04TLaw

Ok im new to TL's and looking into buying one my price range is under 20k ish. I found a 04 Silver TL with navi and grey leather (not black ) it has 60k miles on it, and has 1 owner. The condition in overall really good, except 2 small rock chips in the front bumper, and one medium side one in the front bumper (repaint cost me what $100) and is asking 19,500 for it. Does this sound like a deal to do or not? I know hondas will run forever and i dont think i have to worry about mileage do i? Im a ex-mechanic so i keep up with maintance very well. It also has new tires on it. no major stains and no rips on the interior. Just seeing if you guys would do it?

I like these upscale type cars, and the TL's lights really grab my attenttion. I hope its as quick and fun to drive as it stands out. Please help with any responses thanks

goswald80

That's a lot of miles for a 2 year old car... still though, if the original owner kept up with maintenance, changed the oil regularly, etc. it should be fine. These cars don't have a major service due til 100k I believe.

Kelly Blue book puts the retail value of the car at ~$24,600, private party value of $21,650 (if in "excellent" condition). I won't tell you "buy it!", but if the maintenance records are solid and you're happy with your own visual inspection inside and out, I would say seriously consider it. Best of luck.

meburdick

You didn't specify the tranny type. If it's an auto, check to see if it was part of the recall campaign to replace the ATF fluid and inspect the tranny for premature, heat-related wear. Also, check to see *when* it was done - the fewer miles the better.

Also, if it's an AT - if the car was owner/driven in a snowy area, try to judge the kind of driver that ran it, and in what kinds of weather. If the car was ever "stuck", the tranny could have gotten damaged if the owner tried to "rock" it out (switching between D and R).

Other than that: it's going to cost you more than $100 to repaint the front bumper (at least, if you want it done right). Think more like $500-$800. But, that isn't the amount it lowers the value of the car.

Check out cars.com, edmunds.com, nadaguides.com (stay away from Kelly Blue Book as the prices are ridiculous) to get an idea of what the car should retail for. Plug in different values for the condition to see how much it alters the value.

Go informed... That's your best bet.

meburdick

Actually, the car is more like three years old, depending on when it was actually purchased. The '04 models hit the dealer lots in late '03, which is three years ago. And, while I do much of my commuting on an airplane, I still put about 25k/year on my cars.

If there's 60k on it from driving to the market and church, run screaming from the car. If it was mostly highway miles, 60k is nothing.

04TLaw

Well its an AT, and i have no idea how to check records of this, lol a used car dealer has it now, its a one owner and im pretty sure highway miles, besides stupid little stains on the carpet (no burns) thats it and yes $100 will repain the front bumper right, i have a buddy thats an autobody man he said paint cost only, no labor. Finally mileage dosnt bother me hondas run forever right? Whys it so common that the rear bumper is a very slight shade different color then the sheet metal in certain lighting?

CL Platano

do it..they are still selling 03 TL's for that price with navi

meburdick

You need to get the VIN off of the car and check with an Acura dealer to see if it was under any recalls. If it was, ask the Acura dealer if they can tell you if the work was done, and when. Also, ask the used car dealer for the info. You might want to have the Acura dealer go over the car to look for issues. Yes, you're going to pay them for the work - but it will be worth it if you come out with a clean bill of health (or, even if they find something major).

The paint shade differences between paint on metal and paint on plastic/rubber are always present. My Anthracite Metallic 06 shows subtle differences depending on light and angles. If this car is white, I believe that there were some even bigger disparities in the paint colors with it. Look for overspray or any other evidence of body work (look "behind" the bumper, for example), or have your buddy check it out (good deal on having someone that will cut you a deal on the work!) to make sure that it's a "factory" reason for the difference...

jag123

drive the car at 60-75 miles an hour for a period of time, and feel if the steering wheel has a vibration, as well as the gas pedal. This occurs with the 04.
if its there trust me it will annoy the hell out of you.

04TLaw

What causes this crap? is it fixable?

NEXT I HAVE A CARFAX ON THE CAR AND IT SAYS IT WAS AUTO TRANS FLUSHED AND CLEANED AT 22,000 MILES look at carfax details below this is the whole fax what do you guys think?

Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:

11/14/2003 11 Service Facility Vehicle serviced

11/24/2003 Joe Rizza Acura Inc.
Orland Park, IL
708-403-7770
www.rizcars.com Vehicle sold

11/25/2003 Illinois
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Frankfort, IL Registered as
lease vehicle

02/02/2004 4,651 Illinois
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Frankfort, IL
Title #T40****** Title issued or updated
First owner reported
Loan or lien reported
Registered as lease vehicle

10/11/2004 22,624 Joe Rizza Acura Inc.
Orland Park, IL
708-403-7770
www.rizcars.com Vehicle serviced
Automatic transmission fluid flushed
Washed/detailed

09/21/2005 43,905 Joe Rizza Acura Inc.
Orland Park, IL
708-403-7770
www.rizcars.com Vehicle serviced
Washed/detailed

10/27/2005 46,269 Joe Rizza Acura Inc.
Orland Park, IL
708-403-7770
www.rizcars.com Vehicle serviced
Washed/detailed

09/23/2006 Dealer Inventory Vehicle was offered for sale

Thorin78

Are you referring to the original EL42 tires causing this problem due to flat spotting?

If so, all you need to do is get new tires and not EL42.

Since the car was driven in IL, it's been in snow and probably lots of it. However since it's a lease vehicle, that's alot of miles for a lease btw. Must've paid alot during that lease.

I have an 04 and I love it. If those are highway miles, it ain't so bad. You could probably haggle it down to the $18s.

04TLaw

No i know what this guy has in it, and its not far off from what im paying for it, which was my goal, and does this mean that the trans stuff is done due to the records or what?