My 02 tl creaks and rattles while being driven..struts and brakes recently done and cv joints intact. Is this just age and mileage (139K) or could it be something else?

 

Age and mileage mostly, depends on the creaks and their location. Mine was rattle and creak free until I hit 100K. My car rewarded me with hitting the milestone by falling apart, although I could stand to be less abusive. What's creaking and rattling?

 

"Age" itself isn't causing any problems. Obviously there is something physical that is the source of the noise. You can fix it, but the problem is actually finding the source.

 

My car rattles like a lego falling down the stairs when it is below freezing. When warmer it is a quiet as a vault. It's winter? Turn up the music...
One note: I never wash the car if it is below freezing. Water freezing in the nooks and crannies is one of the greatest factors to aging and "feel".