Hello All, im Marc from NYC

Just signed up because soon I may buy a third gen TL.

I currently drive a 99 Accord EX 4CYL. And i just want something more powerful and fun to drive. I am shopping around dealerships looking for a good TL with low miles.

Any suggestions on what I should look our for? what to pay attention to when test driving? And any major known problems with this gen tl (Like the horrible trannys in the 6th gen accords) I already know about the recall on power steering hose, and dashboard cracking, and motor mounts.

Hope to get my TL soon and post pics ASAP, then on with the Modding!

Mod Wishlist:
Fogs
Clear headlights
Double din (yes two screens i know..)
CAI
catback
new speakers, subs
8000k HIDS in fogs n low beam
rear spoiler (nothing really big)

 

Welcome Marc. Best of luck in your search! You might check out Cars.com too.

If you get a Base TL, add an Aspec Kit to your mod list.

 

welcome to the site.

 

I found my TL-S 900 miles away and hired an inspection crew to look at it. Was not disappointed when I picked it up and drove away with it. Make sure whoever traded or turned the vehicle in kept up the maintenance. And Carfax it!

 

do people not understand the principles of "search" nowadays...

But Welcome!!

 

I hate to say it as a TL owner, but G35 coupe (4 seats)/350Z (2 seats) may fit your style better.

 

No to double din! That's a good way to make the interior of a nice luxury car look cheap and ruined

 

Why?

 

Thnx guys!

I have looked at the G35 sedan (350z would prob be waaaay out of price range)
But research showed my that those cars aren't as reliable as the TL. I love that the G35 is rear wheel. Styling i like the TL more. I've driven plenty of G35's, and loved every moment, such a fun car. But the TL seems like a better option for me. But if i do find a decent G35, i will take it!

But, as of right now, im leaning towards the TL

 

He probably suggested the G35/350z because it's RWD + 280HP and the OP said he wanted something with more power and fun to drive.

Going from a 150HP 4cyl to a 258HP 6cyl is already "more power" but I think RWD is more fun to drive compared to FWD when pushing it hard.

I still say no to double din

 

350z is generally cheaper then g35

 

I'm only thinking double din because i want a unit with better EQ and better sound.

My Accord OE unit was HORRIBLE! and i thought it was the speakers. I replaced it with a JVC double din, and it sounds 1000% better. And i love that it charges my ipod as well when plugged in.

 

Really?? never thought it would be cheaper. But im sorry i never mentioned this, my being stupid... I need a four door car, i transport family members.

 

You should try driving a TL and listening to the stock system to see how it sounds. You will be surprised at how wonderful it sounds completely stock. It blows Bose, Mark Levinson and Harman Kardon In-Car Audio Systems offered by other car manufacturers (Cadillac, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz) out the water

Read here for more information -- http://www.audioworld.com/news/0403/...hallenge.shtml

And as for the 350z being cheaper than the G35, it's true because Nissan is just a regular car manufacturer with nothing really fancy (Like Honda).

Infiniti however is 1 step up from Nissan but with more features and LUXURY (Just like Acura).

So an Infiniti is usually always a little more expensive than a Nissan of the same year (G35/G37 vs 350Z/370Z), just like a Acura would be when compared to a Honda (TSX vs Accord)

 

Here: the starting price of 350Z's and G35 coupes in your area:




I cannot stress enough the importance of comparing a lot of cars before you make the decision. Please think over and over and make sure you are buying a car that you will never regret. Most bad purchase decisions are made simply because the buyers are not informed of all options.

For reliability, G35 coupe/350Z are slightly worse than TL, but nothing serious: still vastly better than European cars in general.

Also consider Lexus IS/GS, Pontiac G8, MX-5, S2000, RSX, CTS, Mazdaspeed6, M3, S4, Cxx AMG, Corvette, Evo VIII, Eclipse GSX, Legacy GT, and lots of others.

3G TL is a landmark of luxury sports cars, but it falls short comparing with true sports cars, if you are talking about the fun factor. Its weaknesses are its heavy curb weight, weak struts/sway bars, FWD, not enough low end torque, and terribly programmed/designed transmissions (only on 5AT); its strengths are double wishbone suspension, power output at high RPM, adequate interior space, elegantly crafted interior, world-leading passive safety scores (see informedforlife.org; in some years TL are one of the top 5 safest vehicles sold in US market).

Think, think. Do not rush to make decisions.

 

Thanks for all the input guys! Only goes to show Honda/Acura people are the ones with brains.....
My price range is around $15,000
Lexus IS, i will take over 2005, but will be too much $$
If i can find a good G35x i will take it fast! (Rear wheel drive in the snow we get here will kill me)
Mazda6 is another car im looking at. Besides the G35 i like smaller 6cyl cars. The TL and Mazda6 sized cars..

And what is that i hear about 3rd gen TL transmissions??
I'm selling my accord b.c my tranny is going bad, and it has numerous other problems.....

I hope i dont find out tl trannys have defects like the 6th gen accord too...

 

I had that exact car before I upgraded to my '06 TL. It look me a long time to find a white 6th gen Accord EX with a manual. I loved my '99 Accord. Here's some pics I took when I advertised her on Autotrader. Took all of three days to sell it asking high book. Bought it at 90K miles and sold at 170K miles.





Clean as a whistle she was. And a great little DD.

Anyway, here's some hints and tips if you decide to get a TL. First, it's an excellent upgrade, especially if you get the manual. The manual on the 3rd gen TL is WAY more touchy than the manual in the 6th gen accord but it's a ton of fun once you get used to it. The power increase is great. I may never drive another 4-cyl again, even with FI. The J32 is a much more smooth and refined engine than the old F23 in the Accord though just as clickity-clackity on the valvetrain Handling is improved, but the TL is a rather large vehicle so suspension mods may be on your list if you're hoping to handle like a civic si Economy is suprisingly very close. I averaged 34 or so in the Accord, and now around 30 in the TL. The TL takes premium however so consider that in your future expenses.

About audio - The 6th gen accord was easily mod-able on the audio front, with the standard DIN setup. The TL however, is not. The problem is that the stereo, climate controal and navigation (if you get it) are very intertwined. If you rip out the stereo you'll have to deal with the plethora of problems there. It's possible, but not easy and not done very often by most people. I don't recommend goofing around with it much. I had a pioneer deck with soundstream all around and a 10' bazooka in the trunk. It sounded great. I swapped the bazooka to the trunk of the TL and added Polk's up front and it sounds better than my aftermarket setup in the Accord. The TL has a pretty nice system to start with IMO so a mild speaker upgrade and sub upgrade made it more than sufficient for me.

Mods - Before you do the catback, look up info on an aftermarket jpipe and pre-cat deletes (PCD's)/high flow cats (HFPC's). They typically offer a much higher performance increase than the catback to start with. Only after you get those is it typically recommended to get the catback. It's just a $$/performance ratio thing really. The catback will get you much less performance for the $$ than the jpipe and PCD's/HFPC's.

Good luck shopping!

Edit - I somehow read 5-speed somewhere in the description of your accord. Sounds like you have an auto. Disregard the manual stuff then Oh, and the auto's in the 3rd get TL's are pretty darn good. Do some homework on here but the general consensus is that they're great trannies with good reliability but at the same time, make sure you take care of them very well and maintain them correctly. They're nothing like the 2nd gen TL and 6th gen accord problems.

 

I picked up a used 2003 350Z under 80K for under $14K. Welcome to AZ and good luck with your search. You can also try cars.com and acuratrader.com.

 

take your time, it took me a month to find a 2004 TL original owner with 65k miles, keep looking you'll find one eventually, good luck

 

Welcome to the site. I spent a lot of time narrowing down my selection... my last two were the 5-door G35 and the TL. The largest difference for me was interior amenities and the whole RWD/FWD thing.

 

Yea, i've prob driven manual twice my whole life. And in this crazy NY stop and go traffic dont know how well i'll handle it. And FWD is a downside, but a must for me. I remember couple years back an older neighbor had a RWD benz (or maybe it was an audi..) And the snow came down HARD! his tires were spinning out like craaaaaazy! and here i am with my honda thinking, if he cant get out, what am i going to go with my cheap honda LOL.

6TH GEN ACCORD ATE THAT SNOW UP! GOT OUT EAAAASYYY!

I really like the TL, and i'm still researching it everyday, from what i read its a pretty reliable car, engine and tranny will last if taken good care of (unlike 6th gen accords n 2nd gen tl's which are DEFECTIVE!!!!) And im not buying from a private seller again. DEALERS, and ACURA ONLY!! Im not really in a rush, but i want to sell my car before it hits around 95K miles... got 91 now.

 

For real. My 6th gen was a monster in the snow. The TL is actually pretty good as well with the right tires.

 

My opinion:


Mod Wishlist:
Fogs - Always a good thing to have
Clear headlights - This doesnt make sense
Double din (yes two screens i know..) - Why the fuck do you need two screens?
CAI - Makes car sound like a baus
catback - Be Prepared to spend some $$
new speakers, subs - I see where this is going.
8000k HIDS in fogs n low beam - So you can moar blind oncoming traffic?
rear spoiler (nothing really big)- THERE IT IS! You want to rice out a beautiful car. Im going to be sick

 

^ kinda mean don't you think?

 

I'd like a spoiler, but only the lip or the official acura one.

 

i have all of these except clear headlights, double din and i think its perfect. no rice and its always good to be able to see at night

 

spoilers are rice?

must be thinking of aluminum wings.

 

Cleared headlights doesn't make sense? I'm just gonna assume you said that because you have no idea what "cleared" headlights are.

These are my cleared headlights

 

i know what cleared headlights are and i do not have them. thats why i said i had everything on the list except the headlights and a double din head unit. i have factory nav

 

Than why did you say "This doesn't make sense" ?

 

He didn't

 

lol oh I meant to quote Grizzly Type-S... ended up quoting the wrong person lawl

 

Something like this is what im looking for.

As for the mod list, all that stuff could be changed. Thanks to losiglow, when i went to check out a tl yesterday (Black, 2005 BASE, 80K Miles for $12,000) The sound system is pretty good already, im sure i'll upgrade some stuff to make it louder...... but the dd might not be needed.

Clear headlights IMO look better than that orange strip. I want the colors to go together, nothing on my car will be orange....

As for hids in fogs and headlights. I want my hids with a hint of blue. My accord has 8000k in fogs n low beams, and so will the TL. I drive fast anyway, so people are only blinded for a few seconds... and if they crash im already gone.. Not to mention im thinking of HIDS in reverse lights.

My search for a tl has been going good, found some good ones here and there, have seen a bunch of G35X's too. I like the tl interior more though...

 

Hey i'm from NYC also. Was looking into G35x, A4, 330xi, TSX and really was considering the IS250. In the end I got a TL as it was the best value, reliable and looked good. There was a TL on CL a week or two ago - 72k miles for 11k. Pretty decent.