It's not 100% official yet, but I'm going to take a look at a white 2003 TL tomorrow morning. If all goes well, I'm going to buy it. It has 152k miles and is the standard TL. Upon pulling up the CARFAX, I saw a ton of maintenance done in the last year, year and a half. Timing belt, water pump, motor mounts, spark plugs, AC recharged/compressor replaced, new brake pads and rotors resurfaced, new battery, new starter, and the transmission fluid was flushed. I will of course verify with receipts that all this work was indeed done. I know they are made of glass so my goal is if I do buy it, I will change (not flush) the fluid to establish a base line. I will then change it every 10k miles. When the tranny does go out, it's nice to know that the 06/07 Accord and some years of the Odyssey tranny will fit, thereby practically giving me a new car since we all know with great care that the 3.2 will last forever. Seats in this car look to be in pretty good shape and I'm eternally grateful somebody didn't swap out the stock head unit with some ugly screen. Why do people do that? Just makes the whole interior so ugly. Always loved the bunched leather on Honda/Acura products. Something about older cars that is missing in newer ones. I sat in a 4th gen TL a couple years ago and I hated it lol.

White is not my first choice, but I realize these cars are getting harder to find. Since re-painting the car will cost thousands and thousands, I am going to get it completely detailed and cleaned up. Clayed, polished, the whole works. I am going to clean up the headlights (they appear to be a bit faded, which is normal) and if they aren't 100% clear I will buy new ones. This car will be getting only premium gas and oil changes will take place every 3k, no exception.

I would have been fine with a 99 and the better transmission that came with them, but I would have wanted memory seats and that 6-disc CD changer. I had a 2007 TL four years ago and while it was very nice, I didn't like how it drove. It was too sporty and bouncy. I heard these 2nd generations (not the Type S) are considerably better in that regard with a softer suspension. Not to mention having somewhat fatter tires would help with bumps.

Anyways, I will keep you all updated. I am very excited.

 

Picked up the car a few hours ago. Very clean for its age. Not perfect but certainly better than most 22-year old cars. The most noticeable is the top of the steering wheel. I'd like to replace it at some point but it's not a big deal. Can't wait to see how the white cleans up with a thorough detail. Everything works including my 6-disc CD changer! Stereo sounds great and the heated seats on high get really hot! Much smoother than the 07; I guess they really did make it sportier, which for me I didn't care for. Love the styling of these older cars.

Timing belt was indeed done in March 2023. The engine is so quiet. It's an ULEV engine so I don't know if that has something to do with it. The headlights aren't yellowed out. I was wrong about that. Very pleased that the windows were already tinted, so I don't have to expense for that. Just an all around beautiful car. I haven't noticed any issues shifting, but I'm going to save for a replacement for when it goes.

I will upload pictures when it's not raining cats and dogs like it is now.

 

I hope you enjoy the new ride.

I've loved my 2002 since I brought it home 23 years and 230k miles ago!

and you are right…. They don't make them like they used to!

 

Yeah, totally. Something about older cars that you just don't get in newer ones. Build quality, simplicity, etc. I've never been one to need screens everywhere, drivers aids, 12 speed transmissions, turbos, bunker windows, etc. Nothing at all wrong with cars built in the early 2000's.

230k wow. How has your transmissions held up? I'm assuming it's been replaced at this point. If not, I would say you've been pretty lucky or you just know how to properly take care of it.

I've definitely enjoyed the ride. It is so smooth, hard to imagine 2003 and 2007 are both TL's. The 07 was just way too bouncy for my tastes although I loved the interior and sound system. I used to think that was the most beautiful exterior but I don't know. The 2nd gen is growing on me and dare I say it, it's more attractive than the 3rd gen! It also has plenty of power for highway driving. This engine is so incredibly quiet. That's the joy of a timing belt, especially on an older car. No worries about the chain stretching and possibly costing 2-3 times the amount of a new belt for repairs.

Happy to know you've held onto the car all this time. What are some issues you've had over your ownership and what are some good suggestions for a new owner? Curious to hear about your experience.

 

My original trans survived for about 200k. I installed an H&A rebuilt trans then and it has been bulletproof since then.

i love the normally-aspirated V-6; super smooth and plenty of ooomph.

Engine is still smooth as butter.

 

200k? That's highly impressive. You must have driven it nicely and maintained it with only Honda/Acura DW-1 fluid.

These naturally aspirated engines are so nice. You do NOT get the smoothness out of a little 4-cylinder every maker is using these days. I don't care if it has 300+ HP. It won't be lasting 20-25 years later without issues like this 3.2, that's for sure.

The car is just so solidly built. I plan on doing a drain and fill on the transmission fluid later today. Have to wait for the Honda dealer to open to get the fluid.

 

Got the fluid but can't get that rotten drain plug off. It won't budge. Granted I don't have a ton of room to work with. I don't have a jack. I can get to the bolt easily (I'm not a big guy), it's right there. It's just on there really tight. Going to drop it off at a transmission shop (they closed at 5) and he will take a look at it tomorrow while I'm at work.

 

Scratch that... Firestone was kind enough to loosen the bolt for me so now the fluid is almost finished draining entirely (I don't want even a drop on the ground lol). I will re-fill through the dipstick. Somebody had a brilliant idea to buy a $2 turkey baster and attach that to a funnel. Might take a few minutes per bottle but that's okay. I wonder what color this fluid is...

 

Congrats on the new ride! With all that maintenance recently done you should be off to a nice start. Much of what you listed I've had to do myself over the years. Even the motor mounts **shudder**.

I've had my 2000 TL since about 50k, and I'm just shy of 240k now. Transmission failed at about 75k, replaced by Acura under their extended warranty "recall". Since then it's been rock solid, with 3x3 fluid changes about every 40k. If you plan for them every 10k, I'm sure you're just talking a drain and fill of 3 quarts each time. I've always heard these tranny's are made of glass, but the last 165k of trouble-free miles doesn't sound much like glass to me!

If you plan to DIY even just fluid changes, don't mess around with a jack - get a pair of wheel ramps and be done with it.

 

Yes, lots of maintenance was indeed done. The engine is really quiet when at idle, although is it common to idle near 1k RPM? I would say 800-900.

Tranny shifts pretty well since I did the drain and fill. I did another one just two days ago. Probably do the 3rd in another thousand miles then every 10k will be just one. It's not QUITE as smooth as the 2011 Camry I have, but I'd much rather drive this for many reasons.

Has been a very good driver for me so far and it's still pretty fast. Had the opportunity to pass several slow pokes over the last 10 or 11 days and it gets up and moves. Love how it's all natural power, not some turbo garbage.