Okay so as many of you guys know, i've acquired a 2000 TL (my first car) from my aunty. The car was left outside and hardly driven for the last two years of its life. When I recieved the car a few months ago, it had 48,000 miles. It now has 53,000 miles. The car has a few problems, the outside paint is oxidized on the back and there are numerous key scratches and scratches all over. As for the inside of the car, Sometimes when i turn the key in the ignition the car makes a noise and doesnt start up, sometimes it dies also, and when i turn the car on, 25% of the time it goes through a shaking phase for a few seconds. It's kinda scary.. I took it to a shop and the shop owner told me that the some coils were damaged and if it happens again to give him a call. The check engine light has gone on two times before.

I'm thinking of doing a few things, either maybe making a few modifications such as CAI, Headers, LipKit, Drop, Paintjob, Rims. Or possibly just selling the car off and getting a faster car. I want to go fast! I'm currently only 18 years old, although i do have some money to spend on my car, it's not nearly as much as the amount others have. Please give me some feedback of what I should do! I love my car, does it have potential to be (faster?)? Sorry for the noobish questions! And as always, thank you

 

Sell it and Get a "Faster" Car...

Nah but seriously the TL is for people who really love it or hate it.. nothing in between...

So if you don't love the car it will only bring you pain and misery.

 

Fix the mechanical problems first.

If after all is repaired and your satisfied with the way it drives go crazy with mods.

 

Hey Dylanz287, the potential to go fast in comfort is there with your dear Auntie's TL. While the car apparently requires some attention, start with the basic improvements to make it run better for now. There are many things that can cause poor runabilty and the issues which you previously explained. Read the site's 2nd gen "DIY"s sticky and do some research on the common problem areas of our TL's. There's tons of info right here to help guide you.

Once you get the car running better, than you can decide if it's worth spending more money on paint and various mods. Or sale it and move on ? Check out the site's "Photograph Gallery" pics of other modded TL's. They can be tricked out nicely !!! The site's "Black Market" has used parts and accessories to help keep the costs down. Just remember that the really fast cars can get you into a heap of trouble !!!

 

I lowered mine, putting some nice rotors and pads on it, and leaving it at that. If it were a type-s I'd consider performance mods, but from what I've seen the cars aren't really cost effective to make into truly fast cars depending on what you consider "fast". For daily driving it should be plenty fast as is.
But sure, if you love the car (which I do) and have money to just throw at it (I don't), go for it!

 

i truly appreciate the comments from EVERYONE. I will try to fix the problems which definately require attention first than decide to mod or not to mod. I was looking to buy a toyota supra but my mother is totally against used cars and wouldn't help me on that one :P. I know the supra will give me a lot harder time to repair and fix up. So i guess i'm just sticking with my TL. again thanks everyone! Also, i take all the tips i recieve seriously so please comment if you guys have anything else to say! I love acurazine, such helpful friendly members.

 

Fix the problems first and then work on maintenance items. After you get the car up and running good start modding it. Just because you have a tl-p doesn't mean you should not mod it. I beat type s and my friens third gens