teoulmoon

Hi All,
I am new to this forum. I have been looking at the TL since the 3g debuted in 2004. I am now selling my Prius at a great price (2,000 net loss over 2.5 years plus the Cal tax credit. Yeah me!) and want to get a TL. I'm debating over the pre-owned 2004 vs. the 2005. I had GS-R and loved it. I have a few questions about the TL.

1) Does the MT drive better than the AT or are they about the same and the difference is really just preference?

2) For the Navi does the 2004 and 2005 also have the reverse camera?

3) Are there any other drastic changes between the '04 and '05 that I have missed?

4) Any insight into an '04 vs '05. I know the 2G had a transmission problem, has there been any similar issue with the 3G?

Thanks for any information you can provide.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

teoulmoon, welcome to the forums. you will find a wealth of info on this site by doing a search. start in the 3G garage: https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84834

short answers imho:
1. preference
2. no
3. no
4. some 04/05's had a driveline vibration as well as tranny failure. again, you can find this info in the garage or by doing a search.

good luck in the hunt

VQPower37

1. i have heard the manual tranny makes the car feel better ... i got an auto its fine, but i wish i had gotten the manual
2. the reverse camera didnt come til 2007 ... im sure you can mod it though
3. the changes are pretty small ... the steering wheel symbol is different between 04 and 05, and the stitching on the seats
4. some early build 04s had transmission problems, but overall they are okay ... as said above there are some driveline vibrations

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

I have an 04 w/ Navigation and it's great (Of course I've only owned it less than a month). Get whatever has the lesser miles with more features ...

SickAspecTL

im looking to trade my g35coupe for acura tl
the tl i chacked out is a 2004 with navi and a-spec bodykit he wants 22,600 does it seam like a good deal??

KeithL

Do yourself a favor and skip the 04, year one and interior fit and finish with rattles and such sucked. I bought an 04 and the noises inside sucked. My 06 was rock solid and my 07 had 1 or 2 minor ones.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

what's the mileage?

csmeance

look, the 04 is almost as good as the 05, just the difference is that the stitching changed on the seats so you won't have butt-prints and also they moved a light over to the center console to warn of the passenger airbag off. There really is no difference besides this that can change anything, just make sure you get the cars checked out, and if it is a private sale, make sure to ask the owner basic questions about maintaince, gas grade used, etc.

godizus

Also, there is a slight difference between the manual and auto in terms of braking and stiffness...the 6MT has brembo front brakes and stiller lower control arms (slightly sportier ride and slightly surer braking)...so there is more to it than just preference IMHO

teoulmoon

Thanks for all your input. What it looks like to me is
1) manual vs. auto - personal preference, I guess i'll have to do the auto so my wife can drive it... or.... maybe i'll have to get the manual???

4) if I get a 2004 then i'll just have to get a late model year one and do a VIN check.

I'm selling my Prius cause if I do it would only have cost me $1500 to put 35,000 miles on it over the past 2.5 years. that is a pretty good arrangement. (isn't california great)

SickAspecTL

39700

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

yeah- it seems like an ok deal i.e. assuming your getting a good value on your trade.

JLTSX07

I have an 07, and the "butt-prints" are very prevelant on both of my front seats!

SickAspecTL

na not really he wants $2300 on top of my trade

ARX-01b

iTrader: (1)

Get the 04 with the A-spec kit. That way you can get the 8.5" wheel