danik

Hi, I'm potentially getting an '02 TL type-s in a couple of days. The car has 222k km on it.
I know i have to get it certified (dealership is going to do this) before registering it, but I wanted to know if there is any way I can check if the tranny has been replaced (if it's not the original one) and it's general condition by opening the hood maybe?

I'm a complete car newb and not even 18 yet, so any tips/advice would also be appreciated.

Also, if anyone knows where i can get a free/cheap carproof report (or even do it for me) would be greatly appreciated.

Here are some pictures of the car:

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/2002-.../#post11926110

Thanks.

gold2003tl (90)

look for blue paint on the bolts of the tranny, that indicates its been replaced. at least for mine and most. check the tranny fluid at the dipstick and see if its red in color, if its black or brownish and smells burnt run the other direction.

totaledTL

Ask Acura dealer, or call Acura w/ the VIN # to check it's history.

01tl4tl

thats about 150k miles? if it had the trans replaced once under warranty.. its probably due for another soon
70-100kmiles per is average
if canada call 1 888 9acura9 thats customer service and should know--but lift the hood and look at the bolt heads on trans--blue paint is warranty unit

ck when the timing belt and water pump were last done-if you know where the car was worked on, needed every 105kmiles but may not have been done ever!

have a shop look at the brakes, hoses, a `pre buy inspection`--they do these all the time
they can tell if a wrench ever touched the covers to the timing belt- clue to it being done before

`certified` Im guessing is just a safety inspection sticker for the car- not an acura CPO warranty- correct?

lastly- at 18, dont know anything about cars, are looking at potential $4000 trans replacement and 1000-1500 dollar service needed..all the fluids changed

The TL of this vintage is not a good choice of rides-
yes it looks cool but parts are expensive- if you cant work on it yourself -thats really not good~
needs 91 octane gas, 8 dollar each spark plugs...

I could go on but my suggestion is: walk away and get a good honda or toyota- they are easy and cheap to maintain for the most part, and have good resale value

01tl4tl

wow- just read the ad for the car and comments on it

lets start with; its placed in `RED FLAG DEALS`-in the usa that means a bad deal-
red flag = stop run away as fast as you can

salesmen: `the trans prob was MOSTLY 99-01 This one is fine`,,,sorry to say but it continued until 2005!!!!!

hard shift at start and vibration driving--trans is on the way out

you are better off looking on street corners for a car than at dealer lots- where they buy cars at auction, wax them and sell with no history available to verify anything

Never believe a word they say- its their job to get your butt in that seat today!!

I love my TL.. and I would never buy another one without a complete warranty- especially the trans,, for as long as I plan to own it

danik

anyone else?

01tl4tl

you have what you asked for- a list of things to check by a mechanic
and words of caution on the cars overall age and potential expenses based on personal experience

also its a holiday weekend here in the States, so many are not lounging around azine~

01tl4tl

for testing trans on drive- go 25 and 35 MPH, light throttle pressure - just cruising down the street in D5
now stand on the gas pedal and pay attention to how the trans reacts
Solid positive downshifts into 2nd and launches forward,,
or protest and revs/slips like a bad clutch would
repeat several times in a row to get trans HOT--if its going to act up -- it will then

note speeds are for an 01-p, but somewhere in that range and type testing for your car will show if the trans is headed for the rebuild shop soon

Honestly- you are wanting a free 15 dollar report on history (which is worthless as it only knows what its been told) that says you are not ready for a car with an appetite for expensive repairs right about the miles/Kms you are looking at

sadly, older TLs have lost their value due to the trans issue- and honda and toyota used cars in the same price are far better choices for a first car,

01tl4tl

always take an older, experienced with cars person, with you on test drive and buying

number_twelve

Dude, you're 17. You're gonna make mistakes like we all have. I would not buy the car unless you're willing and able to sink several thousand dollars into a replaced transmission. But it's ultimately your decision. If you do get it, there's plenty of awesome information right here to help you out with it. You can also expect to sink a lot of money into it for other issues.
Motor mounts = $400 to 800
Coil packs @ $47 each X 6
Timing belt could run around $1000
Headlight issues could run a few hundred dollars
Window regulators go bad regularly = $400-500 per window
Now, these are only rough estimates on parts plus labor.

These cars are starting to get old and deteriorate. They will need constant attention to little things. I bought my TL-S last summer, and have put easily $1500 into it with things that needed fixed. Keep in mind that I did all my own work except the window regulator and an alignment, because I was halfway around the world.

If you get it, it will be a great life lesson, one way or the other.