stromer2

I just got back from a 2 hr test drive of a 2003 TL with 52,000 miles. I plan to buy this car tomorrow if everything else checks out for $17,100. The current owner said he always used regular (Oct. 87) gas. I know the computer will change the timing to avoid knocking, but will this, in the long term, cause engine problems and vibration and future problems? Also the front motor mount was broken - could motor vibration from low grade gas cause this?

On the test drive I got 29 mpg with the ac on. Also, a 0 - 60 mph acceleration test gave only 9.4 seconds - rather slow. Coud the timing adjustment cause the car to run this slow? would the gas milage go up and acceleration be better with a higher grade fuel?

I earlier posted a thread where I was concerned about transmission problems. This is the same car that was mentioned earlier.

Thanks for any advic o this, Rick

Hockeyman

price seems a little bit high for a regular TL with that mileage, you will see a slight drop in performance by using 87 gas, but that will change if you use premium, the computer will adjust. the 0-60 time seems really slow to me.

PenguinQX

iTrader: (1)

lol, 9.4 second 0-60?!? Are you sure you weren't towing a trailer? I would NOT buy that car without test driving it w/ premium fuel first.

2003BlizAkTL

that seems really high priced and especially if the previous owner isnt using high grade or even mid grade gas...ur choice tho, cuz like after taxes and all that crap wont it be like 22000 or so?

AcuraTLux

5 grand for 'taxes and crap'? I dunno know about that. But KBB does say that an '03 TL-S with 52k mi is worth $19,800 from a private seller and $18,700 for a TL-P, non-navi on both. I don't know how much a difference it makes that the previous owner was using 87 octane, but it sounds like a decent deal...

INSPIRE 32V

iTrader: (1)

u can get a type s with that many miles for like 14k

oulaw29

I just got a 2002 TL-Type S with 56K 2 months ago. That is priced @ dealer prices

isr

$17k is a bit high from a private seller. Specially if not a type s.
I have a friend selling an 03 type s 40k miles NAVI for $18,500.
PM me if interested.

fsttyms1

How far did you test drive to calculate 29mpg?? and you would have to have a parachute out the back to get a 9.4 0-60

MrAlex

Front motor mouth is commun, just change it .. ill cost about 150-200$ installed

blueacura

17100 seems alittle high from a private party. I just bought a 2003 from a dealer last week in Chicago for 17500 with 38K miles which ended up being 19K out the door. Acura is having great financing until the end of the month and I have a bumper to bumper until 60K or 5 years from Feb 2003 when the car was purchased.

stromer2

Thanks for all the replies. A few comments on the above threads.
1. The 0-60 time was probably slow because of the regular gas and the temp was 100F here in the central valley of Calif. I did another 0-60 run the next morning and it 8.5 seconds because of the cooler air temp of 80F. This is still slow and would probably be faster with premium grade fuel.
2. The price of $17,100 was originally $17,500 private party but included $400 for the front motor mounts and partial payment for 4 new brakes/rotor turning. The local dealer did the mechanical inspection (similar to the certification for dealer sales) which indicated a few problems which the seller said he would fix. This price seems reasonable when looking at cars.com for similar cars. The car is in great condition - pearl white and new tires with no blemishes.
Question: 1. When changing to premium fuel will the performance increase be immediate ont the first tank of fuel or will it take several tanks for the effect to take place?
2. When looking at the similar 2003 Lexus ES 300, the cost of the Lexus is about $21,900 vs the Acura 3.2 premium at $18,735 (with all the same conditions Private party - excellent). I could not find the original retail price, but if they were the same, then the Lexus is worth more or the Acura depreciates more. Is that so because the Lexus is a more reliable car? Does the Acura transmission problems cause the Acura to be less valuable.
Thanks again for comments, Rick

azninvazion

i got my 2003 TL-S for 17500 with about 65k. out the door because of taxes it came out to be somewher around 22000. soim going with its priced a bit high for a TL-P and forgot to mention i got it at a dealership

Acura XXI

Does every one here use 92 octane gasoline, Cause i use 87 and never had any problems

bdturbo

We dont have 92 but we have 93 and I WOULDNT use anything but 93

jayunsplanet

iTrader: (1)

Absolutely 93. I've never even thought of putting anything less in.
That 0-60 time is ridiculous.
$17-$18k is about what regular TL's are going for around here. However, I've seen some Type S' w/ the same mileage for $18k, so there seems to be some discrepancies there.

Timslunch2

The Lexus is a way better buy if you have the cash. I went from a 94 ES 300 to a 2000 TL and the TL is nice but can't touch the Lexus and if your asking why I didn't get another Lexus I like to try different cars because you never know unless you get one. I do like my TL.

03CoupeV6

9.4 0-60? Are you sure you weren't test driving a TSX? sorry I couldn't resist.

Maybe your calculations are off? My TL doesn't feel that different, if at all, on regular vs. premium. It's not the greatest way to measure, but I've videoed and my car from a standing start through 60mph and edited it down to see what it was running and even on regular unleaded without SS or gateshift my TL-P's slowest time was a tick over 7 seconds.

Edit: My TL-P, in March of 05, with 33K miles was just $17k so you could do better.

cjde2006

I just bought a 2003 TL with NAV for 17,500 with 30K miles and did 60 in 6.7 sec

Chinaman38

I use premium only. When I first bought my car I accidentally used regular and my car was lagging when driving it. The dealer specifically says use premium and I do believe when you pop open the gas tank it says to use ONLY PREMIUM. if your using anything not premium your going to ruin your car.

03CoupeV6

You're not going to ruin your car by using regular. Debates aside, premium will not damage the TL. Performance loss, mileage loss, what-have-you, but ruined? No.

Please do some research before spreading rumors and propogating myths.

DudeLuv

Man...you guys had paid a ton of $$$ for your ride.
What do you think I can get for my ride with 81k miles on the open market??

Paid $15.3 wirh 65k miles when I bought it in September

HBaJ

$16.5 w/o taxes- 03', 62K- WDP Type-S w/ navi, theres a place down in VA that lists on autotrader with wholesale prices..or Carvision in philly is also a great spot too look as well, check their site

Deep 3.2TL

Paid $19K in December for an '03 TL-P with 53K miles ($19K CDN, about $17K USD) That was in December and it was from an Acura Dealer. Definetly a high price....

Deep

bkzjimmy

im sorry but theres no way in hell that using regular gas would take off 3 seconds from a 0-60 run

even the 8.5 seconds is way tooo slow.

either theres something wrong with the car or u didnt drive it right.

AcuraTLux

I drove off the lot last month with a DEP 2000 TL-P with 87k miles for $11,700. High milage I know but I think I got a pretty good deal, it was from a dealer and the previous owner was a older lady who was a real estate agent. Apparently she was pretty nice to the car, its in great condition and still on the original tranny......for now....

AcuraTLux

Sorry I guess that doesn't really help your cause, I was just throwing my purchase in with the rest on this thread. However, in researching the TL and learning about its transmission issues, I'm glad I went with a dealer-purchased car bc I got the warranty too so if/when the tranny goes out, it'll only cost me $100

bdturbo

Do you mean out the door for $22,000 then? Out the door means just that, (included, tax, tag and title).

ZeroPSI

Our premium is 90 octane here. I use the 89 octane ethanol blend.

azninvazion

yea thats wut i meant

bdturbo

How are you guys calculating 0-60 times...stop watch or professional device?

snowman81

I would think that after the first tank of gas, you should notice a difference. I've also seen members state the the computer takes into account your normal driving habits, so if you are on it all the time, you may have better performance than if you were to drive conservatively.
As for the Lexus, I've never owned one but they are nice cars IMO. However, they do depreciate about 3% more over 60 months than Acura does. The reason the Lexus is more is because it's about 7K more brand new comparably equipped. The nicest thing about Acura is that most of their options are standard equipment where as heated seats, cd changer and stuff like that may be options you have to pay extra for with a Lexus. Overall, I still think Acura is the best bu for the money followed by Infiniti...just my

StraightStuntin

I got an 02 Type S with the West Wings Kit from the dealership with 43,000 miles on it for 17.900. Don't buy that car, if it takes that long to go 0-60 something isnt right.....IMO