I'm thinking about buying a 2004 TL, are there any problems that are common for this year? Also how much of a difference is there between the Type S model and the base?

 

2004 TL did not have a type S model. That was retired in 2003 and revived for 2007 and 8.

common problems

1. AT is a glass pos
2. Leather wears quickly
3. Control arm bushings
4. Oil leaks from sender and pump
5. Power steering O-ring recall
6. hands free module has been known to be problematic
7. dashboard cracks
8. MT has crap syncros...

slowest to fastest
base AT
Type S AT/Base 6spd
Type S 6spd

the problem with the newer Type S is it got slightly fatter compared to the base and does not have the same HP difference as the previous gen cars (body kit, etc.) so overall the performance increase is not nearly as great as the previous gen cars were.

 

The brake light switch can fail.

 

5. Recall is for the power steering high pressure hose, not the o-ring. And it's dealer covered recall, as opposed to the 3$ o-ring.

-3rd and 4th gear pressure switch to add to the lot

As for the other points, it varies a lot. I don't disagree with you these are more common issues, but they don't happen to everybody.
-My leather is in good shape (although it is thinner than I'd appreciate)
-My dashboard hasn't cracked or even showing it's going to crack (might happen to cars that are exposed to harsher sun)
-AT tranny is holding up fine (so far, only 85k miles)
-No HFP module on Canadian car, but it does seem to fail eerily often on US cars
-Can't comment on oil point, not sure what you're referring to
-Bushings are bushings, they're made to fail eventually. Mine are fine for now

 

What's HFP? Do you mean HFL? If so, your car definitely has the HFL. All 04-08s had it. I replaced mine this summer on my '06.

Also, if you get Navi, it can fail on you too. The 3G TL is now a ten year old car... It's hard not to expect some of these items to occur.

Leather can be maintained in good shape, however, you have to condition your leather at least twice a year. Doing that and it will last a very very long time. Most people never touch their leather, beyond slapping their ass into it. It dries out and starts to crack.

 

Woopsies, L and P are too close.

Car doesn't have HFL (non-navi). There's absolutely no way of me connecting any smart device to my car. I think that's 06+ for canadian TLs.

 

Only 2004 Canadian TL without Navi don't have HFL.
2004 Canadian TL with Navi has HFL.
For 2005, HFL became standard on all Canadian models.
HFL was standard on ALL American TL models.

 

Get a 04 and you will be fine, hfl and other electronic thing could goes wrong isn't anything out ragegous for a 11 years old car.

 

Thanks for the precision. Guess I got shafted, one more thing that could have broke that I could have got in my car if I got a '05.