snowtrax

I have about $13,000 to spend on a TL. These cars are for sale near me:

2005 TL, Black on Camel, Base, 65,000 miles for $13,000 (Private Sale)
2005 TL, Silver on Gray, Nav, 91,000 miles for $13,000 (Mom & Pop Dealer)
2005 TL, Blue on Black, Base, 86,000 miles for $13,500 (Acura Dealer)

All three have had minor accidents and have been serviced regularly but I'm not sure which one I should buy.

Undying Dreams

iTrader: (3)

Seems like you've narrowed it down nicely. Now it comes to your personal preference. Decide on a color you want and go from there. If color is not a big deal then I would go after the cleanest one, both interior and exterior.

Also I would fully inspect each of them and know every detail of that accident. You don't want to be surprised at the wrong time.

snowtrax

Obviously, I'd prefer to have Nav but is it worth sacrificing 26,000 miles?

And I like dark colors but does it matter if I buy from an Acura dealer, private, or small dealer?

Undying Dreams

iTrader: (3)

Navi is not a huge "plus" here in 2012 where you can buy a $100 portable navi or your smartphone So sacrificing 26k miles for navi, don't do it. The less miles the better.

I wouldn't say it matters much about the dealer, you just need to decide which is in best condition and what you feel is the best price. Acura dealers are more likely to overcharge but if the car is in better condition it's probably worth the little extra money.

Bounce

Tough call!

Honestly, I'd say to go with the car with lower mileage, although they are expected to last a while. I just traded in my 2005 6MT for a decent chunk of change so I know that for a fact. Mine has 120K mileage on it and had the Nav.

You have to think a couple times about the Nav also - when was the last time the disc was updated? Usually discs are out of date, and these days you can pick up a nav system for $100 (which is up to date). All smartphones feature nav sotware these days. So for me, I don't think it's worth the extra miles to get the nav if you don't have to.

I'm also willing to bet there is some negotiation room in these three deals - don't know if you've tried to haggle a bit. You might get something in your favor.

The only thing that would off-set my stance on this is if the last vehicle sold by the dealer is being offered as certified, or with warranty etc. That could be a big factor.

Good Luck!

Undying Dreams

iTrader: (3)

It won't be certified because of the year. My 06 missed it by a few months.

I don't think they CPO over 6 years.

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

None. Find a 6MT .

Just kidding. If you like an auto then get an auto. I don't dig black since it looks pretty bad when it's dirty, unlike some other colors which mask it better. That and I live in a hot climate where black is death in the summer. But that's just preference. I'd check each one out closely and choose the one that feels the best behind the wheel and has the least amount of defects. Check for blemishes including rock chips, engine bay, oil (for excessively black or smelly oil), tranny fluid, etc. Push each of them hard on the tranny and see if any of them slips or hesitates in any way.

Good luck with your purchase!

snowtrax

I found a 2006 TL with 91k and Navi at a Nissan dealer and they want $14,000 but I hope to get it for around $12,000. The leather looks like it needs some reconditioning so I will definitely get some money off. I have two questions:
1. Are the transmissions better in '06 as oppose to '05?
2. Do you think they'll take $12,000?
3. It has stock chrome wheels....opinions?

Undying Dreams

iTrader: (3)

That's 3

1. Supposedly they've "fixed" the tranny in the 06-08 but I don't know how true that really is. I knew when I was looking it had to be 06 or newer, the 04's and 05's lead me to believe they had problems. But then again, every car is vulnerable, no way of telling right off the bat unless it's really bad.

2. Depends. Dealers will fight with you. They'll act like all they can do is $200 off or some shit but you have to just keep playing them. From what it sounds like, you have cash? With cash you have a better chance at beating them down in price. If they don't take $12k in cash then that is their loss and they might just sell you the car. If they won't go for $12k try telling them your final offer is $12.5k and start to walk out lol

3. The wheels are going to be a personal preference. If you stick around these forums for long enough I'm sure those wheels won't be on the car long

snowtrax

Yes, it's cash but I've received the deposit for my G, I'm just waiting for the final check so it's officially sold.

Ideally I'd like the 2006 but if I can't get to it in time, I might just have to go with the '05.

dontTL'em'nothing

iTrader: (3)

imho i would just cross out the second option(mom and pop dealer) for a few reasons. First reason is you will be over paying unless you can haggle them down to maybe $9.5k-$10k. Secondly 105k service is due - timing belt, water pump etc, so you will be shelling out roughly $600-$1000 depending on location and place taken too.

Dealership option if you can come down about 1.5k-2k its not a bad buy or work out a deal with them and have the 105k service done early.

Best thing to do is have them all checked out thoroughly. Good luck OP and also check to see if any of the TSBs have been done.

1black_seven

iTrader: (2)

I wouldn't rule out the mom and pop dealer, but what dontTL'em'nothing said is true. You're gonna have to do the tune up, its a fact.

Whichever one you pick get it inspected before buying.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

in to see which one you pick

snowtrax

The 2006 with 91k and Nav is worth $14,000 private party according to kelly blue book. The Base 2005 with 65k is worth $15,800 private party.

I need opinions!

truonghthe

Honestly I don't know really if they fix the AT issue in 06 because some member here bought the car as new and still running into the issue, however plenty other member bought used 04-05 and still running strong with AT. 06 model you are looking into I would just offer them $12.5k as final offer and don't mention that how you gona pay for the car, if they ask just tell them you like to work on the price first to see if we both agree because if you tell them paying cash they can push for higher sale price for maximum profit or if you say finance they will give you a good deal on the car but later screw you over on the interest.

snowtrax

The 2005 with 65k miles has a car cover, 2 sets of floor mats, trunk lip, has been stored every winter, gravel deflectors, full trunk mat, custom fit cover, rain deflectors and recently repainted bumpers due to an incident at a touch free car wash. (???)

truonghthe

I would get that 05 with 65k miles then.

DaeHanMeenGuk

+1. Also, like others mentioned regarding navi, we live in an age where we can purchase a very portable gps or use our smartphones to navigate. if you really really want navi, it is actually possible to do a navi conversion if you have the money for it.

aIRpeACE

iTrader: (2)

i would say none of the above. but if you have to pick one i will go with the private seller and make sure the accident isnt big enough to damage the frame

makk

Buy the one with the best documentation.

piggydog

wait, you can find better options.

snowtrax

The 2005 with low mileage. I haven't looked at it yet but he said he can't even find where it was painted and he's extremely anal. He's about 60 and he said the wheels were curbed and they were fixed but they didn't look perfect so he bought new ones. Brakes and tires are about 60% and he had the bumpers repainted because they were slightly damaged from the car wash. He also said he has all of the service records. It sounds like a really clean, well taken care of car.

Anything in particular I should look at other than the collision?

How much should I expect to pay for the 3rd and 4th transmission switches to be replaced?

On the CarFax it says "recommended maintenance performed" at 60,000 miles. What does that include?

snowtrax

Also, how do I find out if it was an early model '05 or a late model?

Phantom_of_the_Acura

By checking the last 6 digits of the VIN for example my 07 TL had the last digits of 005534 and was built in November of 06. The higher the number the later in the run of that model year.

ArthurL

iTrader: (4)

Where are you located?

If it was in NYC and the car has 65K vs a car from down south that has 95K.. I'd go with the one from down south with 95K mainly because you can safely assume the owner drove mostly highway rather than daily stop & go traffic.

Maybe you can search around for some more options? I regret not having enough time to look around but due to time constraints I had at the time I just settled with an AT.

TyPeSeXy05

Find out which one has had the Timing belt and water pump service done. Its at 105K miles OR 7 years. I just did mine and its a pricey but well needed service. Id honestly shoot for a 07-08 TLS but thats just me .

eaglegreen48

ez12a

Get a prepurchase inspection done on the 65k mile one. If it checks out, that would be my choice.

i dont could not care less how "anal" someone is. My TL i bought he said he was super meticulous and after getting it inspected I found the fluids havent been changed in a while along with tire wear and some other maintenance related things. Used that to negotiate the price down to 14k @ 52k miles.

go to a japanese independent shop for the inspection, imo. Dealers are hit and miss on how thorough they can be.

snowtrax

On the CarFax it says "recommended maintenance performed" up until the 65k mile mark. What does recommended maintenance include? Does that mean the transmission fluid has been changed?

Here is the VIN btw: 19UUA662X5A023881

ez12a

probably oil changes, tire rotations, and inspections. if it was serviced at a dealer you can ask for records i'm sure. Transmission fluid is probably something they dont normally touch.

Bounce

I'd go with the one with lesser miles, makes all the sense in the world to me.

sleeper22

snowtrax

Looking at the VIN, was the car an early or late model '05?

Project_CLean

iTrader: (2)

BUY MINE! lol
$14K! 95000 miles

Idk about you,but NAVI is huge for me. Such a big plus on looks of interior.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

The navi looks much better installed but I don't think the clarity of the screen or the operation of it is anything to drool over.

snowtrax

Too many miles...

snowtrax

Can someone please tell me if it's an early or late model '05 by the VIN???
19UUA662X5A023881

truonghthe

omg you still heaven't get one yet?

trehman

Look in the driver's side door sill. IT will say the manufactured date.

snowtrax

^^Believe me, I would've gotten one but my buyer backed out. I have another buyer who will hopefully follow through but if I sold my G, I would've gotten one months ago.


3/22/05 is when it was registered as a lease vehicle but I don't know if that helps