Purchasing my first acura!
05-12-2009, 08:39 PM
#1
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Purchasing my first acura!
There is a 2000 acura 3.2tl for sale with 116K for 5500 and don't know whether to buy it or not? Is there too many miles on this vehicle? Will it last for another 100K? I am really confused. Is there anyone here that can give me some advice. I would be really greatful. Thank you!
05-12-2009, 10:56 PM
#4
There is a 2000 acura 3.2tl for sale with 116K for 5500 and don't know whether to buy it or not? Is there too many miles on this vehicle? Will it last for another 100K? I am really confused. Is there anyone here that can give me some advice. I would be really greatful. Thank you!
Spend some time reading the Tranny Failure Thread before you buy:
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-problems-fixes-117/tranny-failure-thread-566833/
A 2000 TL will not be covered by Acura's extended warranty on the transmission. An out-of-warranty transmission repair can cost $3,000 to $4,000.
05-13-2009, 03:49 AM
#5
Is this a private party or dealer sale?
Odds are it hasnt had the 105k miles service for that price-
that service is $1000+ and some other maitenance is probably behind too- brake fluid flush, ps fluid flush etc ~$500
That can lead to a lot of problems in brake parts or steering rack
Or it could be a well loved and cared for car that just a great price
Is it salvage-rebuilt title?
Call acura 1-800-382-2238x5 give them the VIN of the car
Ask for a `pre-buy history check`- was the trans ever replaced- was the recall to install the trans oil jet done? That doesnt fix the real trans problem but plays into if this is a good buy
Where has the car lived etc-
If you still like it, pay another shop 50 bucks to check everything over/under and see if its worth getting or needs 3 grand in repairs
The trans failure is a major issue- buy an extended waranty plan that covers trans replacement
selling the car with the miles where it needs the big service??
why are they selling? and for that price?
The miles are fine for the engine and rest of the car- its the issues described to you already that matter the most
If you have a tight budget consider- the TL needs Premium 91 octane gas and things like spark plugs are 50 bucks a set, brakes 300-500
something to consider if you are young and wanting a fun reliable low cost car
Maybe look at Honda's- the trans are better and run on 87 octane
Odds are it hasnt had the 105k miles service for that price-
that service is $1000+ and some other maitenance is probably behind too- brake fluid flush, ps fluid flush etc ~$500
That can lead to a lot of problems in brake parts or steering rack
Or it could be a well loved and cared for car that just a great price
Is it salvage-rebuilt title?
Call acura 1-800-382-2238x5 give them the VIN of the car
Ask for a `pre-buy history check`- was the trans ever replaced- was the recall to install the trans oil jet done? That doesnt fix the real trans problem but plays into if this is a good buy
Where has the car lived etc-
If you still like it, pay another shop 50 bucks to check everything over/under and see if its worth getting or needs 3 grand in repairs
The trans failure is a major issue- buy an extended waranty plan that covers trans replacement
selling the car with the miles where it needs the big service??
why are they selling? and for that price?
The miles are fine for the engine and rest of the car- its the issues described to you already that matter the most
If you have a tight budget consider- the TL needs Premium 91 octane gas and things like spark plugs are 50 bucks a set, brakes 300-500
something to consider if you are young and wanting a fun reliable low cost car
Maybe look at Honda's- the trans are better and run on 87 octane
05-13-2009, 08:10 AM
#6
Porkchop Sandwiches!
IMHO stay away from any car with 100k on the dash. Unless you plan on continuously putting money into it to keep in good shape its hardly worth it. Not to mention, when you're ready to get rid of it, it will be worthless. If you wind up having to drop on another 5 (or potentially much more) to keep the damn thing running during its life, its hardly worth it.
For that kind of money I'd look for something more "economical", even a Focus will probably wind up costing you a lot less in the long run.
For that kind of money I'd look for something more "economical", even a Focus will probably wind up costing you a lot less in the long run.
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05-13-2009, 10:56 AM
#8
but we are talking about a first car for a younger member- a TL with 115 may not be the best buying decision for practical reasons of $$ in ongoing maitenance and potential initial repeairs
Not every car with over 100 is crap- the TL will easily go 200-300,000 miles
IF you takle care of it- which means spending money now and then
Not every car with over 100 is crap- the TL will easily go 200-300,000 miles
IF you takle care of it- which means spending money now and then
05-13-2009, 11:50 AM
#9
The Dumb One
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but we are talking about a first car for a younger member- a TL with 115 may not be the best buying decision for practical reasons of $$ in ongoing maitenance and potential initial repeairs
Not every car with over 100 is crap- the TL will easily go 200-300,000 miles
IF you take care of it- which means spending money now and then
Not every car with over 100 is crap- the TL will easily go 200-300,000 miles
IF you take care of it- which means spending money now and then
05-13-2009, 03:22 PM
#10
Porkchop Sandwiches!
05-13-2009, 04:50 PM
#11
My TL-S was and still is my first car. Personally, even though I really love the car, it's too much car for a young driver like myself. If you haven't already found out, the TL is very stable at high speeds. This is not good because its very easy to speed without noticing. Even though the car may be priced low, sometimes low price doesn't balance maintence cost.
The TL is a reliable car, but it isn't cheap to own. 93+ Octane, brakes, tune-ups, 100,000 mile service, all these things are expensive.
If you can afford it, the TL also makes a good first car in a way.
-It looks good.
-Gets relatively good gas mileage.
-Very safe with Front and Side Airbags.
-Perfect size. Not too big, but not compact.
-Comes with alot of standard equipment.
-Did I mention it looks good?
-With maintence will last well over 100,000 miles.
The TL is a reliable car, but it isn't cheap to own. 93+ Octane, brakes, tune-ups, 100,000 mile service, all these things are expensive.
If you can afford it, the TL also makes a good first car in a way.
-It looks good.
-Gets relatively good gas mileage.
-Very safe with Front and Side Airbags.
-Perfect size. Not too big, but not compact.
-Comes with alot of standard equipment.
-Did I mention it looks good?
-With maintence will last well over 100,000 miles.
05-13-2009, 06:54 PM
#12
The Dumb One
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and lime green FTL lol
more desireable choice - TL
smarter choice - honda civic
priced the same and BETTER gas mileage and longevity is... well we all know how long those things run.
i was just pokin fun b/c of out of all the cheaper 4 cylinder cars, you picked a ford..
05-13-2009, 11:42 PM
#13
Porkchop Sandwiches!
No posted 1/4 mile times yet but the 0 - 62 is 5.9 which should work out the low 14's possibly high 13's. Its a 300hp / 335tq blown 5cyl (probably of volvo decent) going through a 6spd to a quaiffe active LSD. Im not trying to sell you on the car, but it definitely makes Focuses (Foci?) look damn good. Too bad the US will never see it.
Civis are a smart choice, but you'll definitely get a much newer Focus for the same $$$$$
Civis are a smart choice, but you'll definitely get a much newer Focus for the same $$$$$
05-14-2009, 05:34 AM
#14
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I agree with thisisnotdave
If you are on budget...obviously if you are still a high school kid and powered by yourself, it's better to choose a newer economy car.
I am not saying that 99 TL is not a good choice but the 100k maintenance and premium gas are pretty expensive in the long run.
Although right now I am still driving my 02TL (bought it back in 01 when I was a high school kid)....
If you are on budget...obviously if you are still a high school kid and powered by yourself, it's better to choose a newer economy car.
I am not saying that 99 TL is not a good choice but the 100k maintenance and premium gas are pretty expensive in the long run.
Although right now I am still driving my 02TL (bought it back in 01 when I was a high school kid)....
05-14-2009, 12:40 PM
#15
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My TL-S was and still is my first car. Personally, even though I really love the car, it's too much car for a young driver like myself. If you haven't already found out, the TL is very stable at high speeds. This is not good because its very easy to speed without noticing. Even though the car may be priced low, sometimes low price doesn't balance maintence cost.
The TL is a reliable car, but it isn't cheap to own. 93+ Octane, brakes, tune-ups, 100,000 mile service, all these things are expensive.
If you can afford it, the TL also makes a good first car in a way.
-It looks good.
-Gets relatively good gas mileage.
-Very safe with Front and Side Airbags.
-Perfect size. Not too big, but not compact.
-Comes with alot of standard equipment.
-Did I mention it looks good?
-With maintence will last well over 100,000 miles.
The TL is a reliable car, but it isn't cheap to own. 93+ Octane, brakes, tune-ups, 100,000 mile service, all these things are expensive.
If you can afford it, the TL also makes a good first car in a way.
-It looks good.
-Gets relatively good gas mileage.
-Very safe with Front and Side Airbags.
-Perfect size. Not too big, but not compact.
-Comes with alot of standard equipment.
-Did I mention it looks good?
-With maintence will last well over 100,000 miles.
05-14-2009, 01:26 PM
#16
The Dumb One
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I sorta dont agree with it being an expensive car to maintain. Imo if you do most the normal stuff your self it really doesnt add up to be much. Putting 93 instead of 87 isnt a big difference. Depends on how stable you are with your income and expensives. I would say if you dont make enough to pay for your stuff, stay away. Once college starts if you decide to go, those books are gonna b a b$*%ch to buy.
i think i've spent a total of 300 bucks on my car in maintainence.. and thats only b/c the previous owner didnt change the motor mounts.
the rest of the money into it was because i chose to. not because the car needed it
05-14-2009, 02:49 PM
#17
And I've had a similar experience with my 1999 TL.
But all it takes is one non-warranty covered transmission failure to drive TL ownership costs through the roof.
And there's little in terms of preventative maintenance that will keep a TL transmission from failing. And they don't need to be abused in order to fail.
I'm not suggesting that the OP avoid buying a TL. It's just that transmission reliabilty is a real issue and it's best to be aware of that before buying.
I researched second generation TLs extensively before buying and I was really surprised how bad the transmission problem was. I figured it was an Acura and it should be incredibly reliable.
One of the big reasons I bought my particular TL is that the previous owner had just installed a new transmission and it came with a two year warranty.
05-14-2009, 03:08 PM
#18
The Dumb One
iTrader: (1)
That's great.
And I've had a similar experience with my 1999 TL.
But all it takes is one non-warranty covered transmission failure to drive TL ownership costs through the roof.
And there's little in terms of preventative maintenance that will keep a TL transmission from failing. And they don't need to be abused in order to fail.
I'm not suggesting that the OP avoid buying a TL. It's just that transmission reliabilty is a real issue and it's best to be aware of that before buying.
I researched second generation TLs extensively before buying and I was really surprised how bad the transmission problem was. I figured it was an Acura and it should be incredibly reliable.
One of the big reasons I bought my particular TL is that the previous owner had just installed a new transmission and it came with a two year warranty.
And I've had a similar experience with my 1999 TL.
But all it takes is one non-warranty covered transmission failure to drive TL ownership costs through the roof.
And there's little in terms of preventative maintenance that will keep a TL transmission from failing. And they don't need to be abused in order to fail.
I'm not suggesting that the OP avoid buying a TL. It's just that transmission reliabilty is a real issue and it's best to be aware of that before buying.
I researched second generation TLs extensively before buying and I was really surprised how bad the transmission problem was. I figured it was an Acura and it should be incredibly reliable.
One of the big reasons I bought my particular TL is that the previous owner had just installed a new transmission and it came with a two year warranty.
i just know that if mine ever conks out on me, i'll be having a 6th gear shortly after. b/c by the time mine starts to die "tranny or engine" my car will be nearly worthless and i might as well keep it as another project car.
05-14-2009, 03:30 PM
#19
Low & Slow w/Dubz On My
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dont do it....especially after learning about this site...the mod bugs will bite u in the ass 
and u wont stop modding....lol....if u got the money then go ahead and buy it but like mentioned above keep in mind the maintenance it will need if it wasnt done yet....this is yet the BEST vehicle i have bought
and u wont stop modding....lol....if u got the money then go ahead and buy it but like mentioned above keep in mind the maintenance it will need if it wasnt done yet....this is yet the BEST vehicle i have bought
05-14-2009, 05:57 PM
#20
:( Harminder Is Lost In
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That's great.
And I've had a similar experience with my 1999 TL.
But all it takes is one non-warranty covered transmission failure to drive TL ownership costs through the roof.
And there's little in terms of preventative maintenance that will keep a TL transmission from failing. And they don't need to be abused in order to fail.
I'm not suggesting that the OP avoid buying a TL. It's just that transmission reliabilty is a real issue and it's best to be aware of that before buying.
I researched second generation TLs extensively before buying and I was really surprised how bad the transmission problem was. I figured it was an Acura and it should be incredibly reliable.
One of the big reasons I bought my particular TL is that the previous owner had just installed a new transmission and it came with a two year warranty.
And I've had a similar experience with my 1999 TL.
But all it takes is one non-warranty covered transmission failure to drive TL ownership costs through the roof.
And there's little in terms of preventative maintenance that will keep a TL transmission from failing. And they don't need to be abused in order to fail.
I'm not suggesting that the OP avoid buying a TL. It's just that transmission reliabilty is a real issue and it's best to be aware of that before buying.
I researched second generation TLs extensively before buying and I was really surprised how bad the transmission problem was. I figured it was an Acura and it should be incredibly reliable.
One of the big reasons I bought my particular TL is that the previous owner had just installed a new transmission and it came with a two year warranty.
05-14-2009, 07:25 PM
#22
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give the kid a break - he's probably on facebook talking to hot chicks
I just bought an '02 TL-X (w/navi) with 130k miles. Its been serviced and I paid $6k this past week.
Love it!! (but I have to add sirius soon!)
05-15-2009, 08:46 AM
#23
Porkchop Sandwiches!
Well if thats the case then hes definitely going to want a TL. Nobody's getting any pussy putting around in a Focus... And honestly if you're dump money into anything it should at least help get your laid right? TL FTW!
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