I found a local 1 owner 2000 TL with 131k miles in excellent shape. Always been maintained at the local Acura dealership ( called and verified service). Dealership confirmed the originally trans was replaced at 79k miles . That would put about 50k on the 2nd trans. Service manager says its been well mantained and saw the car himself last month in for routine service and new tires. Guy wants $5600 and I think it's a great deal, but I'm nervous about reading all these trans issues. I will use ths car only for about 3k miles a year sitting as my airport commuter car. Should I pass over TLs or go with it?

 

I would never buy one knowing what I know about the transmission. I love my car but it has not made it 90,000 miles on a transmission yet even though I haven't had to pay for one yet.

 

While these TL's can be fidgity....they are a nice ride !

I have a 2000 TL that we bought 5 years ago which had 130k at the time. They were highway miles and the car was maintained well. We now stand at close to 170k and have only had minor issues. The car had the recall work done along with all the routine PM. It even still has the original transmission !

Have a pro check the car out and if concerned about the tranny, have a specialist look it over. When all is said and done, if you find everything seems to be operating good, make an offer of $4500......and take it from there ! Tell the dealership of your concerns, maybe they can offer a mechanical warranty to help sweeten the pot.

 

Methinks it depends when the replacement trans was installed. Something about after 2003 being O.K. ?

 

They changed the design in 05 however I had the newer case design which moved the oil jet kit inside and my tranny still failed in 90000 miles

 

the oil jet kit had ZERO to do with our problem of 3rd gear clutch wearout
50k on a rebuild from 03,,not a chance I would buy it now!!
too close to possible failure point

Love my TL,,, and not worth it anymore

a TL hates to sit,,lousy airport car..get any basic used car for that duty
and install a heavy duty deep cycle battery-- for boats,
they sit for a month without issue and have full power when you get back

 

So, Aurora85......
What's the final verdict ?
It appears as though you've lost interest and passed over the TL.
Out of total curiousity, what did you end up buying to serve as an airport car ?