txtran

I've been looking at 04 Acura TL to buy. If anyone can help me with a checklist of things I need to look at before buying the car. I don't want to get a car with missing HIDS or anything. I've looked at alot of them already, but haven't checked under the hood or anything. When I test drive what would I need to do to make sure this is a solid car.

I hope this make sense. I don't want to buy a car and end up having things swaped out or having to spend thousands after bringing it home. THANKS!

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

hello, welcome to the forums. try looking in the 3G Garage. there's alot of helpful info there. try this:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...14&postcount=7


Once clicking on the link below- scroll to the "most common issues" section
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84834

1chiroTL

please if i can save you time and money please stay away from 04 model tl. LOYS of issues with the 04

billinohio

I bought a used 04, only thing I had done was the vibration at 55-60 mph and had the tsb on it done. it did help with drone/vibration . I seem to have one that is somewhere in the upper console or sunroof and one in the little doors in front of the shifter. car seems to run good and is averaging 27 mpg in the 1500 miles I have driven it. an 04 will probably have the stock tires replaced. I would get a car fax to make sure it hasnt been wrecked, alot of the white pearls, the bumpers dont match the body color. I looked at one of those and that wouldnt fly with me.

tinley.geo

I recently bought an 04 TL w/23K miles...it runs great, i have put 10K miles on in the past 4 months and no problems at all. somethings I dislike about my 04 compared to my friends 06...engine droning, old navi disc, single stitched seats, rattles, steering wheel emblem and leather, no tire pressure guage. I test drove probably 8 cars before the TL and just knew it drove best, the car was very clean, no dents/scratches, and the carfax was clear. You should also try and find one that is still under warranty...hope this helps

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

Curious, list the "lots" of problems the 04 has?

DMZ

Make sure it has navagation!

That way, you'll never be one of the 10's of 1000's that didn't get it who looked back afterwards that banged their heads into the wall wishing they had. The Nav screen is the heart of the interior and you also get the voice controls that you don't get with a non-navi model.

Good luck in your search.
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nightmaix

Yeah, check carfax if everything is clean ur prolly good.

Then, my greatest concern for my 04 TL would be the transmission. Now that my warranty is almost expired Im kinda worried the transmission would give in. I know it could cost up to 5k to fix a tranny and thats already a quarter of the value of my car right now. Im not worried about anything else.

blueracer17

For the guy who said stay away from the 04'-don't make a generalized statement like that and run. Back it up with some facts. I have an 04' NBP, Navi, 6MT and can't complain at all. It was one of the last 04's built so maybe it doesn't have all the issues of the early builds. It's a great car that should last a long time.
eric

VmtSquad

iTrader: (1)

^^ I agree!!

I aslo have a 04' NBP 6MT, bought it 4 months ago and put 7000 km on it. Didn't have problem with it at all, the only thing I noticed AFTER I bought it, it's that the back seats was uncliped and could be lift off with one finger, was fixed in 5min.

For the tranny issue = GET A 6MT if you CAN, it worth the SHOT BIG TIME!!!! Its the best choice I made in years LOL!

acurasofla

Just waiting for an '09 Fourth Generation TL next year!

neuronbob

Agree--while the 2004 had some teething issues, it was definitely not a bad car and "stay away from all" is an overgeneralization.

In addition to the links noted above, you need to test drive any 04 you find. If it has vibration problems not attributable to the wheels/tires, stay away. In additon, make sure it's had the 2nd gear oil inspection or (if necessary) replacement--this will be important if the VIN is 14k or below.

Otherwise, if you find a good deal on a 2004 TL, go for it! It's a fun car and there are now lots of mods for it.

nightmaix

Did I ever imply something like that? I got my 04 used and love it. Its just that most 04s' warranties are either already or almost up Im kinda worried about the tranny giving up. The 5ATs have had some tranny issues, if u search around and they cost big time. Mine is at 40k miles and its still goin strong with no issues at all. Im just pointing out to the OP what he should look out for. Sorry if I offend anyone

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

if your that worried get an ext. warranty

tinley.geo

^ just curious but how much is it to get the ext. warranty, does it depend on anything?

jtsangAZ

i have also been looking for a wdp 04 or 05 TL also and this was a good thread. Some of the cars ive test drove, i called the acura dealers around town and gave them a vin that checked if the car has ever been serviced there. They should tell you what kind of services has been performed. As to this day, im still looking but now am also considering a tsx even though i havent had time to test drive any. good luck!

you can call the acura dealers and talk to somebody in finance and they can give you a quote on an extended warranty. They just asked the yaer and mileage on the car and you can probably talk them down a bit before it gets finalized.

lavo

I'm looking at 04s and 05s, should i REALLY be concerned about the 2004s? the one im eyeing has 1 year and 3 months on warranty yet.

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

Rattles and there was a recall for the fuel pump (IIRC?). That's all that I was concerned with.

aznkikaz

iTrader: (2)

my 04 has no problems what so ever, and its a 5at. running strong for 35k miles the since the day i got her off the lot 3 years ago. i love this car.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

Contact Tim at hondaacuraworld. He is one of the vendors on this site. He can quote you a price.

http://www.hondacuraworld.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc

fish008

I have an 04 and mine has been great BUT I would try to avoid a couple of things and be on the lookout for a couple more. First avoid the 5AT and get the 6MT, some of the 2nd gen tranny problems showed up in the 04 and maybe even some into the 05. Anyway, as mentioned the color mismatch on the WDP is a real issue and could/should be corrected for free if you buy it from the dealer. As long and they are fixing things they might as well change the bump stops and the bluetooth module with the TSBs at no charge to you also (MAKE SURE THEY DO THIS BECAUSE IF THEY DONT YOU WILL HAVE TO FIGHT THEM/PAY BIG MONEY TO HAVE THEM FIX THOSE ISSUES). The leather is not the greatest and the front seats often end up with creases/cracks. If you could get navi that would be ideal but they are few and far between. If you're buying from an acura dealer I would buy the extended warranty if it is available. If an acura dealer wont put an extended warranty on and the car has less the 50k miles on it I would be suspect that there is actually something wrong with the car. As far as your fear of buying a car without HIDs, that wont happen as all TLs come stardard with HIDs. Good luck on your purchase. Can anyone else think of something else to lookout for?

HardTech

I'm selling my 2004 TL with manual transmission and Navi. I got a new job and thought I could afford it, but insurance, gas, and car payment end up being over $1000 a month. That's way too much for me, especially since I dont' make too much money.

car has 44.5k miles on it, and looks brand new except for some creases on the driver seat. XM subscription is good until April 2008, lifetime warranty on tint (back 2 windows and rear window tinted at 30%, I think)..

I'm trying to get $24.3k for it. I haven't heard any rattles, except for a water bottle that was in the door panel.

eaglegreen48

I would definitely have a mechanic check out the car. If you don't have one you could use somebody like SGS Automotve. They will go inspect the car and test drive it and give you a report with pictures. Do try to get a car with some factory warranty left or consider a 2005 or 2006.

Mastervtec

'04's are great.

< 87k and quite nice.

KJSmitty

Once again, please list the AT issues you speak of??
- If you look at all the documented transmission complaints, the overwhelming number is with the shifting issues in the MT..... And they are in all years of the 3G..

Overall very few AT issues.

cM3go

I have an 04 TL, which is for sale by the way (shameless plug) but in any case... With 55K miles on it, I have had 0 major problems. Its a 6MT so no tranny problems like the Auto, other than that, I just do regular maintenance on it and it has run smooth the whole time!

Good luck on your search. I think Navi is a must (and just cool) and 6MT is fun to drive.