kitkit201

iTrader: (4)

Hello all,

First time here in the Acura world: I began as a Honda guy and former Mazda3 guy.. currently driving a Honda Insight (first gen) and looking to "upgrade" to the Acura world (more practical.

I took a look at used 2004 Acura TL in question. It has 160k miles on it as the owner was driving clients back and forth. Reason for selling is that the job requires a car with less than 150k.

Regardless, the owner is the first and only owner. They have all the maintenance records. The Timing belt has been changed at 101k. All recommend maint done.

Impressions of the car: When I drove it, i like the ride and the feel.

My questions tomorrow is when I actually do a real world test drive of the car is..

What should I be looking out for in a 2004? Some advice would be really helpful. Thanks!

~W

EL PESADO

iTrader: (5)

160k wow how much he is asking for the car

kitkit201

iTrader: (4)

Only $6500. Well below the KBB price. It's silver color too if that makes any difference.

kitkit201

iTrader: (4)

A bit about the TL

2004 TL
160k miles
All maint records
Fully loaded with Nav
Silver with black interior

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

Have it checked out by a mechanic to be sure, but I would say it sounds pretty decent from your description. The TL should last a very long time if properly maintained and cared for and it sounds like this car was, since you say that all the recommended maintenance was done.

youngwhon

if it has a clean title...for 6500, i think its a good deal

YeuEmMaiMai

auto or manual cause if it is an auto, i'd stay far away from it (ask him how many transmissions has he put in the car) you can open the hood and see if it has been replaced becuase the ACURA replacement ones will have blue painted bolts.

AckTL05

iTrader: (18)

Job requires a car with less than 150K, BUT it has 160k?

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

Not his job, the previous owner.

Persia-TL

the acura is a very long lasting car, and the drive is very smooth. the only thing i would be a little worried about the trani (if automatic).

there was a recall on the early TL 04 with automatic tranny. ask the owner about this since he was the only owner of the car and see if he took the car back in for the dealer to resolve the issue.

I have an 04 with 70K miles on it now, and love the ride..

cheers.

kitkit201

iTrader: (4)

Ahh! Forgot to mention that the car is automatic. What was wrong with the auto transmission in the 2004?

Anything else to look out for?

TLperfection

That's a good deal if everything checks out well, and it hasn't been in any major accidents.

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

BTW, see if you can find out when it was built. The early '04s had a problematic trans (even with recall) that was apparently the same as the 2G TL trans. The later '04s have the newer trans (same as 05) which seems to fix the issues.

Majofo

That's a steal if it has a clean title and if the 105k service was completed already.

kitkit201

iTrader: (4)

It has a 105k service and timing belt done.

Had a long test drive today over the mountains in the East Bay. Wonderful driving car, slightly bumpy, but it's not that bad. The car was smooth and it drove really well through the hills. The engine felt like it was babied and even with AC on at full blast, it had a lot of power to carve through the valley.

Even my wife who was skeptical at first was worried about the car, but when she sat in it, it felt good.

Carfax looks clean, except for the 2 TSBs that was done on record (power steering and windshield wiper). The only lingering thing on my mind was the Auto trans from first to second & second to third was a bit rough.. I asked them about the TSB "TSB 04-020: Safety Recall: CL and TL Automatic Transmission 2nd Gear Inspection. but she had no idea about it.

So far, so good! Will keep you guys posted!

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Not unusual to have the AT shift rough, especially at lower speeds as ours has done it for years.

drcoke

If the title is clean, thats a steal!!!

93SHOcar

Sounds like a well maintained TL that has seen regular use. As long as you are going into it with the understanding that there will be some wear items (shocks, brakes, etc.) that may be coming up for replacement. Personally, I would be a lot more comfortable taking a plunge on this TL than some of the other recent posts on TL's with salvage titles.

Do your due diligence and get it checked out by a mechanic. Get estimates on any items needing attention and use that as leverage in the negotiation. Good Luck!

93SHOcar

Some additional thoughts (went into edit mode too long)

Take the time to check all the switches/controls to ensure everything works (mirrors, all the windows, etc.). Be sure to ask the owner if there are any known issues. You may get someone that will honestly tell you of issues. If there is a real disconnect between what they acknowledge and what you find either they don't pay attention to their car or they are covering stuff up.

One issue that is coming up on some on 04's is the Main power button (not the set, coast etc but the main power) for the Cruise Control will not stay on and requires replacement. Mine is going into the shop on Thursday. Probably a $200-300 job. I believe others have had issues with bulbs going out on the steering wheel controls. If you find issues that require addressing, it is not the end of the world. Just decide if it is something you can live with or use it as leverage on the price.

Be sure to include some variety in your test drive. Include some rough roads or train track crossings to see how many rattles this TL has picked up (common complaint on earlier TLs but good dealers have corrected a lot of the issues).

drcoke

I dont think a TL cost much more than an Accord to fix. Heck, you can do most of the work yourself.

HondaFan81

I too agree that with clean title and good maintenance it could be good deal. However, have automatic tranny driven and inspected by professional. If it checks out, what a steal. Should give you another 150K miles atleast.

Rocketsfan

I have about 148,000 on my '04 AT TL. It's been pretty reliable so far. Check the motor mounts. They usually go bad on this model. I had to have 2 of mine replaced at around 120k miles. I had an SRS light come on that the dealership said had a 150k or lifetime warranty, so I paid nothing for that. Some of the switches have their lights go out when you get up over 100k miles, but it's not a huge deal. I had a power steering pump fail on me around 80k that was covered by the extended warranty. So the only major repair I've had so far out of warranty has been the engine mounts, and like I said, those are common failures from what I understand for this model.

VQPower37

for 6500 u cant go wrong, car seems to be in good running condition from ur descriptions as well

kitkit201

iTrader: (4)

I'm really looking forward to the car.. I've put a deposit down and looks like i'll be picking up tomorrow if my ducks are in a line.

kitkit201

iTrader: (4)

I've asked them about the recall and said that this was not part of the recall.

ACE32TL

iTrader: (3)

you could probably swap out those trans sensors to clean up the shifts a little bit. It made a big difference on my 04 TL, much cleaner shifts. I think they run about $60 bucks at the dealer.

Majofo

Unfortunately, replacing the pressure switches won't help with the rough shifts in 1st and 2nd. I would drain the ATF and run D4 in it. See how it shifts.. if it seems better.. go ahead and drain & fill again with another 3 qts of D4. If it seems like it has gotten worse, save your pennies for a new AT down the road. The 3rd & 4th pressure switches will smooth out the 3rd & 4th upshifts and downshifts, definitely not a bad idea with the miles the TL has but do the ATF first (don't flush out the ATF, it may jam up the valve body).

redzuan

For $6.5K that is a good deal. You get easily get 300K on the motor.

kitkit201

iTrader: (4)

Trans sensors? where are they located at? Easily accessible to swap out? Do you have the part number?

Btw, i'm picking up the TL today! Sold my insight a few hours ago and now moving on!~!!! so excited!

VQPower37

congratss!!! ... post pics!

csmeance

congrats on your purchase! One thing I was going to say was to check with your dealer on the next interval for the timing belt. From what I remember, it's 105K for the Timingbelt service, and then 60K thereafter.

bisaballer12

Congrats! Post picks when you get it

kitkit201

iTrader: (4)

Took ownership of a wonderful 2004 SSM TL today with Navi.

Road it back home and felt like a king! So awesome, words cannot describe it!

I'll post some better pictures this weekend! Thanks everyone for your help! I'll keep you guys posted!

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Wow what a steal. I see TLs in my area that has over 150k miles at least 9-12k and you have navigation. I'm jealous.

Dino81

Woo! Congrats! Seems well maintained and that's a really good price. And as other have said, it was the earlier 04s that had a trans problem.. I believe the last digits of the vin were 15xxx and earlier. I too was concerned about this, but after a lil reseaRch and finding out my cars vin was somewhere after the 75000 mark on the vin, and actually produced in july of 04, I took the plunge.

Type One

The car looks in great condition! Was the ride home smooth with no problems?

mnrsxs

Wow that is an incredible deal for a tl that clean. And with Navi?

Enjoy the car and nice upgrade