Hey guys, I'm in the market for a TL, auto with navi. I'm looking for an 04-06 model, with 30-60K miles on it. I've found plenty, and I was wondering if there is anything mechanical in nature that I should look for that would discourage me from buying a certain car, common problems with the TL that I would be able to spot before I buy. Thanks for any and all help

 

I think starting with the 06 TL they got the 3rd gear tranny problem taken care of. This thread may help:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...17&postcount=7

And this one:

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/3g-tl-service-department-aka-garage-questions-answers-check-here-first-553557/

Welcome to Acurazine

 

The only issue I've had with my '04 is the "toe setting" (I think this is what it's called) on the rear wheels (improves grip in turns), which wore out the tires too quickly (hastened if you had a load). Dealer fixed the problem. So, I'd have that setting checked. Look at the rear tires to see how they have worn compared to the fronts.

The car has been a dream to drive. No tranny issues.

If the car has Bridgestone Turanza EL 42's on it, you will want to replace those if you drive in any snow or rain (even if the tires are relatively new). They are a mess -- just don't give you a confident ride. I just got Bridgestone Potenza 960RE All-Season Pole Position's -- haven't driven them enough to evaluate, but they are the #1 rated tire on tirerack.com for the 235/45R/17 wheel.

You'll also want to buy a few DVD-Audio's -- awesome sound!!

Good luck with your purchase decision.

 

Thanks for the help. Is there a big selection of DVD-A's out there? Are they expensive?

 

No really unless you are into Jazz and some r&b music, in any case you can make your own, just search adobeman and check him out, he made a software for making DVD-As for our cars.

 

Sprkyspe, DVD Audio discs are tough to find, but you can still get them at www.acousticsounds.com and www.buy.com as well as Amazon. They are more expensive, but WOW....they sound is outstanding in the car and on your home sound system (if it's hooked up for 5.1).

Also try www.5point1.com and www.cduniverse.com

 

i believe the tranny is fixed starting from the 07 cause im in the process of lemon right now.

 

Ouch! Sorry to hear that.

 

I am not aware of any 3rd gear problem on an AUTO tranny and I don't believe there is one.

The 3rd gear problem exists on manual trannies and does effect 2006 model years.

 

Good point........my bad.

 

sorry to mention but my ride is 6mt and also i remember having an 06 auto loaner car and felt like it had tranny issue cause it was shifting hard compare to the 07 tl loaner car. I dont know what happened to the 06 loaner but felt like it was slipping.

 

04 05 carried the gen2 A/T trans problems with it.
see gen2 `tranny failure` thread for horror stories, just the last few pages will freak you out!

On the warranty replacement units for gen2, in 2005 there was a physical change in the trans case with better oil passages and the 2nd gear external oiler is moved internal.
Those units seem to be holding up better,, but are still just parts!

Its ~my belief~ acura test new things on the warranty units- if it works- include it in production units! With that theory a car made in late 05 might have the new design trans case and be better than the average TL

Make sure you buy it `CPO` from acura dealer which comes with a 100k mile trans warranty, or buy the acura extended or a good aftermarket warranty $1500-2000
Figure the trans is going to fail @ $4000 at some point

any car you really like- call acura 1-800 382-2238 x5 with the vin- tell them looking to buy and want recall check and warranty repair history- it may already have a new trans~
then have a private shop check it out- 100 bucks inspecting a few cars can save you thousands in repairs

Also check the Off Topic link at top of pages here, then Private Sales- Member cars for sale- you can post a want ad there too

 

there is a warranty fix on the rear bushings and some contact issue- probably some others I dont know about too- ask the 800 number people

 

Thanks for the help, wish I'd seen this yesterday. I joined the club with an 05 w/ navi, 55K, auto. I'll give this number a call anyways.

 

Hey sprkyspe, can I ask how much you paid for your TL? I'd PM you but I think you need 5 posts before I can do that.

 

mistuh_fu,

Not to jump in on your question but I got my 05 TL with 36k on it about 6 weeks ago and got it for $18,000.

 

Nah that's fine, but lets not hi-jack the thread Check your PM when you can.

 

I paid $16K out the door. Atlanta area. I'm from Bama and there really aren't that many TL's around here.

 

What part of Atlanta? I bought mine from Sons Acura (used to be called Baranco Acura) south of I75. Mine is an 07 TL with nav.

 

Good price. Was it far off from their asking price?

 

It was over in Norcross, not an Acura dealer though