How Long to Keep '06 TL?
 

I've got an 06 TL automatic with Nav. I'm the original owner, the car has 98K on it, I've done all scheduled maintenance, and I've had no major problems with it. It's about time for the 105K service along with some other routine maintenance (totaling almost $2K at a good price; more at the dealership). I recently got new tires, new brake pads about 6 months ago, and a new Nav last year.

I'm wondering if I should get the work done and get the car detailed and new floor mats. I'd ideally hope to get another 50K or more out of the car - but at the same time, I don't want it breaking down on me or needing frequent maintenance.

What do you think? Keep it or look for a new car? I've never had a car for more than 100K but the car seems to be running well and I hear how Acuras/Hondas last a long time.

Here's the maintenance I'm getting done:

- Timing Belt (with tensioner, adjuster, pulley, drive belt, and water pump)
- Radiator hoses and thermostat (optional, while getting water pump changed)
- Spark plugs
- Valve adjustment with new valve covers
- Compliance bushings
- Engine mounts

man, if don't want another car payment and haven't had any major problems with the TL then you should keep it for a little bit longer.
Wait for the TLX :wish:

I have an 06 TL, transmission was confirmed dead today at 96k miles.
Have you taken a look at your tranny fluid and done the switches, and filter?

I had the dealership perform the tranny service around 90K (that's when the service minder came up). They didn't report any problem. I don't notice any problems with the tranny when driving the car. So hopefully there's no problem with it :)

if properly maintained like you seem to being do, why get rid of it. It still has plenty of miles left in it.

hallelujah!!
Then you got yourself a keeper ;)

I would keep the car. A $1200 timing belt service would be like 3 payments on a new car and probably even less with today's car prices. A TB service is chump change compared to what a new car will cost you. It sounds like you have been maintaining the car well and that will reward you going forward.

I have the same age car with 62k miles and I have been pocketing the old car payment and that money goes into a 'car' account. I'll buy another car when I feel like like there is a compelling upgrade from the car I have. There really hasn't been that much mainstream new technology that I wish I had now so I'm content with an 8 year old car which looks new.

The TLX might be that car but I wouldn't buy a first model year car so that makes me need to wait a couple years.

I say keep the car you have no problems and no car payment = a keeper

keep it, still driving 2002 CLS with 134K on it

i'd say keep it. i'm driving a 2006 TL with 111k miles on it

You're in my boat- I just did my 105K service at 95K miles and will keep the car for the next 100K miles- the 105K service is a few car payments and you're good to go for a very long time. There's nothing better than having no car payment.

keep it bud. unless you're itching for a new ride and know it's the one, having no payments is where you wanna be... on top of that, like you said, it's a honda/acura

I have a 2006 TL with Navi and I'm planning on keeping the car for another year or so. Still running strong!

I will be in the same situation with my wifes car in a few years ('08 TL with 66K). The plan is to keep this car until it starts to nickel & dime us to death. The drivetrain warranty expires in July, and I plan to have the tranny serviced just prior to this. Probably do the TB/Waterpump service at 85-90K. The best way to get decent value when you buy a car new is to drive it as long as possible.

I'm in the "keep it" camp, it's a Honda product after all! If you've taken care of it and kept up with all the required maintenance you can get some decent mileage out of it. There's some TL's out there with like 200K on them!

Keep it?! Hey Bro I also have a 07' TLS & a 98' Honda Accord V6 Sedan with 288,000 miles I had bought brand new back then. You have many more miles to go on your TL & remember: NO MONTHLY PAYMENTS

Why do the timing belt at 85-90k? The 105k interval is already pretty conservative. If the car gets totaled or for some unforeseen reason you end up selling it shortly after the service, you'll be out big money. I'd hold off until you're close to 105k.

'05 AT Navi SSM with 134K on the Odo. Check engine light came on this weekend. Not sure what's up. Glad I did the belt at 98K while it was under an extended warranty. got a lot of other things covered at that time. Will need some new skins this next season as well as brake pads/resurfacing. Riding a little stiff lately. Might need to look at the suspension. Got a new CD unit in it on Ebay and had it installed locally at the same time as a installation of a Ipod cable. Looking to keep it through 160K. I am set for another year and a half. Been a good car for me.

I'm in agreement with your logic. I believe the service manual calls out a 7 years or 105k service interval which is one reason people might change the belt early. I also own a 2005 pilot with 90k miles so that is getting close mileage wise and is already 9 years old and past due the time interval. With the way these Honda belts are, I will probably defer until 2015 because of the 'total' possibility having my daughter driving it this year when she gets her license. A TB service is like 10% of the Pilot's value so that is a significant expense.

service manual has no time recommendation for the TB service, it is all MID based. 105K is a good average of when you will receive the prompt. I would not perform the service until notified.

I just traded my 5 speed automatic with a hundred fifty thousand miles even though I had the oem timing service kit sitting in my drawer and guess what I got?

An 06 6speed with 44000 miles navi...


bottom line my answer trade-in get a 6-speed manual TLS or base if not keep it...unless you want to totally change up your style go some other maker and say goodbye to A-zine forever which everyone will be sad lol..

I'm with the general consensus here. But why not do some upgrade mods to the TL
to keep the interest alive. It's paid off might have some fun with it. You only live once.

I do understand there some maintenance coming up, but you know, I'm just throwing
it out their.

I traded my 06 TL MT with 109K miles this weekend. It was great while my husband was alive to diagnose and fix any problems but in the last year I have had to get a new clutch, starter along with all motor mounts. They gave me $9K for it, said it would have been more but all 4 rims had been curbed and the huge crack in the dash. I went in with the mindset of $9500 so It was fine. Walked out with 2014 Kia Optima SXL Turbo for $26K. 10 year/100K mile warranty

I recently purchased a 2014 Kia Soul-primo package. I am keeping my tsx-it has so many good memories that I can not let it go. My daughter does not have any desire to learn to drive MT so we plan on taking roadtrips in the future and the Kia will be our vehicle. This way be can share driving. :thumbsup:

My 20 year old has 2001 MDX and my 17 year old isn't driving yet bc she doesn't want to but neither wanted to learn to drive MT either. Maybe in 10 years they can have the SXL lol

Keep it till the repair bills become more often/frequent/expensive than a regular car payment.

(hard to do unless you have engine/tranny's failing)

Keep it. I got my TB service done at Hamilton Honda for less than $500 with the Tensioner. They quoted me $250 or so for the valve adjustment which I did not do. I'm about 60K miles past that and still no issues.

Never did the compliance bushings. Are yours torn or just have cracks? I have the same cracks on mine for close to 100K miles and I feel no issues. No noise and no vibrations.

Are your engine mounts broken or are you just replacing?

Personally I have only done the TB Service on your list and I feel my TL runs wonderfully. I have no issues with noise, rattles or vibrations and I'm at 166K.

Thanks for all the great feedback.

My compliance bushings don't exhibit any symptoms while driving but the dealership has mentioned a couple times that they're cracked and needed to be replaced.

I haven't noticed a problem with the engine mounts either - but I saw it mentioned in other 105K services so I checked them by revving the engine while holding the brakes. I can see the engine move forward and up, then when I release the gas I can see and feel it fall back with a thud.

The valve adjustments I could probably skip. The service manual recommends "inspect valve clearance" but it sounds like a lot of people don't bother actually adjusting them if they're making noise.

I just figured while I was getting the other major maintenance done, I should take care of everything I need for the foreseeable future. Some of the maintenance I'm thinking of as "preventative".

Ask the dealership to show you the torn/cracked compliance bushings next time. I had one tech tell me I absolutely needed to have mine replaced and then I had one tech take the time to put my car on a lift, show me that the cracks on mine were extremely minor and told me unless there is noticeable play or they are torn that replacing them could be a waste of money. That was when I had 75K miles on it. 91K miles later....no issues. I do a visual inspection of them every time I rotate the tires. I get a better look when I take it to the tire shop once every 6 months or so.

The engine mounts are tricky. I can see my move but I do not hear or feel a thud. If they are damaged then they are worth doing.

Personally....you are the original owner, low(ish) miles....you know what you have. I would sink some money into it and get the repairs done. You may also want to get the spark plugs replaced. That you can do on your own if you have the time.

I also recommend you call Hamilton Honda in NJ. Their price is a bit higher on the TB service than when I got mine done but it still can't be beat.

the one acura dealer I went to informed me the compliance bushings needed to be replaced. When I went to my regular dealer they said no it was just normal wear-replacement not needed yet. That was 3+years ago.

I think dealers routinely say that because they know they can get away with it or because some of them just don't know. I found one Tech that was just really honest about it.

OP - I say have it checked out by another dealership. If they are torn and there is noticeable play then they need to be replaced. Small tears are common.

Agreed- I had my suspension checked at Goodyear- there's some minor tears in the bushings after 95K or so miles, but all is otherwise solid and the car rides/ handles great without any clunks in the suspension. I'd just leave it alone unless you hear anything unusual or notice changes in handling/ steering/ ride.

Engine mounts seem very solid- no movement at all under load.

I plan on doing the spark plugs this spring or summer (or maybe next as I drive only ~ 7K miles per year now).

As for the valve adjustment, I have some time/ mileage to consider that- I'm in no hurry to do it.

I would wait on the valve adjustment (they usually say 120k for that one), but keep it and go for the rest. My '06 auto TL just passed 150k with no major problems. I usually keep our Honda/Acuras to 200k before we get bored/have new features worth upgrading to..

I'm at 94k and I'm not too worried about my compliance bushings. They've got the requisite cracks, but they've been like that for awhile and I've had no problems. I'll just keep an eye on them like everyone else is doing.

I did the plugs a while back and the mounts recently so all I really need is to do the TB, water pump and tensioner probably this time next year. I could see me needing axles not too far down the road, but that's about it.

my beauty has 66k and is currently at the shop. getting front suspension repaired from a curb that surprised me around a corner. again.

:whistle:


She'll be a brand new car when she comes out :O