johnny14

iTrader: (1)

Hi I just totaled my 2nd Gen TL and now trying to find a replacement and was looking into the 3rd Gen but wanted to know what to look out for? What things are common on these generations that need attention? I really liked my 2nd Gen but also like the 3rd Gen as well. Any advice for me to take notice on when buying would be great.

Thanks in advance.

zeta

iTrader: (1)

^
Start with the video in the this guys thread below.

https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...-great-983414/

Acura604

it is becoming more and more difficult in finding a near perfect 3G. Although I have one, if i had to do it again, i'd buy something a bit newer.

johnny14

iTrader: (1)

Thank you

What year? Or are you talking about 4th Gen?

EddieOnAZ

Depending on your area you can still find some very clean 07-08 cars somewhat easily. If for some reason you prefer 04-06 you might have to look a little longer before you find something in good shape. I would personally stay away from automatic 04-06 cars though, they tend to have transmission problems (but you should already know that coming from a 2G).

johnny14

iTrader: (1)

The TL has to be a automatic so my wife can drive it. So the earlier years also had transmission problems? That’s good to know I thought they fixed those issues after the 2nd gen guess not. Ok I’ll look around the 07 - 08 range was sort of the range I was looking as I was thinking of the type-s

seinfeld-bassline

i bought a 6MT type s in December with 117k. i like it so much that i am confidentially selling my current gen WRX tomorrow. that said i would opt for a base 07-08 auto over a type s auto. anecdotally all the automatic type s i see are beat within an inch of their lives at this point.

truonghthe

not this one lol

EvilVirus

iTrader: (8)

You should sell OP one of your collections.

EddieOnAZ

Personally I'd be fine with the idea of buying a low miles automatic 05-06. As long as you perform a thorough test drive to detect any sort of weird behavior you should be good for a good while. When I was shopping around I would also check the transmission fluid for color and smell. Dark isn't necessarily bad but if you smell a kind of burnt odor that's no good. Additionally, an auto 05-06 should be priced at a good discount compared to an 07-08. 07-08 gives you different wheels, updated interior, usb audio (I think) as well as a backup cam, different taillights, side mirror indicators and I think they played around with the rear sway bar dimensions also.

WDPanda

I've seen some quick sale Type S autos go for the same price as some 07/08 base. Type S is a lot better and only a few items are exclusive for it in terms of parts.

seinfeld-bassline

Correction: most type S autos i see *in real life* and not owned by diligent AZ members seem to be pretty tired these days

type s upgrades are nice but if i wanted an auto to daily i would be looking for a "little old lady" base 07-08

truonghthe

honestly if I choose between low mileage and not maintain vs high mileage maintain well, I would take he high mileage. The problem with 3G TL now since its dirt cheap on the used market and people refuse to put money into them, which translate to headache for used car shopper.

hondeducation

nothing huge to look out for, but if going for an automatic, make sure those automatic pressure switches were changed out at least 1x. otherwise, all 3G TL suffer broken bluetooth modules, and most have cracked dashes or torn up seat bottoms. otherwise, most stuff is wear and tear, like engine mounts, control arm bushings, etc.

the 3G is a fantastic car with plenty of power compared to the modern day cars. highway gas mileage is still good, i get 30-32 mpg on mine.

Scottwax

Cracked dashes and the leather doesn't hold up that great long term (Accords have the same issues with the seats) but a properly maintained drive-train is pretty solid.