One of my dream cars is an Acura TL, I now have a chance to get one! Im not able to afford a brand new off the lot so USED it is... but I am not seeing any with low mileage and I know Honda/Acura is good for high mileage, since I just had a Honda CRV 230k and my original clutch just went onthe car. Any things I should look out for when looking at a Acura TL? I just don't want to buy blind, because I fell in love with a car!!

 

Beyond things like condition of the body, the undercarriage, the interior, how it drives on the road, and service records, the only three real options are, Automatic vs. Manual transmission, NAV or not, and Type-S (2007 and 2008 only) or not.

If you're looking for a car with an automatic transmission, you should only consider the 2007 and 2008 models unless you're okay to replace the transmission sometime down the road. Why? Honda upgraded the transmission starting in 2007 and it is considered to be much more reliable than the 2004-2006 models.

One final note, unmodified cars (i.e. cars with stock suspensions, exhausts, and engine intakes) typically fetch a higher price than those which have been played with. Why? If for no other reason than folks don't want to buy other folks's mistakes.

 

I say make sure maintenance
Has been completed. Timing belt and as someone else stated record with car.

 

The common problems can be found here: https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/

 

All good advice above. Navi shouldn't be a deal breaker as your phone's navi is probably much better than the dated navi tech in the 3G TL. If you can afford it, I would go type-s (wish I had waited).

 

Agreed on the NAV thing; I actually looked for a non-NAV car. Why? IMHO, the non-NAV cars have a cleaner and more functional interface. For NAV functionality I prefer my hand-held Garmin unit.

As for the Type-S, I'm old and feel the Type-S is a bit boy racer for my tastes; instead I bought a 6MT car which has many of the Type-S suspension goodies as well as the Type-S brakes but with a more conservative (stealthier?) outward visage.

 

I'm a bit older too. I don't feel that the type S is worth the money. It is a nice car, but not worth the money. I do love the quad exhaust and I do love the waffle style wheels. But the base TL is fine for me as far as ride quality and stiffness it works. I'm not driving a race car. Nor do I need to. So what you get on the type S is Type S badge on the steering wheel. The type S badging on the back. Quad exhaust Waffle Style.18 inch wheels a somewhat stiffer suspension and a 3.5 liter engine. Sounds like a lot but it really isn't that much more. Just my 2 cents

 

Don't forget the Brembo front brakes which prior to the Type-S were only available on the 6MT models.

 

OP help us out a little.
What is your budget and what year and trim are you considering?
So far we have old people saying don't buy Type-S because they're old but they love how it looks but it's racer because they're old.
OP are you old? Are you a boy racer, girl racer? Bi-racer? As far as base with or w/o Nav is the same car under the hood and body. Smoothest and most comfortable ride especially with 17's and 235/45/17 tires.
Manual comes with different tuned suspension and better brakes if you are looking for manual and seemingly less transmission issues. If you are looking for a manual you will be looking a looooong time for a clean low mileage TL.
Type-S based on your wheel set-up can be stiff or more stiff and bumpy. However in my opinion the Type-s has a very clean understated aggressiveness to it.
fyi...waffles are 17in

 

Type S is the sweet spot.

 

Ah yes horseshoez, and the brembo clampers.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about the wheels. Those can be swapped easily and you can pick and choose your style of rims and tires to your liking later down the road. 07-08 base model sounds like the one you want. But if you're dead set on the 3.5L, your options are slim to the TypeS

 

I beg to differ on the Navi vs. non-Navi. I think you get the true luxury experience with the Navi screen. Not just for the sake of navigation, but voice commands and Multimedia info. Also the secondary display is really nice. Non-Navi feels like you slumped out at the dealership and got the cheaper model.

 

Skimped out*

 

Here's a 6MT Type-S with pretty low miles.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ws...463728485.html

 

The Navi is useless though. I mean, I can see why some like it because of it having an actual screen and RVC. But, other than that.

 

Love my TL-S.............

 

Thanks for all of the advice, I was so surprised to see the amount of responses and so fast! I am still looking around my budget is about 13k but I am seeing that I shouldn't go any lower than the 2008 models and no S types! Thanks, I am looking for the racer feel it will take me back to my college days in Daytona Beach! ( I did a little street racing in a Mazda MX-6, not the best car but it wasn't mine and I got some money out of it) I am hoping to find something either this week or next week, but I have to find the right one! Shes gotta be perfect and I would prefer all black, but buying a car is such a hard choice and like someone said I don't want to get someones mistakes!

Hey anyone from the Connecticut/ Western Mass Area on here? Know of any good and reasonable places to get an Acura TL?????

 

why no lower than 2008 model? I kinda confuse about your post.

 

What are you considering low miles for a 10 year old car?

 

I said that due to this post:

[QUOTE=horseshoez;16171298]Beyond things like condition of the body, the undercarriage, the interior, how it drives on the road, and service records, the only three real options are, Automatic vs. Manual transmission, NAV or not, and Type-S (2007 and 2008 only) or not.

If you're looking for a car with an automatic transmission, you should only consider the 2007 and 2008 models unless you're okay to replace the transmission sometime down the road. Why? Honda upgraded the transmission starting in 2007 and it is considered to be much more reliable than the 2004-2006 models.

 

I'm not understanding these "boy racer" comments as the base TL and Type-S are very similar visually, with the latter being more aesthetically pleasing to me. I guarantee the average Joe won't be able to tell the two apart if you strip them of the badges, that's how similar they look. We're not talking about an Impreza vs STI difference here.

Yes the Type-S has a firmer suspension so that is a consideration, but, in my opinion, it's marginal. In the handful of TLS I've driven, I don't find it obtrusive in any way, however that all depends on your frame of reference. I have sports cars to satisfy my needs so I find the TLS's ride very forgiving and the base TL rather soft. Since you're coming from a CRV, you'll probably find the TLS on the harsher side, but again, it adds the sport character to the car.

I hope you're patient as these are 10+ year old cars so finding a well treated one will be a task. They're out there though, so good luck!

 

Probably the lowest mileage Type-S for sale right now

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=196888360

 

Be willing to travel to get one and I mean travel to get one. 500+ miles.

 

LOL at 500+ miles; I was prepared to travel 2,500+ miles for the right car. In the end I got lucky and found one only 150 miles away.

 

That's a clean TLS. It's at a premium but I'm sure someone will pay it to have their "dream" car

 

OP said budget is 13k

 

@Nelliebaby21
I'm from eastern MA, a few miles close to Boston. But when I was searching for a TL (just like horseshoez, I believe he is from southern NH) the "right one" is very hard to come by, even though the TL's are pretty common. I felt like I lucked out finding the right one. It is true to say the average joe will not notice the difference between a 04-06 from an 07-08 or base vs a TypeS. Even other car enthusiasts will probably not notice the difference either. Would get whatever you like personally.
If I were in your shoes, I would go for the cleanest 6 speed model i can find(if you can drive manual). If looking for an auto, a low mileage 07-08 (minor cosmetic damage is ok) is what i would go for. May take A LONG TIME to find one. But I would pay a little extra if its the "right one". What ever you decide, it is going to need some work either way. So i would put aside some money for maintenance and repairs

 

^^^^ you also forgot to mention that right one also come at a RIGHT price too as Horseshoez had learned.

 

The Navi may not be the best out there, but to call it useless? That screen is the heart of the interior and regardless of it's usefulness, I'd much rather have it with than without. It also makes a better impression on those riding in your car.
.
.

 

I agree, having the screen does make the interior look more complete, however, the 07-08 non-navi looks pretty decent. I would take that and add a nice double din with android auto/carplay and call it a day. The 04-06 is definitely a half assed effort on Honda's part.

I highly doubt Super Nintendo graphics on a screen in a 14year old car is making any impressions.

 

 

You're not really "spending a little dough on infotainment". This may be a true statement at the time this car was in it's prime, but the 3G TL is so cheap and old these days that people on the market for one would be more inclined to buy the best maintained one regardless of nav. No arguments here that having it makes the interior come together but let's be real, no sane person is paying a premium for an Atari looking screen.

I suppose that you like viewing standard definition on your tube TV too right? Unless of course you're a Graphic UI major.

 

I should have said useless to me.

I prefer my phone for Navi.

Granted my Explorer has Navi, but it's not a system from 2008.

 

some people thinks it useless and laugh until I plug in my phone and using the phone mirror option where their non Nav screen can't. Who laughing now?

 

I never had a 3G with Navi. Is that option standard?

 

I'd still laugh at you. Mirroring is stupid because you have to use the phone to perform any function. I plug in my phone and get android auto/carplay and can control my phone from the screen and via voice commands. It is something, that is actually useful. At least your dash looks better though!

 

I don't have an issue with the OEM Navigation unit. It's not only the navigation that makes the interior better but the voice command ability that is only found with the navigation unit. Not for nothing, it was pretty bad ass to ask your car "what time is it?" It's worth it in my opinion and for it's time, it was well advanced and user friendly. Not many newer vehicles use such a large screen and or touch screen for that matter. I've been in many newer vehicles with fancy units (including the one that's in my wifes car where it shows you the exact landscape including day or night time) but I still find that in some cases, the 3rd gen TL navigation unit seems easier. IMO, navigation and 6MT holds a premium price just due to the fact that it's not easy to find them and find them both together.

 

OP there's a silver 08 base with 35k in your budget locally here in Chicago. Looks clean. 2 owners, no accidents. Might be worth checking out if you're serious about one. Good luck!

2008 Acura TL Nav Buffalo Grove IL 21916930