Looking at getting a work car and will put about 25k a year on it. Its an 02 TL with 66k and seems very clean from the pics.. Owned by an older guy and driven only a few hundred miles this past year... Im seeing all the tranny nightmares. Does anyone have good experience with this year? Was this year very problematic or would this be a good buy at $5200... Going to look at it tomorrow.. any thoughts

 

I'd pass. The transmission (if original) will probably die before 100k. 5200 is crazy high for a 02 non type s. 3500 tops for that. If you really like the car, by one with a transmission problem and use an updated transmission. Still probably needs a timing belt change, new mounts, along with a whole other slew of maintenance from sitting. In a nutshell, only buy a TL if you can get it well below book to account for maintenance assuming it hasn't already been done. KBB value in excellent condition is $4500 which means this guy is dreaming right from the jump. I wouldn't even meet with him. If I wanted to pay book (good / excellent value), I'd go to a dealer.

Here's an example, granted it's a CL (similar mileage) but watch what happens to the value when the trans dies.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/222098093240?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

Price is way to steep specially considering the bad rep this particular gen has...
Also seeing a low mile TL is just no good... Too little miles = too little use for the trans so that means with all the bad luck in the world it will die on you soon.

 

I bought my 03 TLS 1.5 years ago for $3900 on craigslist, you'd be surprised what you find on there from people needing to sell in a pinch. Granted the mounts he used were shit and I had to replace with factory but if you get low mile, look for common repairs to already be completed when paying a higher price. I've only put 14k on her and had to replace timing belt, cv axles, oem engine mounts, 3x3 trans fluid swap, ignition coils even with all that work already being done. Really starts to add up fast!

vv This was already done when I bought it yet I've still spent 2k+ in preventative maintenance

MECHANICAL
1) Acura TL Type S motor with 87,000 original miles (Mobil 1 synthetic used every 3,500 miles)
2) 2007 Accord V6 Transmission swap (has 59,000 miles on it, fixes common Acura Trans failure)
3) B&M trans fluid cooler (keep the transmission cool to stop over heating)
4) Polyurethane motor mounts (stock hydraulic mounts fail repeatedly)
5) Motor shock absorber (keeps the torque of the motor controlled, less stress on mounts)
6) New EBC front slotted rotors and Green Stuff pads (less than 2,000 miles on them)
7) Tires only have 6,000 miles on them, still has lots of life
8) Front upper control arms and lower balls changed
9) Rear upper control arms changed
10) NGK spark plugs (done 15,000 miles ago)
11) Valve adjustment done 6,000 miles ago

ELECTRICAL
1) Viper Alarm system with remote start
2) 4 Pioneer speakers, 1 amp to support them
3) Sony double din (touch screen)
4) Reverse camera (shown in Sony screen)
5) Memphis sub, 1 amp to support it
6) AC and Heat still work great
7) HID headlights and fogs

 

The price seems high for an 02 but if the condition is good and maintenance is current it could be worth negotiating down to 3500. Check for the timing belt/water pump change. If not done it needs it now due to years rather than mileage. Check to see if transmission recalls or replacements have been done.

They are nice cars. Especially for the highway.

I bought mine new in 2003 and got 183000 miles out of the transmission with no maintenance. (I never realized there was a problem until it died) I rebuilt the trans and it's back on the road. Since then it's had it's second timing belt, struts, motor mounts, IAC and it's coming up fast on 200000 miles.

 

Even if the price was right I still would not consider this car as a daily driver because the transmission will fail on you at the worst time. This is not something to take lightly.

Now if you plan on swapping the trans with an AV6 (look up the AV6 threads) before you start your 25k a year driving then I would say go for it. After that the car will be solid and you just have regular maintenance to perform.

Also the price the seller wants is too high for an original transmission car. It's worth half that imo.

 

Thanks I bailed on it