I have a chance to trade in my 1996 3.2TL (premium package) with 114,000 miles on it for a 1999 3.2TL with 78,000 miles on it -- for very little cash.

What do I need to be concerned about with the 1999 TL - is there anything I need to make sure has been done BEFORE I do the deal with the dealer? Aside from timing belt and standard stuff are there any reoccuring 2nd Gen. problems (with brakes, engine transmission) etc. that I should be certain to check out?

 

check out the tranny ... but 99 has a 4 speed so its not as bad as the other second gens ... but the tranny is the weakest link in the second gen tl

 

their was also an ignition recall. on them.

 

Ask the dealer for full records of all the maintence performed, what kind of warranty they will offer you, and lastly if that transmission has been replaced before. How much cash are we talking here?

 

depends on how much they give me for my '96 but not more than a couple of thousand

 

OEM Brakes are not the greatest, but you can't do much about that. Surely have them give you a carfax report on it. Also, ask them to provide you with all of the recall/warranty stuff they can from Acura from the vin# e.g. tranny recall - was it complied with, if so, how - new tranny, jet kit, or whatever their fix was. This will be good info to have.

 

What are the things you like about the 1999 TL that have you considering the swap? (Styling, features, Lower odometer mileage?)

One positive about keeping your current car is that you know its history. Buying any used car is always a bit of a gamble.

As mentioned above, the transmission is weak spot for the second generation TLs. The 4-speed transmission used in the 1999 TL is more reliable than the 5-speed used in the 2000-2003 TL. But it still has significant reliability issues. Consumer Reports owner surveys result in a "worse than average" reliability rating. (The 02-03 gets a "much worse than average" rating, which is the lowest they hand out.)

Spend some time reading the Tranny Failure thread before buying:

https://acurazine.com/forums/wash-wax-23/leather-conditioner-help-106818/

Bob

 

BTW, i LOVE my TL. I am out of a 2000 Accord EX V6. My current is an 02 type S, so harder to compare. But I love it. I think my accord was pretty comparable to the first iteration (99-01) but with a bit more horse, and heated seats with memory and Sport Shift. I loved that accord and sold it to a friend and get emotional every time I see it.

 

Do the deal. The 99TL has been great for me I got 128,000 miles with no AC, Transmission or Engine problems. Ask for as much of a warranty as you can and take the jump you won't regret it!

 

Well ... how much money are we talking about? I mean, if you look another few more months, when the 4th gen TL comes out, the 2nd gen TL might get bumped down in value a little bit more (not a lot more). A '96 TL has some nice things to it ... and it being built in Japan also "adds" to its value.

Not sure if I would jump ship if the car you have is doing well unless you're itching to get into something new (to you).

 

99's the way to go! haha