TLadmirer

Members,

I have been browsing this site for the past several weeks since I became interested in the 2004 TL. I have enjoyed reading the informative and well written posts.

I have since determined that I do not want to pay the price to own a brand new TL. However, I have found a near mint white 2003 TL-S with 36,000 miles at a local dealer at a decent price. I was in love with the car until reading posts here which criticized the transmissions for having problems.

Can anyone offer me any advice on whether I should stay clear of this car or not? I am concerned greatly about reliability and resale; Hence, Honda/Accord.

Thanks in advance for your responses and for an excellent site.

aw1

true, the 2003 TL has tranny problems. however, its not all TL's that have this problem. As long as the dealer gives you a decent warranty, then you should not have to worry. Heard that some are covered up to 7 years or 100k. IMO, even with the known problems, acuras/hondas hold their value better than most cars but not all. good luck with your purchase.

ferrari527

i have an 02 TLS Black/Black with your name on it. 25k miles, perfect cond, no problems. 7 year, 100k on tranny.

TLadmirer

Ferrari, I can be reached at jdlynch@iglou.com. The price on the one I am looking at is $20,000 for an 03-type S, non-nav.

I did notice a severe rattle in the 03 I drove. It was much worse than rattles I'm used to; More like the dash is going to fall off.

ferrari527

wow 20k, that is a good deal, id take that...i had that rattle to, it can fixed under warrenty. its a great car, i just want something more entertaining at this point in my life.

isr

anyone know whats rattling?? mine's getting very annoying,... =\

BIG_KOUT

bring it in to the dealer have them drive it

BIG_KOUT

for TLadmirer... there are many posts on this issue. With the warrenty you shouldnt have any worries. The car is awesome.
$20,000 for an 03 with 36k miles is a little low on the price point, somethings fishy. At autotrader they are averaging 23-24 thousand dollars. I would have a carfax done on that car be4 buying it and ask the dealer if they had worked on the car in the past and the guy traded it in, or if it was bought it at auction.

if everything checks out, you got a good deal.

I would still keep looking tho, I just got my 03 about 8 months ago and it only had 8,500 miles on it. Good ones are around, good luck

Elementz

Make sure its not an 'R' title. That means it was severely wrecked or damaged at some point and has been restored, hence the 'R'.

ferrari527

or mabye he just said that so i would say ok $18k!

TLadmirer

No, it is actually 20,500. This car has been on a dealers lot and he is willing to sell it to me instead of taking it to the auction. I saw the Carfax; no problems. Called the previous owner; no problems.

I am having a hard time getting too excited about it because it is white. If it were silver, it would be in my driveway.

BIG_KOUT

yea the silver is very sporty on this car, thats why I got it

ferrari527

cant have your cake and eat it too