I've had my 96 TL for over a year now, and I want to upgrade. I just got a promotion at work, so it looks like my dream might come true.
I would really like to get a third gen. But I am not sure exactly what I should look for, so I thought, who better to ask then people who already have one?!
Is there a certain year that I should look for? Potential problems to look for? Expected mpg, cost of ownership, insurance rates... blah blah blah. Or should I just set my sights on a different car all together??
Thanks in advance!

 

that depends on your finances.
How much are you willing to spend on a 3g?
high mileage 3g's are in the $12k range.
Beat up high mileage 3g's are even less.

all depends on how much you want to spend.

 

Expect much better gas mileage on the freeway, around 27 to 30 mpg. Insurance shouldn't be that much of a jump. Maintenance shouldn't be any different except for an occasional cabin filter replacement. Tires are larger so they'll cost a little more. No differential fluid to change unlike the 1st gen.

I'd get an '07 or '08 if possible, just my personal preference based upon the ride/handling combination and interior appearance.

Having owned a 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation TL, I feel qualified enough to give an opinion on the subject

 

^i'm willing to bet he cant afford an 07 or an 08

 

Congrats on the promotion! 3G TL's are now easily within reach for almost anyone since I have seen 04 and 05 going for low teens on a regular basis in good condition.

Really the only option on the 36 TL's is navigation or no navigation. Even though some will disagree I say for sure get the nav. Yeah we know you can buy a portable unit for a couple hundred that will do just the same but I promise you the interior just isnt the same without it. It improves the look 100 times, looks cooler at night and makes the car much more desireable when it comes time to sell. Im not saying non-nav cars arent good, but im just saying get what you want the first time that way there is no regrets after you make a purchase.

Dont forget if you enjoy manual transmissions a 6spd gear box is available on 04-06 TL's and 07-08 TL Type S's. You get better brakes, slightly better fuel economy, and more fun if you enjoy shifting. They are tougher to find but they are out there.

07-08 base TL's are still in the 20's or high teens with some mileage. Type S's are at minimum low 20's sometimes high teens with very high mileage.

Hope this helps!

James

 

I don't think I'm much interested in a type S, I would just get myself into trouble. And I don't need to.pay the extra insurance. I really like the later model tail lights, but I like the earlier wheels, lol. I am planning on spending less than 20k, it wasn't THAT GOOD of a promotion.
Somewhere I thought I read that these gens had problems with interior rattles...?

 

According to some Acura techs and service advisors I've spoken to, the '07/'08 models have more felt/padding to reduce that.

 

we can help you better, if you give a more exact price range.
less than 20k is still pretty broad.

I suggest setting an amount that you want to spend on a car, and then researching those models that fall into that price range.

 

I need to find one at a car lot and test drive it before I get too excited.
I think I want a white one
I KNOW that I'd look damn good stepping out of one. Even if it is at walmart or something!

 

^ lol well just start looking around and seeing what you can find....

being that you live in roseburg,OR not sure how many used TL's are up there my grandparents lived in Winston OR and i drove the car up there last year to see my Gmom before she passed away and I don't think I seen any TL's let alone any cars that were lowered with rims

Are you going to mod the new car at all?

 

I'm looking for another 3G TL also but on a 10k budget. Its more than doable but requires some specific things to check since it will be higher mileage. Good luck on your search!

*105K required maintenance (timing belt, water pump, other misc)
*Has transmission been rebuilt w/ any remaining warranty
*Replace 3rd and 4th gear pressure switches and add racing transmission fluid
*If it has navigation, read all stored messages in the car

 

I would NOT be modding it. I would only be interested in a completely stock one. I may only be 21, but I don't like the mod scene. These cars seem nice enough as is.

Roseburg/Winston is FULL of riced out mid-nineties civics and accords. Fart can mufflers, flat paint, bad wheels, and dents. Lol

I see a few of these 3gs riding around here, but there are quite a few up towards Portland, which is where I will be look at them. The fact that there aren't many in this town only makes me want one more.

 

If all else fails, I still love my 96

 

thank you, sir.
This is what the OP needs to look for.

 

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/ctd/2403832091.html

 

Keep your 96 and save up your cash to buy a new-to-you car in a few years. It isn't like the 96 is a turd or anything. The best TL is a paid off TL.

That being said, that CL post would be in the $17,000-18,500 range here in KC. 20K is too much without Navi.

 

That's where I bought my TL from. Pretty good people to deal with.

 

That 07 sure looks nice and the price is not too bad. Shop around and compare first. Don't jump in the 1st one you see. I saw a local to me add in Craigslist for a 07 TL Type-S for $16K but the mileage was 72K.

 

I think I might WANT one with higher miles, like, over 100k. That way, all the big derives should have been done already.

 

If you're going to do that make sure the 105K service was done (timing belt, water pump etc)

 

First one is over 100k and has everything up to date. The second one has 88k miles.

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/ctd/2393538863.html

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/2398015988.html

 

I've noticed that some of them have. Red tail lights, and some have the clear sections. I have seen both on all years. What's the difference? Thanks for the links!

 

2004-2006 TLs have solid red tails, while 07 and 08 Base models have the two "clear sections"...Type-S tails are different still. 07 and 08 models also have different (open spoke) wheels, side markers built into the mirrors, as well as a few other cosmetic differences.

 

Ok, so if I see an 04-06 with the clears parts, they have just been swapped? They look so much better.

 

Why you say that? Cuz he's 21?

 

dude im 21 and i have an 07 type s. i got the car back when i was only 20. i completely understand about you not wanting to mod it though, i felt the same way about this car when i got it....but of course now i have coilovers and some other mods...

 

I'm also looking to get a TL, I'm debating on whether to get an 07 w/Nav or the 07 Type S...I was gonna buy an 04 about 8 months ago but I like the 07-08 models better. Most of the Type S in my area are like 23-26k but I'll be more than happy with the TL w/Nav which are 19-22k. Hopefullly I'll have enough by next year at the latest. Paperboy did you buy yours straight cash?

 

Traitor...

 

yes, 17.5k OTD cash, i dont like to owe people money. i know business people will say its good for building credit but i dont know much about business, im a mechanical engineering major my theory is that, if you cant afford it in full, dont buy it.

 

Wow congrats, that's a great deal for a Type S. If you don't mind me asking if you bought it from a dealer or private owner? I really don't wanna pay more than 21k, I paid my current car off in Feb & got 5k saved so far & hopefully can get 5-6k from my trade in so I'm about halfway to my goal

 

That's ludicrous

 

private seller, found here on acurazine. i got lucky because i found two type-s both local to me for around that price when i was looking for a car. first one got sold right after i checked it out, so the second one i found i bought right away.

 

Do yourself a favor and get 6MT. Honda MT's are

 

the only thing i feel i would have a need to finance is when i need to buy a house, because very few people really have couple hundred thousand on hand. however, things like cars, are cheap enough that you should be able to save up for it. think about it this way, if you cant wait a year or two and save up for the car you want, then that car is probably too expensive for you anyways.

 

+1

honda manual transmissions are very good and everyone has positive reviews about them. autos on the other hand, is honda's weak point. they lose too much power from the engine and usually lag behind in the competition

 

@paperboy nice, I'll have to keep my eye out. I have plenty of time to search...if I can find a good deal on a Type S I'd jump on it if not I'll get the navigation

 

good decision i've heard that used cars nowdays are expensive because of the earthquake in japan couple months ago. good luck!

 

damn all these guys who want a 3g...mine was perfect, I placed it on here and not one reply. Oh well.

 

your price must have been too high since a lot of ppl want 3g TL's

 

I'm in the same boat as you...want a 3G...'07 or '08 and plan on spending no more than 20K. But I want one with as few miles as possible since I plan on driving it into the ground!