Hello, i’ve been looking on marketplace for some 3G tl’s and i’ve come across this really cheap 2005 acura tl with a 6 speed manual transmission for $2,200 and was wondering if its a good deal, it’s engine swapped with a j32a6 (2005 honda oddysey) but i believe it has a blown head gasket so will need to replace, it needs a full body paint job, and maybe some slight interior upgrades, comes with BC coilovers. Is it worth it? i’m also in Houston, Texas btw.

 

The 6MT version is worth easily 4-8k in good working order, the BC coils can sell for 400-800 used.

Odyssey motor typically is good if you plan to boost.

If getting for a project and can do the work yourself I say yea but if a shop is involved hard pass.

 

I’d say i’m immediate in terms of being a mechanic, luckily if i have to engine swap it will be the simplest form, only thing i think someone else might have to get involved is the electrical side, but i do have some connections that might help out, and I (my dad) has plenty of tools and I have space so i think i should be okay.

 

Nice, should be a fun project!

 

Worth it is up to you.

- What is your budget?
- What is your expectation of the vehicle?
- How mechanically inclined are you?
- How attached are you to the vehicle?

Me personally...a 2005 with a bad engine, bad paint, and bad interior for over $1000 seems crazy. The fact that it is already on its 2nd engine (at a minimum) leads me to think it was either neglected, flogged, or both. It would be a great project car, but not at that price point. This price point should get you a functional yet beat up 2005. You are automatically going to be invested into this vehicle for quite a bit of money just to get it back to basic functionality. If you are doing the engine, you might as well do the clutch. If you are doing the engine, you probably should do the TB service and seals first. Then suspension is most likely worn and needs to be refreshed. The list goes on and on and on.