Dave88LX

Wanted to break this away from my original thread since we're going back down there today...

There's a dealer in Annapolis, they have two TLs, exactly what we want: Dark grey, navigation, black interior...wait what is it, Anthracite Metallic paint, ebony interior, and navigation.

They have:
'04 w/ navigation w/ 35K miles for $25,995
'05 w/ navigation w/ 53K miles for $24,995

Assuming I can work both down to a reasonable price, still retaining a thousand-dollar difference between the two..is it worth spending the extra $1K to get the '04 with 18K less miles? Or does the '05 have more improvements that would make it worth it even with the miles?

I'm thinking the '04 would be better b/c of the miles and I would have more warranty left.

'04-'05 differences:
'04 - '05 Differences:
https://acurazine.com/forums/show...820#post1131820

leedogg

Tough choicce, do they have any 06's available? I think that 04 looks like a good deal. Shit, my 06 already has 32k on it

Midnight_TL

i know for one thing....big difference from the 04-05 is the seats. the 04's have single stitched seats. the 05's have double stitched seats. the current 07's have triple stitched seats. basically, the more stitching....the less butt prints you'll leave in the leather. hope that helps.

Dave88LX

I was reading about that in the thread that I linked. Does the dealer replace the seats under warranty if they get the butt prints? Looks like it happened for a few people.

Dave88LX

Also I meant to ask...

We've been dealing with a salesman at a local dealer, pretty good guy, not pushy, not a jackass, not a typical salesman. I know dealers can get cars from other dealers etc. (I think). These cars we saw were at another dealer ~15 miles away. Should we then just go and deal with the other dealership, or, talk to our salesman, let them know they're there, and see if he can get them up here and buy from him?

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

Well first of all some of the 04s had a recall on the tranny. First thing to do would be to find out if that car was one of them. If it was I say its an okay buy if they had the recall done at low miles. If it has the recall but it hasnt been done then I say forget that. Another thing to keep in mind is that the 04 was a first model year. I say go for the 05.

Dave88LX

So even with the higher miles and almost-over warranty, the '05 would be the the better deal? I'll take them both out of course and make sure they're equal/nothing wrong.

I'll ask about the tranny. The salesman should be able to find out right?

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

Oh well when you said dealer I assumed you ment Acura and also assumed you ment certified. My fault and yes I do know the saying for assume. Hm I would say a lot of my choice would depend on the recall and whether or not it had it and if it did apply to that one whether or not it was preformed. If you have the VIN numbers you can find out yourself.

Dave88LX

I'm sorry...yes it's from an Acura dealer, Certified Used vehicle.

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

Well correct me if I am wrong on this but doesnt that mean it comes with a 7 year 100k acura care warranty?

Dave88LX

http://www.acura.com/index.aspx?init...rrantyCoverage

You would be correct:

. Every Acura Certified Pre-Owned customer receives a 12 month/12,000-mile Limited Warranty plus a 7-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty.

IIRC, the bumper-to-bumper warranty ends at 4 or 5 years, and I think 62K miles.

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

Well then it comes to another question of which one is going to be worse for you time or miles. If you get the 04 you are going to have more miles you can go but less time. If you get the 05 you will have less miles but you will have more time.

Registar at https://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/login.asp?brand=acura and if you have the VINs you can enter them there and it will give you information about recalls. I am sure if you dont you can go to your dealers website and they should be listed there.

Dave88LX

Well we will use the miles up long before the time is up...which points to the '04...

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

The next step is look up the recall information. I say if it doesnt apply to that car your fine or if it does apply and its been done you should be fine. The only thing I would worry about is if it does apply and it hasnt been done. I say both cars are probably great cars and test drive a lot and see what you like. It seems to me the 04 is a good choice and I am sure if thats what you decide you will be more then happy with it.

ballinfizzle89

iTrader: (6)

Yeah true, but then again some of the 05's had a recall as well on the engines. Might want to check that out too!

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

Really wow I never heard of that. What was it for? Either way if he has the VINs I am sure he can get all recall information.

Dave88LX

Well the correct answer appears to be "neither".

Drove the '05 first. Interior seemed to be in good shape, exterior in pretty good shape too. I noticed right away a rattling/buzzing certain times coming from the drivers side front (interior) while on the highway, pretty loud/annoying. I also noticed a ticking coming from the engine, but not the normal fast valvetrain noise. This you heard more when you crouched down, slow enough you could tap along with it, almost like exhaust leak, but don't know for sure. I also noticed that looking where the bumper meets the bottom of the headlights, the bumper stuck out maybe 1/8", a little more. Not a whole lot, but enough to make me wonder why. I checked out other cars, they weren't like that. Maybe it's just how that one was, I think it should be flush though.

The '04...to start with there is about a 2-3" spot on the roof where the car looks like it sat in Arizona for 25 years. The paint is almost gone, all dried up/cracked. There are multiple nicks/cuts/scrapes on the front bumper. The rear-view mirror FELL OFF when my wife went to adjust it. He said they put a new windshield in it and they must not have attached it well. Then asked if we wanted to drive with it hanging! Uh, no...that's great for the wiring, moron. On the doors by the door handles, it looks like they dragged their nails up the paint 500 times per handle, there's vertical lines a-plenty. I also noticed the trunk didn't seem to line up square with the quarters, maybe just needed adjustment, I don't know. Still didn't like it. Also some pretty bad curb rash on the wheels.

I asked him about the spot on the roof, he said it was probably bird shit. Well, if it was bird shit, how freaking long did it sit there? What other multiple items were neglected on the car that I CAN'T visually see?

He told me not to expect a new car, if I want a new car he can sell me one. Guy just had a crappy attitude. I told him I don't want a new car, but I don't want to spend $5-6K less than a new car to have this many problems.

But both cars had an interior rattle that I can't deal with, and the '05 had that engine ticking. He said he'd call me after he gets that stuff checked out. But get this, that price is not negotiable...it's been on the lot 30 days, they marked it down, and that's the final price...$24,977. LOL


Both cars were a lease, which makes me think they weren't taken care of.


Search continues.

Dave88LX

Oh, I asked about recalls, he said "well, it's a certified car. Any recalls that came up would have been fixed." I don't think that's true.

zoostation

iTrader: (1)

I'm looking at an 04 standard trans. Any feedback on automatic vs. manuel tranny?

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

daaammmmnnnn . i have 23k and i cant forgive myself for driving soo much

people ask me why i always wanna drive when we go places... its the damn car that does it!!! makes you want to drive aimlessly all day long

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

dave, i wouldnt get that 04.... too much "bad" stuff for $24k....

honestly, shop around. you can get a much better shape TL for that kind money. Hell, check the Black market, or look @ other dealers... i would NEVER spend that much money to get a car with a hanging mirror, bad roof paint..


but... if you REALLY want a TL,. you are going to have to ignore the "vibration" issues. the cars all have them ... when my 06 was only 3-4 months old, i noticed it.... it happens

best of luck...

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

oh yea.. one more thing.... the 1/8" thing on the bumper is NORMAL... if the spot you are referring to is in the picture below, EVERY TL i have ever see has that issue.. even brand new (atleast up to 06, not sure about 07)

Dave88LX

Oh they're all like that? I thought it was just that one. Made me wonder if something happened and the bumper was off for some reason. Seems hit-or-miss.

Are you talking driveline vibes or interior rattling? This was an interior sound. The first one we test drove didn't do it. I don't know if the dealer can fix it, but I'm not gonna buy it and just hope they can fix it.

I was pretty disappointed in the condition of that '04.

zoostation

iTrader: (1)

I'm close to buying a "04" too. How can I see if it had the tranny recall. Would that show up on carfax?

zoostation

iTrader: (1)

I'm pretty sure that would be the extened warrenty. Not 100%, but they're trying to get me to pay $800 for an extended warrenty bringing it to 7 years (total) and 100k.

zoostation

iTrader: (1)

Do they only vibrate at certain speeds? I noticed once I got it up over 60 I didn't feel it as much. I assumed it was a balance issue, but from what you're saying it sounds like it's there to stay??

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

the vibrations are everywhere. maybe more in my car, as i have changed the suspension. Interior rattles generally come from the headliner, dashboard, and passanger seat (when nobody is in it)

driveline vibrations are everywhere in the car!! i get them mostly under drivers side dash, and around the shifter (5AT)

Will Y.

FWIW, I've got a stock '05 with no vibration issues at any speed and none of the reputed rattles from the headliner/dash/seat/sunroof/subwoofer. I wouldn't get (or keep) a car that has any such issues, either.

chill_dog

Get the 04.

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

oh yea i forgot about the subwoofer rattle!! lol

i fixed mine very easily.. just stuffed some foam in an opening about the trunk light... theres a plastic piece near the metal frame, which is what attaches to the rear speaker panel... i stuffed the foam in there in october, hasnt rattled since!

MR1

^ What Will Y. said. My stock 05 has 32K and 0 issues. I can make the subwoofer rattle if I crank the base and sound up.

Dave88LX

Nah, I'm going to pass on that '04. Too much apparent neglect to be worth it. Much better deals out there.

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

yea seriously Dave..... the price was about right for those two cars, but the condition didnt seem fair... go find a grandma who owned an 04 with 20k on it, for about $24~25k.

Dave88LX

Yep for sure. Like I said Tischer Acura has around three '04's with 50-60K miles in much better shape for $22,995, but non-Navi. I'll have to keep looking.