Saw a 2005 TL for sale near me. Ive owned a 2008 3.5 v6 accord 6mt which i loved ( and dearly miss ) and looking for a 4 door variant. TL seems the way to go, but im very inexperienced with hondas.

Talked him down to 4000 CAD, which for a 6mt TL seems crazy nowadays right? got the carfax, been in a accident. two. one is left rear corner, 2585 bill. second just says “rear” with no $value.
Second and third thing, 306KM. Needs also a power steering pump. He said previous owner replaced clutch and timing belt at around 260, on the carfax it says at 265 just a oil change. also the history is 7 services long, which i understand you can work on it yourself. He says he’s selling it because he wants more room on his driveway, because he got another car. Does this seem red - flaggish at all? Or a great deal?
Two sets of rims, one winter one A spec wheels.

 

pics?

 

 

Looks good. Have you driven it?
PS pump is no big deal.
A $2500 repair bill is probably a minor dent, and the rear bumper could just be scratches. Is the paint/panel gaps all good?
If everything else checks out, jump on it.

 

Looks like the car is in very good shape for it's age.

 

checking it out and driving it friday. he said third gear is also good, anything to look out for in regards to this gen TL? was also a lease vehicle in its first years.

 

Confirming clutch replacement is important. If there is no documentation for that or parts receipt during the test drive see if the clutch engages properly and doesn’t slip. A new one is near 2k

as a comparison I just sold my 05 with 270k miles with a leaking steering rack with a new clutch and timing belt

good luck!

 

little update, clutch seemed good. brakes are at 5-6mm, plenty tread on winter tires. a spec wheels need new tires, and all the fluids require changing. also, while driving, i think the power steering pump blew. fluid was everywhere, the car was swerving left and right pretty hard on its own and idling erratically. power steering fluid was everywhere, and a loud whirring or whining noise came. pulled nice though!

 

Price coming down??

 

this is what he said. car feels pretty undrivable, so it has to get towed. that being said short distances yes it can move, but with the erratic idling and swerving, whirring or whining is that ALL from just the pump exploding? is there something else i should look out for? AC also needs recharge. its hard to price point what it should be, 4000 CAD is 3000 US. so now its 3800cad.

 

Are the washer fluid cap and the PS reservoir cap missing? Looks like your engine mount is cracked, too.
Repair costs are piling up..plus a tow?

 

op this car looks local to me as well. At 3800, you're going to be dishing out a couple grand in maintenance I think.
In the end if you're going to be using it for a daily driver, you need it to be solid mechanically.
I would closely inspect the suspension prior to purchasing.

 

im unsure if it had caps or not, as i said it blew power steering fluid all over the hood and over the engine. when we opened the hood after the test drive it was everywhere. not too sure if its worth it, seems iffy on how well this was maintained. if anything, im thinking 3-3400 for it.

the inspection report didnt catch the engine mount either. he got it done for me, but could be a very minimal inspection

 

Iffy is about right. Consider how much you're going to have to put into it to make it right.
He's going to have a hard time selling it like it is, so you have the advantage of a lowball ($3000 TOPS) offer and walking away.

 

i walked away. shame, it was a really cool car. unfortunate it wasnt cared for. all the fluids needing changing, then him saying he did the timing belt but not the hood struts seemed kinda red flaggish, power steering pump blowing, just seems like if this is failing now then whats gonna fail shortly after. appreciate all the advice you guys have given, amazing community. still on the hunt!