style TL. The only 3rd gen I find worth buying is the TL-S. There is no way in hell I will ever buy the 09 TL based on looks alone. The drivetrain is really nice, and I'm sure it's a great car but it just looks terrible.

guyenacurazine

i would not sell it just because of tranny issue. in fact, if my tranny ever goes to south, i'll ask someone to install me a manual one. hey in fact, anybody does that or knows place that can do this. i am taking preemptive research

seattle wa

rhiannon1207

I guess all of you who said that I should keep my 02 have won! I went to the dealership today and was ready to sign on the dotted line. The deal went south when we talked about trading or selling my car. The salesman was brutally honest and told me that it wasn't worth trading because used cars just aren't selling (they offered ~1/2 the Kelley Blue Book value). He told me Carmax would give me more but still not KBB. In today's economy, I'm afraid I'd have a hard time selling the car and he agreed.

In addition to all of that, my salesman told me that I was basically nuts for selling the car - now that's telling! He said that my car was in better shape than any used car on the lot. I have a black with ebony interior and you really can't see any swirl marks in the paint unless you look very closely and the shine was as deep if not deeper than the new car (thanks Zaino!).

When my car was parked next to the 08, you really could see the similarity between the models. To be honest, I almost think my 02 is better looking than the 08. I did like all of the gadgets in the 08, though. Anyway, I'm going to hang onto this car for a while and hope for the best.

I guess the one thing that I will do is to have the USA-spec IPOD interface installed in my car. I like the idea of controlling the ipod from the steering wheel.

Thanks again for everyone's advice.

Jake 6MT

iTrader: (1)

Well we couldn't get my dad's old car to sell and carmax gave us 7500 for it where the dealership was only gonna give 5500-6000. Its not that much better but its better

rob-2

USA-spec IPOD rocks, really easy to install. Just remove the side kick panel and you can reach in there - no need to remove the entire deck.

Good move, now put those payments you saved into an account. When we hit 5000 on the dow start buying. 10% of your savings at a time... buy it down baby!

chrismeoli

Well arnt you a smart little one year old!

shizzytheking

its your choice but i would wait 10 months and then possibly get a pre owned 09 tl at a good price