Omar9578

Whats up everyone, i'm a new member on here but i'll keep this short. I'm in the process of selling my g35 coupe looking to get into a 3rd gen TL or TL-s in the following weeks. The car will mainly be used on weekends, and occasionally between work/school. No more than 100 miles a week.

Here are the top 3 vehicles im looking at currently:
*'06 TL tech package w/ 60k going for around 17k
*'07 TL-S w/ 91k going for 16k, I would be purchasing it with a 150k warrenty from Carmax given the highmileage (they have an outstanding warrenty plan)
* '08 TL-S w/ 64k going for 19k, powertrain warrenty is good till 70k

I've done quite a bit of research on these cars and am mainly purchasing a TL for its combination of luxury/gas economy and most importantly low maintenance schedule.

Just wanted to some feed back on the current options I'm looking at and maybe some advice/comments/tips from current TL owners.

Thanks

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

I'd go the TL-S route if you can. There are some significant perks to the TL-S, especially if you go Auto (compared to Auto-Base pre-07). Even if you go manual, there are some cool additions such as gauge cluster, seats, suspension and engine.

I have an '06 manual and love it, but I'd prefer to go Type-S manual if that would have been in the budget at the time. Not to mention availability. There's not a ton of them around.

If you're purchasing for economy, the '06 may yield a little bit better results. For some reason it seems the fuel economy of the TL-S is less then expected when compared to the base 3.2 TL (more so than the ratio of power difference between the two). Since the TL-S has about 10% more power, you'd think it would only get 10% less economy. That doesn't seem to be the case from what I've heard. But it could be because the guys that own a TL-S push it harder. Dunno.

Omar9578

I would really love to purchase a TL-S but given my circumstances, If I find a better deal on a base model i'll probably settle for it. Although the 6mt i'm sure is a lot more entertaining to drive, I'm looking for an auto. Coming from a 6 speed g35, it really is a pain sometimes to drive through traffic and city.

And as far as the gas economy comparison between the base model and S type, the estimated numbers really arent too bad in my opinion, and both exceed a g35s which was terrible.. i was averaging about 21mpg 80% highway 20% city.

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

As far as fuel economy, the Type S and base arent too big of a difference, atleast nothing that wont only be a couple bucks difference at the pump at most. All driven habits and locations are different, but here are the numbers I get hand calculated. I have owned both a auto Type S and manual, sorry no base model to compare. Far suburban driving, no harsh city, but also no highway miles either.
Auto Type S: 19-21mpg
Manual Type S: 23-24mpg

Hand calculated using the same gas station. I would say a base TL would get same economy as a manual Type S. So a base TL would be better than a auto Type S by a few MPG, but thats expected.

Besides all the fuel economy BS, this is probably the best info I can give you...Since you obviously are looking at cars in the mid to high teens range, keep your search limited to the 07/08 models. Those were the mid cycle refreshed years that saw interior and exterior updates/changes, but most importantly for the automatics, they are more reliable. Guys on the forum say the 04-06 autos have the potential to have transmission issues which would most likely be very expensive repairs. That is not an issue with the 07/08 years. So that along with all the changes, and a few extra features such as backup camera (on nav equipped vehicles), and aux input for audio, make for a pretty decent car. All Type S's come with nav, but if you get a base nav is optional. I personally wouldnt get a TL without it. Sure, everyones iPhone can do all that and more, but it is functional and useful, helps resale value, and makes the interior look a LOT better.

Take my info for what its worth, but I have probably owned more TL's than anyone on this site so I have my experience with buying and selling them and knowing whats good and what isnt. 04-06 TL = good, 07-08 base TL = better, 07-08 Type S = best :-D

Hope this helps in your decision making process. Oh and out the ones your looking at, obviously the 08 TLS with 64K would be the no brainer IMO.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

07 TL-S.

Keep in mind with any of those three, the 105k service is coming up and it's a big service.

Welcome to AcuraZine.

EDIT- there have been a couple of threads here and there for 07/08 TL/TL-S with failed tranny's vs a helluva lot more tranny failure threads for 04 & 05 models.

Kaiii

iTrader: (1)

^yupyupyupyup +1

get the '08 tls w/ 64k like jts said

Omar9578

I did come across several issues with the earlier 3rd gen TL transmissions. I was actually aiming for any after '06 but i did not know about the interior updates on the 07-08s. As far as i've read, the 06-08s shouldnt be having transmission issues but regardless ill be checking every single maintenance record on whichever car I settle on. Most articles I've read claim that many of the transmission failures not only come from acuras design, but poor maintenance from the owners side also which is why transmission maintenance seems so important in the early years of owning these cars.

Omar9578

what is included in this service? My plan is to actually track down a service plan for whatever year I check out at the dealer and compare it to what has been done to the car itself. That will be probably give me the best idea of what condition these cars are really in.

GKinColo08TL

08 TLs...low mileage...long way to the 105K Timing Belt service.

Yumcha

Welcome to the forum!

erdoc48

I love my 06- having said that, I'd likely opt for the 08 Type-S with the 64K miles (assuming it's in decent shape). I wouldn't let the mileage sway me as these engines are very durable and will go way past 100K miles without an issue- the 07 Type-S wouldn't be a bad bet either, as it's less money than the 08. I would choose based on what's in the best condition, and that would include the 06 if it's in the best shape.

Mileage on the 06 should be ~ 24-25 mpg overall (highway mileage will be 30-32 on a long stretch). I would assume the Type-S may be 2 mpg lower based on a larger engine. I wouldn't be swayed away from an 06 5AT (I have one and my transmission has been flawless, but maintained properly with regular fluid changes - initial 3 x 3 change at ~ 55K miles, and a 1 x 3 every 15K miles thereafter as well as the 3rd/4th gear pressure switches).

Good luck in the decision (the benefit of the 07 would be the extended warranty, but it's unlikely it would ever be needed)

lilbatman636

08 TL-s I agree with everybody it will be repeated off and over cause a lot of people are for TL-S and the perks.

Jase13

^That^. I would definitely stick with the '07 or '08 whether Base or S.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Go Type S-and welcome!

Mugen.Justice

Welcome! '08 Type-S gets my vote.

juanjh11

Yupp!!! 08 TL-S is the way to go.

GKinColo08TL

Get the 08 with 64K all things being equal. At 100 mis/week you'll have a number of years before that 105K timing belt service.