Thinking about buying a 2005 tl with no navigation for 8k.It only had 1 previous owner, excellent service history and has 73k miles. The exterior has no scratches/dent/peeling. Interior seats has no rips, only thing wrong is the entire dashboard is cracked. Good deal or no ?

 

$8k is not a good deal for a 05 auto TL especially with a cracked dash. Good deal would be around $4-5k. You can get a auto 08 TL-S for $8-9k.

 

This would usually run about $7K where I am. It's surely a nice car, but it does have a slight amount of wear.

Get it down to $6K or less then you're doing pretty well!

 

I agree with the others, $8,000 is nearly double what you should pay for a fourteen year old car with a cracked dash and a problematic automatic transmission.

 

5k max. IMO

 

If it's got good tires, the compliance bushings are not torn or have been replaced, timing belt/water pump done within the last 2-3 years, good brakes and A/C you can go as high as $6000.

BUT, if it's got any of those wrong the price starts falling! Timing belt should be done every 7-10 yrs/105K miles since rubber ages and the belt can snap ruining your engine for the small amount of $1000.00. Tires can easily be $500. A/C can easily be $500. Brakes can easily be $500. Compliance bushings + Labor is at least $250.

 

pretty low miles considering age, but I agree with everyone that posted above me.

Also, can someone remind me which years the Auto transmissions were more reliable 06 and up?

thanks

 

2004 is complete garbage.

2005 is barely tolerable.

2006 aren't that bad.

2007-2008 are pretty much bulletproof!

 

I've never seen any evidence to suggest the 2006 automatic transmission is any more reliable than the 2004; that and unless I'm missing something, they have the exact same engineering build and manufacturing code.

 

Something about how the lubrication jets work, from what I hear.


I can't say for sure and @horseshoez is probably right, but word around here is that the 2006 transmission is more reliable than the 2004. Car Complaints also supports this claim, but I'm unaware as to the reliability of the source of the information provided.


Either way, I'd sleep a little better having an 06 AT vs an 04 AT...