Hey guys-I'm very new to the site. A good friend of mine recommended that I come to you guys for a question I have. I am currently looking at a 2003 TL Type S for sale right now with 110k miles. He's asking $8950 and the only thing I can see it needs is the driver-side fog lamp lens; it's shattered. The salesman said it would cost like $10 to replace. Is that anywhere near true? I figured a new replacement from Acura would be in the $50 range.

Beyond the lens needing replacement my main question is there anything I should look for? I haven't heard any ticks squeaks or bumps while driving. I don't see any service records for it and I don't know if there's anything that's been done to it. It does have the original floor mats and the owners manual, and it looks very well maintained. Also it was involved in a minor fender bender like 5 years/50k miles ago but I'm sure it was repaired well. I see nothing wrong with it (took a peek under the front and didn't see anything weird) Since it is a one owner car I feel that there's probably nothing wrong with it since it wasn't salvaged out and they owned it for like 5 years after that accident.

Anyway I appreciate any time anyone has spent looking at this. Any answers or tips are very much appreciated as well. Thanks in advance!

 

they have more than terrible luck with transmission failures.

find out if it has been replaced. if they can't tell you, look underneath for blue bolts on the transmission casing.

also, that car is due for a timing belt/water pump service. $800-$1200 service.
you should ask if that has been done as well, ask for receipts.

the price is also on the high side, but the above questions would change my idea of what's fair given that you may need to spend $1k right off that bat.

 

thats too much. i bought my 2003 TL-S in great condition for $8600 with 97000 miles over a year ago.

make sure the car has its 105k service done already (timing belt, water pump, motor mounts, etc.). also make sure you read about the 2nd gen transmission issues.

 

sounds like too much ... ten bucks for a foglight doubtful

 

Thanks for the knowledge here, I don't know if I ever would have figured this all out. I will explore this to the best that I can and if it's had the 105k service and if the transmission's been replaced, then we'll talk about this price. Again thanks!

Rockstar-are you saying if the bolts are blue it's been replaced?

 

yes, if they are blue, it's been replaced at least once.

 

btw, you can fix the fog light lens for about $10-20. it wont be glass though, itll be Lexan. but you will have to put in some work.

you can take a look at the DIYs here. the lexan DIY is there too:

http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=706083

 

Agree with the others that the price is a tick high. Haggle a bit and ask a few questions regarding proper maintenance and recommended service checks. Might be able to knock a bit off the price.

I would also recommend that, if you do purchase the car, go with the lexan repair for the foglight. Did mine years ago and it still looks brand new, no fogging or fading issues at all.

 

doubtful anyone selling their TL does the 105 service first,,

and if this car is at a used car dealer- you need to find out if its a local trade in to dealer
Dealers have a few used car lots under different names- to resell the good trades--all others get sent to auction and moved across the country--no kidding
Acura can tell you the CITY/Dealer it was first sold at--that can give you a hint to its history,,florida car now in california= suspect

no need to get under the car- open hood and look at trans -bolts attaching things to trans and main bolts going thru trans--heads painted BLUE means warranty unit

acura care can run the VIN and tell you when the car was first sold, if covered VIN for trans warranty extension, any recalls still open?--there was one for free timing belt on certain 02-03..but water pump may not have been replaced in that case
call 1 800 382 2238 x5 gets a human- tell them you are doing a prebuy history ck

 

never believe a word from salemens mouth- they are trying to sell a car today!!
sure,,,, thats only 10 bucks Sir!- we will throw it in for you etc..that means nothing

whats in the sales contract that the sales manager agrees to- is what happens

 

ck the fluids- power steering and brake--if old fluid the car has not been maintained
YOU may be looking at severe expense in brake repairs
Any car you really like-- that passes the phone call and visual--take to a mechanic and have inspected for 50 bucks..can save you thousands

 

yeah 9k seems too high. im in new york and i got an 03 tl-s with 96k for 9000 (that included tax) it had a brand new tranny put in at like 85k. i would suggest looking around a bit more before you commit to this deal. also if its a dealer talk him down alot. thats how i got my car so cheap. good luck finding one!

 

It sounds a little high to me also, but IF it's had the upgraded transmission installed, the 105K service done (verifiable), and has good tires on it, maybe not too far out of line.

Also, keep in mind.....I was reading an article the other day stating how there was a shortage of good used cars for sale due to the economy and the recent cash for clunkers program removing many of them from the streets. Prices are up on later model used vehicles, not sure how much that might affect older models like ours.

 

Very true.

 

If you dont have any paperwork.... is there any way to tell if the belt has recently been replaced?

 

you can estimate by having a professional look at the condition of the belt

 

So I would have to take the thing apart. Hmmmmm..... if I take it apart I might as well replace it. How much are timing belts for this thing? Crap.... then I need to replace the water belt AND other belts to Im guessing, no?

 

I just want to comment on the foglight lens replacement. I just did that for mine using lexan and it was very easy to do. The diy thread has a template you can use to cut the lexan.

 

Well I just bought one myself!!! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2H0640FKBNN92