Well after 11 years of having my 2002 Acura TL-S, I might have to buy another car. My car was involved in a flooding from the major storm we had here in Northern VA area over a week ago. The section where I parked on the neighborhood street apparently flooded up to my wheels. A little more on the front end. Water got in. I turned on my car and white smoke came out from my exaust. My insurance labeled it a total loss. Cost to repair almost as much as the current value. Now what to do next. Well that's where I need your advice.

Option A:
My car insurance won't repair because it's a total loss. So they rather help me find a new car. Well I was thinking of putting down more money than my deductable. Maybe then they can reconsider.

The reason: At this point in my life I'm not looking to invest on a newer car. More on a new place to live. This car only has 104k miles. Still good for another 5-7 years. But my concern is if this get's repaired will this affect me in the long run? Will my car have problems in the future because of this incident? It shouldn't right? I mean new parts are getting installed.

My car still looks good. Has new paint, new headlights. Still get compliments on my car. I take very good care of it.

Option B:
Take the loss and buy a newer car. Either a 2008 Acura TL-S or a 2008 Infiniti G37 Sport. I was leaning more towards the G37 because it has the color I like. I can't find a Type S version for the Acura. All are base. Anybody have a G37 sport? Can you tell me your opinion?

On my Acura I still have aftermarket parts. Like Headers, rims, cd/dvd player, illuminated door sills.

2008 Infiniti G37 Sport List Price$21,899 (What you think on the price?)

https://progressive.truecarusedcars....CV64E78M108299

 

A) Nope a flooded engine just means that it got water inside! If you repair it and there are no Electric issues then it will back in running condition.

B) If you can get a TL-S would be great but the G37 aint to shabby either! The only thing to add is that both cars will have more expensive insurance.

If possible I would just repair the Flooded TL but if your Budget is tight then Get the help from the insurance and get a Newer Car :/

 

Your car was totaled for the wholesale value by the insurance co. , how much are ya looking at in money ? Ya can tell them to replace the car with another TL of equivalent value and then buy your old one back for salvage price. Fix it up or sell parts.

These flooded cars get rebuilt everyday. How far above the wheels did the water actually go and was it actually inside the car ? As long as the car wasn't fully emerged and filled with water above the floorboards, it may be ok....ya never know. If it did'nt get into the electricals, ya may get lucky. Most cars won't even run after being sub-merged in water.

 

Somebody took this pic from the house across the street.

Well the repairs cost $6k at the dealer.

I did say yes to them giving me the check for the loss. But I will ask tomorrow if up to how much can the insurance cover the cost of repairs so I can pay the difference.

 

Where will I store my old car if I buy it at salvage price? At my house? How does that work?

 

The insurance for my Acura wasn't that expensive. I was about to pay $70-75 a month for 2013, if I remember, from $114 but got a ticket in December 2012. Right before my renewal (Jan) Just my luck. lol.

 

Damn

 

Looks like the water was at least half-ways up the wheels at the time when the pic was taken. Hard to say that if at the peak of the storm....maybe it was even higher ? Were there puddles of water inside the car's interior ? If so, I'd take the $6000 and run.
Even if it was to be repaired, there may be problems down the road....ya never know where all the water may have penetrated the car's overall integrity. The electrical system undoubtebly will be compromised by gremlins lurking within the car.
If ya can buy the car back for cheap, find a place to keep it and either have it repaired for way less than $6000 or part it out ! The $6000 would be better spent to replace your flooded TL with an equivalent dry car.

 

Puddles on both rear mats. I took the pictures around 9 am that morning.

So I would take the check they issue me for the loss and then ask how much can I buy the car back from them? Is that how it would work?

 

6000.00 sounds like you are getting fair market value.

Take the money and run to the nearest car dealership and buy a car that doesn't have water damage.

Note: if you buy another tl see if you can take your mods off the water damaged one.

 

I just test drove the Infiniti G37S Coupe. It' a nice fast car but too small and it had too much scratches, scrapes. Inside Door handle and steering wheel had some fades. It just seem like the previous owners didn't really take good care on the exterior of the car. Interior was better than the exterior. Not worth getting rid of my car which has minor dings and sratches. My car is taken care a lot better than this. Plus, I don't want to go back to a manual. So I'll pass

Just stopped by the dealer and saw my car. It ain't that bad. Rear mats are just wet. A good interior detailing cleaning should do the work. Which I have a discount on my next visit. I looked in the engine compartment and it all looks normal. I know I won't see much until you take it apart and get in there. The car turns on but shakes when I rev pas 3k. I'm able to move a little forward and reverse. I couldn't do much because I was in a lot. My car didn't have any issues prior to this accident. Just some sealant to prevent the leakage around the oil pan. I say just fix the engine, get it washed and it will look and feel good as new.

 

Not really from not taking care of it. I had two G35s. And will tell you the interiors are cheaply made. They are CRAP. They do not hold up at all. So good luck finding one in good shape at all. You will be lucky too.

 

if water went into the interior like you say it did, I wouldnt want that car back.
wire harnesses can get corroded and you'll be chasing electrical gremlins for years to come

 

Try to get an actual copy of the repair estimate from the dealer.
What all were they going to replace to justify the $6000 quoted ?

If I were in your shoes, I'd take the money....and try to find another TL.
Depending upon your skill and resources, consider buying your old TL back for cheap.

The car would have a "R" title, but after drying it out and checking lower electrical connections....it's a 50:50 gamble. Ya never know. Mold & mildew will start to form inside, unless the carpeting is pulled up.

 

Id get another one or an 07-08 TL-S

 

Rides great. Looks good. The one bad thing I hate about the car is the interior smell. I can still smell the aftermath. Not overbearing. I asked how they clean the interior and he told me that they had to remove the two front seats and the carpet to dry and clean underneath. They used a cleaning solution. They also did a courtesy of cleaning my engine. I am going the car to my detail shop on monday to get a thoroughly shampoo and seat cleaning. Any recommendations on how to get rid or absorb the smell?

Also our cars have a resonator to help silence the muffle sound of our exaust correct? Because now I can hear a deep muffle sound. My car didn't sound like that before. The funny thing is I kind of like the sound. lol But at the same time I don't want to get pulled over..

Other things I notice was a small scratch on my spoiler. It was not like that. I told him and showed him this.

Final price was $5,200

I will upload pics soon...

Here is what they replaced:
SRS Unit - $550.85
Sensor Oxygen $163.67
Control Module $1360.23
Bolt Converter $12.55
Sensor RR. OXY $131.93
Cover (Upper) $94.87
Cover (Lower) $51.42
Bolt Flange (6 $5.58
GSKT (57. 5MM-58 $10.20
Nut (10MM) $0.57
Gasket Muffler $8.48

Replace SRS Unit $187.35

Converter $1722.48
Core Return $150
Opds Unit $141.43
Clip Back Cove $2.82
Motor L Side $122.33

Replaced both bottom slide seat motors. (They said when they re-connected everything the seats didn't move anymore. Front-back, up-down. etc. So they had to replace the motors. It's $399.84 but they didn't charge me. My seats were working fine before. Now I have to go back to get the motor that makes the seat go up and down.

 

Well, all I can say at this point is...."Good Luck" !!!

Sure hope ya got your $5200 money's worth, as I'd taken the money and bought another dry TL. But anyways, that's now hindsight.

The sounds that you're presently hearing from the exhaust may be related to all the various and rather numerous exhaust repairs supposedly performed. A leak could be at one of many points within the exhaust system. I'd suggest taking the car to an independent shop and have them look at things up on a rack.

Could possibly be someting loose with the cat, gasket, flange bolts, or just a loose nut. These dealer techs are on incentive to push things out and it sometimes shows !!!

 

Damn that sucks, I would try to keep what mods you can to resale. G35 or 3g TLS either would be fun get what fits you the best you will have to live with it. Rear wheel drive is fun!!!!

 

Yes getting those cars would be great but new payments no. I figure I keep it for another 5-6 years. Just hope my tranny doesn't fail on me again..

Loss my ass. Car looks new...

 

What made them fix it over total loss?

 

Well I told my insurance that I want to fix it. And that I will pay the difference. They issued me a check and I told the dealer the same thing. Once the dealer knew they didn't want to charge anymore than $5,200. More problems came up which made the price jump to 6k. Still the invoice was at $5,200. I paid nothing on my part in the end.

 

I've heard flooded cars can be a nightmare in the future....but hopefully, since it was fresh water, the corrosion issues will be minimal.

Good luck! Hope the car treats you well and nice that you came out even on the deal.

 

My car also came in a flood, and then was sold to Russia, and I'm on it now safely ride, which incredibly happy)))
My opinion is better restore!

 

Coming on 3 months now. So far rides good. The smell is 95% gone. The only problem I have is the ABS/VSA system. Apparently the left front side is not working or spinning that it's causing the VSA light not turn off when I push the button. I can't remember right now what it's called that needs replacing. Cost $195. But I'm happy so far.

 

UPDATE: Well it's been over year now since I got my car fixed. It still drives great. Only had a few problems like an oil pan leak last year and just recently again this month. But it was covered under warranty from last year so I didn't pay for the 2nd time. The only problem I have now is the upper power steering wheel hose $740 and rear main seals $1,500.

But overall the car drives great, the smell is gone. Feels good as new. The only thing I hate now is that I had to install back the stock exhausts. Sluggish now as I feel they won't let my car breath and accelerate the way it did with my previous exhaust I had. lol

One Con: My insurance rates went up when they said it wouldn't.
One Pro: I cancelled and went with another insurance.

 

ps hose failure is a known issue, but nowhere near the cost you state

Same for engine rear main oil seal- to replace it requires remove the trans - install seal behind flywheel and re-install trans = 5 hours labor

tip- ck your PCV over rear valve cover- when it clogs up the ball inside cant roll = excess internal pressure forces oil out weak points in the system = rear main seal

We have seen this leak problem go away with replacement of PCV,
Many suggest dealer part for 20 dollars over aftermarket- its a carefully calibrated piece

 

740 bucks for a PS Hose?????? Gotta be kidding me!
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,c...,parttype,7320
For Type-S
ACDELCO: 114.79
GATES: 68.99


And if you change it yourself that's it! Only top-off the PS Fluid that will leak.

 

DIY for replacing the PCV? or should I tell them to replace the PCV?

 

DIY? Also my steering wheel feels stiff when I turn. Is it because of this problem?

 

I have this sound coming from my engine. Recognize this problem? Could it have something to do with my steering?
Also when my car is stopped and I try to turn the wheel it's so difficult and this noise gets louder.

Video
2015212 5174239 https:///r4XW

 

leaking ps hose will cause steering pressure loss and many noises with air getting in the system

I would change/FLUSH all the PS fluid, maybe twice
guessing its not been done every 60kmiles so far? ever??

owner book method works best, except our diy notes: use a larger diameter hose over the return line, not a smaller one inside of it
Outside hose is easier to clamp them together, and avoid spewing hot fluid all over the garage floor.

Also a piece of cardboard under front wheels to reduce friction while turning steering- engine running at idle,,that's book method and safe to do- don't worry!
empties rack and lines, refill- burp by turning wheel- drive a little and re-drain and refill

the TL is very PICKY about the ps fluid, most use the Honda stuff, a few have tried Honda approved from parts store

 

PCV is DIY. open hood and stand on driver side
Look at rear valve cover- see a hose coming out of cover- to a connection and small part- the pcv itself, unplug hose from each end of pcv - clean or replace

With your problems I would spend the extra 10 bucks to get the dealer item-(20$) improved calibration according to some ziners

 

ck our diy section on the ps hose,,might be one in there, or online for sure- search!
see if you are up to the job, or find ziners in your area using Regions link - who can offer some help

reminder trans remove and replace for install of rear main is a 4 to 6 hour job MAX charge, not 1500$ for sure!

 

My power steering just got worse and I hardly can steer. I saw that it's leaking now. I have to now take it to the dealer because I don't have parts yet and I need this resolved quickly

 

Can I just take it to a honda dealer and get it fixed? Would I save???

 

that, or a private shop that advertises they work on acura and Honda
look for small ad in yellow pages of real phone book
Labor rate x hours spent, is it actual time spent or book time?
$700 at dealer is not a good deal! always ask the service manager
not the service WRITER who is trying to make his commission for the month off you

anyone will have to order that part, aftermarket MIGHT have one in local warehouse,,beats 2-5 days getting it thru acura
call NAPA and a few other places to see if that's a reality

there are places that do nothing but make special hoses, ck phone book for them - or internet search for hydraulic hose

shops get parts from local places just like you do, but they get a bigger discount, make sure you know what the price `over the counter to you` would be= in case repair place jacks it way up!

 

I would just go ahead and get another car and say goodbye to a crappy transmission. That's why I'm getting mine sold. Already had to replace the tranny and now 3rd gear is slipping in the new one. My front axle has gone bad twice. It's like I'm just waiting for the day when the tranny decides to go again, because it chooses. All my work has been dealership done also. Like this was my first car and I LOVE it but I have to let it go because if one of the things go wrong its just not worth the money to repair. At least that's what I think.

 

Got a call back from the dealer. Turns out it's no the PC hose that is leaking but an internal leak in the power steering rack. Power steering pump is also leaking. Pump is under parts warranty however the power steering rack is not.
I have a feeling this is going to be expensive.

 

I think I might do that. If it cost near 2k or more, which would be ridiculous, than most likely. However it suck because I took care of car very well and has low mileage. I would have to part the car and return it stock and sell the parts. I always had my eye on an 07-08 TL-S. I can finish paying off the car faster than a new car.

 

Are these OEM parts?