Minarets

i drive about 50k a year for work and need a mobile office. i want a G8 GT but i am thinking maint. costs would be better with the TL which is my second choice.

what kind of maint. issues should i be concerned with? again, im looking at buying used with about 20k miles, probably 2006ish.

the 19'' tired on the G8 plus 8qts of oil for every oil change has me sort of concerned. i dont care for the 18'' plus with as much driving ill be doing the interior comes in to play and i love the 3rd gen TL's

100,000mile maint right? how much is that at the dealer? i know some 2004 TL had some ttansmission issuesn, but that has since been worked out as far as i know.

yalls thoughts?

Dave_W

I have an 04 with almost 80K miles on it. Other than a couple sets of tires, I havent had any real expensive issues with the car at all. It tells you when it needs service done. Notice the visual stuff though like tires, brakes, wipers. When I still worked at the dealer, i would see the 04-06 TL's come in for the timing belt service at different mileages. One 04 came in with 149,000 miles asking for the timing belt service. The average mileage I would say was probably around 105,000 miles for the t-belt on these cars, if your concern is that one big service. These cars are one of the most reliable cars on the road, and they can take a lot so I wouldn't worry too much about maitinence too much. Take care of the car and it will take care of you. Some early vin 04's had an issue with the transmission. But that was very few. My 04 was manufactured in Jan of 2004 and has not had a problem with the trans at all. I would have found it if it did. Good luck to you.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Better do a little research. The TL MID will indicate an oil change @ 7000 miles while the G8 will be about 12,000 mile minimum. 105K service on the TL @ $1100, but no timing belt on the G8, so no large outlay. Quite a difference in price between a '06 TL and a new G8. Gas mileage will be quite a bit less in the G8.

It's a start. No more time as I've got to run out to dinner.

Minarets

i dont pay for gas (gas card through work) so that isnt a huge concern.

is the type -s any less dependable? or higher performance parts = higher priced repairs? or not so much?

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Back again. Maybe apples and oranges here, FWD vs. RWD, V-6 vs. V-8, 286HP vs. 361/402HP, 3700lbs vs. 3900 lbs. If I had the choice between a TLs and a G8GT, I'd take the G8 as it's a RWD vehicle and quicker, not to mention the GXP. Got to remember, any mods on a TLs aren’t going to make it much faster, and it's still FWD. I don't believe the G8 has navigation available.

Everybody has different tastes and desires from a vehicle, so my best recommendation is to drive each and see which one you might enjoy more, especially when you’ll be spending so much time in the vehicle. The TL is quite a wonderful all around package that anyone would be happy to own, and reliability is tops. When we purchased our used TL I had a ’06 GTO in mind that had some body add-ons that made it look quite nice, but after driving both, I sighed and went along with the wife towards the more "luxurious" TL. I wasn't too disappointed as we have a modified RX7 Turbo that can use occasionally whenever the fast feeling strikes. You cans ee where I’m coming from, a little more speed is just in my blood.

Minarets

i appreciate the assistance. i do love the G8 GT for its driving habits. i have spent a lot of time in them, but havent owned. this will be a "wrok" car as it will be my traveling ofiice and to help tote the family around when i am home. obviously, my wifes car (H3) can do that as well. however, since i will be putting sooooo many miles of this car so quickly i keep coming back to the more reliable and more lux interior TL. i love the 19'' wheels on the G8 and think it completes the look, but i loathe the fact i would be putting 2 sets of tires a year on the car at $800 a pop.

plus the unknown of reliabilty at milage that high. i have done a lot of time reading commadore forums for the G8's of AUS and very few have that many miles on their cars and the car has been around for 4 years there.

i just think from a maint. standpoint, the TL is better. i get an allowance or will, once i dump my company car (which is the best dal going since nothing is on me) of $525, but insurance and maint will be on me. gas is still on them.

Minarets

should i look at a TL over they Type S for maint purposes? or would it make no real difference?

no special attention needed for type s?

scv76_

^^
IMO
Most people with the "S" seem to justify buying it because of performance...not something important for a car driven in a normal manner. I mean the 258 hp TL has plenty of 'go' available
The "S" ride is more harsh...something the "S" boys justify because of handling...again not something that would be important to a mobile office...unless you plan on doing time trials thru the s turns
Then there's the issue of the more expensive to maintain brakes the "S" sports..justified by it stops faster....totally not needed for "normal driving"
I know you said you won't have to pay for gas...but the "S" requires the high grade fuel, the TL base, though recommended, is not necessary. The larger "S" engine uses a little more fuel, but it's not a huge difference
By the way either the type "S" or the base model are a dream to drive on the highways...this is where the TL's excel

I can't think of any other maint. issues that would be different between the base and S models.....but then again I don't own an "S" model

Minarets

so i am still battling the Type S vs Base in my head. i knowingly get a tad nutty when i think about spending my money on a car and realize there are no guarentees with one, but considering my 50k miles a year..brakes seem to be the "big difference" in potential maint. costs.

i have a gas card for work so again, no worries there.

im looking at a 2007 type s for about 26k vs a plethora of Bases w/Nav from anywhere from $23-27k in my 20k miles range

17''wheels regardless of the base or Type s is always nice, cause tires wont be that bad.

i guess i can always replace the brembos with a cheaper alt.?

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

I'm not sure with the Type-S brakes, but I've heard you need to change them really quick (like <20k miles I think). Get a base TL and use some extra money to make it look nice and drive better. 06 TL with 20-30k miles with A SPEC body kit, NO drop (since family car unless small drop aka aspec susp), UR pulley, RSB, and some ron jons or a specs wheel. Just make sure to get NAVI. If you're going to drive 50k miles I would go away from a G8 since in 3 years of driving would kill that car. G8GT is usually meant for low levels of driving and for racing only just like any fast car and for brake pads for the 06 TL get NBP or WDP and get CMAX Pads from Autozone lifetime warranty, have had it for 6 months and its flawless

jnc2000

perhaps this will help...

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/my-110-000-mile-journey-cost-issues-beyond-704808/

I know what you mean about driving though.... I put on 40k a year on my TL... other then routine maint... out of pocket expenses have been $0.00

WVUNavyvet

I have an '08 TL-S with 35k miles on it (99% highways miles as I cover the entire state of VA for work) and haven't had to have the brakes replaced yet. I put on 20k miles / year and this is a great mobile office. The engine has the perk to keep you alert/have some fun plus I actually like the handling. When I rent a car, say an Impala, while I'm traveling on business, I feel like I'm driving a boat due to the change in suspension.

As for the maintenance I've done so far, it's only been oil changes and tire rotations...nothing outside of that.

csmeance

type S is only 2007 and 2008 models. the 04-06 had only 1 motor choice, the 3.2L v6 in the 2007-2008 base.

zonatl

I read that some of the 3g owners do not do the timing belt and water pump until 100k or higher which is probley fine, I would have to look at the owners manuel but to be on the safe side I think this job should be done between 60 to 70k for peace of mind.

csmeance

its 105K or around 5-6 years...