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Apologies in advance on the wall of text.. but I need some extra advice and outside perspective on a current decision I will soon be making.
I’m currently in the market for a daily driver. Recently sold my ‘18 Toyota Tundra due to accepting a new job and moving within walking distance to campus. Didn’t want to maintain the high monthly expense when I’ll only be driving <10 miles a week (if that). I like the 3rd gen TL because it’s roomy (I’m 6’6” 300+) and I like the luxury of it and how the style of this gen has withstood time.
One week ago I looked at a 2008 TL. It’s a one owner car being sold by the original owner. It has 91k on the odo and he bought it for his wife to use as a daily back in ‘08. He stated that every maintenance record was performed at an Acura dealership, the Carfax report reflects that. It is in overall good condition, one small door ding but that’s practically it. Car drive really well, shifted smooth through all RPM’s. He’s had the Bluetooth unplugged due to the battery drain issue. The cigarette charger port and passenger side window both were not working but he said he’d get those fixed before any purchase.
It was in one “moderate” accident in 2014. Carfax shows a highway sign was ran over and the front bumper, roof, undercarriage, and rear bumper were damaged. Sounds like she hit a sign and ran over a portion with part of it hitting the roof.. All in all, enough to keep me interested due to the one owner, low mileage, and thorough maintenance record. He is asking $8,750 for the car.
Here’s the (big) kicker.. after agreeing to a price (lower than asking) and working on the logistics of signing the title and meeting at the DMV the following week, an older lady in her SUV proceeds to scrape the driver side door of the car while he was exiting the parking lot, knocking off the side mirror and causing damage (mostly scrapes) to the driver and rear drivers side door in the process... I pull over on my way out. She’s apologetic, they’re both alright. They were in the process of making a claim and her insurance will be covering repair costs. The car has since been dropped off at his local Acura dealership for repairs and should be finished this Friday.
My initial thoughts were that this was a pretty clear sign from the universe, but I plan on looking it over again after repairs have been complete, and if checks out and looks like it was repaired well, I plan on offering him significantly less for the car. Is this crazy? Should I take the sign? Its the exterior color I want (PMM) with black leather interior, still a one owner vehicle with low mileage, but now it will be a 2 accident vehicle. Since I’m just needing it for the occasional grocery trip and weekend stroll, I’m trying not to overthink this as it will just be a cash car. It also has not yet had the 105k/7 year maintenance on it either. I would be getting that performed shortly after purchase for peace of mind (negotiating factor).
I definitely have the upper hand here as selling it to someone else will just look like he sold it immediately after an accident, which anyone else would also offer quite a bit lower than his current asking price. Ultimately, thinking of offering $7k assuming all repairs look good. This is more in line with KBB and at least give me some money to work with on the 105k maintenance
If you’re still here reading, I appreciate you.. any opinions welcome!
Well i can tell you that the mileage is great. I would offer less but wouldn't expect a large drop off due to how popular the car is. If this is the exact color (exterior & interior) and no other issues you may have to bit the bullet. May i ask what your agreed upon purchase price is? in comparison to what you want to offer now?
Well i can tell you that the mileage is great. I would offer less but wouldn't expect a large drop off due to how popular the car is. If this is the exact color (exterior & interior) and no other issues you may have to bit the bullet. May i ask what your agreed upon purchase price is? in comparison to what you want to offer now?
Thanks for the response. We agreed to $8500. I didn’t feel like I could talk him down much as the couple of minor things wrong with it he was getting fixed. And I was overall happy with the condition, etc.
Didn’t know how much a second accident would lower the value. But I do plan on keeping this for a long while, and with the low mileage and how few miles I’ll be putting on it, I don’t see it being too big of a factor by the time I’m ready to sell down the line.
You’re exactly right. The exact color combo and one owner is definitely worth a lot. I could keep shopping but would find one that was better in some ways and worse in others.
Ultimately, I doubt he’ll come down $1500, but it’s a starting point of negotiation.
i mean the worse they can say is "No" I don't know if your going a distance for this car or not, but cash in someones face changes how much most people will accept.
it's got newer paint then when you first saw it so to ask for more money off is somewhat iffy to me.
Lol. In theory that sort of makes sense..
But it should be ready for me to go look at Friday. I'll report back with any updates, hopefully everything checks out and we can make an agreement and make me a first time TL owner.
And sorry for the double entered paragraphs in the OP. Written on mobile and the format was wacky.
Piece of advise, buy that car even if he doesn't come down on the price, it's worth it and you will not regret your decision. My first TL was an 04, when I sold it, it had 253k miles on it and running wonderful. Never should have sold it. Now I have an 07 TL with 98k and love it. Drove from Ohio to Tennesses to purchase. One owner, all records, no one had ever seat in the back sit. Mint condition, purchased or $10k cash and it had 50k when I brought it. I'd do it all over again.
Piece of advise, buy that car even if he doesn't come down on the price, it's worth it and you will not regret your decision. My first TL was an 04, when I sold it, it had 253k miles on it and running wonderful. Never should have sold it. Now I have an 07 TL with 98k and love it. Drove from Ohio to Tennesses to purchase. One owner, all records, no one had ever seat in the back sit. Mint condition, purchased or $10k cash and it had 50k when I brought it. I'd do it all over again.
Thanks for the vote of confidence man. Happy to know I was already leaning in the right direction. I’m meeting him up again tomorrow to look it over since he got it back from the shop earlier this week.
Also I’ve been wondering, the color matched mud flaps and spoiler in the original post, are those just a dealer installed option, or is it a “package” of some sort? The carfax shows the spoiler was added at the dealership before original purchase.
Given the history in the mileage, and you clearly saw the additional damage that just took place. I would buy the car, at the price that you agreed-upon, enjoy it and don’t look back…
These are not easy to find in good condition and with low miles, these
are sought after, I think it’s a great price on the car. It should serve you well for a long time…
Thanks for the replies! Repairs were done well which was expected since it was minor. Looked it over again, test drove again, all feels really solid. Tranny fluid flushed at 80k, all other service records performed on time at Acura. Only have the 105k coming up that I plan to get done.
Agreed on $500 less than the original asking price, so I’m happy with that. It’ll show that it was sold immediately after an accident, but at least I’ll be able to explain that in detail when the time comes to sell it. Transferring the title and taking ownership on Monday! Thanks again for the input. Hard to find a low mile one owner that’s been maintained, so I’m glad I didn’t talk myself out of it.
Also your interior is mint. Makes mine look like shit lol
Originally Posted by 04WDPSeDaN
Isn't it
Man I'm glad my brother isn't on this site much anymore. He had a 2007 Type S in silver and would get SO MAD whenever he saw any base TL rocking anything in regards to a Type S. Usually it was the wheels and no quad tips etc.. Having 2 Type S's myself I couldn't care less, and if anything see it as a compliment to the 2 cars I own. His usually phrase was "if you want a Type S that badly just go f'n buy one" then proceed to get in front of the base so the banging and quad tips would be seen. Yea he's my brother and I love him, but he can be douchy
Man I'm glad my brother isn't on this site much anymore. He had a 2007 Type S in silver and would get SO MAD whenever he saw any base TL rocking anything in regards to a Type S. Usually it was the wheels and no quad tips etc.. Having 2 Type S's myself I couldn't care less, and if anything see it as a compliment to the 2 cars I own. His usually phrase was "if you want a Type S that badly just go f'n buy one" then proceed to get in front of the base so the banging and quad tips would be seen. Yea he's my brother and I love him, but he can be douchy
We all have A BROTHER that's like that if not WORSE..................
The type-s upgrades are a really nice touch, though I don't claim to own a type-s but have a proper fake-s to the real type-s. I'd tell you one thing, your brother would admire my exhaust tips . All kidding aside, I'd think he be upset to see how these vehicles ended up.
It really bothered him, issues! I mean the kid (younger brother) bought his 07 Type S brand new, had it paid off in 48 months, paid to have the 105k service done at around 103k. Drove it to 110k and sold it to LEASE a Audi Q7
So when I took my new (to me) 08 Type S 6 MT home for last xmas he wanted drive it. Of course I obliged. After the usual banter from him saying things like "I haven't driven a stick in forever" "this seems faster/quicker then my auto was" etc etc, there was a pause...and then he says....
"man I think I f'd up, how much is your payment a month?
"I paid cash, own it, just like you owned yours when you sold it...dumbass"
So what's he doing now? Waiting for the new TLX Type S to arrive. God he's annoying lol.
It really bothered him, issues! I mean the kid (younger brother) bought his 07 Type S brand new, had it paid off in 48 months, paid to have the 105k service done at around 103k. Drove it to 110k and sold it to LEASE a Audi Q7
So when I took my new (to me) 08 Type S 6 MT home for last xmas he wanted drive it. Of course I obliged. After the usual banter from him saying things like "I haven't driven a stick in forever" "this seems faster/quicker then my auto was" etc etc, there was a pause...and then he says....
"man I think I f'd up, how much is your payment a month?
"I paid cash, own it, just like you owned yours when you sold it...dumbass"
So what's he doing now? Waiting for the new TLX Type S to arrive. God he's annoying lol.
My mentality is that if i ever having the car payment, it better be worth it (something nice). As for five of mine TL, I been paid all cash on all of them. Yes even the the MRP I just look at record the other day OTD price was $26k back in 2011.
My mentality is that if i ever having the car payment, it better be worth it (something nice). As for five of mine TL, I been paid all cash on all of them. Yes even the the MRP I just look at record the other day OTD price was $26k back in 2011.
It really bothered him, issues! I mean the kid (younger brother) bought his 07 Type S brand new, had it paid off in 48 months, paid to have the 105k service done at around 103k. Drove it to 110k and sold it to LEASE a Audi Q7
So when I took my new (to me) 08 Type S 6 MT home for last xmas he wanted drive it. Of course I obliged. After the usual banter from him saying things like "I haven't driven a stick in forever" "this seems faster/quicker then my auto was" etc etc, there was a pause...and then he says....
"man I think I f'd up, how much is your payment a month?
"I paid cash, own it, just like you owned yours when you sold it...dumbass"
So what's he doing now? Waiting for the new TLX Type S to arrive. God he's annoying lol.
how is that annoying? the guy buys nice cars. I'm saving up for my next Audi
how is that annoying? the guy buys nice cars. I'm saving up for my next Audi
I guess the question is..would you sell your PAID off 07 Type S, that you just paid to have the 105k timing belt service done (which we all know ain't cheap, service was actually done at 103k and change) then sell said vehicle at 110k to LEASE a vehicle?
I guess the question is..would you sell your PAID off 07 Type S, that you just paid to have the 105k timing belt service done (which we all know ain't cheap, service was actually done at 103k and change) then sell said vehicle at 110k to LEASE a vehicle?
fair but you really don't want to keep an Audi past 60-70k miles without a personal mechanic, of which i have. I'm certain he pocketed BIG cash, right?
It really bothered him, issues! I mean the kid (younger brother) bought his 07 Type S brand new, had it paid off in 48 months, paid to have the 105k service done at around 103k. Drove it to 110k and sold it to LEASE a Audi Q7
So when I took my new (to me) 08 Type S 6 MT home for last xmas he wanted drive it. Of course I obliged. After the usual banter from him saying things like "I haven't driven a stick in forever" "this seems faster/quicker then my auto was" etc etc, there was a pause...and then he says....
"man I think I f'd up, how much is your payment a month?
"I paid cash, own it, just like you owned yours when you sold it...dumbass"
So what's he doing now? Waiting for the new TLX Type S to arrive. God he's annoying lol.
He's correct that the 6MT is indeed quicker than the Automatic version, with the idea of a proper driver behind the wheel
Though the TLX-S isn't out yet, in todays competition, it's a lack luster vehicle that's over priced (IMO). I drove two different 2021 TLX's and they felt dull. Not the Acura PR bullshit they are pushing for these vehicles. Remember, we are in different times now. The 3rd gen TL was the proper Acura (price, options and performance) for it's time. It's taken them over 10 years to catch up, or try to at least. Nothing wrong with owning German vehicles. I own two of them.
Originally Posted by truonghthe
My mentality is that if i ever having the car payment, it better be worth it (something nice). As for five of mine TL, I been paid all cash on all of them. Yes even the the MRP I just look at record the other day OTD price was $26k back in 2011.
That's what I said about my 2019 X3 M40i. I told my wife, if I'm making payments, it better be for a vehicle that I don't mind doing so. Paid in full in just a few months because they pissed me off with their APR bullshit of 4.5% with a credit score of 841. The dealership was being difficult so on my last payment I wrote them a nice letter
of
Originally Posted by resdog5
how is that annoying? the guy buys nice cars. I'm saving up for my next Audi
Most around here have moved on to German.
Originally Posted by truonghthe
lol all joke a side, I though I almost added a WDP TL-S MT to my garage lmao and its actually owned by a forum member as well.....
REAL NICE
Originally Posted by jeffstlnote
I guess the question is..would you sell your PAID off 07 Type S, that you just paid to have the 105k timing belt service done (which we all know ain't cheap, service was actually done at 103k and change) then sell said vehicle at 110k to LEASE a vehicle?
Today's world, most prefer to lease (new) vs financing. Most used vehicles are financed or paid in full. At some point in life, we are all facing that battle when looking for another vehicle. If your brother traded in his Acura for the Audi, i'm sure they gave him a bit more because the major service was done. It does have the selling factor of having the 105K service done.
That's what I said about my 2019 X3 M40i. I told my wife, if I'm making payments, it better be for a vehicle that I don't mind doing so. Paid in full in just a few months because they pissed me off with their APR bullshit of 4.5% with a credit score of 841. The dealership was being difficult so on my last payment I wrote them a nice letter
of
oh well I know several people got finance at the dealer, only a month later they refinance at their local credit union or paid off. Just make sure that clause "No prepayment penalty and or early contract termination penalty" is on the actual contract lol.
01-25-2021, 02:39 PM
Just a paper weight under a soft fleece lining 6 layer car cover. I go through covers quicker than oil changes 
