Onyxthecat

Hey everyone, new member here. Coming over from the Jeep forums with a built up 00 TJ on 35's and a previous 01 WJ on 32's. My girlfriend and I are looking to pick up a 2003 Acura TL Type-S in the next week or so. She's looking at a couple black 5 spd. auto's with under 100k on them. So with that in mind here are some things I wanted to mention and open to any sugesstions.

Transmission:

I already read a bunch of threads regarding the issues with the 3rd gear clutch pack prematurely wearing so I know to ask if the tranny has been replaced after 2005 and to stay away if not.

Suspension:

My gf says I can do whatever I want to the car so my first thought was to drop it about 2" with Eibach springs. I was originally thinking Tein but I heard they ride stiff. Coilovers are a bit too much right not but maybe in the future.

A/V:

I would like to do a Double DIN setup with some MB Quart components and a shallow mount sub.

Cosmetics:

I have a decent sized brain so I know what looks good and whats gaudy. I really like the A-Spec lit kit but I would like to know what websites are good for stuff thats really acura oriented so I'm not buying from a lower end site.

Thats about it for now sorry it's so long but I'm glad to on here and will update in the member section once the Type-S is ours.

Onyxthecat

I also forgot to add Wheels:

I saw another Acura TL on this forum dropped on really nice rims that looked two piece and kinda like Work VS-XX's. It looked epic and it had the stance and drop that I think looks best on this car. It was black and in a parking garage. ItI'll keep looking for it to find out.

KieranM37

sounds like we're gonna have another beauty to dream about.. keep us updated! welcome to the forum btw, cant wait to see what you have in store for us

n1njai

iTrader: (3)

Probably jjasha's car on Locksmice mesh's

jjashaa

iTrader: (23)

01tl4tl

even if the trans was replaced with a post 05 unit- it can still have problems- especially if you plan to beat the car,,rebuildable for 2500~
Look for blue paint on bolt heads associated with trans- obvious!! thats warranty unit-
next look for large bolt on top of trans ATF- the filler plug- thats post 05 unit or it would have a device slipped into that hole with a small oil line run to it

ck fluid color and smell- it can be worth the 20 bucks to send a sample to blackstone labs to ck for bad things going on in trans--ie: clutch pack wearout leaving particulate clutch matter in the fluid

Some 03 got a free timing belt on recall- call 1 800 382 2238x5 with cars vin to see if any open recalls or extended warranties still in effect--srs- seatbelts- airbag inflator is a new recall

RonJon makes wheels just for the TL, see his ads pop up here
MrHeelToe is an honda/acura guru- performance parts guy
Excelerate also a guru of shocks brakes etc

see our vendor list at top right of pages for dealers who cut us a major break--for your aspec kit

Have a look thru all the thread titles in main section and the special links titled `probs` and `performance`--almost every question is found in there
DIY master list contains things like `how wide a rim can I use`...

01tl4tl

drop springs on stock shocks with miles on them already- tend to push the shock past its normal travel limts and bust a seal = worn out shock

Onyxthecat

Thanks for all the replies. I'll be sure to check up on the bolts for the tranny and see if it's been replaced. 01tl4tl you have some good info. that I'll remember while car searching in the next couple of days. Also I'll checkout Ronjon and the other vendors for cool stuff and the DIY sectio is great, very complete and easy to understand.

I forgot for some reason that new shocks would be included with the drop springs, I definitely dont wanna run old ones and then have em get trashed from the ride height.

Onyxthecat

Ok, so we went to check out this 03 black on black tl type s today. The guy wants $8500 for it with 114000 mi.

+ It's had its tranny replaced by Acura last year at 105K
- It has cosmetic issues like small dents, a large one which he said hell pull out on the driver door and a smashed fog light and bumpers the dealer painted him self(which had runs in it).

He says he wont fix anything and hell give it to me for 8K. I walked, but idk we need to get a car in the next couple of days and my gf says she planning to get a brand new car in a few years after grad school so maybe its not so bad. For me personally I wouldn't touch a car with cosmetic issues unless I knew I could fix them myself.

03tLsNBP

iTrader: (9)

glad you walked away from 8k. thats way too much for that condition. but a black on black Type S is rare. i had to make mine myself.

01tl4tl

get her a nice honda for 5-6 grand and be way ahead of the game- plus resale value

that car still needs the 105 no doubt

Onyxthecat

Ok, so we ended up getting a White diamond pearl 2002 Type S with 125K on it black leather and every option including Navi. The interior/exterior is super perfect, not a single scratch and the engine bay was immaculate. I drove it and no hard shifting and it rode very smooth so the previous owner took very good care of the car. The dealer even put it on a lift so I could look underneath. I didn't see and blue bolt heads so I guess it still has the original tranny but I think well be ok. Were picking it up tomorrow for $7900 and $8700 after taxes(8.8% =( ) and DMV shiz.

So I'll be posting some pics and I'm sure I'll be on here asking Q's and becomeing part of the TL community. =)

01tl4tl

look at trans from above,,bolts holding things to the trans and main trans bolts thru itself will be blue painted

call acura care with the vin or ask dealer service dept to run the vin for `open recalls`

negotiate a new nav disc- 180$! you will need one and have to order, not a dealer stocked item

things that are too clean mean the selling dealer or someone had it detailed
was it always like that, or signs of recent cleaning job

Onyxthecat

Ok, I'll check the bolts tomorrow. Why do I need a new nav disc? The car was clean like it had always been taken care of not like it was just washed or detailed for the lot.

I'll give acura care a call to ask them for the recalls if it had any.

Thanks for the heads up on these details.

03tl-s04mdx

Gotta love a little cockeyed optimism!

White Diamond w/black interior - nice combo! Good luck with the new ride.

You don't need a new Nav disk, but it would be nice. If there's been a lot of changes to your major travel areas in the last ten years then it will help a lot to get a new(er) disk - try eBay if the dealer won't give you a deal.

pickler

tein s are actually softer than eibachs

01tl4tl

tein SS are adjustable dampening,,I run them pretty soft at 4 of 16 clicks
over rough roads and its softer than OE if you go to setting 0

if the nav disc is more than 3-4 years old- chances are good you need a new one
Back in the day, you could look up when your areas were updated and buy a used disc
they are model and year specific- different color and version systems
When I looked recently- now that alpine sold the disc replacements to another company- that info wasnt avail- at least I couldnt find it easily like before
they want you in a new disc!
when you register at owner.acura.com they send a discount $150 coupon when the new version comes out - usually november, and 100 or so on last years

acura care is closed on weekends- dealer service or parts can run the VIN and are open sat
there are a few, and even a new/recent recall that keeps expanding - for airbag inflator

Onyxthecat

Ok, so I checked the trans bolts and they had blue paint on em so yay. I gotta get some things like a new drivers side floor mat, passenger seat switch knob, wipers etc. small stuff. I'll check out the new Nav disc and call acura care with the vin.