tempest

Hey guys. I'm new to the forum. I've been reading up on the 2nd generation TL's a few days now. There's a local Mom n Pop dealership that has one that I really like.

2002 TL-S
Seems to be in good condition. Taking it to the Acura dealership to have them check it out.
Ran the VIN, it had it's transmission replaced in 2006, so hopefully it's a good one.
Has 75,000 miles.

Paint looks good. Clean carfax. Front grill has two gouges, like a big rock hit it, but it's not too bad. Inside is okay. Some wear. Leather looks okay. Plastic around the shifter is just so-so. Black trim around the windows looks a little weathered and discolored. Missing the origianl mats. Tires have maybe 1/2 to 1/4th of their life left.

They're asking 11,995... What do you think a fair price for this car is? I blue booked it and it's right around there, but the blue book value was for a car in "excellent" condition, which I don't feel this is.

Thanks for your input!

Never Summer

If the condition isn't that great then I'm sure you could talk the price down some, if not quite a bit.

tempest

That's what I'm hoping for... I feel $12000 is a bit steep. Not sure what I should offer them though!

Never Summer

I would take it for $12K TTL, as long as it was a decent color, that would be ok. Again, only if that included TTL.

nayaab88

i got my 03 tl-p with 67k on it for $11000 including tax title etc...great condition too
i think 12k is kinda high too
look on www.craigslist.com

thisisnotdave

I guess it depends on where you live, but 12k is a bit high. Try to knock i down a grand and you're golden. Welcome to the Zine!

01tl4tl

Excellent according to the book value is : can be sold as NEW conditon with no damage or wear
Call acura 800-382-2238 x5 and ask for any history on the car. They know different things than carfax as its acuras warranty center

01tl4tl

After the dealer checks it out and advises on repair cost- then you can start thinking about an offer. If it needs brakes...

Gfaze

From what you've said, I'd say no more than 10.5K Make sure you point out all of the flaws you found and that the car is not in the "Excellent condition" price that they're asking for.

tempest

I have the local dealer running the VIN. We'll see what comes up. Is that essentially the same as calling the 800 number?

I'm willing to bet that it's going to need some new brakes. Just a gut feeling...

I live in Missouri, I've seen TL's go for $10 or so with around 100,000 miles on them. I was hoping to talk him down to at least $10000, if not a little lower... Might not be so realistic.

Does anyone know approx how much the TTL will run?

Thanks for all the info so far!

Gfaze

I would've said 10k but I noticed that it's a Type S. Maybe they know nothing about the difference between the TL-P and TL-S. Could save you some cash.

Aman

I may only be 15, but i've learned that patience pays off. if theres something that bugs you about the car, even just a little, and you think you'll have to put up with it as long as you own the car, i suggest you pass. It's not about how much you paid for the car, its how much you feel you've walked away a winner in the deal.

good luck with the purchase. and try to look up ebay, and keep shopping. if you're buying at a dealer (which you probably are), cross-shop, compare different TLs at different dealerships. You will benefit greatly.

tempest

The same dealership has a TP-P. It's an 03 with 65000 and they're asking 12,990 for it. Decided I'd rather have the S anyways!

Fyre Man: There's nothing that bugs me about the car. The grill I can fix, everything else is okay with me. I just wanted to know what bargining points I had, and how much everyone thought I could talk them down! I've looked all over my area for weeks now. The only ones that are cheaper are in terrible condition.

02type-s

Welcome, Im in MO too! Thats about what I paid for mine, but mine is immaculate, also with a new tranny but was bought with 109,000 miles. For around here, they aren't that far off. What color is it?

tempest

It's green. (forget the name of the exact hue) I took it out a few days ago and it drove quite nicely.

I wouldn't call this one immaculate, so hopefully I have some room to bargin.

When did you buy yours?

01tl4tl

Check that 03s VIN with Acura- make the call yourself- a human talking to you is better than the dealer running the computer
The mid/late 03s are not automatically covered on the trans warranty.
I think some got a recall??/warranty on the water pump pulley alignment that gets a new free water pump- thats valuable!
Type S comes with NAV- probably neds the update DVD at 200$- available ONLY direct from Alpine via the acura.com site. Type S also has 35 more HP, different cams and stiffer seats.

tempest

Okay, I'll call the 800 number later on today. Maybe while I'm waiting for the dealer to check it out.

It's an 02, so it should be covered. I did notice that some of the 03's weren't covered though. I hadn't heard about the water pump. I registered the VIN on the Acura website and checked out the recalls. I'm assuming that if it didn't mention anything about a water pump, it should be good then.

I guess if everything checks out with it, I'll probably make them an offer tomorrow. Hopefully it goes well.

tempest

If this car does indeed have a 2006 replacement transmission, should I consider the problem fixed? I read somewhere that the mid 2005 and on were much better than the replacements before. Is that correct?

Just trying to plan for the unplannable...

phee

iTrader: (5)

dont consider it fixed, but consider the transmission a good deal if you take good car of it. Make sure the paint job is in good condition, last thing you want is to start waxing your car and notice all these weird flaws on the lip kits and bumpers etc. 12k is way to steep. the mats are gunna run you a bit, the grill will need replacing, wheels probably have curb rash, front bumper may need repainting, if the plastic around the shift gate is damaged it probably means some other things are iffy about the interior. these are all things you can point out when bargaining. Good luck

01tl4tl

please call acura 800 for info
when you use the website to register a car- you log that car as yours in the system
Besides a human can look up thing not on the website like the water pump

A recent trans replacement is a better bet than an old one- but I only got a year from my replacement trans- still warranty at least, so I dont care.

Any car that has damage needs a look, on the lift, by a tech that does not work with that sellers place, A private opinion.
Unrepaired damage is signs of other abuse or usually a crash or 2 somewhere along the line. Something made the former owner bail on a TL
Mom and pop OFTEN buy from the auction house- luck of the draw there.
One of the things the 800 number people can tell you is where the car has been registered and when during its life.
Keep looking on the streets in the neighborhood- shopping center parking lots- the grocery store for the perfect TL.
Several hundred miles of driving around looking, and mine was found 3 blocks away on a route I drove everyday

tempest

Well, I'm off to go pick up the TL and take it to the Acura Dealership to have it checked out.

Called the 800 number. They weren't able to find out much. They have no service records, but she was able to tell me that the transmission was replaced in June 2007, and that the warranty is still active.

What is the word on the post 2005 transmissions? Were they much more reliable than the previous "fixes?"

ericssonboi

If its possible, i would probably still look around.
I recently picked up a 02 TL-S off a friend on a Lease buyout.
It came to 12k w/tax (13%) CDN.
Before tax it was around $9700 CDN.
Mileage was 58,000 KM.

kelhasna

there is no used car rated as in excellent conditions. you should price it as good condition. the way the economy is going now, it is a buyer's market. if you really want the car then offer them $10500, most likely they will meet you half way at 11000. keep in mind, you got nothing to loose. there are a lot of cars out there. you have the upperhand... good luck,

01tl4tl

Its got a fresh trans- and still covered on time and miles- thats good
No warranty repair history besides that is good too.
Let us know what the dealer says, and ask the parts guy how much for whatever broken bits are there.

tempest

Well... got it checked out at the dealership. Service manager helped me personally, they were all super nice. Car checked out fine. Said it needed an alignment and some new rubber sometime soon, but I was kind of expecting that. Brakes were fine, no error codes. Service manager did find some service history, and the dealership I borrowed it from had just changed the oil and filters.

I took it back, told them about the tires and alignment. He offered to include all of that for the $11,900 price. I offered him $10,000. He ended up getting the owner of the lot on the phone and we ended on $10,500 (no tires, no alignment)

Wrote them a deposit check. They're holding it until Monday. I'm pre-approved on a loan, but I'm going to see if someone else gives me a better rate first. All in all, looks like I'm buying a 2002 TL-S! I'm super excited. Wish I was driving it now!

Thanks for all the info guys.

Never Summer

Congratulations! Make sure you take some pictures once you pick it up!

tempest

Thanks! I'll be sure to do that.

6MTUA5

iTrader: (2)

Congrats

Gfaze

Told ya! Did I call it or what! Glad you got yourself a deal. Now get some tires, an alignment, and take some pics. You'll be driving in no time.

mcflyguy24

I've heard the replacement trans after feb. 2005 are the better ones.

tempest

Good. I feel much better about it then.

caligirl2k

Congrats

Luke7

Paid 11k for mine. 99 tl P in Aug. of 2005. It had almost 39k on it.

tempest

Finally got some pictures taken.

Here she is:

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MurkyRiversTL

very nice dude. Congrats and welcome to the family.

Never Summer

Very nice looking TL! Congratulations, enjoy it!

01tl4tl

sweet ride-
register it with acura 800-382-2238x5
and here https://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/login.asp?brand=acura
and in case you didnt get an owner manual with it- there are many special operating features and tips
https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/...01_OMANUAL.asp

check out the Off Topic section wash and wax here on azine.
These things clean up and sparkle with some claybar and manual labor,
or a few compounds and wax and polish.
Its a whole new world of having the best looking car on the block now!
My neighbors are certain my 01 is brand new~

tempest

I didn't get an owners manual. I'll check out those links too, but I think I may just buy one.

I washed it today, but I'll definitely read through the wash/wax section and put some elbow grease into it my next day off.

I'm so pleased with this car, I just want to go drive around now. I'm trying to figure out if I have any errands I can go run now!

01tl4tl

the link is for FREE acura issued owner manual- dont bother buying one= download

tempest

Hmm... guess I should have clicked before I replied!

I know what I'm printing off at work tomorrow night!