FaFaFooey

I come from the truck community and am being forced to buy a car. I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to cars but am very familiar with the forums and will do my best to research before I go asking questions that have been repeated a thousand times. With that being said, there's not many that catch my eye (in my price range!) and fit my requirements.

Right now I'm looking at the Acura TL and the Lexus IS 250. (350 if I can find one in my price range). I'm going to test drive an '06 TL tomorrow. It has 68k miles w/ Navi and the dealership is asking $18,900. I've always been a big fan of the TL and want owners experience on them. My price range is roughly $23,000 and under. Is 70k miles a little too many? How expensive is maintenance on an Acura with that age and miles on it is my real concern.

Also space in the backseat. I'm a single guy, but I have a 100lb dog who likes to stick his head out of the window. Anyone out there with a large dog have any problems with them fitting in the car just fine?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

An Acura is just a fancy Honda, therefore they will last forever if properly taken care of.

The TL you are looking at has averaged about 12k miles a year, which is average for the US. An Acurazine member had over 218k miles on his 05 TL and it's still running strong with a new owner. You shouldn't worry about 70k miles. Keep in mind that there is a large 105k service which runs around $1000 for the timing belt and such.

lazytik

Bought my 06 with 88k miles, runs well at 124k. Just things which get worn out and proper maintenance...not very expensive to maintain.

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

No, why would 70,000 miles be too many ?!? That's nothing for a Honda product. Heck, that's nothing for any car manufacturer.

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

Miles are decent. Price not so much

jamesl5385

Just a reminder as well I got my 06 TL at a great deal for 14500 out the door. Included Aspec kit, navi, 60k miles, and they also through in 3 year acura care.

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

It's actually averaged 13.6k a year.

And OP, a 100lb dog is going to trash the leather, unless you put down some sort of really heavy blanket or something.

cpm06wdptl

70,000 miles isn't much at all for a Honda. With proper care it still has a solid 200k left in it. The price seems a little high. I got my 06 tl 6spd navi for $17.5k out the door with 39 k miles. I would try to talk them down a little.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

No one mentioned how little the back seat in the IS is

FaFaFooey

No, I just need to move to Virginia! We get raped on everything in SoCal.

FaFaFooey

I use a Hammock in the backseat of my truck specifically made for pets, so he never actually touches the seats, but he does hammer the inside of my doors with his drool.

FaFaFooey

No adult can sit behind an adult in those cars. That backseat is so tiny. I was wondering if my dog would even be able to fit his head out the window those were so small too!

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

Or that the 250 is a girl's car.

FaFaFooey

Don't tell me I came to a forum where they rag on everyone else's car except their own model. I thought that douchbaggery was only saved for the Ford message boards!

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

I think this forum is one of the best I have been on, people are always willing to help and I can almost guarantee any problem you have somebody here has had it before and can offer a solution.I dont think anx1300C was trying to rag on the IS but they are indeed very small compared to the TL

triax37

iTrader: (1)

With price range under $23k and willingness to buy used, you effectively have unlimited options:

- Lexus IS 250 or 350
- Acura TL
- Infiniti G35
- American cars - shall remain nameless
- German cars - shall remain nameless

As a long-time TL researcher and recent buyer (12/2010, 2005 model, 85k miles, 6MT/Navi, $12,500), I can assure you that mileage isn't an issue for the MT version. Some automatic transmission buyers have experienced issues with 3rd/4th gears, but you can search for good threads on that topic. I picked the TL due to front-wheel drive, as I want to be able to drive in snow without snow tires, a normal sized backseat (the IS 250/350 is tiny!), exceptional interior ergonomics, and long-term reliability. Go to the Problems/Fixes sub-forum, and sort by posts - you'll see a pretty small number of "major" issues for a car model that is now 7+ years old (compliance bushings, dash cracking, auto transmission concerns, a possible detonation issue for the 3.5L Type-S engine, and some other relatively minor recalls, rattles, etc.). In my book, considering this is a well tested engine (J32, version A3, with siblings dating back to 1997), that is a W-I-N.

The leather is soft. My 22 lb bike leaves imprints on the leather that take 1+ week to relax and work out. Your pup's head will fit just fine, but definitely put something underneath him (I'm curious about this hammock...pictures?)

A 2006 should probably be closer to $15k, but you can probably negotiate that with the dealer, as used car sticker prices are usually well inflated. Good luck!

Paul Wall

My 2006 TL has 134K and still running great.

FaFaFooey

$12,500? Really? I've been looking on Autotrader, CL, Ebay, and Cars.com. Any other sites I'm missing?

If you have a larger dog.....never leave home without this hammock.....definitely keeps your car a whole lot cleaner!

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...3&pcatid=11123

triax37

iTrader: (1)

I think those sites covered it. My seller (from craigslist) started at $14.5k, then I negotiated him down based on upcoming 105k service ($1k), need to repaint bumper ($500), 50% worn tires ($300), and need for a new O2 sensor ($200). I ended up finding a bumper from an AZ member ($65) who was upgrading to a Type-S, and then replacing the O2 sensor myself ($120 for the part), so you could argue I paid $12.7k or $13k (if new tires). But I have seen other buyers do as well and a few do better, so keep $15k as a target.

Remind the dealership about the expensive $1k+ service coming up, and use that to get the negotiations started...

Good luck!

scottyrocket53

I bought my 2006 TL non-navi in October of 2010 with 54K for 16,500 in the Minneapolis area. I did a ton of research and I found the TL to be the best balance of performance, fun, and low chance of major problems. I hate the soft ride of the Lexus as that was my other choice.

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

Hardly. In fact, although roomier, I'll say the TL's interior is vastly inferior to the interior of the IS, but I still perceive the IS as being more of a girly car than the TL. The 350 is quick though.

upnout

iTrader: (6)

I purchased my 06 W/navi with 70K. 3yrs ago for 18.5. it has 125K now and haven't had any problems.
I had to drive 4hrs to test drive and purchase it.

TL BPJ

I got my baby at 80k and I'm at 94k. Running perfectly! Did my firestone lifetime alignment, regulated Valvoline Synth oil changes every 4k miles. Did my redline racing atf 1x3 at 93k. Just went to Hamilton NJ and did my brakes and Timing Belt Service for $700! I'd say the TL is a wonderfully crafted vehicle and it will definitely take care of you if you take care of it.

ez12a

I purchased my 04 in February with just under 51k miles for 14k.

I also thought about the G35 but would have hated myself and the gas mileage. 24 highway tops even driving slow is unacceptable for my needs since I do a lot of highway commuting. 30+mpg on the TL was a huge factor

Also the interior of the G35 is not even close to the TL. My housemate has a sedan and everything just felt cheap. Maybe also cause his has 175k miles on it but i was not liking the interior one bit.

FaFaFooey

Thank you everyone for your opinions, I really appreciate it! Now it just seems silly for me to buy anything other than TL. Now about getting rid of that global warmer......ugghh

dinks07

iTrader: (4)

I got my 05 with 60,000 miles for 14,000 out the door i thought it was a good deal i owner

onyxkat

I have 85k on my 06 TL I just bought an RL from Auto Nation.com with 54k. I got a good price for 23.5 k shipped to Mi from Fl. I think they can save u money. If u do decide check out Courtesy Acura in Sanford Fl. ask for the salesman Smitty. He gave me an excellent deal.
Good luck

aIRpeACE

iTrader: (2)

got my 05 with 58K miles this April. very nice car with spacious back seat. try to negotiate the price down a bit

9632tl

Damn, I overpaid for mine...20k$ for 43k miles.
But considering the only other one I could find had 125k and hadn't had the 105k service, I bought the expensive one

dynodonkey

got my 05 6mt/navi with 87k for $12k. keep looking.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

The miles is not an issue but you should be able to get one for less.

tquint14

Just bought an 06 w navi from a fellow member.87k miles and car drives/feels like a new car. Car was very well maintained all svc done by dealer. Car runs strong, smooth and handles awesome.has upgraded aspec suspension. For my budget this was my best option and don't regret one bit. Good luck

akertulis

yea man 23k with 70,000 miles is too expensive i bought mine with 104k and its navi 6spd and i paid $10

MrX123

Can't believe nobody mentioned this to the OP: Your big dog will love it bc the rear windows go all the way down!

Bought my '06 M/T with 48k, now has 70. Had to replace clutch, but I figure that was just a freak thing, and the previous owner was a woman who probably didn't know how to drive it (no offense, ladies). I also didn't have to pay for it; dealer goodwilled it. I don't really count that as a gauge of reliability, as it's a wear item. Other than that, the car is flawless, tight as a drum, and I love it. Many, many years left of service.

I'd also like to know how an IS interior is superior to the TLs. Sure, your Lexus has real wood, but materials and fit and finish are no better, at all. The TL gives up nothing to even Audis in terms of fit and finish, button detents, switches, stalks, door slam thuds. The 3G TL has one of the most perfectly thought out and ergonomic interiors of all time IMHO. Add in the fact that it's not a large car on the outside yet has a cavernous interior, and it's pretty darn impressive. I just took it to CO and back (4k miles total), and sat in the back 90% of the time and let my Dad drive...I actually preferred the back to the front. And this isn't an S class or 7 series either.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

We should also mention the HORRIBLE reverb that you get when you roll down just the rear window.

LovingMy06TL

Bought my 06 TL with navi for 21.5k out the door, but definitely was in a rush to buy, it had 63k on it at purchase. For the dog, just get a seat cover, I had a husky and just slapped the seat cover in and it worked fine.

As someone else already said, try and lower them. I was also thinking about the IS250, but the seats are way too small, your dog would be cramped. I'm at 109k on my car and just finished the 105k maintenance with spending a little over 1k so save in advance for the 105k service.

Also keep looking around, never know when you will find an even better deal on a TL, my cousin bought his after seeing mine, but since he wasn't rushed, he got a 07 TL type S with 32k mileage for like 21k out the door. GL with your decision.

geekybiker

70k is just broke-in for a TL. I don't really consider the is250 a credible competitor for the TL if you care about performance. That car is really anemic.

SimonCL-S6

70k is just too much the engine could blow up anytime now...

S.T.A.R.S.

what about mine? Is it good pricing?

2008 ACURA TL w/ NAV , 19K includes tax and fees... 45K KM on it, One year bumper to bumper, two years powertrain warranty. I am in Canada...

Oh,,, I payed in cash...

Malloy

iTrader: (3)

I bought my 06 6MT with 35k miles in Dec 2008. I'm at 105k now and the car performs as it did at 35k. I had 1 failure with the car - a super slow leak in the steering rack. Fluid was never seen under the car, just an odd groan at low speed tipped me off. This was replaced under warranty. Otherwise, I just changed the oil, brakes and tires. I did upgrade to ASPEC suspension since it was a perfect fit for my needs. No squeaks/rattles/problems at all. The car just does everything perfectly. I see wear on the driver's side outer bolster - that's it.

I work at a BMW shop, so I've been tempted by the 335i. (though, I see how frequently they break :\ My car is probably worth 11k, I owe 7k. A nice 335i with the right options is in the high 20s. I can afford it, but after some deep though, I decided to stick with my TL. I like the TL looks a LOT more than the 335i sedan - so I would be switching to a coupe (which is beautiful IMO) I would lose some function by going to a coupe (I can get by since my g/f has a CRV) but is it really $20k+ better? Absolutely not. It is faster and a better performance platform - but reliability and general build quality is much lower.

For a daily, at the price of entry, I think the TL is the absolute best car out there. I see little need to mod my car (I have an old Toyota for that) so I cant speak to reliability after heavy mods.

ps. I would never consider an IS250 - and I am a long term Toyota fan. Those cars are slow and tiny.