jsloan01

Hello everyone. I am first time poster and I am considering purchasing a 2002 Acura TL-S in a few weeks. The vehicle I am looking into has 37,000 miles and is without navigation.

The dealer, Park Acura, www.parkacura.com, is asking $25,500 for the car. From the little research I did, that's quite a mark up on a vehicle with this many miles.

Does anyone have suggestions on a good price to offer?

Also, I just read the threads on Transmission problems and Brake Rotors. I must say, I am a little disappointed to hear Acura is having that problem. Was their a Service Recall??

Thanks for your time and your help.

Jim

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

www.alldata.com

Pop in the info, and you'll get all the TSB's for the '02 model.

Ask the dealership to print out the service records nationwide, and look for major repairs/services.

Of course, test drive the car and see if anything feels out of place.



As for the price, go to www.edmunds.com and get their True Market Value. It's usually a good start.

Good luck.

P.S. What color is it?

jsloan01

Thanks for the info. The vehicle is Silver. I love that combination with the black leather and the 17" factory wheels.

I looked up the price and edmounds says a Dealer Retail should be about $22449! They are asking three grand over.

I must admit, I am sort of turned off after discovering these transmission problems and brake rotor problems.

What's the warranty on the transmission? Is it longer the 4yr/50000?

Thanks

Lycos

My god, if it's that expensive go for a brand new 03, the deals are insane as the cars will only be on the lots for 2-3 more months. I think you can get a TL-S now for close to 28k.

Dr Groove

Look into leasing a TL-S. You can't beat their current rates. I'm getting mine for $350 mo/36 mos/12k/$1500 out of pocket. The economy is soft and the 04s are coming soon so now is the time to take advantage.

2003 tl-s

Go with a 2003 TL-S. New transmission, no miles for just $3K more and great financing.

jsloan01

I am not going to pay $25,500 for a 2002 37,000 miles TLS. I am planning on offering about $21,000 for it in cash. I have to drive it first. I am in NYC for the summer and the car is in Ohio. My folks are in Ohio and they just checked it out and said it was great.

The reason I want to get used is b/c I don't do a lot of driving. May 7,000 miles a year. I just want something that has a newer style and I've always been partial to the TL and the speed of the TLS. I don't want to pay 29K for a new car when I'll only put a few thousand miles on it a year.

So one other question. The 03 has a totally different transmission from the 2002?

Thanks for your help.

fsttyms1

the tranny has a extended warranty to 100,000 miles

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

No, the '03 transmission is not totally different from the '02 model's. Rather, they fixed what was wrong with it -- the 3rd gear clutch pack. Mine's an '03 silver (HEY! ), with 7400 miles on the clock. The transmission is in near perfect shape. I was concerned with these little hiccups, but found out it was just the catalytic converter.

Like fsttyms1 said, the affected transmissions now have 7-year/100,000-mile extended warranty, specifically on the transmission. But make sure the particular vehicle you're looking at is covered by this.

To be honest, a 2002 model with 37,000 miles is not really good, especially for the price they are asking. If you're going to pay 21 grand CASH, then just put that down as a down payment, and make small payments monthly. Or just fork up a few more grand and pay it off from the start. Or if you really just want to get that '02, then yeah, 21 grand is a good price. But if they don't budge on the price, then just get a new '03. This would be a much better deal in the long run.

jbs221

My first answer is DON'T. But you won't listen, so, get a truly fair price like 21k that's been mentioned. BUT under no circumstaces buy a new one from ther dealer that won't budge on a used one. He's just baiting you. Time to leave and shop eleswher.

jsloan01

Thanks for the input. I would not ever buy a car from a dealer that refused to bargin on the price.

I know what the car is worth and will offer about $1000 over what I believe they have in it.

If that fails, I have a friend with a dealers license and will buy a TLS at an auction. I just sort of prefer a dealer b/c they told my parents they are throwing in an extra year to the factory warranty. I've never heard of this, but that's what they told them.

I have one more question I'd like to hear some opinions on. Is the Navigation system worth it? Granted, it looks cool as hell, but is it worth the extra cost? Any opinions would appreciated.

Thanks for everyones help!

Jim

jsloan01

I think i just answered my own question on the navigation system. I found a thread discussing the navigation: here
http://www.acura-tl.com/forum/showth...ght=navigation

This is very helpful and I'll probably search for a used 2002 White or Silver TLS with Navigation.

This is an awesome website and has been very helpful in a search for a new car!

Thanks

wv5b

don't buy a tl-s without nav. The resale is not as good as the book says on the non navi. If you want that car cut the price by 40%. I have a contact that works at acura and they are getting more and more 2002's in and the resale is bad with out nav. My son and I each have nav. and I would never be without it. It has the best nav on the market.

yield2s

hey jsloan check this out, my 02 tl type s W/NAV and chrome 17's,was only $22.4k. it had 30k miles, a carfax report, 3k on the tranny, tint. the original michelins were only half wore. I got it in feb of this year so now the same car should be less then i paid.
dont go by the book values on this car they are getting traded in at well bellow 20k and can be sold at 1or2 Gs more. Unless the one your lookin at is "certified" than I'd say you should be at 20k or LESS.
anyways though good luck.

PERXDADDY

grab your skirt and go get the new one you wont regret it.you dont know who is farting in those used seats whats wrong with u.
get the navi.

vandy786

Wow, what a great & hilarious first post. Welcome!

Raheel

I agree, buy a 2003 TL-S W/ Navi..

It will have no miles and a navigation, And you will get 2.9% Financing.. So your monthly payments wont be anymore at all..

37k Miles Vs. 0 Is a big diff..

Also 2k3 does have less problems with Tranny because Acura says they have new Tranny's or something..

Also with A new car u can get any color u want, and any accessories and etc.. And you know, that you are the first one to own it..

jsloan01

Thanks for the suggestions. But the whole point of not buying a new car is I don't want to lay out $31,000 on a new TL S w/ Navi.

A friend of mine owns a dealership and he said an 02 TL-S w/ Navi w/ 28,000 miles averages around $21,000 at the auction. (Note: I just inquired this information since I plan to purchase soon). So for 28,000 miles, I can save 10K. I don't do a whole lot of driving and a 28,000 mile car is really low mileage compared to my 1994 Camry w/ 110,000 miles.

Thanks for the suggestions

Raheel

Well you do make sense

Anyways Good Luck on whatever you decide.

CatchaWave

Are you going to be paying that $21,000 in CASH or are you going to finance?
21K @ 5 or 6% is probably closer to 30K @ 2.9% than you think.
Besides will it be Certified?

Just some things to think about.

Raheel

Ya, That $21k you said was a wholesale price.. That is before any new work is done.. New Tires, Clean, Washed, ETC ETC..

Anything goes wrong with the car, where do you go?

I mean if u buy from a auction the car could be from a flood or anything.. I know Acura has there warranty but I dont know..

garylee55

The nav only adds bout $250 to the car wholesale...you never get money back for options.

CatchaWave

Only pay extra for the NAVI if you are going to use it.
You NEVER get your $$$ back on options.
The Car, the Brand, hold their value. What do you think the value is going to be on that car in 4 or 5 years?
Is NAVI going to add 2G's to it? NEVER!

Please EVERYONE think BEFORE you jump on me for saying this...
But think about it, think about where we will be in 5 years with GPS and NAVI. It will most likely be able to be HANDHELD, maybe even in cell phones! If you think a 2003 TL w/ NAVI will be worth $2000 MORE than a 2003 TL w/o NAVI you are out of your minds.

We are not going backwards, just think what it cost to get a Factory CD player in your car 5 years ago vs. today. Do you think everyone who paid an EXTRA $800- $1000 back then in their BUICK is getting that money back?

Just get what you want, that is all that matters.

jsloan01

Thanks for the on going suggestions. It's all helping me think through this whole process.

Yes I do plan to pay $21,000 in cash and not finance. I am a student and really don't want to worry about payments right now in my life.

As for the auction...I know it can be risky. The person I am going with has a lot of experience buying vehicles for his dealership and has a good eye for cars.

As for flood damage, salvage title, etc....

For $75, they run the car through an inspection department at the auction, that checks the frame, transmission, look for wierd noises, everything. And if they dectect something, I can get my money back and give back the car...And if they miss something, I have a week to drive the car and notice any problems...

So with that in mind, I am leaning toward the auction.

As for Acura dealers, that's where they get their used car inventory is the auctions. I am really not too sure what the hell "certified" entails. Usually those things are a marketing ploy and are an excuse for a dealer to overcharge me. If anything, I may take the car to a Acura dealer and just ask them to check it out for me. As for a relationship w/ a dealers...I've had far more negative experiences w/ car dealerships then positive as a consumer. So I don't see a point to give them $2,000 extra bucks so I can have a nice spiffy dealer license plate bracket and some tire shine on the tires...

For the cost of tires... I actually have a set of 215 50 17 Michellens from my rims on my 94 camry: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jsloan01/...tos.yahoo.com/

Speaking of which, would anybody know if those wheels on a 94 Camry V6 SE would fit on a 02 Acura? I doubt it, but it'd be nice.

Raheel

Well it looks like you have thought this all out,

So your good to go..

You have made up your mind, so let us know when you get the car

Corporate Cog

I bought my 03 TL-S w/Navi from them a few weeks ago. You may be better off looking at Motorcars Acura in Bedford. The Park dealer is not the best. Although they did deal, the follow through has been less than stellar. If you haven't started negotiating start by not telling them you are paying cash, let them think they're going to make some cash putting you in a crappy loan. Start talking about the car being redesigned for '04 in a few months, the crappy trans. etc. Ask for what you want, tell them you are ready to buy A car, "this one is just one of X I'm looking at. Good luck!