Just curious, if you were looking for a TL-S MT would you care if the car spent its first 6 or 7 years in a snowy state. I live in Phoenix and I don't have a problem flying and driving one back but have second thoughts because of rust concerns since most of the MTs around 18-20k are located in the Northeast.

Also, I test drove an 07 ASM auto with 90k, second owner and it's in very good condition and drives well but it needs things done soon: trans, brake and ps fluids alongs with belts. The owner is asking 17500 and I figure the services would be around 700-900. Thoughts on this car?

Any inputs appreciated, thanks.

 

I can answer this as I'm in NJ and my car has seen more than enough snowstorms- my advice: if you find a decent enough example, then go for it, even if it's from the NE. All cars of this vintage have very good rust protection from the factory and I don't think I've ever seen a rusted TL (I guess it's possible if the paint finish has been violated). From an interior perspective, I'd rather have a car from the NE than say, the Phoenix area (unless window tint has been applied) as it's more likely that the interior would have sustained more abuse from the sun and heat.

As for the one you found, if it's in really nice shape, the fluid and belt change will be a rather small expense and after it's all done, you're good for years to come.

 

Many years ago I purchased a 3 year old 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee V-8 that originated in Minnesota and only saw 68,000 miles. Got a great deal on the Jeep, oil pan was rotted out needed replacement, trans cooling lines were completely rusted as were the brake lines, the cast iron block actually had large pieces flaking off, etc. so be careful where it originates and the environment in which it was used.

 

Spent a lot of time underneath two different TLs from relatively snowy areas. Neither of them had any under body rusting or anything to be concerned about.

 

I think it would be fine.

 

If u plan on modding the exhaust it will just take longer on a car thats seen some winters. No real problems, just headaches.

 

I wouldn't worry much,obviously you'll want to take said car to a shop and look over the undercarriage with a fine tooth comb while its on the lift. Its not a 90s civic that's been in upstate NY for 20 years...its still a relatively new car I guess, like others said these cars have good rust protection from the factory. Mine is about to enter its 3rd New England winter and its fine. Even the end link nuts came off without any trouble.

 

Yeah but those WJ's were rust buckets no matter where they are from. The entire undercarriage, lower side panels, and bottom part of the inside of the doors are areas that almost every single WJ made has rust regardless of where it is from.
As for the TL they seem to do pretty well as long as it was maintained somewhat well. The undercarriage on every TL I have seen looks good even in climate that are snow and where roads get salted.

 

Food for thought:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/tl-s-wheel-well-rust-tips-889720/

 

MN owner
Acura TL 2006 - 105k miles

I've seen many many winters with the car and I will comment, rust / corrosion always form. I'm starting to see this in my car right now. Buy from the south if you can.

Good luck.

 

Amazing, as I've had 3 of the WJ's and no rust on the others. Same with the ZJ's, had 5 of these and the only one that had rust was the one that came from the Jersey shore, but if on the Jeep site the vehicles up north are what you call rust buckets. There is no debate, the cars from the North are more prone to be rust buckets than the cars from the South.

 

Take it to a body shop and ask them to raise the car and inspect the undercarriage and the body structure. The key is whether the previous owner was religious about cleaning it regularly during those winters to try to get salt and gunk off the undercarriage as quickly as reasonably possible.

 

Nothing serious after 7 years in the rust belt on my TL. Some corrosion on bolts, etc but I've seen just as bad in areas without salt on the road before I moved here. Of course a car from the south will likely be a little cleaner, but I don't think its a huge thing to worry about. Once you get it on a lift before you buy it any damage should be obvious.

 

I was recently in the market for a WJ and actually purchased a 2002 Overland. Each and every single 02-04 grand Cherokee I looked at had rust and some even going through the lower side panels. If none was on the outside, the under carriage had it everywhere. So with those vehicles buying from out west or southern states absolutely is beneficial, however the TL is a better built vehicle and rust is nowhere near as bad on similar year and mileage vehicles. Like I said, my wife's 04 Accord with 100k looks great everywhere. My mothers 04 grand cherokee with similar mileage looks horrible underneath. I love Jeeps don't get me wrong, but those older ones are nowhere near the quality of Honda products of those years.

 

I would never do it, I live in eastern Canada and I will never buy a used car thats been on salted roads again. Any maintenance or modding is not without the headache of seized bolts, a huge pain. The body and general underneath of the car looks great but unpainted metal surfaces under a car on salt covered roads are guaranteed to rust.

I would only make an exception if the car was next to new or had religious records of generous undercoating since new and it was obvious from examining the under side of the vehicle.

 

If you are finding MT with LOW MILES I would assume that they are babied and don't get driven in the winter months. How else would they have low miles unless they're more of a fun weekend car than a daily driver on salted roads.

That being said, I bought mine with 110k highway miles, with thousands of rock chips on the front quarter panels and hood, but only 3 small rust spots. The previous owner always washed his car within 24 hours of touching any kind of salt. Needless to say I have contributed more rust to the car in my 1 year of ownership than the original owner since 2004.

This is coming from Alberta (Canada), where we do salt our roads a decent amount (every snowfall which is ~once a week).

 

I'm actually very happy with how my TL is holding up. A little bit of a rust bubble forming where the front bumper meets the front fender but thats it. Underneath its mint! Almost paid this bad boy off too so, she'll have a very long life. Besides, if there is a minute amount of rust it likely wont spread much at all and by then you probably won't even have the car.