First off, just wanted to introduce myself and say hi. Second after driving a '96 Civic for basically the last 5 years and getting a full time offer for a job in September, it's finally time for me to get a new(used) car. Been eyeing the market for a good couple of months and finally put a security deposit for a TL

2005 White TL w/ Grey Leathers
6MT
63kM
Navi
Brembo Breaks
Clean title
Immaculate condition cosmetically
OTD: $17,710

Will be buying it from a very small used car dealership. He man that owns it has been restoring cars for apparently 15+ years. Went to see the car at his house, which has it's own body shop where I saw some of the cars he's restoring.

I do have a couple of questions. First is of course, how did I do in terms of price. Second is, can I expect that the car is in good condition mechanically. I've been under the assumption that if a car is being sold through a dealership, there are quality controls and inspections on the vehicle before it's sold. Looking to get a little clarification on my assumption.

Thanks guys!

Edit: Wow I just realized I joined the forums back in '04. That means I've been eyeing the TL/TSX since I was 16. It's been a long wait. :P

 

I think the price seems a little high. But 6MT TL's are very rare.

 

Yeah I've been searching for a good 3 or 4 months and it's so rare to find a 6MT TL. Definitely could have saved some good money if I went with an AT. :P

 

Dealerships can cheap-out as much as the small, used-car dealers sometimes do but they both tend to stand behind what they sell because reputations can be so easily ruined in the age of internet / smart phones.

I do have one question since you mentioned this guy restores cars. Did he repair your '05 TL before you purchased it?

 

Try to knock off a little of the price, if no par, then still go with it, you might regret it.

 

check the title and verify it wasn't a rebuilt or salvaged car. Also ask if what the maintenance has been on the car and see what the last service performed was.
Check for rust as well. Mine is an '05 tl-p 5at and there is a rust spot where the windscreen meets the a pillar on the passenger side. I recently noticed it and the paint is flaking off above the rust spot.

 

eh, price is a little high. i dont wanna say don't buy it cuz it is the car you've been looking for but see what you can do about the price. 6mt's are rare and you have to pay a little extra.

btw, you sure about this job offer? seems like your are rushing here a little...job doesn't start till september.

dont wanna sound like an ass, just looking out man

 

Good looking out. I checked the carfax he provided and it was a clean title. Only "issue" was a odometer problem. Story goes the car was stolen from original owner, but recovered within a couple of weeks. It was reported, and the insurance company still issued a clean title because no damages were assessed. That part did kind of throw me off, but he was very upfront with me and again. I looked at the title & carfax and it's clean. No restoration or any work was done that I know of.

No doubt, thanks a lot for looking out. I'm 100% about the job offer. I'm actually interning right now and take a break to study for my CPA before starting full time in Sept. I'm already booked for a major job without technically having start time yet. :P But really though, I appreciate you looking out.

 

I forgot to mention. A big reason why I'm buying now is because my Civic has a lot of miles on it, and I can't say I've taken care of it very well. It was strictly a commuter car in college. I'm due for another car in the next couple of months. My reasoning is while I still the Civic to drive, I can take my time to look for the car I want (whether I find it now or a few months from now). But I'd rather not wait until the Civic absolutely craps out on me, and I'm forced to buy any car because I NEED one now. If my Civic was still in great shape, I wouldn't be looking for a new car at all.