Houston

Hello fellow TLers. I'm a 3G owner myself, but I need assistance with a 2G. My sister is the one buying. I know a bit about 2Gs, but could use a bit more info. It's an 02' TypeS A/T. It's got a clean CarFax. 3 owners, but really 2 since one just bought and sold. 140k miles. It seems that who ever had it, modified it, so it's pobably safe to say that it's been raced. I would love to search more info on this car, but unfortunately, my sister needs a car pronto and doesn't want to wait. She's just waiting for a go or no go from me. I'll be checking it out tomorrow and she's ready to buy tomorrow. The guy wanted 6200, but is willing to drop it to 5500. What do ya'll think?

juanclopez2786

iTrader: (3)

looks good to me. how does the transmission shift? what do you mean modified? i see no modifications other than a lip kit and a wing which is OEM accessories when you first purchase the car. tints are the only aftermarket thing i see on that car. doubt its been raced... the only bad thing i see is the foggy headlights but that can be fixed easily. good luck with this purchase..

tegkid

iTrader: (7)

basically

and get a new camera.

just follow the basic rules of purchasing a used 2nd gen (search for it) and i see no visual problems with the one she picked.

gold2003tl (90)

its been dropped (very nice) and it has TL-p rims - wtf

id look into this car a little more cus somethings tells me its a little iffly, if you look at the drivers side head lights its off centered and needs to be cleaned as well.

find out what its dropped on too, the price aint too bad

harminder247

iTrader: (1)

I wouldnt get it. Type s with tlp wheels? Conditions seems pretty beat up. I cant stand owning a car thats beat up. To a certain extent ok but not that. Everyones own choice i guess.

Houston

^^That's what I was talking about. Modified and raced or beat up as you like to call it. I'm already starting to lean towards a no go, but I'll still check it out tomorrow.

SLushhYYY

iTrader: (8)

Ill buy your lip kit so it'll less than 5000$

ntv4o9

iTrader: (2)

i wouldnt buy it, just seem like too much trouble to fix up

VoLLy

iTrader: (8)

Something wrong with the gap between the driver side headlight:

mlrskn06

iTrader: (2)

lol thats it! i noticed there was something wrong w/ that car tl-p rims on a type s... something's gotta be wrong w/ that car... but if u do buy it i'll take that lip kit off her hands

thinhthan

yea what happen to the type s rims lol

Gfaze

It seems like the parts behind the lower part of the grill (radiator, lines, etc.) are painted silver. In other words the bumper has been painted to maybe repair an accident. The fact that the driver's side headlight is not lining up properly with the bumper makes it even more suspicious. One more thing to note is that Carfax will only show what's been reported, so if a previous owner got into an accident and didn't report it, it will not show up on a carfax. He may have gone to a shop and paid cash or probably had a "friend" that did the repair.

nhn23

iTrader: (4)

NO GO !! damn i want that lip kit tho o_0

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

dont get it.. Especially with those TL-P rims on it. What is up with that can you say someone wanted money so they sold TL-s wheels and put TL-P or they wrecked and just thew different parts on the car

'03TL-S

iTrader: (10)

What part of Houston is this car from? Too high a mileage and not in so good condition so I would say NO GO.

Houston

^^Pearland. As far as the wheels, I'm assuming who ever modified it, added aftermarket wheels and sold the stocks. After deciding to get rid of it, they took the aftermarkets off and replaced them. Of course, an accident could have something to do with it too. I probably won't let her buy, but I'll let ya'll know how it goes. I appreciate all the feedback.

harminder247

iTrader: (1)

Probably? After all the things we pointed out your still thinking about letting her get it? Good luck man. I could really care less that it had been in a accident but atlesat get the damn job done right.

BensTLS

Houston,
Take it to a mechanic and let him check it out. As long as it runs great and doesn't have alignment issue it'll prbably be OK to purchase. Any car that 00-03 is already a few years old so can't expect a perfect car. I bought mine 3 wks ago it's an 03 tls stock with 90k mi with navi for 7500. In good condition at the dealer, you'll be looking at at least $10k for that car. Anyhow, it's the TL type S that got me. Car got good pickup from standing still and on freeway. So if you can bargain it down to say like $5k it's a good buy IMO. and good luck with the purchase.

ChrisQ1980

Looks too beat up to me. I would pass on it. Probably has a shitty suspension on it as well. TL-P rims, busted fogs, faded headlights, in an accident, poor repair.

JRhodes88

iTrader: (2)

If it was $3k i would say get it. This is obviously a great car gone bad. The rear end looks phenomenal though. Do sellers really not clean the interior before they try and sell a car? What an idiot, he probably could have fooled you if he cleaned the car up a little,

phee

iTrader: (5)

no go

indoMFP

I would pass on it... my car is the same age and my interior looks hella nicer than that... I am with the others in that the front end doesn't seem to fit properly, the bumper and radiator look painted, TL-S with TL-P rims... it has been dropped, but unknown springs and shocks.... I would look at it really close and have it checked out by a mechanic if you are still thinking about it...

TheMegalodon

It can be very tempting to buy a car that looks like it's in alright shape, especially if it's a decent deal, but trust me the end result is so not worth the quick decision.
I'm sure your sister is in a need of a car asap; however, it would be much more beneficial for her to look into some other options and not settle for anything less than a great car. In the long run she will be much happier with her purchase and experience far less headaches down the road.

Considering everyone here has said to steer clear I don't think it would be fair of you to continue considering this car for your sister.

acutee

As long as the car was not in an accident and shifts good, it is a go. I cant believe 2nd gen car is losing value so much compare to civic and accord, but there is a reason for it. The wheels and the mis-align bumper or headlight are just the minor things. It could be the last owner didn't do it correctly which happens all the time that you can find in this forum. Every car has minor problems and scratches. The way I see it, you can't expect a perfect car for cheap unless you are really lucky. I would look for a minor imperfect car in a trade for a good price.

VoLLy

iTrader: (8)

I was jut about to say, what if the TL-P rims are their winters? Then I thought there is no need for em in Texas.....or do they?

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

i agree, even though the car seems in decent condition, the best thing she can do is not rush it. the interior looked a little thrashed, no floor mats and the steering wheel looked a little chewed up. look under the hood. the battery is filthy and the battery cover is missing. the bumper not lining up straight throws up some red flags too. if she was in cali, i'd sell her mine lol, looking to get a 3G myself

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

a little bit off topic but man why is it so cheap lol? $6000? On average a 02 TL-S is $15k CAD in Canada..lol..

Type-SuperFast

That car has had front end damage, look at the headlight and bumper as others have stated, and then if you look at the passenger airbag, it looks like it was messed with, and there seems to be bondo dust in the engine bay, and the plastic piece on top of the radiator is cracked, which can also be caused by front end accident

nguyen

lol bondo dust

nspec_ya4

iTrader: (38)

again.


On topic:

The seller bought this car from a local auction. He's a dealer, not a private seller so I wouldn't expect him to answer questions about what happened to original wheels, previous services performed, and what not.

Houston, I just took a better look at the car. Its been hit in the front before (not sure how bad), even though the carfax is clean, it was repaired. The reason why there's a gap between the headlight and the bumper is because of the radiator support being bent in a little. Front bumper has been repainted. Left quarter panel and rear bumper also look like they were repainted.
Airbag light's on too.

BensTLS

I saw this car on houston craigslist and belongs to the dealer in 45&fm1960. It's listed for $6200. The car does look a lil beat up and not well taken care of. But it's used so you can't expect too much spec. it's around $5k. Good luck on buying and give us feedback.

andrew070489

02 TLs for 15k? this one has 140k and the transmissions are shit, no offense 2nd gens, but shouldnt he just keep looking knowing that the trans along WILL go?

Houston

Quick update.. I did go see the car and I found more damage than the pics show. I took more pics of the damage, but I'm to lazy to post. The front and rear bumpers have been painted. They're a bit off too. There was paint on the radiator. Driver side headlight is cracked and fog light on same side was broken. Actually, both fog lights were broken. Tint is messed up like crazy and keeps the windows from going down smooth. Needs new rotors and pads all the way around. On the positive side, it had no leaks and drives pretty good, but not enough to convince me. So far, it's still a no go. Now, she's looking at some ludes. She read all your posts, so thanks for the responses fellas.

BensTLS

Good job. Sometime you have to look at the car in person to tell cause pics can be deceitful sometime. Good luck on finding the next vehicle. Try acura cls. There are some on craigslist.

9932

iTrader: (1)

i knew the bumper was a respray the minute i saw it. that middle "grill" is supposed to be black and its silver in the pic.

she's looking at ludes? how does she go from acura tl to honda prelude??? women.....

ChrisQ1980

If the seller took the time to do some basic maintence, clean it up a bit he could get the $6500 for it. As it sits I'd pay no more than 3k for it. Pass it up and find a clean example of a TL-S. There are still some out there. Look for one under the trans warrany or one with a replaced trans after 2/05. Good luck.

azn_xxxd

lol buy mine, ill sell mine

BensTLS

Azn...
Is that a double sided sticky shark fin you got there on your ride or did you drill thru roof? And where did you purchase that shark fin ? how much $$

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

^ is that a nav fin from a three series? looks good

azn_xxxd

No need to drill, just double sided tape. Bought from ebay, get the small one, dont get the long one lol. its 35 shipped.