sjnims

Found an '06 TL with 94K miles on it for $14995. Almost everything inside and out looks fine except for brake callipers look very rusted and some carpet wear in the back. DVD-A, Navi, heated seats, Momo wheels (must be an aftermarket upgrade?), etc...etc...etc...

I test drove it today and I am in love. Felt like home immediately after stepping into it, or rather down into it! I currently have a 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with the 5.9L V8, so the switch from that beast to the TL felt extra amazing! Getting into and out of the TL will be a major switch. The A/C blows cold - no A/C in the Jeep, the wheels don't chirp when I turn - all-time 4x4 Jeep chrips at low speed turns, and it can go in reverse without having to gun it - I think this is more of an issue with my Jeep than a typical occurence. Anyways, it meets all my qualifications...

Obviously, my first concern is the high mileage for a 3 year old car, but it is a Honda/Acura and I know they typically last forever.

My second concern I have is the brakes...I'm not sure how common the rust is on the callipers. Also, when taking off from a complete stop, at both engine start up and also 20 minutes later from a stop light, at low mph (10-15) there is a soft grinding sound coming from the brakes - I tried to look up some info on the forum and the common theme is poor pads or warped calipers...could it be the rust?

My third concern is the check TPMS warning came on after driving for about 10 minutes, could this be due to the aftermarket wheels?

My questions to you folks are:

1.) Does this sound like a fair price for the car? Due to the high mileage, should the price be lower?

2.) Should the dealer take care of the above mentioned issues by either shaving off $$ from the asking price or fixing them?

3.) What can/should I do about these issues if I do buy the car and the dealer doesn't fix them before selling to me?

Thanks for your help!

sjnims

FYI...link to car on Autotrader: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

m5runner

honestly, 94k on an Acura is nothing. My 94 legend just turned 237k from a road-trip and I'd drive that car anywhere in the US, worry free. I'd do the necessary research (carfax, recalls etc) before buying. I'd say 14K with the miles, but 15k is still a decent price. I do hate dealerships though.

chairguru22

It's about a 3.5 year old car depending on what month in 2006 it was made. It also seems pricey for a car with that many miles. Definitely get all the stuff taken car of for that price. Looks good though, has Nav which is a def plus.

MR1

I can only answer one of your questions.
I think I would keep looking for one with fewer miles or a lower price.
Check Edmunds or KBB for suggested prices in your area.

At one time I had a GC, everything felt like an upgrade to me after that! Love my TL.

MR1

It is also darn close to needing the $1000+- 105k service which includes a timing belt replacement fyi.

sjnims

Is that a typical service point for TLs? I haven't read that anywhere...

m5runner

A third party dealer isn't going to replace the timing belt so either the knock off about 2 grand off the price or no deal. Changing the timing belt on my legend is a $1200 job. I'm not sure how detailed it is to change a TL's but I'm suspecting you'd want a reputable mechanic/shop performing the work.

Skrewologist

i dont think miles would be too much of a concern to me to buy a high mileage TL. these cars should be able to handle such high mileage.
07 here with 46k miles. i frequent drives between here and houston, somtimes austin and dallas

sjnims

So I'm hearing some pros and cons to the mileage, what about any insights into the soft grinding noise? I know it's hard to diagnose something going on that alone, but has anyone else experienced it? Is it normal?

Thanks for your help so far!

shooter

I think it's specified in the owners' mannual .... don't skip this one ...

csmeance

car looks pretty good, also who-ever owned it looked to be a bit of an enthusiast since the wheels have the TPMS sensors, many common folk people would have just left the light on, in fact I doubt they would have even changed the wheels!

I'd suggest you try to get the price a little lower for the timing belt service, also check the condition of the tires! You can go to discount tire and get a free card that measures tire depth, stick in the grooves and read. New tires have 8/32nd of tread!

If you do buy it, it looks like it will probably need a seafoaming treatment, new filters (cabin and engine) (easy to change), and probably a good bath and interior treatment to get rid of the shiny dressing.

VQPower37

make sure to factor in the price of the t belt and water pump change ... which will prob run u atleast 1.5k ... and caliper rust?? is it juss surface rust, i mean i dont think that is suppose to happen either, but u can just sand it off and paint it so it will look good ... or juss ask the dealer to replace it for u as part of the deal ... juss my 2 cents

sjnims

My mistake...the rotors are rusted...probably makes a little more sense now!

m5runner

sounds like surface rust. drive the car for about 10 miles and the problem will go away. rust builds easily on rotors when the car hasn't been driven. just pump the brakes etc while driving it around. high mileage isn't a problem with honda/acura, but doing the periodic maintenance is highly recommended, ESPECIALLY the timing belt. if you're doing the timing belt, you might as well do the water pump also.

sjnims

FYI, I believe the rims are 17" Momo Quasar 2's which are discontinued according to Momo's website. They don't look too bad, def nicer than stocks...

I forgot to mention it smelled like the car had been smoked in, but this isn't a problem for me - maybe something to use as a price negotiation point?

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

Offer them 12.5k and shoot for around 13.2-13.5 for a final price. Use the fact that the aftermarket wheels are detracting from the car's value (unless the stockers are included) as well as the impending timing belt replacement.

bean77

i got my 06 TL w/navi 55k miles for $16k about 1 month ago...hope that helps you gauge a price for other ones

h2point2

iTrader: (1)

if you give me a vin a can carfax it. i have unlimited for a year

sjnims

The dealer provided a free carfax with the listing on autotrader, see the link above.

Thanks though!

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Here is what I would do: Negotiate the price about $1,000 less, AND have them do the timing belt and water pump replacement now. See if they bite.

sjnims

All good stuff...what about the TPMS warning? I read in the owner's manual that if it comes on and stays on that something needs to be fixed (in the manual it says take car to dealer to have it checked out).

Without having the stock wheels I have no way of knowing if the system works at all or if the issue is due to the aftermarket wheels.

I don't plan on making any moves right away, as some of these issues need solving.

I didn't see anything about the 105K service in the manual, can someone point me in the right direction?

ajs800

iTrader: (1)

you need to definitely talk them down. I am purchasing an '06 with nav, 52k miles this week from a private party for $16K. Get them down at least $2k off that price. IMO, the wheels are a downgrade.

MR1

[QUOTE=sjnims;10960771]All good stuff...what about the TPMS warning? I read in the owner's manual that if it comes on and stays on that something needs to be fixed (in the manual it says take car to dealer to have it checked out).

Without having the stock wheels I have no way of knowing if the system works at all or if the issue is due to the aftermarket wheels.

I don't plan on making any moves right away, as some of these issues need solving.

I didn't see anything about the 105K service in the manual, can someone point me in the right direction?[/QUOTE]


Good point. On page 207 in my 2005 Owner's Manual it mentions replacing the timing belt and water pump when symbol 4 comes up on the MID. It also says to replace them @ 60K under rough service conditions.

I also have an Acura printout that states that there is no longer a maintenance schedule in the O/M (true) and that the maintenance minder will let owners know when service is due.

The 105K number comes from older O/M's for Honda/Acuras and from the service departments I think.

Hope that helps; good job requesting us to cite sources.

I think you get the varied opinions regarding the mileage/condition because you have to assume or not that the car has been maintained and not beat on.

JAB00

The car looks like in overall good shape. 90K miles is not too much. However, I agree with others that the price may be $2K too much. Plus the car will need the timing belt and water pump replaced at any point from now. That's a $1.5K job at least. The most often quoted mileage for that is 105K. If the MID comes up at 95 or 100K that could be due to how the last owner drove it.

sunny201

Simply put, my 07 has 102K miles on it. Ive driven it all over and I have quite a few mods done (intake, exhaust, precates, jpipe, dropped, 20s) which all decrease engine life and I also drive it like I stole it all the time. My car runs beautifully. If I were you I would tell the dealer 13K at the most. If they dont go lower than 14K then tell them to include the 105K service tune up for free. That is if they are an Acura dealer.

sjnims

Oh wow...look at what I found on craigslist: http://rochester.craigslist.org/ctd/1199615504.html

Notice how it has the stock wheel on it...so they must have them...

carlos9827

iTrader: (2)

I personally prefer the stock wheels vs. the momo wheels they had on the car but thats just me. I agree with others when they say you should try to get a couple grand knocked off the car since the 105k service is coming up. The carfax looks good on the car and most likely the 94k miles are highway miles so supposing you could get this car for $12995....this definately sounds like a good deal. GL

J-STEELE

How much are you willing to spend? That does sound like a pretty damn good price I may say. But didn't someone say they found one for like 15k with around 55,000 miles on it? I mean, if you are happy with the car, cuz you're the one whose seen it in person, go for it bro. The TL will last you a very long time and I'm totally happy with mine. =) My brother in law also has one and he loves it too. But whatever you do, stick with the TL. Hope this helps.

PEACE!

diddy_nyc

iTrader: (1)

Damn. The mileage is kind of high for an 06. If you're looking to keep this car for a long time...fine. But if you're looking to trade into something new in a few years, you're going to get nothing for it. I am actually selling my SSM 04 TL with 60k miles, Nav, A-spec kit & Type S wheels for a competitive price. Send me a PM if you're interested. It's also covered under warranty until 100k miles.

sjnims

Can't PM yet...Big Brother doesn't think I'm old enough to do so yet...

diddy_nyc

iTrader: (1)

Send me an email then. pallen.design@gmail.com
Where are you located?

bean77

i think the cars worth $11k, maybe $12k. just doin the maintenance that is due very soon is gonna run you close to a thousand. and the car doesnt have stock wheels.

sjnims

The dealer must have them, I found the same exact car posted on craigslist (see an earlier post for the link) with pics of the car with the stock wheels on it yet I drive by it yesterday and the Momos are on...