Hey guys, I'm new here, but I was wondering if you could help me out a bit. I'm currently considering trading-in my '04 Bonneville GXP for a '03 TL Type S w/ nav and was wondering what some issues are that I should look out for. I know there's problems with the stock tranny so i'm looking for one with a rebuilt/remanufactured one, but besides that, what else should I look for?

Thanks for the help!

 

that is by far the main (most expensive) issue with these cars. I would look for a lower mileage one that has little or no mods to help ensure the previous owner wasnt driving it too hard. with the 5 speeds even a rebuilt transmission could die because of the poor design from Honda in the 1st place. if you could buy one of those extended warranties that may be a good thing to look into. Expect a rebuild to cost aroudn $2k for these cars.

Also make sure the timing belt has been replaced if the mileage is at or over 100k miles. That will include all drive belts and a new water pump. If not that could cost you anywhere from $500 (ish) to $1500 or more depending on your location and where you take it. But it is a MUST do at 7 years or 100k miles

my 99 (same body style but with the 4 speed transmission and a few fewer features) is still great. I just fixed the transmission (184000 miles) and replaced the starter last summer; everything else just normal wear and tear stuff.

realize that the interior will be much smaller vs your Pontiac I think but the TL is a much nicer car. you will see a lot of older high mileage ones around because they are overall a very solid/reliable/nice car

good luck!

 

rebuilt wont matter, they still have the same failure prob with overheat in clutch packs.
a unit replaced under warranty after 2005 has a better case design but thats it
Look for blue paint on bolt heads on trans = warranty unit

While most of us love our TL- we would also be hard pressed to buy another one today,,at this age and miles,,, without a primo extended warranty--
or enough price discount to put 2 grand away for that eventual day

Might be a month or years before the trans gives up, but when it does....
Plan on it now

Rare is the TL being sold with a perfect trans, 105 tbelt service completed, good tires and brakes etc. Why would you sell a perfectly good car? it will have problems.
A good acura tech- not a honda guy- can look the car over for probs
honda techs dont know many of our secrets like stable water temp being norm while hondas guage moves around..egr clogging problem...

if you can score it under 5 grand,,ok
BUT
Take a look at our Member Cars For Sale,,at least they are owner by ziners!
https://acurazine.com/forums/marketplace/cars/search/