06TL929

OK guys I am currently looking at 04-05 TLs with high miles (80-100k) to buy as a second car, but it will probably become my daily driver as I am looking to buy this cash and eliminate the car note from my monthly budget. I am looking to spends only 13k or so OTD hence the milage.

narrowed it down to a couple of cars, looking for some opinions. 04 AM/Blk Auto w/nav 76,000 miles $14,500, 05 AM/Blk 6MT no nav 87,000 $13,000, 04 SSM/Blk auto w/nav 93,000 miles $13,000, and 04 SSM/Blk auto no nav 102,000 miles 12,900.

of the two AMs, both are in comparable condition, interiors are cleans, both have a few exterior blemishes but nothing you wouldn't expect from a highway mile car.

of the two SMs the non-nav is in the best condition (probably the best condition of the 4 even though it has the most miles). The SSM with nav is probably in the worst exterior condition, not terrible, but easily has the most blemishes.

My main concerns are the 04 auto failures, especially with the milage we are talking about her and obviously these are not CPO. I really want 6MT with nav but the are very hard to come by, especially at my price point. I kinda fell in love with the 6MT, but I really want the nav too. Where was I going with this? Oh basically are the 04 tranny issues significant enough where I should avoid autos all together? Right now it looks as if I will have to chose between nav OR 6MT. Are there any aftermarket NAv options that people have used short of the Factory Nav conversion (I don't want to do that seems too involved) Sorry for the book. Any advise/comments are appreciated.

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Some have problems, some may not, just depends. I would go with NAVI and less miles. Spiderwebs and minor blemishes can be fixed by a detailer for 100-200$. I would also get a DIFERENT COLOR. NBP OR WBP ALL THE WAY. And always spend a lot of time before you buy the car, keep looking because you'll never know when you find a better deal. I've seen on Acurazine someone buying a 04 with 50k miles or less for like 13k. Also I would wait a little longer just to get some more money. An extra 2-3k will get you a car at least 30k miles less and at a newer and better shape. 05 with NAVI at 30-40k miles runs for 14-17k

csmeance

go with navi and 6MT, you will love it. Waiting is well worth it, many people regret both and then end up paying more to get it.

06TL929

I could spend more, but I have set a budget for myself so I don't get out of control with it (we all know how quickly a man's car budget jumps from 15k to 20k to 30k). As for the color I had an 06 NBP before and I'm not the type to clean constantly so I won't go that route again. If I had to make a choice today it would be between the two AMs. Kinda eliminated the SSM w/nav just because I see its possible to get one in much better condition for comparable money.

csmeance

AM is a great color, your choices seem good. Take a look at royal blue and also some other colors. You can see a whole listing of colors and pictures here:
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=605983

06TL929

^^I actually found a 6MT w/nav on craigs list that is Blue. I'm not crazy about that color though and it has the grey interior. Coming from a camel interior last time I am weary of the leather's long term prospects in anything lighter than black. Again, as I am hoping to drive this car for a fairly long time my color choices inside and out were chosen because I think the will hold up longer. I see some black ones, but they all look like complete $hit. swirls and scratches galore.

csmeance

the quartz leather is pretty good with holding up. My leather has held up pretty well with regular cleaning and conditioning for 68K and nearly 5 years.

06TL929

I drove the 04 Am w/nav today. I was ok. Power was there. Got on the gas heavy to make sure the tranny shifted right, it did. Interior was pretty clean. Outside had a few blemishes, most notably a cracking/splintering section on the side skirt below the front passenger's door. Some things concerned me: maintenance minder says service over 1000 miles past due, at full lock there is a slight clicking noise coming from the right front (axel, berring??). The brake calipers are a little rusty. I know I'm nit picking for a car with 80k on it but it does make me wonder how well the car has been paid for.

Still, I would consider it if they matched the price of the 05 AM 6MT/ no nav at 13,000 OTD. I offered it, the really want 14,500, however I have a feeling they will be calling bck as they disclosed that the car has been there over two months. What do you think? Should I scratch this one off the list based on my complaints? or keep it in consideration if the come down to my offer?

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

Between those two choices, I would go w/ the MT. You can always get a Garmin or whatever...

PhillyxMartin

iTrader: (2)

He's def right our stock navigation is bad anyways. Go with the MT

06TL929

I prefer a stock nav. Is there no in dash aftermarket nav that fits the TL?

YeuEmMaiMai

i would get a late 05 or newer one 04TL still have higher than normal trans failure rates

06TL929

^^But an 04 manual is no problem, right?

YeuEmMaiMai

that is essentally correct

06TL929

At this point I'm back to square one. My favorite one so far, and the best deal (05 6MT) is out of the question because it is navless. The ones with nav have been 04 autos, and not in as good condition as the 05. I guess I will wit a week or so then start looking from scratch again.

bimmerman

6 spd > Navi all day long. Finding a TL with both is very hard, I checked the autotrader a few days ago and in the entire country there were less than 300 for sale that had them both.


If it is that big of a deal you can do a conversion for around $1200-1600, or buy a plug and play OEM kit from the guy on Ebay for $2000. A carpc is always an option as well.

csmeance

if you can get a good deal or about 2k knocked off, you can do the conversion for about 2500 dollars and have someone install it for 500 (what acuratech charges in NJ)

bimmerman

Here is the kit from the guy on Ebay, he is the only person I know of that makes a plug and play kit for OEM parts.

Right now it is $1800, normaly it goes for $2000.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts...1%7C240%3A1318

06TL929

I found an 05 Anthracite/Ebony 6MT/Nav with 61k for $16k. I am gonna go take a look at it Tuesday. Its a lot more than I was looking to spend for my purposes but I'll wait to see what type of condition its in before I even start getting worked up about the financial part of it