Hey guys,

1st off, and loving this forum so far. So much knowledge and experience here, and it shows in all your galleries.

I'm from Calgary (Yeah, the place where it snows in June) haha. Currently a Mitsu Lancer owner but it's time to move on and I've got my mind set on the 3rd Gen TL's.

So AcuraZine, I need help in decideding between two cars, I'll break down the info as follows:

2005 Acura TL (5AT, no Navi) - $17,700 Prob get this for $16,500-17,000
154,000KM Mostly Highway
Original Owner
Two sets of rims (Original have winters, Summers on new...both have about one season each left)
WDP - With Beige interior
Tint 35% all around
Door molding
Rear Spoiler
Very clean, inside and out.

vs

2006 Acura TL (5AT, no Navi) - $22,000 She is tough to deal with prob get it for $20,500-$21000
95,000KM
Original Owner
New tires on original set of rims
WDP - With Black interior
Nothing extra in terms of tint, spoiler etc
Interior is very clean, however front bumper has highway chips and hood has chips which are starting to rust


So as you can see, my requirements when looking for a TL was WDP in the 20k range. Remember these are Canadian prices, so they might seem like too much but this is pretty much the going rate on these cars here.

My questions:
-If you were in my spot, which would you go for and why
-What is your preference on interior colour: Beige or Black leather which is easier to take care of.
-What major maintence is required at the 100,000km (60,000 mile mark) Is it the same as most Hondas ie. Timing belt, Water pump...if so whats a good estimate on cost?
-Is it expensive to repair the front end on the 06 TL (Rock chips& Scratches) -Is 154,000km (90,000miles) really a lot, or is it just chump change

I'll post pics up of both cars soon to show what I mean. I am torn between the two, and any light shed by the community would greatly help!

 

If I was in the market for a TL right now, I'd only look at getting the TYPE S. I mean as far as performance and stuff like that its all subjective I don't think there's that great of a difference, but you do get alot of nice upgrades though. Also if you are part of this forum, LoL.. you are going to end up buying alot of TYPE S parts to upgrade, like tails and headlights just to name a few.. so I'd really consider it. Right now would be the time to get the TYPE S not trade in and do it later, cuz that's never wise. Plus the navi and all is upgraded in the 07-08 models.

With that said.. with the 2 options you provided, I'd go with the 06 because they did upgrade a few little minor things and fixed most of the problems that were plagued in the 04-06 line up. Plus the 06 comes with TPMS built in, the rest don't. Also if you ever wanted to upgrade to TYPE S headlights, no need to upgrade the ballasts. Buying a later model car is always wiser if the pocket allows it. And I think a White car with Black Interior looks hot.. but I like the luxury look of Beige.

 

Don't know if its alberta but those prices seem to be higher than toronto autotrader prices.

But between the two, I would opt for the one with 60k less on the odometer.

 

As promised: Pictures


2005 TL



2006 TL With bumper & hood chips

 

if those were my only options i would go 06. i dont like the wing and those rims are not a selling point for me on the 05. The chips are not great on the 06 but you could get that fixed. Plus its newer with less miles.

 

id go for the 06 ... its newer, and i dont like the wing on the 05

 

Thanks for the replies guys.

The only thing I'm worried about with the 06 is the servicing that is upcoming at 100km. Timing belt, Waterpump and sparkplugs along with a tranny flush would run me about $1000 on top. Also, I think the front bumper to get it resprayed would be about $500...but budget is 21k tops

 

That all is required at 100,000 Miles which would put you at 160,000Km

 

Keep looking. If you have to get one now, get the '05 (only downside, to me, is the beige interior).

 

I am from edmonton and regarding water pump and timing belt replacement, dealership wanted 1200-1400$. That is a 105 000km maintenance. But I think that any honda shop can do this for way less money. And I would go with the 06. Black interior looks nicer I think, on the 05 rims are ugly as hell, and I don't personally like the spoiler on the 05. in october I paid 23500 for a SSM TL no navi, 6 speed, with 92 000km (just for reference)

 

Agreed....but even high mileage TL-Ses up here are in the low $30s, which may not be an option for the OP. But if it is, yeah...wait and shop around for a TL-S.

And pay more attention to how well the car was maintained versus just what the odo says. I'd much rather have a higher mileage wellmaintained car than an abused lower mileage one.

 

i would get the 2006, but not in this case. the 2006 looks poorly maintained (judging by the picture) which makes me question how the car was handled.

i would honestly shop around more. but if you have your heart set on 1 of the 2 you listed, then go for the 2005.

 

wow.

so after reading the 'what did you pay for your 3G TL thread' I am almost speechless. In Canada we are getting raped for prices...that is why I have decided to put the above mentioned cars on 'hold' as not only they pricey in comparison to what their actually worth and the individual pros/cons.

Now I've been searching for brokers who can import cars, anyone have any suggestions?

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?paId=311525134

That car would basically be $21,000 to my door in Canadian dollars. Pros: Low Kms, Navi, dealer inspection report, WDP with Black leather mmmm....Cons: Not being able to see the car, Brokerage fee's: Approx $2500, dealer tax and having to negotiate over the phone....

 

That 2006 TL was in a front end accident.. almost guaranteed. Don't know if it was severe or minor but enough to warrant a full bumper repaint. Make sure to find out why that entire bumper was repainted and is not factory paint.

 

it makes you question the way the car was taken care of.

 

That WDP on cars.com you just linked on here looks good to me. A hell of a lot less miles than the others, and it's not ugly like the other two haha.

I love my 04 WDP. Good luck trying to find one! Just don't rush into anything...take your time.

 

...just a heads up....make sure you really check out the history of the one you posted from cars.com. I believe it has a salvage or rebuilt title. I am pretty sure I called on it a few weeks ago when I was searching for the White on Black combo. If it doesn't have a salvage title, it was most definitely severely wrecked. I researched Regal motors and that is their business.

 

Personally, I would pass on both. I think if you look around you can do much better.

 

Timing belt is due at 105,000 miles, not Km.

 

get the 05, the 06 seems to have some real troubles with the current owner. Calgary winters are harsh (I've been there once and I don't plan on returning in the winter), and that bumper seems to be more than "highway chips"

 

After seeing what canadians are paying for cars I would think it would be worth it to take a trip down to the states for a weekend and buy one down here.

 

Neither, keep shopping. That 06 is trashed. The owner had to have smashed into something with that front bumper, those aren't chips, there are entire sections of paint missing.

 

agreed. keep looking, and good luck in finding the right TL.

 

thanks guys.

I think i'll pass on both the Calgary cars for now...let me know if you guys see any good deals! I made contact with a broker so they can get it all done for me for about $2500 to my door incl transportation, doc's and modifications to Canadian motor laws (ie. DRL etc)

My budget is $21-22k Canadian...so about $16 American with enough room for the brokerage fees.


*EDIT*

So another side question for the experts:

I am really leaning towards the black interior only because I am not a fan of the wood trim....beige leather I can live with and actually don't mind, it's just the blasted wood trim! Can this be changed somehow, I've seen ebay dash kits but are those just stickers that go on top of the trim, or are their OEM kits that I can purchase and easliy install to get the trim of a black leather TL....sorry, I guess you can say I'm picky but if this is going to be my car, i want it my way!
I couldnt find a DYI anywhere, I guess its not a very popular mod....not sure if its even possible...

 

Neither. Don't like the 05 rims, rear spoiler and side moldings. The 06 has a wire of some sort sticking out of the grill and that bumper requires a full repaint. Oh and the kilometerage is kind of high for that price? What is the exchange rate from Canadian to US dollars?

MY 04 5AT with 67,000 miles (108,469 KM) was only $14,300 usd after taxes tag and dealer fees.

 

I think the thing hanging out is hte the block heaters block....Canadian winters gotta love em....and the exchange rate is approx 0.85cents to the dollar

 

Is that what the wire is? lol I would never have figured .... Miami ... yeah =]

anyways i just paid for a Currency Exchange rate app for the iphone. Pretty cool. $1 usd is $1.10 cad -----OR----- $1 cad is $0.91 usd.

 

man this market is weaaaak. nothing new, the only other one i found was ridiclous, $27,500 for a 06 WDP no navi with black leather....no thanks


I might have to stick with the chicks WDP for $21k...looks like just paint damage to me, otherwise pretty clean.

 

So I can't figure out how to edit my original post, but this is my new one prospect:

05 Acura TL - A-Spec
88,000km
All in price of $26,500 canadian of course:

pics:

 

that's a nice car. price seems a bit high, but then a-specs are rare. it looks clean. i'd say go for that one if you can talk them down $1500 or so.

 

Very nice car indeed. Pursue that if you can get the price down to where it is affordable to you.

 

Don't pay for a broker, importing a car into Canada is very easy, read up on the process here:
http://www.riv.ca/

I bought my SHO out in MA, took me all of 20 min to cross the border with all the paperwork.

I also agree with don't just go with the lower mileage car. I could have bought another AM 05 6 speed with half the km than the car I ended up getting for about the same price; but my car has a far better interior, drove better, has less rattles, and just in better overall conditions.
In fact the TL I ended up with had the most mileage than all the other ones I test drove, and is in better condition than all of them.

 

154K on '05 TL is a lot of mileage and definitely not worth the price tag. It doesn't even have a navi, which is a must imo.

My '06 TL which has about 55K is valued at ~$17K and I have a navi. So, I would definitely advise against the first one.