I just got my License recently, and is planning to buy my first car. I was searching about Lexus ES 350 and Avalon because my budget is somewhere between 6k to 7k.
But recently I just noticed that there is a 6MT TL for sale near me, it was a dealer car, with 138k miles, and he's asking about for $3500. I consider that as a good price for a 6MT.
However, today I called the dealer to ask for more info, and there are some problems:
1. Cracked Dash (Common issue, no big deal)
2. Check engine light sometimes on because of the #1 O2 sensor
3. No signal from OPDS, he said it's due to the disconnected line when changing the upholstery.
4. The passenger side door cannot be locked with remote, but only the key.
5. Some dents and scratches.
The pros:
1. 6MT, and no shuddering gears or clutch according to the seller
2. The LSD and better brake
3. Clean CarFax, no accidents
4. All other Pros of a TL

Craigslist link: https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/d...973484976.html
Here are some photos:

What do you guys think, is it worth buying. He said he'll let to to test drive it for 1 or even 2 hours.
Or maybe I should keep on searching for something newer for 6k or 7k, I really want a manual V6 sedan, there seems to be no other choice. Accord 6MT seems to be way overpriced.

 

Bottom search covers look to be replaced, but well cared for!

 

sure go for it

 

The seller did a refurbish on the upholstery, which is also what caused the passenger side airbag error code.

 

may be with a small fee, I can go with you to check it out lol.


I see you are in Houston as well tho, for the price its a good buy but don't forget to look it over as these car will cost you if not been maintain well.

 

even looks like your neighborhood. are you sure you arent the seller? lol

i kid i kid


a used car is a used car is a used car...if you go over the used car with a fine tooth comb and are fine with what you find, then purchase....
(none of this "Should I buy" stuff....it's either you like what you see and can handle the repairs or not.)

 

somewhere in that picture you will find 4 TLs lmao... how you been? you dipped under the radar after that new job lol

 

I would go for it. Seems minor issues.

1. Cracked Dash (Common issue, no big deal)

You have options on this. Replace with OEM, Buy carpet dash cover, Buy Coverlay dash, Leave as is

2. Check engine light sometimes on because of the #1 O2 sensor

Replace them is the best solution

3. No signal from OPDS, he said it's due to the disconnected line when changing the upholstery.

I would reconnect and use a HDS Scan Tool to reset the code

4. The passenger side door cannot be locked with remote, but only the key.

Pull the panel off and inspect the actuator, levers, wires, etc something isn't connected

5. Some dents and scratches.

I recommend Top Notch Auto off of Wilcrest and Bissonnet. If that rear bumper is bad, I do have brand new Type-s rear bumper FS

 

Im surprised he isn't trying to scoop this one up too

 

I almost pick up a KBP MT the other day, only to found out the parking space is very limited

 

Thank you for the reply, I don't really care about the dents and scratches. I am a college student, this is only my first car.

 

That's nice, I am planning to go to Houston this weekend to see the car, how can I contact you?

 

 

 

Hell yeah! It's even anthracite!

 

I bought an 05 6MT with 75k miles last July and it's great. It is black leather though but has navi. I love the thing and it's literally perfect for my budget and uses. Gets 28-29MPG highway at 80mph, has a great stereo (imo), and is quiet & comfy. Would recommend.

 

I know this would be a perfect driver's car, but I am worried about all those small problems and whether they will affect the driving experience a lot or not.

 

Buy mine!

 

Then you are overthinking things and should buy a new(er) car. The fact remains the 3G TL, while not exactly cheap to operate and maintain, is a hell of a lot cheaper to own than a new car (when averaged out on a month-to-month basis).

 

Get hands on and tinker with things yourself as you go. Parts are easy to get and repairs are straightforward ob these cars. Owners have documented how to basically perform any repair or mod mercenary on here and on YouTube.

I pretty much flat out regret selling mine when I now see how easy of a car it is to work on.

 

well if you can't DIY most of the stuff you will be racking up the bill pretty fast, as for part its not outrageous but thing can get out of hand fast. OP if you wish to reach me feel free PM me.

 

6 owners??? Please dont buy that.. That's worse than the average BMW.. hahaha
Its been proven that Honda/acura has the most long term owners.. If that car does not, then it has not been taken care of.

My car has 101,000 miles and I have never seen a Check engine light. There are a few codes in the body system but that is not the same system as the Engine. So the engine light has never come on.
Also, has the timing belt been changed?.. if it has not been changed, I would not get it. (times 2)
Because you will be happier with the 07 or 08. The 07/08 has more added features than what you think..
Few people will tell you they wish they had an 07 or 08 if they have an 04-06 because its not in human nature to say, ya I wish I had got the other..
But I can tell you because I am honest, and I have done almost all the upgrades..
Dont buy a 3500 dollar car that needs 1500 right off the bat.. Otherwise, buy a 5000 dollar car or a 7500.. You will put it in it anyway... But if it is already done, and the car is newer, then how can you resist a newer car?

By the way, I have done the Instrumentation cluster upgrade, which required a different SRS unit to get rid of the selt belt light (you have no idea what I am talking about I know)
To swap out the SRS unit, it is required to have an OPDS that will talk to it.. So I had to buy another OPDS along with the SRS unit. Then you have to use the HDS software to reset the system.. Yes, it took me a while to learn it all..
The OPDS is located in the backrest of the passenger seat, left arm, about half way up...
If the OPDS is disconnected, then I bet the airbag light in on.
The OPDS does have connections to the back rest warmer and the bottom warmer and a small seat harness that goes down under the carpet toward the center at the front of the seat... in the floor.
All the connections are plug and play.. you cant cross anything.. each connector fits only its mate..
To access the floor connectors, you should be able to reach up under the seat from the back and feel if anything is lose or dangling. Otherwise you will have to unscrew all 4 bolts of the seat, then rock it backwards...and inspect it.
If all the wire are connected, and there is still an error, then I bet he did more changes than just change out the seat cover.. Because if he changed out the seat cushion, and left off the bottom warmer because the new seat cushion did not have a warmer, then you have a problem.. Because the OPDS wants to see the bottom warmer.. I find it Super hard to believe that someone had the wherewithall to remove the seat cushion and simple not connect a wire back... You will find that a salesman always minimizes an issue, just so they can sell it.. I see people every day.. say, "on the car only needs 1 fuse to fix that circuit" and the lights will work fine.. And they act like its SO EASY to FIX .. Well, I say, if it so easy then why are you trying to sell it with it not fixed? See, people bend the truth and lie..
If the last owner installed a new cushion, and even if it DOES have a bottom warmer, the OPDS may need to be reset anyway with an HDS tool or software on a laptop.

Long story short, get a 07/08. They have an updated transmission, larger front grill, updated instrumentation cluster, Daytime running lights, better colors on the interior... and plus it is newer so it may be in better condition.. hard to say about that.. depends on the person.
The car you posted does not even have NAVI. You can get navi, it just takes time and you may have to drive to another city to get the car you want.
Better looking wheels on the 07/08 too. (IMO)

See if any of these have a NEW Timing belt... They all have Navi. 2 are in houston..
https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/60413550
https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/60393148
https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/58936353

 

by the way, I just did a search for a manual shift, in 07 and 08 and carsforsle.com had NONE. Autotrader.com had a few but they were low miles Type-S's and more expensive.
If you want a manual, then buy a civic or a real sports car that you can play with.
Like an old Genesis Coupe.. Those were/are reliable I think.. And really fun to drive.
??? Just tossing out ideas. I dont see many of those anymore.. Looks like my TL outlasted most of them. haha
But you know, kids dont really take care of cars.. so early retirement.. salvage.

 

Just to level set everybody, there is no such a thing as a 2007-2008 Acura TL base model with a 6MT; the only base models with three pedals under the dash were made during the 2004-2006 model years; the only models where you stir your own gears for the 2007-2008 cars were the Type-S.

 

FIY gas mileage suck on these TL, recommend a 4 banger for a first car. TSX? RSX? Civic?...unless thats not a problem.
Also recommend you finding out what maintenance has been done, timing belt/water pump, fluids, brakes, aftermarket parts...etc.
Even tho its an older car, its still a luxury sedan so maintenance and quality parts is a must.

 

if you don't beat the shit out of it, it can get you decent gas.

 

Hmmm, not my experience; my single worst tank of gas was 25 mpg, and my single best was 36 mpg; my wife's Mazda3, on a day-to-day basis only beats my TL by about 2 mpg.

 

Keeping out of the throttle for fast acceleration and not going 90 on the highway help a lot.

 

If you hit vtec alot, she will drink and spit. Drive it under 5k rpm and youll see 7-8L/100KM

 

spit?
that's not wifey material bro

 

These J series Honda V6's seem to get decent fuel economy for their power. I did get 32.9 on a 200 mile drive once.

 

I get around 22-23 mpg highway which is decent but compare to any 4 banger not a chance. I drive roughly 40-50 miles a day, full tank last 6 days at most.
Considering mpg for a first car is important cause we all start off broke, well in my case. Oh did i mention TL takes premium gas. $2.99 in Charlotte, NC right now.
But all of this is meaningless if money is not an issue.

 

You should pass on this ride, it is 15 years old and looks like it has lived a hard life. For a dependable ride you should be looking at a newer 4 cylinder Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. Once you graduate and have a job then look for something more fun.

 

There is something wrong with your car, I have virtually the same car as you, 6MT included, and I have to really try to get less than 30 mpg on the highway; 32 is pretty typical. On the flip side, my single worst tank of gas when the car had nothing on the roof was 25, and that was 90% urban driving. For starters I'd replace the upstream O2 sensor with new Denso units and go from there.

 

Low 20's on the highway in heavy traffic and/or driving over 80mph sounds about right. Upper 20's and low 30's at a steady 65-75mph would be "normal" as well. Everyone has a different take on what "highway" really means and experiences. My '05 rarely will check off a steady 30mpg+ these days. I either drive too fast or get stuck in traffic, so most long highway trips are in the 28-29mpg range over the entire tank.

 

Interesting, I routinely drive from New Hamster, through the Boston area, down the Mass Pike to I-84, and then down through Hartford to the coastal Connecticut cities, and then on through the NYC metro area to New Jersey to see my mom. Typical trips include heavy traffic and as many 80+ mph sprints as I can manage; even still the car almost always records 31 mpg or higher. If I do the trip at night with no traffic, 32+ is the norm.

 

I drive 75-80mph on the highway here, and the rpm is usually around 2800 in 6th. I also think having a CAI might contribute to the low mpg. so i guess it depends on how you drive.

 

Like I said, there is something wrong with your car; I'd look at the upstream O2 sensors first.

 

I think there are several factors in play....tires...tires...tires....my car has not gotten the same MPG as they did when I had the OE EL42 tires on there. I probably should replace all of my O2 sensors....they are 15 years old at this point....but well...yeah....lazy.

 

and ethanol content and ambient temps and how heavy you are to accelerate...
I have always averaged 18 to 20 in my TL...and the highway posted speed being 70 near me fucks me up...since you can comfortably go 85 to keep up with the flow of traffic.
my buddy Austin bought the car from me years ago and he nets like 26 mpg...impossible for me.