hello all,

long time lurker, i've been a member since 2011 but i've honestly never posted or actually been active on here and i apologize. Anyways down to business, in 2011 i got myself a 2011 tsx on a lease. 3 year 30k miles, $400 a month. anyways, i love the car but hated the lease part, never again will i lease. anyways, my lease is due at the end of the year so my question is, if i want to finance my leased tsx what should i expect (maintenance-wise,parts if it breaks down) ? I really want to keep this car for a long long time 10-15 years. thanks for all your help!

 

Well, keep in mind at 30k miles you'll have to do transmission service, change coolant fluid, power steering and change the brake fluid all these services Acura/Honda recommends to do once you hit 30k or 3 years.

Brakes might need a check up (especially rear ones), factory tires are normally crappy and most at them at 3-4 year mark need replacement.

just my

 

Wow $400 a month for a car you don't own.. that's pretty expensive for a lease.. at least on an acura IMO. Listen to your heart, it's your money.

 

You might want to check your maintenance schedule again. The blinker fluid needs to be changed along with the power steering fluid.

What he is paying for his lease is immaterial in his decision to buy the car.

To the OP - if the car has been trouble free up to now then you can expect it to stay that way for many more years if you follow the maintenance schedule.

I believe that there are three reasons a car fails.

Manufacturer's defect. This will undoubtedly show up in the first few years.

Neglected maintenance

Poor driving habits - abuse

Since you have driven the car without issues for a few years then the first and the third probably don't apply. Poor maintenance usually rears its ugly head many years down the road but as long as you've followed the schedule then you'll be fine on that point too.

 

you're right I don't know why I put power steering fluid there. haha, my bad

 

 

On a more serious note to the OP, the only out of the ordinary service you'll need in the near future (at 3 yrs, 30K miles) is air and cabin filters (if you haven't already changed them; I live in the Northeast and replace them once a year) and a brake fluid change (recommended interval is change it every 3 years, regardless of mileage). And by the way, the filters are monitored (coded) by the maintenance nanny, but the brake fluid isn't. You're on your own as far as keeping track of replacing it is concerned. Recommended transmission (AT and MT) and coolant change are both in the 6 year, 100K mile plus range (and coded in the MM). Some change the trans fluid more often, but that's up to you (30K mile interval seems wasteful to me, but to each their own). As far as the PS fluid is concerned, well, there isn't any (power steering is electric). If you haven't (shame on you if you haven't) read the owner's manual, do that. It's full of useful info and all the maintenance stuff is in there too. If you're happy with car and it's treated you well, and if you want to, then go ahead and buy it; you'll always be the original owner. Maintain it well and don't abuse it and it should last you a very long time.

 

To the OP, I believe the 2011 TSX comes with Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 which are decent tires. According to TireRack, these tires have a wear warranty of 6 years or 50,000 miles. Of course, your mileage will vary depending on road conditions and how you drive.

I tend to change my tires a little early, especially when I want to make sure there's enough tread (no less than 4/32") to get me through the winter. 2/32 is considered worn. But I see you are in Miami Florida, so never mind.

 

Keep the 2011 forever. FOREVER. Just like I am going to.

 

If it has been problem free and you are happy with it, keep it. You also don't have to wait until the end of the lease to purchase either. You can buy it out early and save some $$.

 

There are few better cars than an Acura to keep for 13-15 years. I would buy it out if I were you.

 

what are the pros\cons to buying out a lease early?

 

and there it is

 

keep it

 

sorry for the very VERY delayed response guys, i work fulltime and go to school fulltime so i dont have much free time. The more i think about it the more i think i want to keep it. Like some of you have said and from what i've read around the internet Acuras are very reliable (mine hasnt given me 1 problem in almost the 3 years i've had it). My residual is about $20.4k which i've searched around for other '11 TSX and its lower that most used TSX's out there. Also a brand new car for $20k wouldnt have all the bells and whistle of my TSX. i plan on keeping this car for as long as i can. thank you all for your input! i've been a lurker here since i first got my tsx in '11 and i know this is a great community!!!

 

Sounds good to me. Congrats

 

I would keep this car forever if it didn't have a few problems.... rattles, being an auto (i would prefer MT) and FWD (if it was rear drive, or awd it would be amazing). Mainly the rattles though. I can't fix them and it drives me insane.

 

no offense but your wife slap you?

 

A little late responding but I was in a similar situation.
I leased once, my RSX and at the end of the lease I decided to buy it out. I looked at it as buying a used car and what better than my own. I wasn't in a position to keep trading in cars every 3 years plus I went over my miles so it was the best and quick thing to do at the time. Drove that car 140k miles for 10+ years and NEVER gave me problem. That is why I will stick with Acura... Sold it with a for sale sign in the window on the 1st day and bought a used TSX which I just traded in for a 2013 TL which I finance. 1st car payment in a while.
Good luck whatever you do but I wouldn't worry about your car if you take care of it.

 

Pretty sure our cars are built with 200k miles as the goal of the auto mfg.
Ive personally owned
86 supra driven for 135k before trade
03 4runner going strong w 248k (sold to friend)
03 lexus 430 w 194k and still purring though it has an occasional issue
91 integra i traded in w 90k (felt brand new)

My tsx wagon w 32k feels like it has 200k in it, just hoping the tech doesn't crap out

 

I hear ya... I bought my first Tech. I have no doubts this car will go 200k easy but fingers crossed the Tech will too.
Sounds like you've had a good run with your cars

 

I would want to keep it but looking at your least, $400 a month?? wow.... you might had a bad deal or something... then Iwouldn't keep them..

 

Did you not read the thread or did you not understand how leasing works?

He leased the car for 3 years and paid $400 a month (totally immaterial to this discussion). He can buy it now for $20k.

He can finance that $20k, pay cash or work it off in the dealership doing oil changes for the rest of his life if the dealership agrees.

The $400 is Done! Over! Finis! Fertig! What he paid in the past has no relationship to what he'll pay in the future. Forget that he ever mentioned it.