Been looking at TLs for awhile and had decided to go Gen 4 because I planned to keep this car 10 years.

Then I found an '05 with 120k miles locally that I wouldn't consider except it's a 6mt. they're asking $8,800. Even if I get them down closer to $8k, I just feel that's a heck of a lot of money to pay for a 11-year-old car that I might only get 4-5 more years out of.

I haven't even driven this one yet, and kind of don't want to in case i really like it and go with it when i'd be better off buying a gen 4 with around 35k miles for ~$19k.

Anyway, what do you 3G experts think? Is that just too much to ask for a decent TL (assuming this one is decent)?

CarFax looks good. Only strange thing, although I guess it's a good thing probably, is the timing belt job was done around 40k.

Thanks!

 

4-5 years at 8 k is only $2000 a year or about 166 bucks a month .. Not that bad. It being a 6MT it would also be pretty bulletproof.

 

gotta go inspect it and make sure it's worthwhile..
sure, numbers and the potential thoughts make sense, but go check it out and see!
it could be in horrible condition and then it wouldn't make sense...

or
it could be a gem and the seller might let it go for cheaper with a little coaxing..

go check it out

 

$8800 is steep for an '05 with 120k. Can't blame the guy for shooting high I guess.

 

Seems too high for an 05 but the 6mt models are solid. But on the flip side there is no price I'd pay for a 4g, sorry but their looks still turn my stomach to this day I think it's the ugliest model Acura ever produced haha

 

the price is high, but with the right charm and negotiation skills, that number will drop.


Go check out the car!! doesnt hurt to just check it out and assess your options afterwards

 

It's such a shame. They come out with the 3G TL, which I think is one of the best looking car produced this century and then produce the turd that is the 4G TL. At least the TLX looks a little better, but I still wouldn't purchase any Acura made in recent years (not that I could afford them). The front grills are hideous. Whoever is designing cars for Acura right now needs to be fired.

Acura/Honda in the early/mid 2k's was killing it, the S2000, RSX, 3G TL, and TSX were all sweet looking cars.

 

Items I would keep in mind at this age and price point
- Timing Belt at 40k, assuming done in the early years, leads me to feel there was an over rev condition and the heads were pulled (or some other oddity like leaking water pump or something)
- You have no idea what condition the clutch is in and no easy way to check (you can confirm if it is slipping or not, but no idea how much life is left)
- Confirm the shifting and engagement in all gears are smooth (mine is notchy in 2nd and 4th...my 3rd is just fine)
- Then you still have the rest of the normal used car checks to make

Now assuming the car is in great condition, the clutch isn't slipping, and the TB was done at 40k...you could assume that no matter what happened at 40k, it was more than likely repaired correctly since another 80k miles were put on it since then. But keep in mind this means the next TB service is coming due in the next 20-30k miles.

 

I recently purchased a '06 TL with 141k miles on it. After complying with the overdue scheduled maintenance and fixing some known problems, I should be in it for $6200. 6MT

I looked at a nice '05 TL with 127k miles on it, at a dealer, and it was in good condition, new tires, except in needing the 105k service (timing belt, etc). They wanted close to $7k for it. 6MT

I looked at a '05 TL with 138k miles on it at a used car dealer. More worn exterior and interior, some small rust spots. Timing belt complied with. Asking price was $6500. 6MT

In my area (northern VA/MD), I would think a more realistic price for the car you are considering would be in the $6500-7000 range.

On a used car though, things vary widely (other than mileage), so paying a premium for a one owner, always garaged, good records, etc, can be justified.

Good luck.

 

thats alot to read op.....I recently considered a type-s 6mt, and if I could tell you one thing it would be: YOU HAVE TO GO SEE/DRIVE THE VEHICLE.

 

I had a couple firm offers for $6700 for mine, but ended up giving it to my nephew for 6,000. The condition is exceptional though, and then again, that's with the Flashpro, '08 Type-S ECU which could be flipped for a quick $700 total and the Forgestars which could be flipped for a quick $700-800, so he's getting a pretty good deal. I'll miss it, but an M240i with JB4 putting ~ 380 to the wheels should fill the void. It was fun walking 4.6 Mustang GTs and Charger R/Ts in the TL, but it'll be even more fun walking 5.0's and Charger SRT 8's in the 240.

 

Price is high for an 05. You dont have the new seats nor the tpms sensors. Look for another unless it's a unicorn. I can get a TL-S for 8.8k around here in Canada and these cars cost more here. 6mt is BULLETPROOF.
things to point out so you can lower price:
-compliance bushings
-hfl
-brakes
-power steering system
-timing belt
-high rpm shift with the slave valve (will need to double/triple clutch)
-axles

 

^^^^well the MT is bullet proof UNTIL you let Justnspace drive the car.

 

lol the gearbox itself will still be kickin. Just would need new clutch kit, which is not that expensive compared to an auto.

 

The problem now these day the MT become almost extinct and if any TL with MT they mostly beat to hell with all the mods on it with ridiculous price wanted. The clean looking one generally get pick up pretty fast.

 

Spoke to a TLX owner today. He claimed to be a long time Acura owner and was clearly not happy with his new TLX. He said the 4 cylinder lacks power and the 8 speed Dual Clutch transmission shift programming stinks.

Acura seems to think it's shit doesn't stink these days and their name will carry them. I think whomever is in charge of designing the current sedan models needs to be fired !

If I were looking for a new car right now, I's consider an Accord V6 Touring model long before a new Acura.
.
.

 

Agree. So bad!!

 

A 3rd gen TL-S in Canada for 8800? A 5at, right? Because 6mt TL-Ss have become rare as fuck. That car has been ridden harder than a rented mule. Unless it's out east and the suspension, brakes and soon to be body are rusted beyond belief where repairs are a bigger bitch than God knows what. Or it has 200,000+ km. I wouldn't touch any Type S for that price

 

The cheapest quote I got for replacing the clutch was $1400, and that's if I supplied the parts myself. Either way it's still a $2000 repair (in Canada). I mean, you can do it yourself. But that transmission is fucking heavy compared to a civic transmission. There's no easy or cheap way to do it.

 

Thanks, all. In the end, I couldn't justify paying that much for a car with that many years/miles on it. At $7,000ish, it would have made more sense.

I went this route instead: https://acurazine.com/forums/fourth-...new-tl-955221/

I know the 4th gen is polarizing, but the look really does grow on you in person, especially the 2012-14s.

I have no doubt that the 3G 6MT would have been the more fun car, but this one is clean, feels almost new inside, the tech is way more modern, and I have no doubt it will easily last 10 years.

 

yea actually a high mileage (not a big deal) and 5AT are that low.
the 6mt ill be expecting to pay 10-12k

 

I 100% agree on the 3G and 4G, and yes the TLX does look better than the 4G, but despite having more HP and AWD it did not have the same sporty feel as my TL and I told the guy at the dealership as much when I returned it. So I still say the 3G is the best Acura made (ok except maybe the NSX) to date.

 

I recently purchased an '05 TL, 6MT, black leather, navigation, 106k miles. Dash had 2 major cracks, and the paint had some scratches on the rear/rock chips on the front (black exterior). Got him down to 5400... I personally would wait until he lowers the price or is willing to negotiate. Im no TL expert, but I would consider myself to be very car-savvy. If in MINT condition, I (personally) would pay no more than 7k. Ive owned 2 Acura Integras (DA & DC), mileage was never an issue with me considering the reliability of the DOHC motor. But I am not as educated on the J series compared to the B. Just seems a tad steep for the miles IMO